Omega's Christmas Ball

Betrayal

The kitchen buzzed with the sound of clattering pots and hurried footsteps as River returned, her composure restored after her emotional moment outside. She threw herself into her chores with a renewed sense of determination, scrubbing and tidying until the faint ache in her chest dulled under the rhythm of her work. The other kitchen staff, too absorbed in their tasks and excitement about the ball, paid her no mind, which suited her just fine.

As the time passed, the head maid approached her, a kind smile softening her sharp features. “River, that’s enough for today. You’ve worked hard. Go home, get ready for the ball. Have fun and tell me all about it tomorrow.”

River blinked in surprise, caught off guard by the unexpected dismissal. “Thank you,” she said hesitantly, glancing around at the bustling staff. Her conflicted heart churned as she untied her apron and stepped outside.

The walk home was heavy with unspoken thoughts and plans forming in her mind. Carmina’s words lingered, striking chords of truth River could not entirely deny. And yet… who else would choose her? Omegas didn’t have the luxury of prospects, and as much as she resented it, Damon’s interest was the only attention she’d ever received from a male. She wasn’t blind to her own moderate beauty, her pale, silvery blonde hair and dark green eyes held their charm, but they paled in comparison to the striking allure of women like Isabelle.

Isabelle, with her golden skin, dark blonde hair, and piercing blue eyes, was undeniably gorgeous. She always drew gazes effortlessly, her confidence as sharp as her beauty. River, in contrast, was curvy and shorter, her skin prone to burning under the sun instead of tanning like Isabelle’s. The thought pricked her pride, but she couldn’t deny the truth: Damon might be her only chance to feel truly seen, as the other men never paid her attention or courted her.

As she neared her home, the cheerful chatter of young women preparing for the ball floated through the air. She passed several girls dressed in their finest, their faces alight with excitement. Their laughter tugged at her heart, and a pang of longing swept over her. The royal castle, the food, the music, it all felt like a distant dream, especially for an omega like her.

When she reached the small, modest house she shared with her family, she saw the door open. Her mother stood at the threshold, bidding farewell to Isabelle, who looked breathtaking in a stunning red velvet gown. The dress hugged her figure perfectly, the rich fabric shimmering in the sunlight, making her look every bit as though she belonged to a distinguished family.

River froze in place, a mix of awe and confusion washing over her. How could Isabelle, an omega like herself, afford such a dress?

“You look beautiful,” River said softly, her voice laced with genuine admiration.

“I know,” Isabelle replied with a smug smile, adjusting the hem of her dress as she turned to leave.

But River couldn’t stop herself from asking, “How did you afford this dress? It must have cost a fortune.”

Isabelle shot her a withering look, her tone dripping with arrogance. “I deserve the best, River, and you know it. This dress will help me secure a high-rank mate.” With a wave to her and their mother, she added dismissively, “Goodbye,” and strode toward the waiting carriages without another glance.

River’s heart thudded painfully as unease settled over her. Something about Isabelle’s answer didn’t sit right. She turned to her mother, Mariana, who was watching her eldest daughter leave with a mixture of pride and concern.

“Mama,” River asked cautiously, “you and Papa didn’t take out a loan for her dress, did you? It must have cost a fortune.”

Her mother shook her head. “No, River. We didn’t. After your fight a few days ago, she never mentioned needing money for a dress. When she came home with it today, I asked her how she paid for it, but all she said was, ‘Sacrifices had to be made.’ I assumed she must have taken on extra work or made an arrangement with Mrs. Laz, the seamstress.”

River frowned deeply. Mrs. Laz was notoriously stingy and a bit greedy, especially in the days leading up to the ball when demand was high. River doubted Isabelle would have been able to strike a deal with her, or find the type of extra work that could cover such a high cost.

A strange, unsettling thought flickered through River’s mind. Without another word, she ran and hurried inside, her mother calling after her in confusion. Her heart pounded as she went straight to the small space where she kept her few personal belongings.

“What’s wrong, River?” Mariana asked, following her inside.

River didn’t answer as she pulled out her duffel bag and began rummaging through it with trembling hands. At the very bottom, beneath the meager items she owned, she found the small wooden box where she kept her dowry—a collection of 19 silver coins she had painstakingly saved over six long years, as she worked hard till exhaustion, sometimes odd jobs and long hours to gather it. Her hands shook as she opened the box.

It was empty, except 4 coins left.

Her breath hitched, and tears blurred her vision as she stared at the hollow space where her hard-earned savings should have been. A wave of anguish and desperation crashed over her, mingling with betrayal so sharp it felt like a physical wound.

“What is it, River?” Mariana asked, her voice rising with alarm.

River choked out the words, her voice thick with emotion. “Isabelle… she stole my dowry, Mama. Fifteen silver coins… all my hard work and sacrifices for more than 6 years… gone. She used it to buy that dress.”

Mariana’s face paled as she stepped closer, her hands hovering as if unsure whether to comfort her daughter or recoil from the harsh revelation. “River are you certain?” she asked weakly, but somewhere deep inside she already knew the truth.

“Yes,” River replied, her voice trembling with anger and pain. “She took everything. My savings, my future… all for a dress. How would I be able to get married now, Mama? How?!!! Damon had already spoken to his parents, and in a few months we would become official. You know the customs, mama!!! I can’t get married without a dowry! I will have no respect in front of my future in-laws. And even if by some miracle, we could borrow money from a high-ranked family or Alpha, the social shame would be too great, as borrowing money for a dowry is frowned upon.”

Tears spilled down her cheeks as the reality of the betrayal settled deep within her heart. For years, River had silently endured Isabelle’s arrogance, her biting remarks, and her superiority complex. But this… this was too much. Her own sister betrayed her.

Mariana’s eyes welled with tears as she pulled River into her arms, holding her tightly. The warmth of her embrace contrasted starkly with the icy betrayal they both felt. “Oh, River…” Mariana murmured, her voice breaking as sobs overtook her. “I knew she always wanted more, something higher, something better, but I thought we raised her better than this. For her to take that much money… fifteen silver coins!” She pulled back slightly, her hands trembling as they cupped River’s face. “Your father works in the mines every day, risking his life, and he earns less than a single silver coin per month. Oh, Moon Goddess…”

They cried together for a moment, their shared pain amplifying the weight of the betrayal. Finally, Mariana steadied herself and took a deep breath. Wiping her tears, she looked at River with a mixture of sorrow and determination.

“River,” she said gently, her voice firm despite the lingering tremor. “I know this is hard. But you need to prepare yourself and go to the ball, my sweet girl. The last carriage will leave in less than thirty minutes. Please, rush. You can’t afford to miss it.”

River opened her mouth to speak, her emotions still raw, but before she could reply, a sharp knock on the door startled them both. Mariana quickly stood, her face clouded with worry as she approached the door and opened it.

Standing on the threshold was a tall, imposing warrior from the pack, his expression serious. He addressed Mariana with a tone of authority. “Mariana, I need River to come with me. Luna Cara wants to speak with her. She’s been trying to mind link her, but River’s link is closed.”

River’s heart leapt into her throat. She exchanged a wide-eyed look with her mother, her stomach twisting in apprehension. Mariana nodded hesitantly, brushing a hand over River’s arm for comfort. “Go on, my girl,” she whispered.

Swallowing hard, River stepped forward, her head bowed slightly in submission as she followed the warrior out the door. As they walked, the weight of her anxiety grew heavier with every step. She dared to ask, her voice trembling, “Do you know what Luna wants from me?”

The warrior didn’t even look at her, his face set in stone. When they reached the entrance to Luna’s office, he finally turned to her, his gaze sharp and his tone clipped. “In the future, don’t close your mind link again. You know the rules. This is the first warning. The second one will have consequences.”

“I’m sorry,” River murmured, her head lowering further under his intense gaze.

He didn’t respond, simply gesturing for her to enter. With a deep, steadying breath, River opened the door and stepped inside. Luna Cara stood behind her polished desk, her aura radiating power and command. Despite her refined features, there was a sternness in her expression that made River’s knees weak.

River approached cautiously, her gaze fixed on the floor as she lowered herself into a submissive stance. The silence stretched, heavy and suffocating, before Luna Cara finally spoke.

“River,” she said, her tone sharp and precise, “it seems you’ve forgotten the rules. The mind link must remain open at all times. What if there had been a rogue attack? You would’ve been an instant victim. Vulnerable and defenseless.”

River’s heart sank. “I’m so sorry, Luna,” she said quickly, her voice barely above a whisper. “It was completely unintentional.”

“Hmmm…” Luna Cara studied her for a moment, her gaze piercing. “Perhaps you were too enthusiastic for the ball and let it slip your mind. However,” she continued, her tone hardening, “the last carriage is leaving in fifteen minutes, and yet here you stand before me in your work attire. Explain yourself.”

River’s chest tightened as she stammered, “I… I’m so sorry, Luna. I got carried away with tasks and…”

“Enough!” Luna Cara’s sharp tone cut through River’s explanation like a blade. “So you decided to attend the ball in your kitchen uniform? Dirty, smelling like grease and sweat? Are you trying to embarrass our pack? To shame your leadership in front of other packs and the royal family?”

The words struck like a slap, and River trembled, her face burning with humiliation. She struggled to form a reply, but Luna’s voice rose again, firm and unyielding.

“Answer me!”

“I… I didn’t mean to, Luna,” River whispered, her voice trembling. “I’m sorry…”

Luna Cara scoffed, her frustration palpable. After a moment of tense silence, she snapped, “Go and get washed up immediately. You have fifteen minutes to clean yourself and return here. And do something to your hair as it looks like a bird’s nest, for the Goddess’ sake. Do not test my patience again.”

“Yes, Luna,” River replied hastily, bowing deeply before practically fleeing the room. Her legs felt like jelly as she stumbled down the hall, her heart pounding in her chest.

She rushed to the nearby river, the chill of the cold water biting into her skin as she scrubbed herself clean. The icy temperature made her shiver, but she ignored the discomfort, her focus entirely on removing the grime and fear she felt clinging to her.

As she worked, her thoughts spun in a chaotic whirl. Luna Cara was fair but notoriously strict. River had never imagined she would find herself under Luna’s scrutiny like this. What could she possibly have done to warrant such anger? Her breath caught as the weight of the day’s events bore down on her.