001 - Frozen for a second.

"You had so much power in your hands, Xena and you chose to throw it all away. You shall regret your choice - count my words. And when you do, do not come back to me begging.”

************

"Maria, you know better than to tease me about the Alpha's son," I chuckled, folding a freshly washed shirt in the laundry shades. "Marriage is the last thing on my mind."

Maria grinned mischievously, her eyes dancing with amusement. "Come on, Morrigan. If you marry him, you'll be Alpha's daughter-in-law. No more laundry duties for you!"

I shook my head, my smile softening. "Status means nothing to me, Maria. I'd rather earn my place than have it given."

She rolled her eyes, “You are so - humble. Annoyingly so. You are so lucky, and if I were in your place, heaven knows that I'd grab the opportunity to get out of this hell hole.”

I gave her a smile and returned to my duty.

It's been three years since I saw the demon realm and built a new identity for myself - as an omega in the Red fang pack.

And seven months since the moon goddess blessed me by making me Lucian's mate.

Although Maria thinks it's a blessing because he's the future Alpha of the pack - that bit doesn't excite me.

To me, it's a huge blessing because true love was never something I was dreaming to achieve in this lifetime - but here it was thrown at my laps.

And Lucian has been nothing short of amazing. The way he loves and adores me was everything - something I've never experienced before.

“ So, how are you preparing for the banquet tonight? The one in honour of the king's brothers' return?" Maria interrupted my thoughts.

I sighed lightly, "What's there to prepare for? We are going there to work, Maria. Not as quests to the banquet.”

“Oh come on! Don't be such a bore. This has to be the biggest event I've witnessed in this pack in years.”

“Sure. And why exactly is it a big deal again?” Although I knew the answer to that question.

Maria has been singing it for the past couple of weeks since we got the news.

“The Alpha's brothers are returning.”

“So?” I shrugged.

“You are new but it's a very huge deal. They were shipped off to another country barely a year after their father died. But before they left, the Triplets were very popular not just for being hot - but for their ruthlessness and impact on society.”

Sounds just like an average werewolf to me. But I closed my mouth.

“Besides,” Maria whispered, leaning closer to me, “there's gossip around that the king wants them to pick their brides too. Perhaps that's why the banquet is so huge.”

 "Is that so?” I asked with zero interest in my voice but that could not deter Maria.

“Believe me, they…..”

"This is what you girls are being paid for?” A cold voice interrupted Maria and I turned to see Lucy standing by the door with a jar in her hand and her disdainful gaze fixed on me, “You! You have so much to do and you sit here just gossiping? Useless things!”

“No Lucy, I…”

Before I could leave my lips, she marched towards me and poured the jug of water over me.

I gasped, syncing with Maria's own as the water sipped down my body.

"This should wake you up from your laziness," she sneered, "Get back to work where you belong. You might think dating the Alpha's son gets you a break but there's nothing special about you!”

She turned and left, leaving me shocked and humiliated.

Maria rushed to my side with a red towel that I collected and dried my hair first.

“I'm sorry Morrigan. pay no heed to Lucy. Everyone knows she's just jealous of your relationship with Lucian.”

 "Thank you, Maria," I murmured, still trying to compose the mystery, "I'll finish up here. We can meet later this evening."

Maria squeezed my hand reassuringly before heading out, leaving me alone with a pile of laundry.

After a long day in the laundry, I headed to the coffee store to see Lucian.

He had suggested we meet today there.

My heart swelled with anticipation as I walked through the busy streets anxious for his hold and smile.

 But as I approached the store, my steps faltered, and my breath caught in my throat.

Because, there under the shade of a tree was Lucian alright - only that he had another woman in his arms and they were engaged in a passionate kiss.

Shock froze me in place as I stared at the picture before me in disbelief.

No - my eyes had to be deceiving me.

But they weren't.

Because they broke the kiss and Lucian's head turned to meet my gaze.

I was expecting fear or shame after he saw me. But I got none of that in his expression. Instead he only smiled, releasing the lady.

"There she is," Lucian's voice rang out, filled with something that sounded suspiciously like a mocking laughter, "Come closer, Morrigan."

I forced myself to move, trying to mask the shock on my face with a neutral expression, "Lucian, what's going on?" 

He looked at me, his expression unreadable for a moment before responding, “I have something to tell you, Morrigan."

I nodded, waiting for whatever explanation was coming.

Perhaps this is a prank.

Yeah sure, because his friends were there with him. Maybe they were just pranking me.

Yes, too rude to be a prank but it has to be.

“I'm listening.”

“Well, the boys and I have this little game whenever a wolf in the pack comes of age - and whenever a new lady comes in. We place s bet - on who would land the newest female in the pack.”

My heart dropped, when I realised what he was trying to say and I felt it shatter to a million pieces, along with any shred of hope I've been holding earlier.

“No,” I choked out, taking a few steps back as if to shield myself from the pain that was starting to wreck me.

“Yes,” Lucian said nonchalantly, “I'm sorry but you were nothing but a game for us. I mean - no offence, you are beautiful, fun and all. But that doesn't change the fact that you are just a lowly Omega with zero status. There's no way…”

He trailed off with a look of disgust on his face but I understood just clearly what he was trying to say.

I released a shaky breath and blinked back the tears that were gathering and threatening to fall.

“This can't be true…” I whispered, “this can't - you can't do this to me Lucian. I love you, you know I do and I know you feel the same way for me. Please tell me that this is a joke.”

“You are the joke.” He added and his friends laughed.

Their laughter echoed in my eyes, sending fresh jabs of pain straight to my heart.

Humiliation and heartbreak consumed me, and I could swear that the world spun around me leaving me dizzy and nauseous.

My knees were weak - too weak to even move or leave.

“Come on, don't look so defeated.”

I blinked when Lucian walked towards me and raised a finger to my face to clean the tears I didn't realise were Falling.

I looked into his face desperately but it was like staring at a total stranger.

There was no warmth in his eyes like there used to be. Just a cruel coldness and mockery.

“Shhh - I know how you feel, do not look so down. I know how to make it all better, honey. I know how to make it up to you.”

Although his words were just like a loud buzz in my head, I held my breath curiously waiting for him to continue.

Lucian smiled, “I'm going to give you the honour - of being my breeder when I become alpha.”

I laughed 

O have no idea why, but a laugh tore out of my lips before I could stop it.

Lucian's eyes widened and that only made me laugh harder.

Maybe it was the absurdity of his request.

Maybe it was even the absurdity of the whole situation.

Or perhaps thinking about the look on my mother's face if she finds out that a little werewolf was asking her daughter - no - giving her daughter the honour of being his breeder.

Seven hells.

“Has she gone crazy?” I heard someone ask and I laughed harder, bending over and clenching my stomach with my arm.

“I'm sorry -” I coughed, straightening up and trying to keep a straight face. Lucian was just staring at me with fury in his wide eyes.

My laughter seized and I sniffed, wiping the tears which were still freely falling down my cheeks.

“Thank you for the honour of your highness,” I whispered, “but I'll have to pass.”

Lucian's face hardened and he grabbed my hand, “I wasn't asking. It's an order and you have no choice but to obey.” He sneered, “besides let's face it, with you being nothing - it's the greatest honour you could receive in your life.”

Pain, mixed with rage, threatened to consume me as his words seeped into my soul like a poison.

“You have no idea who you are messing with, Lucian.”

He laughed, pushing me so hard that I almost fell on my butt.

“You really still have the nerve to be arrogant?”

“No, Lucian. You deceived me, which I do not blame you for but you don't get to force me to do what I do not want to do.” 

“You will not refuse me!!” He yelled, “An Omega shall not refuse me! You will do as I say.”

“No.” I started simply and he staggered back.

“Fine. Do you want to play it this way? Bring the girl!” 

Which girl?

But my question was answered when one of his friends dragged Maria out and forced her to kneel down.

My heart dropped as I stared at her pale face. She looked so - blue and barely unconscious.

“Maria! What the fuck have you done to her?”

“Nothing much. Just made her consume an unhealthy dose of wolfsbane.”

I resisted the urge to scream and tried to rush towards Maria but he stopped me with a tight grip around my arm.

“I want to give you the liberty to choose. But you do not deserve that, Morrigan. What I'm going to do is teach you a lesson for daring to defile. You still have no choice but to obey me.”

He nodded, and before I could move or reach, the boy holding Maria brought out a dagger and stabbed her in the chest with it.

I froze - for five seconds.

Then a guttural scream tore out of my lungs as Maria fell to the ground, limp and lifeless — Dead.