Omega's Christmas Ball

Shocking Discovery

River stormed down the hall, her frustration bubbling over. She muttered to herself, "What an unpleasant prick! Judging me like that. He’s supposed to be a gentleman, an Alpha no less, but he’s just an... Ugh!" She clenched her fists, trying to shake off the encounter with the arrogant stranger. Yet, no matter how much she tried, his words echoed in her mind, amplifying her sense of vulnerability.

As she continued walking, her steps slowed when a familiar sound reached her ears, a laugh. Her heart leaped, and she froze. She would recognize that laugh anywhere.

Damon.

Instinctively, she moved closer to the source of the sound, stepping behind a marble pillar. Her gaze darted toward the gathering ahead, and her heart sank. Despite the mask, she could recognise his voice and frame anywhere. Damon stood there, his tall, familiar frame commanding her attention like a gravitational pull. He was surrounded by his family, their poised, noble demeanor unmistakable, along with another family whose presence radiated authority and prestige.

Her breath hitched when her eyes fell on a tall girl standing next to him. The woman was stunning, dressed in an elegant dark blue gown that hugged her figure perfectly. Her sleek posture and calm confidence were intimidating. River’s heart clenched when she noticed the girl’s hand resting lightly on Damon’s arm, a casual yet possessive gesture that spoke volumes. Damon didn’t pull away. He didn’t look uncomfortable. If anything, he seemed perfectly at ease, even smiling at something she said.

Tears burned in River’s eyes. Her chest tightened, and for a moment, she couldn’t breathe. She pressed her back against the cool surface of the pillar, struggling to steady herself. The realization hit her like a crushing wave, she had been so delusional. How could she ever have believed that someone like Damon would want someone like her? She was an omega, barely able to make ends meet, unable to shift, averagely looking and utterly ordinary in every way.

Her wolf stirred weakly within her, adding another layer of pain. It was a feeble, aching sensation, a shadow of the vibrant connection she had once felt before her mate passed away. After losing him, her wolf had retreated deep inside, unable or unwilling to shift. Omegas rarely shifted as they were, but the ability had always been a comfort, a sign of resilience, of connection to their kind. For River, even that small solace had been taken away. Her wolf’s presence now was faint and full of sorrow, unable to communicate with each other, echoing her own heartbreak.

She could feel tears sliding down her cheeks. It seems that Damon was never hers to lose, but seeing him now, with someone who belonged in his world, made the pain unbearable. What was worse, is that she accepted his immoral advances and even gave in… as flashes of her on her knees while he pushed himself into her mouth over and over filled her with the ultimate shame and guilt. He just used her to release himself and have a good time. And she, like a stupid person, let him have his way with her. The saving grace was that she did not accept giving herself fully to him.

Yet, in her agony, she thought of Luna Cara’s words earlier that evening. She had prepared her for this moment, but nothing could truly soften the blow.

River bit her lip, struggling to hold back the sob threatening to escape. She wiped her face with trembling hands, determined to pull herself together. As she stood there, she noticed Damon stepping away from the group. He moved gracefully, his expression relaxed as though he didn’t have a care in the world, and he owned the place.

Something inside her snapped. She couldn’t let him walk away unscathed while she bore the brunt of this heartbreak.

If she was suffering, so should he, or at least make him feel uncomfortable.

Without thinking, she stepped out from behind the pillar and quickened her pace, following him. Her heart pounded in her chest as her resolve strengthened, despite knowing that it was not a good idea. She deserved answers, closure, anything that would make sense of the turmoil in her heart.

When she finally caught up to him, Damon was standing alone in a quiet corner, gazing out of a grand arched window. The moonlight illuminated his face, casting him in a soft glow that made him seem even more handsome. River hesitated for a brief moment, but then her determination flared again. She wouldn’t back down now.

River’s pulse quickened as she stepped closer, determined to confront Damon. Her emotions churned, pain, anger, confusion, all colliding into the tempest she could no longer suppress. She drew a steadying breath, preparing to make her presence known, but before she could utter a single word, a movement to her side caught her attention.

A girl stepped into view, her red dress shimmering under the glow of the chandeliers. The color was unmistakable, the cut of the dress instantly familiar. River’s heart stopped in her chest as her gaze locked onto the beautiful figure.

It was Isabelle.

Her older sister’s confident demeanor and radiant smile were impossible to miss. Isabelle had always been striking, her beauty commanding attention wherever she went, despite being an omega. Tonight, she was no different. The deep crimson of her gown complemented her hair, cascading down her back in perfect waves. But it wasn’t Isabelle’s appearance that shattered River’s world, it was the man standing beside her.

Damon.

The air seemed to leave River’s lungs as she saw him turn toward Isabelle, a playful, warm smile lighting up his face. That smile had once been her solace, the one thing she longed to see directed at her. Now it was being given to someone else, someone far too familiar.

Before she could process the shock, Damon placed his hand gently on Isabelle’s lower back, his touch lingering just long enough to make River’s stomach twist. Isabelle giggled, her laugh bright and carefree, as she allowed herself to be guided toward the outside gardens.

No. This can’t be real.

River blinked rapidly, certain she was hallucinating. There had to be a reasonable explanation. Maybe it was the stress of the evening or some strange ingredient in those decadent desserts. Yes, that had to be it. She must be imagining things. Her sister? With Damon? It was absurd.

Yet, when someone bumped into her shoulder, jolting her out of her daze, she realized the horrifying truth. This wasn’t a hallucination. The figures of Damon and Isabelle, walking closely together, were all too real.

Her breath caught as a desperate, sinking feeling took hold of her. Damon led Isabelle through a side door to the vast gardens, the soft glow of moonlight spilling in as they disappeared outside. River’s body moved before her mind could catch up, her feet carrying her forward, following them at a safe distance. Her heart pounded wildly in her chest, a chaotic drumbeat that echoed her spiraling emotions.

She kept her steps light, her figure hidden in the shadows of the grand hall as she tailed them. What is this?

The question rattled in her head like an unrelenting mantra.

Why is he with her? Why is Isabelle walking with Damon?

A suffocating wave of jealousy crashed over her, sharp and biting. Damon had been her secret dream, her private hope. The idea of him with anyone else was painful enough, but what business did he have with Isabelle?

River’s mind raced as she tried to make sense of what she was seeing. Isabelle had never shown any interest in Damon before. Her sister was headstrong, ambitious, always focused on her own goals and desires. Damon, meanwhile, had seemed so unreachable to anyone in the pack, and she knew that he never spared any interest in her sister.

The night air hit her face as she slipped through the doorway, standing just far enough behind them to remain unseen. The garden was beautifully illuminated, its pathways lined with glowing lanterns and sweetly scented flowers. Damon and Isabelle strolled along one of the winding trails, their figures framed by the soft light. Isabelle tilted her head toward him, laughing again at something he said.

Why is she laughing? River thought bitterly, her stomach twisting tighter with each step they took. Damon’s hand lingered on Isabelle’s back, guiding her with an intimacy that felt like a dagger to River’s heart.

Her breaths came quicker, each one a struggle as her wolf stirred restlessly within her. The wolf was agitated, confused, and betrayed. River could feel the pain radiating through her own chest, amplified by her wolf’s distress. Damon wasn’t her mate, but the bond she’d believed she felt, the connection she thought they shared, was undeniable. Or at least it had been. Now, every moment she watched him with Isabelle felt like a cruel mockery of her feelings.

River’s jealousy warred with disbelief, her mind clawing for answers.

Why didn’t Isabelle tell me? Did she know about my feelings for him and our relationship? What is Damon thinking? Or maybe they want to talk about me?

River's mind spun as she trailed behind Damon and Isabelle, clinging to the fragile hope that there was some explanation, something innocent. Isabelle had never shown interest in Damon before, had never even spoken about him in their home, and River knew her sister well enough to assume she wouldn’t hide something so important.

Yes, that must be it.

They’re discussing her, maybe even planning something to resolve this whole chosen mate mess. Maybe his family was forcing him. Damon couldn’t possibly… not with her sister. That thought was unthinkable. He told her that he loved her. Her mind was in shambles, unable to think straight anymore.

But as she followed them deeper into the garden, the isolated pathways twisting away from the noise of the ball, River’s confidence wavered. The lanterns grew sparser, and the soft sounds of laughter and music from the ballroom faded into silence. Her legs trembled as she stepped lightly, careful not to make a sound. Her heart pounded so loudly she feared they might hear it.

They disappeared from view for a moment, rounding a corner shielded by an enormous flowering bush. River paused, unsure whether to go on, but something gnawed at her insides, urging her forward. She swallowed hard and crept closer, parting the leaves of the bush with trembling fingers.

The sight before her shattered her world.

Isabelle and Damon stood locked together, their bodies pressed close. Damon’s hands rested on Isabelle’s waist, pulling her against him as their lips moved together in a passionate, heated kiss. Isabelle’s arms wrapped around his neck, her fingers weaving through his dark hair as if she had every right to touch him that way.

River felt as if the earth had been yanked out from under her. The air left her lungs in a strangled gasp, her heart stopping and restarting with a painful lurch.

No. No, this can’t be real.

Her fingers tightened on the bush as her knees buckled. The harsh sting of the leaves against her skin was the only thing keeping her grounded, tethering her to the horrifying reality in front of her. Her chest heaved as she fought back sobs, her tears hot against her flushed cheeks.

Why? How?