chapter one

Chapter One

The Omega Maid

Being an omega was the worst that could happen to a wolf, so I thought, until I realized that being an adopted omega was a death sentence.

"Iris!" My adoptive mother yelled. "Get the hell out of your room and take these linens to the maids' quarters! And hurry, they need them before the mating ceremony!"

Six years ago I lost my parents to a car accident. The pack took pity on me despite being an omega and I was adopted by the Mitchell family. In my fifth year of staying with them, I was asked to serve as a maid to the Royal family. Today marked exactly one year.

"Coming!" I rushed down the stairs, gathering the fresh linens in my arms.

"Iris!" Freya grabbed my arm as I headed toward the maids' quarters. "You have to see this! Lucas is finally choosing his mate!"

I tried to pull away. "No, Freya. You know omegas aren't allowed at royal ceremonies. I need to deliver these—"

"The maids' quarters are past the great hall anyway," she insisted, tugging my arm. "We'll just take a quick peek on our way. Don't you want to see who he chooses?"

I shook my head. "If they catch me—"

"Just stay close to me," she whispered, already pulling me through a side passage that led past the great hall.

The hall was packed with nobles. We slipped inside with Mitchell dragging me. I held my breath, hoping my omega scent wouldn't give me away, Someone bumped into me from behind and I stumbled forward, losing my balance and fell to the ground.

"Who let an omega servant into this gathering?" The Alpha yelled, standing in front of me.

I couldn't move. Couldn't breathe.

All eyes turned to me. The nobles stepped back, their faces twisted with disgust.

"Seize her!" Another Alpha commanded. "How dare a mere omega interrupt—"

"Stop."

The command cut through the air like steel. The crowd parted.

Lucas Stone stepped forward, his eyes finding mine.

“My Lor…” I paused

Our eyes met and I felt something. The mate bond hit me, and from his widened eyes, I knew he felt it too.

"Follow me." He turned away sharply.

Whispers followed us down the corridor – "filthy omega," "just a maid," "how dare she."

He led me to a secluded chamber, and before I could speak,

He pinned me against the wall, his body pressing close. My breath caught in my throat.

"You work in the palace" he said, his voice low.

I managed a small nod, unable to speak with him so near.

"Do you feel it?" His eyes searched mine. "The mate bond?"

Before I could answer, his lips crashed against mine. It was My first kiss.I felt my knees weak. When he pulled back, we were both breathing hard.

"I... I'm just an omega," I whispered.

"You're my mate." His grip on my waist tightened. "That's all that matters."

He kissed me again, gentler this time. My heart raced against my chest as his hands tangled in my hair.

"Meet me after the ceremony," he murmured against my lips. "Don't worry about what happens in there. Next week, at the mating ceremony, I'll choose you as my Luna."

"Now go," he said, stepping back.

I hurried back to find Mitchell, but she was nowhere to be seen. The ceremony continued as other dignitaries chose their mates, leaving only Lucas's choice for next week.

When it was finally over, my feet carried me to his chambers. My hands trembled as I knocked.

"Come in," his voice called.

He stood by a small table, holding two glasses of wine. "You came."

He offered me one of the glasses. I hesitated, staring at the dark liquid.

"Drink," he said softly. "It will help you relax."

"I've never..."

"Trust me." His fingers brushed mine as he pressed the glass into my hand. "You're safe with me."

I took a sip, then another. The wine was sweet, making my head feel light.

He set down his glass and pulled me close. His hands slid down my sides, making me shiver.

"You're beautiful," he murmured, his lips finding my neck.

Everything felt warm, His touches grew bolder, and I didn't stop him. Couldn't stop him. He was my mate, after all. Next week, he'd tell everyone.

I gave myself to him completely that night, believing every whispered promise.

I should have known better.

————

A week later, I woke up feeling weak and nauseous,

Barely making it to the washroom, I fell down and vomited. My body felt weak, different. But I couldn't stay in bed – not today. Lucas was announcing his mate choice.

"Are you alright?" Freya, my fellow maid asked as I stumbled back to my room.

"Just nervous," I lied, forcing myself to change into my uniform.

I pushed through my sickness and made my way to the great hall. My heart pounded against my chest as Lucas took his place at the front.

"Today, I choose my mate." His voice rang through the hall.

My hands trembled with anticipation. This was it.

He looked at me and back to the crowd his eyes searching for something.

Then I saw it, his eyes landed on Mitchell as she stepped forward in a stunning gown.

"I choose Mitchell as my Luna," Lucas announced. "The future Alpha female of our pack."

My knee felt weak.

His eyes met mine again for a brief moment, cold and dismissive. A slight smirk played on his lips as he pulled Mitchell into a kiss.

I closed my eyes to make sure this wasn’t a dream. It wasn’t. My whole body felt numb from the betrayal and from the nausea feeling in my stomach.

“Finally they can openly admit their love.” Someone whispered nearby me. “ They both hide it for too long.”

My head started spinning at their words and everything went black.

"Iris!"

I opened my eyes to see white room and Freya's worried face.

"What happened?" I asked.

"You fainted. We had to rush you here," she said, holding my hand.

The door opened and the doctor walked in with test results in his hand.

"Good, you're awake. We had to run a full body test to be sure what was wrong," he said, looking at the papers. " You fainted due to shock and also the results show YOU’RE PREGNANT."