Ophelia The Omega

Ch.3 A Plan

(Ophelia)

The reception concludes and the gathering is moved to the grand ball room for dancing and refreshments. I remember this day as the longest day of my life, the mating ceremony had taken place in the afternoon, then followed by a mid-evening dinner and dancing. Just before the mating ceremony closed with Liam escorting me to the suite that is to be our shared room. Though, the rest of the evening during the dance was a blur as I felt fatigue and sick after my meal and it only worsened as the night proceeded. I recall waking the next morning in the house infirmary and to shamefully find out later that Genevie had taken my place by Liam's side for the rest of that night. He swore that it didn’t mean anything.

Not this time.

"Are you well enough for our dance?" Liam whispered low as he immediately links an arm to mine as I step away from the grand dinning table.

"Of course." I do my best to smile up at him. "I wouldn't miss it for the world." because my life depends on it, I think quietly to myself.

"Good, no one can replace you at my side." he assures.

"well," I murmur only for him to hear. "If anything, I would say young Lady LeBlanc to be a better partner than none."

He tenses for a moment. I can only presume he is pondering the events that unfolded during dinner. "I suppose." he answers while glancing in her direction. She is suitable for the Luna position. She was groomed by the current Luna herself.

"Something on your mind, dear?" I question innocently.

"No." he smiles down at me. "Let’s get you into your evening gown and enjoy the rest of this evening. It's our special night after all."

I nod in response. His hold only tightens as he guides me to the room on the main level set up as a temporary dressing room for the many gowns he selected for this day.

He leaves me in care of Scarlett and leaves his personal guard stationed at the door to change his own attire for the evening. Which is the royal blue suit with white and small gold trim. I remember the suit well, because it matched the dark blue sultry gown that clung to Genevie’s slim frame in the photos I received from the Great Luna when I was in the infirmary. Now her actions to reassure 'I did not ruin my mates big evening', seems a bit sinister in new light.

I am standing in front of the three large mirrors staring at my reflection. My raven black hair is hanging straight and lifeless to the mid of my back. My warm olive skin looking dull compared to the deep midnight blue of the heavy gown, the very same I wore before. My toned features that were a result of an Omega's hard work were shrouded by the massive gown. This dress did not suit me, at five foot, six inches, the material and it's tailoring unflatters my curvy and fit form. It's as if this gown was meant for someone else. I purposfully take a step, ensuring to snag the trailing material underneath and stumble. Struggling to contain a smile as I hear a satisfying rip.

"Oh, no. What have you done?" The seamstress snarls. "Clumsy girl."

"It seems it was too long. I'm terribly sorry." I politely apologize.

She helps me undress and mumbles something unpleaseant under her breath as she takes the torn dress away. I glance around the room and sigh with relief, the seamstress had brought a rack of emergency dresses for the occasion. All trimmed and embroidered with the House VaLore's sigil. I take my time as I filter through the rack, until I find it, the perfect dress to compliment my figure and skin tone.

It takes a moment for the seamstress to adjust the bustline as my breast are more than a handful. She steps away and I take a final once over in the mirrors. It's a strapless white princess halter, completely white with gold trim and from the waist down is the same white but in a satin material that clings to my hips and toned bottom. It falls to the floor gracefully with a single pleat in the front that gives way to a midnight satin royal blue with gold accent. like a stary night.

"You are very talented," I pause to face the seamstress. "Such beautiful work belongs in a museum."

"Oh," she blushes. "This little thing, i whipped it up last minute before the ball. . . " She continues to ramble on about her ability and how she found that fashion was her calling. I just politely listen to her and smile with a nod when appropriate. She warms up to me and ensures the gown it tailored to perfection. I know all to well, that someone in her position just wants someone to listen to their accomplishments, and acknowledge them as a human being with talents.

"thank you. . um, sorry i didn't catch your name."

"Tessy, my dear." she beams with pride. "Owner of Tessy Dresses."

"Well, you are my savior tonight, Tess." I sigh with relief. "You might have saved this whole evening with this beautiful work of art i surly don't deserve to wear." I lower my head slightly.

"Dont be to hard on yourself dear." She lowers her voice, only for me to hear. "I think you look better in this gown than the Luna or that Lady LeBlanc." she gives me a little smirk before stepping away to admire her handy work.

I instruct the maids to take a barrel iron and loosely curl my pin straight hair and I finish the hair style. By pinning the right side with a white pearl and gold decorated hair pin gifted to me from Liam, the day after we found out we were mates. I finish my make-up with a bold dramatic flair and small gold accents, accentuating my high cheekbones and almond shaped eyes.

I look like an entirely different person, bold, sexy, and strong. The old me would have gone with whatever Liam had picked out, but not tonight, not ever again.

"You look amazing." Scarlett sighs. "You'll have not just your mate’s attention tonight O."

"It's time for a change." I give her a wink as I open the door to the hallway.

I close the door behind me but feel a pair of eyes burning into the back of my neck. I turn to find the guard starting with wide eyes and mouth open.

"Too much?" I smirk.

"Oh no." he shakes his head. "You look stunning, my lady." he gestures me to take his arm.

"Why thank you Talon." I say, recalling the guards name.

"Y-you know my name?" He says with suprise. Of course, how could i forget one of the two men who threw me into the still water of death.

I curse myself. I should have waited to use his name until he was properly introduced. "Of course," I recover quickly. "Who would I be if I didn't know who my mate keeps close."

I catch a small smile and a bit of pink creeping into his cheeks as I fix my arm into his. I feel him eyeing me as we walk to the entrance of the grand ball room, where Liam is patiently waiting. He senses us approaching and turns to greet us, only to pause and take me in properly. Pleasant blue eyes grow dark as they grow hungry, falling over my curves and back up. My brow arches waiting for him to respond.

“O...” He breathes with a heavy rasp. “You didn’t wear the dress I selected?” his eyes scanning me once more without appreciation.

“I tripped on the long train and it tore.” I smile innocently. “But this one compliments my figure just as well, does it not?”

“It does.”

His response is quick and thoughtless as if he purposefully wanted me to look ill fitted as the dress he picked out. Was that his plan all along? To make me look like I didn’t belong in that gown, this place, or by his side. New questions and suspicions make their way to the front of my mind before the awkward tension has me wondering why we have not made our entrance yet.

Liam’s eyes are lock onto my arm that is laced with Talon’s. His lip twitches and a low growl begins to sound at the back of his throat. I quickly untangle myself and take my place at his side. He quickly composes himself, only to instruct Talon to stand guard ‘outside’ of the ballroom. Ever the possessive one.

“You ready for this?” He stands tall, shoulders back, chin up and faces forward.

I remember this moment because he didn’t ask me if I was ready. He simply told me to be ready.

“Do you think I am?”

My question surprises him, causing his alpha façade to falter. “You are my Luna, you have to be.” And this answer I find to be the most honest I have ever received from him.

“I will.” I say, because if I don’t I’m good as dead. I will need a plan to survive this house.

He squeezes my arm into his side, pulling me impossibly close to him as the ballroom doors part for our entrance.