Two Alphas One Omega

2. Unexpected News

Melrose POV:

I woke up far too late the following day, at 5:55 AM. After an exasperating night spent in the bunkers until 3 AM, we were finally released, much to my annoyance. The rogues slipped away after the warriors emerged, marking a peculiar shift in the atmosphere. This strange turn of events has been the talk of the palace, leaving everyone buzzing with speculation.

Yet, duty calls; I needed to rise at 5 AM to tackle my chores; they did a head count at 6 AM. I could not be late! Not today of all days! Today was an important holiday for our culture: the mating moon, also called the blood moon. Amidst this peculiar energy, we will witness a tantalizing event that the palace eagerly hosts this year. I'm supposed to be serving tonight alongside the other omega slaves, and waking up late made me want to pull my hair out. I loathed the mating moons, my hatred for them burning like a relentless fire within me; they plunged me into crippling anxiety. It was as if, for an excruciating 24 hours, I was shackled by the most profound dread known to humanity. The last thing I needed was a merciless beating or a scathing scolding for being tardy... not today when the world's weight felt heavier than ever before.

It was 5:55 AM. I had 5 minutes to be out the door; my clothes were scattered all over my dorm, but I couldn't find my damn apron “Chrystal!?" I called out, finding it trifling that she would leave without waking me up today of all days! "Have you seen my apron? I need it!" I strained to listen for a reply, but silence hung heavy in the air. I could feel the clock ticking, reminding me I was running out of time. I muttered, frustration mounting; I couldn’t afford to be late today! I pushed aside all thoughts of the apron and ran out of my dorm and upstairs towards the kitchen, praying with all my might that Helga hadn't started her speech yet... I'd really be in for it then.

My nerves were shot as I raced through the crowded halls, where maids prepared the decorations for tonight's event. I saw two guards carrying the sacred candles that the King and Queen will take into the forest tonight. It's a beautiful tradition; underneath the full moon, wolves will travel near and far to the Iron Claw Kingdom to scent out their mates during this ancient ceremony. At midnight, Alpha King Argus will guide all the unmated male wolves deep into the woods, while Queen Luna Stefani will take the unmated females to the opposite end. There, beneath the shimmering light of the full moon, he will unleash a mighty howl, a call that resonates with the essence of our existence. In response, Queen Luna Stefani will raise her voice in a hauntingly beautiful howl, signaling the beginning of the sacred ceremony.

Then mating will begin...

Under the full moon's glow, The air becomes saturated with an irresistible longing as wolves search to catch even the faintest scent of their mates. Tensions rise high, and wolves are at their most primal state. The males will howl into the night up to three times and wait, hoping their fated mate is nearby. Most wolves, compelled by the magnetic pull of their soul mates, answer without hesitation, their howls intertwining in a harmonious chorus that celebrates their unbreakable bond. Yet, some brave souls choose the thrill of the hunt, seeking out the chase, enhancing the thrill of the bond. It's probably the most romantic way to find your mate underneath the blood moon, surrounded by a million stars lighting up the night sky, running in an endless field with your true love... your other half...

At least, that's what I've heard and what I like to imagine. Then there are those last group of wolves—wolves like me—who howl three times only to be met with silence. Nothing. It's a terrible and embarrassing feeling. After three years, I knew Elder Helena was right: I was darkly cursed.

Why would the Stygian curse grant me a mate? Although Ezra insists it has nothing to do with this so-called curse—he doesn’t believe in it—he claims it’s common for omega wolves not to find their fated mates. He talks about weak wolves and other excuses, but that doesn’t ease my anxieties, especially regarding an alpha like him. He surely has a fated mate somewhere and would instantly leave me for her.

That's part of the reason I’m a nervous wreck. I loathe mating moons for many reasons. First, they’re chaotic; the males become wild and possessive. Secondly, I'm often overworked since I am what you'd call an orphan omega. They work me harder than most of the other maids … It's how I “earn my keep” within the pack, which is a shitty way of saying they don't pay me for any of the work here in the palace; my payment is having a dorm to sleep in and safety beyond the Iron Wall, so long as I complete all my chores.

It's a lousy deal, but it's what I have. Thankfully, Ezra, who makes plenty of money, sees that I'm okay financially; he’s refused to let me work in the city, claiming it’s too dangerous beyond the wall. I have to trust his words. I’ve never been outside the safety of the palace territory; my parents didn't allow it. However, Ezra and his former pack lived out in the woods until he was recruited and chosen for his sacred role, and then they moved into the palace territories.

But as I said, festivals like today come with no mercy, meaning I will work through the night, immersing myself in the madness, relying on adrenaline and anxiety to keep me going.

"Something is happening, " my wolf Athena stirred within me; she was up looking around. "No s**t, something is happening... tonight is a big deal" I pushed her down to the back of my mind, not in the mood to deal with her...She also dreaded the mating moons; not finding our mate affected her more than me. However, since Ezra came into our lives, that ache has lessened considerably. I hoped to see him before the madness, but I'd have to see him in passing because I woke up late.

I scanned the area for Chrystal, but she was absent from the lineup. Where the hell was she? She better hurry before Mistress Helga arrives; she’s the head maid in the palace and can be quite a nuisance. She is super strict and demands no-nonsense; she runs a tight ship and takes her responsibilities very seriously—perhaps a bit too seriously, in my opinion. She has served the royal family for years and holds her position in high regard.

I ran into the kitchen and joined the lineup with all the other maids, keeping my head low, and my arms crossed behind my back. I tried to calm my beating heart, knowing it would set Helga off. I peeked at the clock. It said 6:02 a.m. I was only a few minutes late but didn’t say a word as I heard heavy footsteps approaching the kitchen.

The French doors burst forth a few moments later, and Helga came in; she was short and stubby, her gray hair was in a long braid down her back, and her cold, glassy eyes looked at us like filth, "Something is happening," Athena breathed, her voice trembling with a haunting urgency. I swept my gaze across the room, hunting for shadows of chaos, but everything appeared serene and ordinary. "Shh, Thena, it's just the mating moon weaving illusions in your mind," I murmured, trying to soothe her with a touch of playful confidence, yet deep inside, an unsettling sense of foreboding coiled tighter than a serpent, making me feel dizzy. "I am NOT!" she insisted, "Something is happening... I can feel it in my bones. Our mate is coming." She jumped up and down excitingly in my mind, sniffing the air, but I didn't smell anything other than the sweet aroma from all the food being cooked for tonight's feast; as I said, the mating moons sometimes affect her more than me... I just couldn’t wait for this day to be over.

"Ladies," Helga's voice pierced through the kitchen like a sudden thunderclap, silencing the room instantly. As we froze, a palpable tension filled the air, all eyes fixated ahead, resolute in our decision to avoid her fiery gaze. "Heads up!" she commanded, her tone leaving no room for defiance, and we instinctively obeyed, although I couldn't shake the uneasy feeling in my chest that something big was happening... maybe Athena was right, and our mate was near? Or perhaps it was the dread of another Mating moon...

"I have some news about tonight's ball," Helga's voice cut through my thoughts like a sharp knife, bringing me back to reality. "There will be some changes," Helga said, walking up the aisle, her face blank; oh great, I mentally rolled my eyes; just what we needed more last-minute changes, the night of a mating moon, but I kept my head down and my eyes forward; I was not going to be the one to piss Helga off... no way! No Sir.

"Tonight is the night of the mating moons, and as you know, we will have 27 packs joining in this year's hunt. We must be perfect. The dishes need to be out on time, and no drinks spilled, unlike last year," she said, eyeing a timid omega named Charlie, who spilled red wine all over some luna the previous year... I'm surprised they put her back in the kitchen this year, but we were low on staff.

"In other news." Helgas's voice snapped me back to attention. "His Royal Highness, Alpha Prince Soren Sparrow, is returning from his Alpha Tour this afternoon, and the Queen Luna wants --- her voice died out in my mind when she mentioned Soren's name... I suppressed a groan and fought the urge to cry... Soren was coming back tonight? WHY!!!!!

Athen whimpered in my mind, mentally tucking her tail between her legs; she hated him just as much as I did. I couldn't believe he was coming back and a year early, too. My life for the past four years has been so peaceful; with Soren gone, the bullying nearly died, except for Darcell’s torment.

"Melrose... Melrose!" Helga's icy voice cut through my thoughts, and I flushed at being caught not listening, "yes, ma'am," I answered immediately. Her fierce gaze held mine, "did you hear what I asked?" her eyes narrowed, and my heart raced; I looked around at my fellow maids but got no help, and I shook my head, "I'm sorry, ma'am. I was---

"Everyone dismissed; Melrose, you stay here.".. she hissed, and the girls swiftly left the kitchen for their long-awaited task...

"Melrose," Helga snapped; when it was just the two of us alone, I braced myself for a scolding; today, out of all the days, was not one for screw-ups, even if my emotions were all over the place. "Yes, ma'am," I said, looking at the ground and holding my breath.

"Where is Chrystal?"

“I don't know, ma'am. She was not in my dorm when I woke up,"

“Hmm,” Helga grumbled and then looked at me. "Alright, then you’ll have to handle the alpha's floor. The queen demands it be freshly mopped and waxed. I would have another do it, but you are the quickest and most efficient."

“Yes, ma'am,” I repeated, still looking at the ground; I was going to kick Chrystal’s ass whenever I found her; I hoped she didn’t oversleep too…

"Now go!" She turned and left me, and I hurried to the alpha floor to begin my duties. My mind drifted to Ezra, and I missed him.

Several hours later, just when I was nearly done with the waxing, I heard the loud clacking of heels followed by the annoying high-pitched voice that I dreaded, "Well, isn't it Melon the maid," I turned and saw Darcell... aka Darcy the biggest, most annoying b***h in Iron Claw, standing at the top of the stairs; she was wearing a dark trench coat, and her shiny silky brown hair framed her face, her blue eyes sparkling with mischief.

I suppressed a growl, knowing nothing good would come from this interaction, so I braced myself for bullshit, knowing Darcy always came with it, and instead of lashing out, I put my pride to the side and bowed my head in respect, "Good day Miss. May I help you with anything?" I asked politely, keeping my eyes glued to the floor.

"Miss... miss?" she retorted. How dare you call me miss? "She kicked the mop bucket, causing the dirty mop water to splash all over me, soaking my uniform. Athena growled, wanting to charge her, but I held her back. "No, Thena, it will only get us in trouble. It's what she wants." Athena trembled inside me... wanting to snap her neck; Darcy was the worst. I don't think anyone could tolerate her outside of her parents and stuck-up wanna-be friends.

"I will be named Soren's Queen Luna tonight, haven't you heard?" I shook my head, "I haven't; please forgive me, miss, for my ignorance." I stayed quiet, my eyes locked on the ground,

"Well, I am." She smirked. And as the next Queen of the Iron Claw realm, I must warn you that I hate messes and lazy maids.

I nodded, "Yes, my queen," I forced out from the back of my throat. She kicked the mop bucket again, seeming satisfied with my humiliation, and scoffed, "Now clean up this mess, peasant. My mate is coming home soon and I don’t want him to see this mess!"

"Yes, your grace," I said through gritted teeth, watching her glide into Soren's room. The subtle scent wafting out nearly brought me to my knees—so musky and alluring. Had he always smelled this enticing? I wondered if it was that new air freshener his maids were experimenting with. Regardless, it wasn’t my concern, but how could I ignore such a captivating fragrance?" I wanted to get closer to coat myself in the scent. Nevertheless, I held back.

I quickly cleaned up the mop of water and headed to my dorm to change, stopping only to greet the youngest prince of Iron Claw, Silas, “Hey, Rosy,” he smiled; I rolled my eyes at the nickname his brother used to call me when we were kids.

“Stop bowing to me; you look silly.” he laughed.

“Your grace, I was only being polite." I teased, pinching his cheek; his maids looked disgusted at me but said nothing. The young prince had always sought me out from his puppy days, and they wouldn’t dare offend him by being rude to me. In Silas' eyes, we were best friends.

“Your shirt is wet, Rosy," he pointed out, touching the stain on my shirt. I know." I smiled, ruffling his hair. I had a little accident.”

“You really should clean this up before Mother sees it," he warned me, and I couldn’t deny he was right. But as I turned to leave, I glanced at Silas and asked, "By any chance, have you seen Ezra? Is he with your mother?"

He shook his head, "No, I haven't seen him since last night." I frowned. I still hadn't heard from him either, and I was concerned. Ezra knows how I get during a mating moon, and he usually stops by to see me... especially after what we almost did last night. Still, I needed to relax; I didnt have time to mope and whine about Ezra. I just had to trust that the bond we created would be enough.

"Alright, your grace, I'll see you later, okay?" I said, bowing quickly, trying to push all thoughts of Ezra aside. He was likely busy with mating moon preparations anyway, and I was worried for nothing.

"By Rosy," Silas grinned, waving happily before turning to leave with his maids.

I made the journey to my dorm to change clothes. I didn’t have anything that matched the uniforms for tonight, so I would have to make do with whatever was in my closet and hope nobody noticed. I was on thin ice today and couldn't afford another screw-up. I was already running late, and thanks to Darcy's little stunt, I would be behind with the rest of my chores.

As I came down to the maid's level, I heard the lustful sounds of moaning. I quietly speed-walked to my dorm, not wanting to disturb anyone. However, the closer I got to my dorm, the louder the moaning became, and I couldn’t hold back my chuckle. The effects of the mating moon must have allured people already, but then suddenly, I was at my dorm doors, and my heart fell into my stomach as a looming feeling of dread washed over me.

Moans emanated from my room, filled with the strong scents of Ezra and Chrystal. Gently, I opened the door, and my world shattered at the sight inside. My blood ran cold, and my heart raced in my ears, making me feel instantly nauseous... a silent scream stifled me as Athena howled perpetually in my mind as we watched Ezra's naked body, his chest glistening with sweat as his hips relentlessly pounded into

Chrystal... on my bed...

Wow, now I guess I know why I couldn't find them all morning.