Omega's Christmas Ball

Damon

River sat under the canopy of trees, her breathing finally steady. The cool breeze caressed her flushed cheeks as she gazed up at the sky. The sight brought her a measure of calm, reminding her that time didn’t stop for her pain. She sighed deeply, wiping the remnants of tears from her face. She had duties to attend to, and no matter how heavy her heart felt, the world didn’t wait.

Lifting herself from the ground, River dusted off her skirt and began the walk back to the Pack House. She let the cool night air soothe her and forced herself to push aside the sting of her sister’s pettiness. Isabelle’s words had cut deeply, but River couldn’t afford to dwell on them. She needed to stay focused. Her work at the Pack House was essential, not just for the small wage she earned, but because it gave her a sense of purpose in a life that often felt directionless.

Her wages, meager as they were, went straight to her family. She’d never kept a single coin for herself. But over the years, River had taken up extra work whenever she could, cleaning houses, mending clothes, even gathering herbs for the healers. Every small job added up, and in six years, she had managed to save a precious 19 silver coins. It wasn’t much, but for someone of her station, it was a small fortune, equivalent to two years of hard labor by a grown male.

It was her safety net, her chance at building a life if she ever found a chosen mate, as tradition required a dowry. She wasn’t naive enough to hope for a second chance anymore. Those were extremely rare. The fated bond the Moon Goddess had promised had been stolen from her, leaving her empty and hollow. If she ever wanted a family, it would have to be through practicality, not destiny.

The Pack House loomed ahead, its sturdy stone walls glowing warmly under the lanterns that lined the path. As she stepped inside, River immediately sensed the change in the atmosphere. Conversations buzzed with excitement and speculation, and she didn’t need to ask why. The Royal Christmas Ball had thrown the entire pack into a frenzy. Everyone was talking about it, from the higher ranks to the omegas. It was a rare event, and the thought of attending such an extravagant affair had even the most level-headed wolves giddy.

River pushed through the hum of voices, heading straight for the kitchen where her duties awaited. She tied on her apron and began her tasks under the watchful eye of Mrs. Hazel, the head cook. Despite the chatter echoing in the halls, River buried herself in her work, chopping vegetables, stirring pots, and cleaning surfaces until they gleamed. The rhythm of her tasks was comforting, a distraction from her thoughts.

Later, when the evening meal had been served and most of the pack had dispersed, River moved to the dining hall to clear the tables. Only a few pack members lingered, chatting quietly over drinks. Her heart skipped a beat when her eyes landed on Damon Steele, the Delta of the pack. His strong frame and confident posture exuded authority, but it was his piercing brown eyes and teasing smirk that always unsettled her. Damon had a way of making her feel seen, which both thrilled and terrified her.

River’s cheeks warmed as she caught him watching her. She quickly dropped her gaze, focusing on the plates in front of her. But when she glanced up again, he was still looking at her. Her heart stuttered as he gave her a slow, deliberate wink. Heat flooded her cheeks, and she fumbled with the stack of plates in her hands. She quickly turned away, chastising herself for letting him fluster her.

She returned to the kitchen, depositing the dirty dishes in the sink. Her hands trembled slightly as she set them down, but she forced herself to calm down.

Determined to finish her duties, River went back to the dining hall to gather the remaining plates. As she rounded the corner, she nearly collided with someone. Strong hands steadied her, and her breath caught when she realized it was Damon. His brown eyes locked onto her green ones, and for a moment, the air between them felt charged.

“Our place. One hour,” he whispered, his voice low and intimate.

Before she could respond, he was gone, leaving her heart racing and her thoughts spinning. River stood frozen for a moment, her hands clutching the edge of the tray she carried.

Our place.

Her mind darted to the small clearing near the edge of the forest, the place where they’d met in secret before. The anticipation bubbling in her chest was undeniable. Pushing down her nerves, she reminded herself to focus. There was still work to be done before she could leave.

As she finished clearing the hall and returned the last of the dishes, her mind drifted back to her encounters with Damon Steele. Each memory felt like a dream she didn’t dare to believe was real. In their world, where the hierarchy dictated every aspect of life, the idea of someone of Damon’s rank choosing her, a lowly omega, was almost unheard of. Yet, it had happened.

Months ago, Damon had started to talk to her during her shifts at the Pack house. At first, she thought it was out of politeness or idle curiosity, but his persistent attention soon made it clear he saw her in a way no one else did. He made her feel visible, special.

Then, just a few weeks ago, he had kissed her for the first time. That moment still lingered vividly in her mind, his touch had sent shivers down her spine, and she had felt as if her soul had momentarily left her body.

Since then, Damon had been courting her. He would sneak glances and whisper words when no one was watching, leaving her heart fluttering with emotions she had never felt before.

They agreed to keep their relationship a secret to avoid any gossip or social pressure. Last time they met, he had promised to speak with his family about taking her as his chosen mate.

The idea still felt surreal. Her? Mated with a Delta? River shook her head at the thought, trying to suppress the small smile tugging at her lips. Damon knew she had nothing to offer, no wealth, no connections, nothing to elevate his standing, and yet, he chose her.

Her tasks in the kitchen were completed in record time. She cleaned the last dish, dried her hands, and looked around discreetly to ensure no one was paying attention. Satisfied, she slipped out of the Pack house and made her way to their meeting spot, her heart pounding in anticipation.

The clearing in the forest was bathed in moonlight, but Damon was nowhere to be seen. She waited, her pulse quickening with every second of silence. Suddenly, strong arms wrapped around her from behind, pulling her close. She gasped as his lips brushed against the sensitive skin of her neck.

“You scared me!” she whispered, turning to face him. Before she could say more, his lips claimed hers, and she melted into the kiss. His hands roamed her back, pulling her closer. For a moment, all her worries evaporated, leaving only the heady sensation of his touch.

But then his hands moved lower, and when they brushed her bosom, she froze. “Damon, stop,” she said, breaking the kiss and stepping back. Her cheeks burned with embarrassment and a flicker of fear.

Damon followed, pinning her gently against a nearby tree. His body pressed against hers, trapping her in place. “How long are you going to tease me like this?” he murmured, his voice low and heated. “You’re driving me crazy, River. Let me have you. In a few weeks, we’ll be chosen mates anyway. Please… I need you, love. I can’t take it any longer, I need you so much it hurts.”

His words were intoxicating, and the fire in his gaze made her knees weak. His kisses trailed down her neck, leaving her dizzy, and for a brief moment, she felt herself giving in to the passion between them. But something held her back, a small, nagging voice in the back of her mind. Maybe it was the traditional values her parents had instilled in her, or maybe it was the fear of giving herself entirely before their bond was made official.

“Damon,” she whispered, placing a hand on his chest to push him away gently. “I can’t. Not yet.”

He groaned in frustration but stepped back, running a hand through his hair. His frustration was palpable, his tone sharp as he said, “I don’t understand, River. Why do you keep pushing me away? Do you not feel anything for me anymore?”

The pain in his voice tugged at her heartstrings, and guilt flooded her chest. She shook her head fervently, her voice trembling, “Of course I love you, Damon. You know I do.”

“Then prove it,” he said firmly, his tone carrying a mix of desperation and demand. “You can’t leave me like this, in pain, every single time. I need you so much. No other man in my position would wait as long as I have. I have needs, River.”

Her heart raced, torn between her principles and the love she held for him. “You know I’m traditional, Damon,” she said softly, her voice pleading for understanding. “Just a few more weeks and we’ll be together. Officially. Please, you know how important this is to me.”

But Damon’s patience snapped, his voice growing sharper. “You have no idea how hard this is, River. I feel I can’t wait anymore. The beast inside me needs to mate. I am a Delta!”

His words sent shivers through her. Before she could respond, he grabbed her hand and pressed it against the hard bulge straining against his trousers. River’s eyes widened, her cheeks flushing hotly as the reality of his arousal struck her. Her fingers instinctively twitched to pull away, but Damon’s firm grip kept her hand in place.

“This is what you do to me,” he said, his voice low and thick with need.

River’s mind swirled in confusion and unease. Despite being a virgin, she wasn’t naive. She had seen enough in the pack, the raw intimacy between wolves and the unabashed nature of their physicality. Cleaning the Pack House had occasionally brought her face-to-face with intimate sights she’d rather forget. Yet, being in this position, she felt worlds apart from witnessing it second-hand.

She swallowed hard, struggling to find her voice. “Damon,” she said, her tone trembling, “I’m not ready to mate with you. Not yet. Please…”

Her words were honest but hesitant, and Damon’s sharp senses picked up on the faint hesitation in her voice. His expression softened just enough to reveal a playful glint in his eyes. “I understand, love,” he said, his tone shifting to something smoother, more coaxing. “Then maybe…you can help me relieve some of the pressure. In some other … way.”

River blinked, confusion clouding her features. “Some other way?” she repeated.

Damon leaned closer, his voice dropping into a sultry whisper. “Yes,” he said, his hand brushing a stray lock of hair from her face.

“How?” she asked, her voice barely above a trembling whisper, torn between curiosity and unease.

“Don’t worry,” he murmured, his lips grazing the shell of her ear. “I’ll guide you.” He stepped back just enough to look her in the eye, his voice firm but gentle. “Now…on your knees.”

River’s breath caught in her throat, the weight of his words sinking in. Her mind screamed at her to step away, to remember her values and the promises she’d made to herself. Yet Damon’s presence was intoxicating, his voice a mixture of command and longing that sent shivers through her.