Rain Vale
The morning air chills sliced through the high windows of Silverreach Palace like a hunting blade. Inside, the air was thick with wild lily, a rather odd scent for an omega, but I wasn't like others. The deal event was only an hour away: my Howling Circle, known as the mating ceremony.
I inhaled deeply; my nails dug into my palms as servants helped me into my ceremonial armor: a white robe, which signified purity; golden sandals for royalty; a fur cloak, for it was the heart of winter and the blizzard was hitting harder than ever; an insignia on my chest for heir to the throne; and a black embroidered belt for prestige and nobility.
It was my mother's, and now it was mine. I had worn it only once, on my twelfth birthday… and now I'm nineteen. It felt heavier than I remembered, but not from weight, but from expectations.
I stood before the mirror, one last glance at the man I was leaving behind. I was heir, the only child born of the late Luna, and yet I was invisible even to those who should protect me.
"We are done, my prince."
The servants bowed and retreated without another word. I just stood there staring at myself. This was not the life I had hoped for. They say I was privileged, blessed, and maybe lucky… But how? In what way was I, when I was born, an omega, meant to serve and not lead?
Seven protectors they claimed to be, but the truth was bitter: seven tormentors they were. They were hovering outside, eagerly waiting to shove my disgrace in my face, to show me my place, and to teach me how to bow and serve as I should.
Time was fast ticking, and I stepped out. My seven alpha brothers loomed in the grand hall, their presence like shadows cast over me. Their pheromones were stronger than ever, each wanting to suppress me, to make me bend, kneel, and beg for mercy, for I wasn't deserving of the throne, the title, and the privilege.
I took a step forward, my dark curly hair pushed backward. Marcus, the first son, leaned on one of the pillars, a knife shuffling between his fingers, a smirk on his lips that made my blood run cold.
"You really think this cloak will hide your weakness?"
His voice echoed like trouble waiting to be unleashed.
"Little brother," Rhett, my third elder brother, whispered, his voice dripping with venom. "The crown may sit on your head… but you will never hold the power."
I pinched myself so hard, holding my head high. They wanted to see me crumble, to see me beg, to show them I was the disgrace they all made me to be… but not today. I refused to let them get to me.
"I don't need to hide," I said to Marcus, my eyes sharp despite the turmoil within me. "I've survived long enough to know, only on my ashes will one of you get the chance to hold the throne… but come to think of it,"
My gaze snapped toward Rhett.
"Your mothers are concubines, after all, and only a Luna's child claims the throne."
"You… little imp,"
Rhett launched forward, but I held up a hand. "No… no. I didn't make the rules, Rhett. Tradition states that, so you seven tormentors remember I am the reason you still carry yourselves as princes? Every one of you owes your titles to me."
Slap.
My face twitched sideways. Heat erupted from my jaw as the metallic taste of blood filled my mouth. My lips curled. Marcus stood before me, his eyes red as his wolf fought to take control. He was always brutal and fast with action, and the slap… it was nothing. I was used to worse.
"Come on, say more. Let's see how that smart mouth of yours gets punched," Cassian, my second elder brother, hissed.
Loud laughter rippled through Rhett. He stepped forward, his fists folded and his eyes dark with hatred.
"You've never even ruled your own pulse, little Rain, and yet you dare talk back at us?"
The pain in my jaw still stung, so I kept quiet. Marcus was brutal and fast with action, but Rhett, this devil, was cruel. His methods of punishment were merciless. At least for today, I kept my mouth shut.
"Come on… why all quiet now?" Rhett hissed, his claws clicking faintly against each other.
I knew that look too well. He was in for a game. He was waiting for the least provocation to burn me… but not today.
I walked away and ignored them. "Your mate will never love you; they come for the throne, for what they get from marrying you." Cassian's voice echoed, then taunting laughter followed from all seven
"Let the Howling Circle open."
The announcement rang through the palace as guests streamed into the golden gates. I sat close to my father, Alpha King Aldric Vale, a man of many women. He was known for his conquests in battle and beds, with seven alpha sons from his three concubines. His skills were never in doubt.
My brothers sat a little further away with their mothers. After all, they were sons of concubines.
Alphas of distant packs entered, each radiating with dominance and strength. They were strong, and their pheromones threatened to drown the omegas.
They were the perfect specimens, chosen not for me, not for love, but for alliance. It was my fated pairing, but my father had gone all out in search of the perfect mate who would marry me and cleanse my disgrace. To them, I was nothing but a compensation.
"He is a disgrace to royalty." The court murmured, guests whispered, and every word was like a knife to my heart.
King Aldric Vale glanced over the arena with a satisfied grin. "If one of them can be your mate, then our problems are solved," he murmured.
And that was what I was… a problem to be solved.
My father raised his glass, his voice low but steady. "Today, the future of Silverreach will be decided not by opinion, not by favor, but by fate."
My breath hitched, and my claws buried into my skin. It wasn't to find my mate, no, it was for the pack, for stability, for the will of the moon. It was everything but me.
My father turned toward my brothers and gave them a little nod with a proud smile. "Let the proceedings begin."
The proceedings began, and so did the gifts. The first alpha stepped forward, a box of white diamond rings. As he handed his gift, his scent filled the air.
My hands trembled, and he smirked, but I grounded my legs… my eyes never leaving his. A minute went by, and nothing. He stormed away. Then came the second… the third… and soon I lost count.
One after the other, the alphas came forward, wished me happy birthday, placed expensive items at my feet, and hoped they could be my fated mate. But they came and went, and nothing happened.
At some point, I stopped smiling. I stopped expecting.
Then soft pine and moist earth flowed through the arena. My wolf snapped toward the direction. At the gate, three figures marched in: two powerful men and one slave.
"The Alpha of Moonfang and his brother," they announced.
Cold air ran through my lungs, heat erupted within me, and before I could pull myself back, my legs sprang up. I wasn't in control as a force pulled me towards them. He stood tall, his dark hair pushed behind, and his eyes burned into mine.
The arena erupted. I could feel the satisfied grin of my father and their already joyous laughter as they clicked glasses in celebration. Moonfang was rich in wealth and weapons; their alpha was young, unmarried, and powerful.
I stopped before them. All three halted. The sunlight shone even brighter on him, his thin lips slightly parted, his eyes cold, but it held me. He looked bright….
Not the alpha… but on the man seated. The one whose blue eyes pierced through mine, claiming me without words, but his hands clenched as if he knew just how wrong this bond was.
My pulse quickened as I stared between the brothers. In his eyes was rejection; he didn't want me. And in their eyes, they wouldn't accept him.
His body remained still, but his hands clenched on the blanket over his legs. His sharp gaze assessed me with hate, but I cared less.
My father had announced it wasn't by choice, by opinion, or by will, but by the moon, and I certainly will give them the satisfaction of accepting the moon's choice.
Slowly, I descended to his level, our eyes never leaving each other. He shook his head; his lips muttered, "Don't…" but I was daring.
A sly smile tugged on my lips as I leaned closer to the broken, crippled Enigma, brother of the alpha of Moonfang, and whispered, loud enough for everyone to hear.
"MATE."