Chapter 2 Omega for the Luna

Hailey remained perfectly still until the grand double doors shut, announcing Alpha Rowan's entrance.

Peeking around the pillar, she let out a wistful sigh. There sat the love of her life, her only dream. His fiery red hair cascaded over his shoulders, and his full lips formed a confident smile as his mother whispered something in his ear. His keen hazel eyes scanned the room, seemingly searching for someone. His beauty was breathtaking; every contour of his face was flawlessly crafted. Just a glance at Alpha Rowan ignited a desperate desire within her—a yearning that left her gasping for breath.

Dressed in a regal black and gold jacket and pants, he looked magnificent.

Beta Ruel ascended the dais and whispered something to Alpha Rowan, who nodded curtly in response.

Turning to the gathered crowd, Ruel began, "Welcome..."

Hailey didn't hear another word of his speech; her focus was solely on Alpha Rowan. As if sensing her gaze, he turned his head toward her, sending her heart racing. She ducked behind the pillar again, her pulse quickening. When she peeked out once more, it was time for the maidens to introduce themselves formally.

Her heart raced as each woman approached him in turn, answering questions posed by the former Luna—Rowan's mother.

With each passing second, her nerves intensified, and when Beta Ruel paused, glancing at the list with confusion, she knew her time had come.

"What is it, Beta?" the Alpha's mother inquired, her tone sharp.

Ruel hesitated. "There seems to be a name... It might be a mistake..."

Alpha Rowan appeared bored. "Just call it, Ruel. Don't waste my time."

After a brief pause, Ruel shook his head in disbelief and finally announced, "Hailey Griffin of the Flaming pack."

Hailey's heart raced so rapidly she feared it might burst. This was it—her moment to claim Alpha Rowan.

Standing tall and poised, she stepped out from her hiding spot, walking through rows of elegantly dressed women, their luxurious attire starkly contrasting her worn uniform. She chose to ignore the gasps of disbelief that rippled through the crowd at the sight of a maid.

Reaching the dais, she fixed her gaze on Alpha Rowan.

Her knees weakened as he looked directly at her, making her feel as if the world faded away. In that moment, she could die happy.

"Surely, this is a joke," his mother scoffed, turning to Beta Ruel. "You were assigned to verify the names on this list. How did an Omega's name end up here?"

When Ruel didn't answer, she directed her sharp, cold gaze toward Hailey, slicing through her confidence. "You must know this is a mistake. A maid and an Omega cannot be considered for the role of Luna."

Hailey refused to avert her gaze from Alpha Rowan, who regarded her with a hint of amusement. Steeling her resolve, she spoke from her heart. "That's true... Probably it's a mistake, but my feelings for the Alpha are true. I, Hailey Griffin, an Omega with nothing to my name, seek your to offer, asked your hand in marriage, Alpha. I want to be your Luna... I truly love you."

Perhaps Hailey should have chosen her words more carefully.

Her fingers trembled as Alpha Rowan rose from his powerful seat, towering above her. She had to tilt her head back to see him, and as she did, she couldn't help but think he was the most stunning man alive.

"What did you say?" His voice resonated within her, causing the butterflies in her stomach to scatter.

"I said—" she began, her voice barely a squeak. She swallowed hard and started again. "I said, I wish to be your Luna, Alpha."

His gaze pierced through her, as if searching into the depths of her soul. "No, the last part. What was that?"

The hall fell into an eerie silence; she could hear the birds chirping outside as well as footsteps echoing in the corridor. Her own heartbeat was a thunderous drum in her ears, loud enough for everyone to hear. She parted her lips to speak, but her tongue felt too heavy to express her feelings.

This moment shouldn't be so difficult. She had envisioned it countless times—the moment when the Alpha would look into her eyes and she could confess how long she had waited for him and how she had remained chaste for him.

"I love you," she whispered, hoping her voice could slice through the silence.

Alpha Rowan regarded her for a moment, his dark brows raising as he assessed her. Her heart raced chaotically in anticipation of his reaction, and she was uncertain of her expectations. That was the downside of dreaming too much; reality became hard to distinguish. What if Lovie was right, and she had truly lost her mind?

But that was nothing new. Everyone knew Hailey Griffin; she had always been seen as a bit eccentric. Everyone except the Alpha and his mother, who were far too occupied with the pack's affairs and rogue threats to pay her any mind.

When Alpha Rowan stepped back, she suddenly felt the heat radiating from him, and then he began to laugh. It started as a sharp sound, soon joined by the laughter of everyone in the hall.

Heat rushed to her cheeks in embarrassment, but she refused to let her head drop in shame. Rowan sank back into his seat, waving dismissively in Beta Ruel's direction. "When I asked for entertainment, I didn't mean this, Beta." He turned to her and said, "Off you go. I've had a good laugh."

Hailey paused, confusion knitting her brows. Did he genuinely believe she was joking?

Beta Ruel began to move toward her, anger contorting his features, but she was not going to be so easily dismissed. She stepped forward before he could reach her and exclaimed, "Do you consider me a joke because I'm an Omega?" Her voice carried powerfully through the hall, replacing the laughter with gasps. Pointing behind her, she continued, "Can't I be your Luna because I don't have the privilege they do? You pride yourself on being a just Alpha, a man who treats all members of his pack as equals, but I see now that it's merely rhetoric if you disregard me merely because I am a maid and not the daughter of a powerful Alpha!"

Her mother had often claimed she was born wrong, insisting she had too much fire to be an Omega. It was moments like this that made Hailey believe her, for no Omega was supposed to stand up to an Alpha. Yet here she was, an anomaly, defying expectations. She shouldn't have been able to confront him like this; she should not have even been able to stand in a room filled with the overwhelming auras of various Alphas.

Alpha Rowan's jaw tightened, and anger sparked in his eyes. "Careful what you say, Hailey Griffin."

Hailey's mind raced, her jaw nearly dropping in disbelief. Goddess, he knows my name, and he actually said it. Inside, she felt herself melt, struggling to maintain her composure and prevent her thoughts from spiraling out of control.

"I'm not wrong," she declared, standing firm.

Alpha Rowan straightened in his chair, his icy gaze making her shiver. "Get her out of my sight," he commanded, addressing no one in particular.

Tears began to well in her eyes as the sentries closed in around her. Did he truly hate her? Was she that repulsive to him? Should she have approached him differently? Was there something she had done wrong? How had she managed to ruin this moment so quickly? She needed to salvage this chance to truly stand before him again.