Chapter:- 5

"Hurry up and change, Ammy. I want to line your eyes and do something with that hair."

"I don't need this much primping, Allen. I'm going to look ridiculous."

Allen passed her more of the ensemble.

"Nonsense! You're going to be the most handsome woman there, alpha, beta or omega! Every eye will turn to you as you enter, and your dance card will fill up and-"

Ammy walked around the changing screen, straightening her cuffs and pinned her with a fierce gaze. She bustled over to her and started to fuss.

"That sounds awful, Allen. I don't want all that attention...I don't even want to go but your mother is right. I need a husband and damn my father for ruining my life even when he's not here."

Allen bit her lip and looked guilty.

"I'm sorry, Ammy. I just think you're so wonderful and you deserve so much! If only I had been born an alpha, I would marry you myself!"

Ammy laughed in surprise, throwing her head back and relaxing her shoulders.

"I don't think your mother would approve."

"Then we would run away together! I'd provide for you, and we could have a hundred pups!"

Ammy smiled fondly at her as she fixed her collar.

"That sounds like a wonderful dream, Allen. But even if you were an alpha, I wouldn't love you...like that."

Allen gave an exaggerated sigh and nodded.

"I know. You always favored Sebestian over anyone else. I was sure once you both presented, he would..."

Ammy reached up and captured her hands in her, looking at the stark difference between them, her rough, calloused hands against her smooth, soft ones. She looked up into her tender eyes and felt a tear roll down her cheek.

"He's been cold since our reunion, avoiding me. I always dreamed he and I..."

Allen reached up and brushed her tear away, standing closer, her voice hushed.

"He's been so strange since...well, since we heard of your engagement to Lord Damon."

Ammy let out a breathy laugh and sniffed, clearing her throat.

"Thankfully, that's in the past. What an awful man. And please, forgive me for those silly letters."

Allen frowned as she led her to the vanity, pushing her to sit. She began to pull out her beauty tools, things that Ammy had no idea what they were for.

"What letters?"

Ammy closed her eyes when she began lining them with black kohl.

"I sent letters to your father begging to be saved from my awful, cruel fiancé and the machinations of my horrible father. I'm sure I sounded like some foolish, gothic omega hero. I took care of Damon myself and my father took himself to task. I hope he's dead."

Allen was silent and Ammy leaned back to open her eyes, seeing her blinking owlishly at her.

"Which one do you hope is dead?"

Ammy sneered.

"Both."

Ammy watched Allen swallow and shift nervously.

"Ammy, you speak as if your engagement was forced. I knew life with Jones was difficult for you but I'm beginning to suspect I actually understand very little."

Ammy reached out, trying to shush her, comfort her.

"Please, Allen, I didn't mean to upset you. My father never tried to hide his disdain for me, and he was never careful in his punishments. I thought you knew that the whole family knew. It's why I was brought here originally; Jones was unfit to care for me."

Allen's voice grew shrill.

"Unfit? Unfit? Ammy! Oh, God, the scars on your back, those were from Jones, weren't they? Remember, when you fell from our apple tree and your shirt ripped? I stayed with you while Sebestian ran for help. You had scars, Ammy, deep and nasty. I was so stupid, I thought they were from other accidents, other trees! Damn my father! How could he let you go back to that monster?"

Ammy gripped her arms tightly and pulled her to her, tucking her head into her neck and forcing her to breathe in her scent. She concentrated on staying calm and projecting warmth and comfort, hoping that it would reach her. She rocked her as Allen relaxed into her, curled up in her lap and sobbing. She stroked her hair and laid her cheek on her head, trying not to fall apart. She was so stupid. Why had she let the conversation run away from her. Allen was too young to shoulder her burdens, no matter how much she wanted to.

"I'm sorry, Allen. I'm sure John tried his best but there wasn't much he could have done. I understand that now. The law says that a man owns his daughter, especially an omega daughter. Don't worry about me, pup. All that is in the past and like you said, tonight begins the rest of my life, right? You're here for that."

Allen leaned back, sniffling and wiping her eyes.

"Oh, damn, I've gotten your shirt all wet."

Ammy laughed and ran his hand through her hair.

"It will dry. Now hurry up and finish, it's getting late, and I have a dance card to fill."

Allen set to her task with a renewed determination. She filled the silence around them with idle chatter, trying to recapture the light atmosphere that had deserted them. Her bright company eased her heavy heart and the darkness receded, leaving her hopeful and nervous again.

Finally, Allen urged her to stand in front of the full-length mirror next to the vanity and stood behind her, smoothing out the back of her jacket. A beautiful stranger with her face stared back at her. Her clothes were more appropriate for a beta according to society's standards, but they suited Ammy more than the more feminine attire that most omegas, male and female, wore.

Omegas traditionally wore flowing, draping clothes, feathers and beads, soft pastel colors. Ammy had always admired the omega style, but she felt foolish emulating it, like a hulking pretender, not lithe and graceful enough. Allen had chosen well from her wardrobe, the blue of the waistcoat accentuated her eyes and the jacket smoothed out her shoulders and chest, hiding what she perceived as a flaw. She spun and blushed a bit to realize that the pants were a bit too tight, but they hugged her in all the right places, showing off her natural omega curves. The collar of the shirt was open, revealing a tantalizing view of her neck and the barest hint of her scent glands. It showed to the world that she was unmated and open to courtship. Allen smiled dreamily and hooked her chin over her shoulder, meeting her eyes in the mirror.

"You look wonderful, Ammy. Sorry, I went a little heavy on the kohl."

Ammy shook her head and reached up to lay her fingertips on her cheek, blushing lightly.

"No, Allen, I like it. It makes me feel...nice, confident."

Allen squeezed her, her arms around her chest.

"Good, you should feel amazing. You are amazing, Ammy. I love you. I want you to know you will always be my sister, no matter what."

Ammy met her gaze in the mirror and her eyes teared up.

"I love you too, Allen. Now stop making me cry."

Once they had both gathered themselves, they made their way to the parlor to wait for Sebestian and Jia. Allen rang for a tea tray, and they sat on a loveseat together, cozy and warm, staring into the darkness outside and watching the rain lash against the windows.

"How horrible that it is raining! I've heard that Alpha Jason has the most wonderful maze garden. Sebestian says there are fountains, benches and rose bushes. I could just imagine you taking a romantic stroll with a handsome alpha, arm in arm, the moon shining down, the lights of the ballroom blinking in the distance. How romantic!"

Ammy snorted into her cup, wiping the tea off her lips onto a soft napkin and standing to stretch out her stiff shoulders. Staying so still for Allen to work her magic had taken a toll on her posture.

"I don't think romantic things like that actually happen, Allen. It's all in those torrid books you read."

Allen gasped and crossed her arms; she opened her mouth to retort but was cut off by the front door banging open. The wind howled and someone grunted, sounding like they were struggling with the door. Ammy heard soft footsteps and then Jia's voice.

"Oh, dear. I wonder if we should be out in this?"

Sebestian's voice answered her and Ammy felt all the tension she had worked out of her shoulders return.

"Nonsense, mother. The storm is passing. I've instructed the carriage be readied for us."

The two made their way to the parlor and Ammy paced over to the fireplace, nervous to see Sebestian again. She stood facing the flames until Jia called to greet her. She turned to give her a smile and froze, caught in Sebestian's gaze. Sebestian had stopped in the doorway, taking in Ammy's appearance, eyes sweeping slowly over her form. When Sebestian met her eyes, Ammy grinned at him, daring to believe for a moment that the awkwardness between them would disappear and their previous camaraderie was not lost forever. She was disappointed when Sebestian's face closed off and he nodded politely to Ammy before joining his family, sitting with his back to Sebestian and accepted a cup of tea from Jia. Ammy bit her lip, willing herself not to cry. She turned back to the flames to hide her distress and prayed that it wouldn't be obvious in her scent. Jia noticed but guessed wrong as to the source of her ill humor.

"Ammy, dear, don't be so nervous. Come and sit, please."

She did as she wished and sat beside her, directly across from Sebestian. She kept her eyes on the tea tray, tracing the different biscuits and wishing she could partake. It was rare that she was able to have such treats. Jia reached out and laid her hand on her arm.

"Don't worry so, my girl. You will fit right in, I promise. You look so lovely, doesn't she Sebestian?"

"Yes, of course."

Ammy startled at Sebestian's response and lifted her eyes to meet Sebestian's. Sebestian pursed his lips and turned his head, but Ammy could see a faint blush on his cheeks and the tips of his ears. Ammy ducked her head, confused but pleased and let the faint smell of ginger and old books surround and relax her.

***

The rain had barely abated when they set off for the party and the traffic through the city made them arrive later than was expected. Jia slapped her fan against her palm in frustration.

"Oh, dear. I wanted to arrive early, Ammy. I know the perfect vantage point above the ballroom to watch all the guests arrive. It's going to be harder to point out eligible alphas now."

Sebestian rolled his eyes and propped his chin on his fist, looking out the window. Ammy hid a smile and couldn't help but compare Jia to her daughter, both of them scheming so hard to secure the future they thought Ammy deserved.

"Don't worry so much, Jia. What will be, will be."

Ammy saw Sebestian look at him out of the corner of his eye. Jia rolled her eyes this time.

"Don't be silly, Ammy. You have to be more assertive than that, you have to put yourself in front of all the other omegas there! Get noticed."

"Then I wouldn't be myself. I would rather be honest with a potential spouse. After all, eventually, they would come to know me. What if I am a disappointment?"

Jia sighed and tapped him gently with her fan.

"Oh, Ammy. You are so kind and so frustrating. Do what you must."

Ammy caught Sebestian frowning at her as he looked away from Ammy. He shook his head as he looked out the window, watching the gas street lamps pass in a blur. Ammy was done being confused by Sebestian. She would look to the future, to this party and to her faceless, nameless husband.