The Goddess's Omega

Jaxton – Escaping

    The days leading up to the Mates Gathering flew by in blur. I was so busy trying to make the kitchen as functional as it could be with the limited resources I had available. And even though no one was harassing me, I was just as tired as if they were. It didn’t help that I was probably losing half a pint of blood every day by trying to heal my sister. I had just finished our latest session and noticed that the mark on my wrist hadn’t healed as fast as normal. It was a small price to pay for mine and my sister’s freedom. There was a sharp knock on the door, and I got up from where I was kneeling to answer it. André was standing outside the door, and he looked worried.

    “Are you sure everything is ok, Jaxton? The smell of blood got very strong just now,” the giant guard asked. It was strange to see him worry so about me. No one had ever worried about me like this. It was almost unnerving. I nodded not sure I trusted my voice at the moment. “I would speak with you, if you have a moment.” I nodded again. My distrust must have shown on my face. “Don’t worry. I’m a friend. More than you think.” We walked a few feet to my room although it felt more cramped than normal with the two of us shoved inside. “You’re him, aren’t you?” He whispered softly. If I weren’t a werewolf, I wouldn’t have heard him say anything. I looked at him in shock. Surely, surely, my secret was safe. Oh goddess, if he knew, then he could ruin everything. 

    “What do you mean?” I whispered back.

    “Do you know who the Praestes are?” He asked. I nodded. The Praestes were an ancient order of Guardians that served various gods. The most notable was Aegeus; he was their leader and served Selene herself. When Aegeus failed to protect Selene’s child, she cursed him to live life as a mortal until such time as her child was reincarnated. I was the twenty fifth iteration of Aegeus, and although I had no memory of my previous lives, I knew what I was. I started to relax. If André knew about the Praestes, then perhaps he was a friend. “I only figured it out this morning. Too many times would the smell of blood emanate from your sister’s room, and it couldn’t always be explained away by her clumsiness. Tell me, is she…?”

    “Yes, but she doesn’t know yet. And mustn’t be told. Not yet. When the time comes, all will be revealed, but not a moment before,” I said interrupting him. It was his turn to nod. 

    “I take it, then, that you are planning to escape from here?” He asked. He wasn’t as stupid as I thought. Again, I nodded. “You are taking her?” A third nod from me. “What do you need from me?” I looked at him with skepticism and doubt plain on face. “As a member of the Praestes, your safety takes precedence over my bond and loyalty with this pack. And if she is who you claim she is, then I am doubly bound to you both. Mikhail cannot be trusted. He is not a Guardian and is exceedingly loyal to this pack. But for me, I am in your service.” I got the distinct impression that if he could have kneeled, he would have. But my tiny room did not allow for that kind of display.

    I took a gamble and trusted him. If he proved to be trustworthy, then Lexia and I would have help getting out of this hellhole. And if not, then our escape would merely be delayed. I would find another way. “We’re leaving tomorrow night, during the ball. I have to, at least, make an appearance, but at some point, I will slip away and then we’ll make our escape. Lexia will need help getting out. We have to make it appear as though she is still weak until we reach the border. If you could help, that would be fantastic.”

    “If I go and take the things you need from the kitchen, would that help?” He asked. 

    “Yes, it would not seem so suspicious if a warrior were taking the supplies versus if I take them,” I replied. I glanced at the clock. My time had run out. “I’ve got to get back to the kitchen. But tomorrow night, shortly after the start of the ball, we’ll make a run for it.” I slipped out of my room and ran down the stairs to get back to the kitchen before my absence was noted.

    I dressed in the tux that André had provided for me. It was a bit big on me, but I would take what I could. I tapped on Lexia’s door and was stunned when she opened it. She wore a soft pink, empire waisted, sleeveless formal dress than ran down to her heels. I glanced at her feet, and true to form, she was wearing flats. She grabbed her cane and a small bag, and I presented my arm to her. I took her bag and shoved it inside the backpack I was carrying. Fortunately, the night was chilly, which gave Lexia a reason to carry a light jacket, and we used this to hide my bag. She leaned on me for support, and when we got to the stairs, I swept her up in my arms. Again, of those present, no one thought anything of my actions. I had done this a hundred times. 

    “I had the strangest dream last night, Jax,” she whispered in my ear. I raised an eyebrow at her and nodded for her to continue. “I dreamt that we were heading to Texas. And once there, we met with this beautiful Luna, with purple and silver hair and the most amazing eyes. And she had twin mates. It was so real, Jax. And somehow, I get the feeling that it was more than just a dream. I think…I think we should seek this Luna out, Jax. I think we’ll be safest there, with her.” I didn’t know what to say. I hadn’t actually thought about a destination once we escaped from the Night Sky pack. “Please, Jax. Please say we can go there,” she pleaded with me when I didn’t say anything. I nodded, knowing I couldn’t say no to her. I spoiled her as much as I was able which wasn’t much. But whenever she would plead with me and give me those puppy dog eyes, I couldn’t deny her. And since I thought about it, having a destination and plan was better than running blind. 

    We entered the grand ballroom, and I put her down so that she could walk on her own. As I had figured, with me being classified as an Omega, no one paid any particular attention to our entrance. I caught Luna Amanda looking at me; I saw her purse her lips and narrow her eyes. I guess she had forgotten that I was required to attend. I almost smiled at her displeasure. But even she was not above werewolf law. I noticed André out of the corner of my eye watching us. I walked her over to a table where Lexia could sit and still be able to watch the festivities. André unobtrusively made his way over to where I had sat her down. I gave him the slightest nod, and he returned it. Everything was in place. Now all I had to was to wait for a time when the three of us could leave without being noticed.

    I danced with a few unmated she-wolves, but as expected, not one of them had triggered the mate bond. The few that I danced with looked bored, probably from having to dance with a lowly Omega. I already knew I would not be granted a mate until I had completed Aegeus’s original quest. That was the curse that Selene had put on him. He would go through each incarnation mate-less until Selene’s child had found her mate. So, at best, I would be another four years away from finding my mate. That thought didn’t bother me as much as it would have bothered many other werewolves. For now, I had to protect Lexia, and that was enough. 

    There was a lull in the music, and I looked up. The distraction that I needed had just entered the room. The future Alphas and Lunas of each pack in attendance had just made their entrance. I exchanged a quick glance with André, who nodded in return. I escorted the she-wolf that I had been dancing with to the drink station, where she happily left my company. I rolled my eyes at her lack of enthusiasm. I spared another glance towards Luna Amanda, but her attention was focused on her daughter and future son-in-law. As unobtrusively as possible, I made my way towards the exit of the ballroom. Once I was outside, I felt like a weight had been lifted from my shoulders. I felt like I could breathe again. I met André and my sister at the southern border of our territory. The three of us stopped, waiting for the border patrol to pass, and then we quickly severed our bond with our pack. I heard a wolf howl, knowing that someone had been alerted to our presence. We wouldn’t have much time to make good our escape.