Omega's Christmas Ball

Shocking Truth

As River returned to the Pack House, the last carriage trundled away from the gates, its wheels creaking against the gravel road. She stopped in her tracks, her chest tightening. A shiver ran down her spine as a storm of emotions surged within her. Sadness, worry, and relief battled for dominance.

Sadness, because deep down, she had yearned to experience this rare opportunity, to taste the kind of food she could only dream about, to see the royal palace with its grand halls and towering spires that others claimed were like something out of a fairy tale. Relief, because she had kept her promise to Damon, respecting his wish that she would not attend. But worry overshadowed it all. Luna Cara’s piercing attention and her stern orders weighed heavily on her mind. Worse, the Alpha would soon know of her failure. She prayed fervently to the Moon Goddess for mercy, hoping the punishment wouldn’t extend to her family.

As she approached Luna Cara’s office, her heart thudded painfully in her chest. Before she could knock, Luna’s voice entered her mind.

Come in.

River stepped inside, trembling as the heavy door closed behind her. Luna Cara was already dressed for the ball, her elegance and authority apparent in her dark emerald gown adorned with intricate silver embroidery. The sight of the Luna in her full regal splendor only added to River’s anxiety.

Luna Cara’s gaze swept over her, sharp and assessing. “You missed the last carriage,” she said coldly.

River’s throat tightened. She bowed her head in submission, her voice barely audible. “I’m sorry, Luna Cara.”

“Hmmm,” the Luna replied, a sound more judgmental than accepting. She turned away for a moment before abruptly turning back and pushing a large box toward River. “Take it and get dressed. You have five minutes. Hurry up,” she ordered, her tone brooking no argument as she swept out of the office.

River stared at the box, her mind spinning with confusion. What was happening? Why was the Luna giving her something to wear? Her hands trembled as she approached the box and opened it. Inside lay a pale pink dress, simple yet elegant. The fabric was light and delicate, flowing like water, with a sweetheart neckline that added a touch of refinement.

Her heart thudded against her ribs. One moment, her mind was blank; the next, it swirled with a million thoughts. What was this? Why now? But the sound of footsteps outside the door jolted her into action. Hastily, she grabbed the dress, slipping out of her uniform with trembling fingers and pulling the soft pink fabric over her head. It fit snugly, slightly tight around her curves and the chest area, lifting her big bosom, but it worked.

When she was done, she stood frozen for a moment, her breath shallow. A wave of vulnerability and dread washed over her, but before she could think too much, the door opened, and Luna Cara stepped inside.

The Luna assessed her with a critical eye before handing her a pair of flat pink shoes. “Wear these,” she commanded.

River nodded, her hands trembling as she obeyed. She slipped on the shoes, her nerves threatening to overwhelm her. She wanted desperately to ask what was happening, why this sudden shift in tone, but the tension in the room kept her silent.

Once she had straightened up, Luna Cara gave her a final once-over, her expression hard to read. “It’s tight on you,” she muttered, “but it will have to do. Let’s go.”

The Luna turned and walked out, her steps brisk and commanding. River followed hesitantly, every step filling her with a mixture of dread and disbelief. Also, her shoes were slightly larger, and she struggled a bit when she walked. When they stepped outside, River’s breath hitched.

Alpha Taylor was waiting beside a grand carriage, his imposing figure cutting an authoritative silhouette against the fading light. His expression softened slightly as his eyes landed on his mate. “You look stunning, as always, my love,” he said warmly, kissing her hand.

“Thank you, Taylor,” Luna Cara replied, her voice lighter now, but her gaze remained sharp as she turned to look at River.

Alpha Taylor opened the carriage door for the Luna, ready to assist her inside, but Luna Cara paused. She glanced back at River, her voice firm as she announced, “She will come with us.”

For a moment, silence hung heavy in the air, and River felt how someone knocked all her air from her lungs.

Alpha Taylor’s brow furrowed slightly, his piercing eyes scanning River. “What’s this?” he asked, his tone neutral but curious.

“She missed the carriages,” Luna Cara explained with calm authority. “The poor thing got stuck in chores and didn’t have time to prepare on time. It wouldn’t be right to leave her behind, as the royal decree stated clearly all unmated girls. We would not want to defy this order.”

Alpha Taylor hummed thoughtfully, his gaze flicking back to River. She felt her heart pounding in her ears as he considered Luna Cara’s words. After a moment, he gave a small nod, his expression unreadable.

“What are you waiting for?” he said, his voice deep and commanding. “Get in.”

River froze, her body stiff with shock. The Alpha himself was speaking to her, addressing her directly. Her legs felt like lead as she took a step forward, then another. Luna Cara was already seated inside the carriage, watching her expectantly. With trembling hands, River climbed into the carriage, her thoughts a chaotic mess.

As the door closed behind her and the carriage lurched into motion, she could feel the weight of their presence beside her. The power emanating from the two leaders of the pack was suffocating, but what scared her more was Damon’s reaction.

She pressed her trembling hands against the soft pink fabric of her dress, praying silently to the Moon Goddess for strength and clarity and to give Damon an open mind to her presence at the ball. But at the same time, a small hidden part of her was thrilled.

River sat stiffly in the carriage, her hands clenched tightly in her lap, as the steady motion lulled her into a trance of spiraling thoughts. The tension in her chest hadn't eased since Luna Cara had instructed her to climb into the carriage, and every bump in the road seemed to jostle her nerves further.

Her train of thought was interrupted when Luna Cara turned to Alpha Taylor, her tone light but curious. "Taylor," she began, "what did I hear about this new Christmas tradition related to engagements?"

Alpha Taylor chuckled, a deep, rich sound that filled the carriage. "Ah, yes," he replied. "It seems the King has decided to make the ball even more important. Since it’s already a prime opportunity for wolves from various packs to mingle, and many find their mates there, he’s made a change. Going forward, all new engagements are to be announced during the Christmas ball. It’ll become a tradition, a celebration of unions formed or solidified at this time of year."

Luna Cara raised an eyebrow, a spark of interest in her eyes. "How fascinating. I wonder if anyone from our pack will be making an announcement this year?"

The Alpha laughed lightly. "I can’t speak for those who find their fated mates, as that’s in the hands of the Moon Goddess, but we will have at least one announcement for a chosen mate."

River sat quietly, but her attention sharpened at this revelation. A chosen mate? It wasn’t unheard of for wolves, especially those from higher-ranked families, to choose mates rather than wait for their fated ones. These unions often served to strengthen alliances and preserve power and money. Still, it was rare, and the idea piqued her curiosity.

Luna Cara’s lips pursed thoughtfully. "I see. So, he’s going ahead with a chosen mate, then?"

"Yes," Alpha Taylor confirmed. "His family finalized the arrangement some time ago, and they’ve reached an agreement with the chosen mate and her family."

"Does he truly want this, though?" Luna Cara pressed. "Instead of waiting for his fated mate?"

The Alpha’s expression shifted, a hint of somberness creeping into his tone. "He found his fated mate when he was just a teenager during his Delta training in an allied pack. She was an omega, though, and he rejected her at the time. It seems he decided long ago that his life would be about responsibility and alliances, not personal desires. And his resolve didn’t change over the years. He had his share of fun, but there is no doubt that he would marry only a ranked she-wolf."

River’s heart stopped mid-beat. The word Delta reverberated in her ears like a haunting echo. A cold dread crept over her as the pieces began to align in her mind.

No, it couldn’t be...

The thought sent a tremor through her body. For a fleeting moment, her surroundings faded into nothing but the chilling memory of Damon, his voice, his touch, his promises. The possibility that they were speaking about him clawed at her chest, each second bringing her closer to a horrifying realization.

Her distress must have been palpable, as Alpha Taylor’s sharp gaze landed on her. "River," he said, his voice heavy with authority. "Whatever you hear in this carriage stays here. Understood?"

A shiver ran through her, and she nodded hastily, her voice trembling as she replied, "Yes, Alpha."

Satisfied, he turned back to Luna Cara. "Enough talking about Damon. The important thing is that in several months from now, we’ll get a high-ranking Delta in the pack, along with a significant dowry of a few thousand silver coins and a powerful alliance. Her family’s influence is formidable, and her sister is already married to a Beta. Plus, her presence will lighten your load, my love. I know how much you’ve taken on."

Luna Cara’s expression softened, and she reached out to take her mate’s hand. "That would be a relief," she admitted, her tone affectionate as Alpha Taylor kissed her fingers tenderly.

But River sat frozen in her seat, her mind racing and her heart shattering. The name confirmed her worst fears. Damon. It was all about Damon.

The Alpha’s words stabbed through her like a blade. All this time, Damon had spoken about love, commitment, and waiting for the right moment to make their bond official. Yet here he was, planning to announce his engagement to another at the ball. Worse, it was a chosen mate, someone with rank and connections, someone who could strengthen his family’s standing.

Her stomach churned, and tears threatened to spill as the weight of betrayal settled over her. Everything she had believed, every promise Damon had made, now felt like a cruel illusion. Her pulse roared in her ears, drowning out the remainder of the conversation.

As the carriage rolled on, River stared blankly at her lap, her trembling fingers gripping the pale pink dress as though it might anchor her. The chill of realization seeped into her bones, and she prayed desperately that the journey would end soon, though she wasn’t sure she could face what awaited her at the ball.

With some last remaining strength, she prayed to the Moon Goddess that this was just a misunderstanding, but everything crashed inside her when Luna Cara mind-linked her, “Compose yourself, soon we will arrive at the Palace. He is not deserving your tears or ruining yourself for him.”

River looked with shocked wide eyes at Luna Cara, who sat quietly with an intense look at her, before focusing her attention on her mate.