Rise Of The Omega

The grand hall was suffocating.

Rows of wolves in formal attire stood along the edges of the large room, their whispers moving through the air like a curse I couldn't shake.

My father, Alpha Rhen, stood tall at the head of the room, his sharp gaze scanning the gathered pack members before settling on me.

He raised a hand, and silence fell.

"Tonight, we celebrate the union that will strengthen our pack," he announced, his deep voice carrying the weight of authority. "My daughter, Valeria Rhen, will be mated to Alpha Darius Volk of the Bloodfang Pack."

A low murmur rippled through the room. Some looked at me with pity. Others, amusement.

I knew what they were thinking. Why would an alpha as ruthless as Darius Volk want a weak omega like her?

I forced my expression to remain still, even as my stomach twisted. It didn't matter that I was the Alpha's daughter-without strength, I was nothing in their eyes. A burden. A tool to be traded away for power.

The doors at the far end of the hall creaked open, and I clenched my hands under the table as he entered.

Darius Volk.

Tall. Broad-shouldered. A wolf carved from stone. His sharp features and cold eyes swept over the room before settling on me. He smirked, the kind that promised cruelty disguised as charm.

My breath hitched as he strode forward, closing the distance between us with slow, deliberate steps.

When he reached me, he leaned in, his voice a low murmur against my ear. "An omega for an alpha. A delicate little thing meant to obey. You'll learn, Valeria."

My nails dug into my palms.

He pulled back, his smirk widening as if he could taste my disgust. He wasn't wrong. My revulsion burned hot, but I couldn't let it show. Not here. Not in front of everyone.

The celebration continued around me, the sound of raised glasses and forced congratulations blending into an unbearable noise. My body remained frozen, but inside, something was clawing to get out.

That night, I made my choice.

---

I found my father in his study, a glass of aged whiskey in his hand. The room smelled of leather and smoke, the heavy scent of power woven into the very walls.

"You made a mistake," I said, stepping inside before he could dismiss me.

He always thought everything about me was useless. That's why he never listened to me. Instead choosing to do what he felt was best for.

Not this time.

Alpha Rhen barely spared me a glance. "I made the only choice available."

I stood rigid. "You had no right-"

"I had every right," he interrupted, setting his glass down with a quiet clink. "You are my daughter. An omega. A weak one. If not for me, you'd be nothing."

The words struck deep, but I refused to let him see it. I refused to show how his words hurt me.

"You sold me to a monster," I said, voice tight. "Do you even know what he does to his mates?"

"He's an alpha," my father said, as if that justified everything. "He will protect this pack. And you will do your duty."

"My duty?" I laughed, but it was empty. "To be his pet? To be controlled and used?"

His jaw tightened. "Enough, Valeria."

I took a step closer. "Tell me-if I were strong, would you have done this? If I had power, would I still be nothing to you?"

For a moment, something flickered in his eyes. Then it was gone. "You weren't born for power. You were born to be useful. Accept that, and you might survive."

I swallowed the lump in my throat. "No."

His brow arched. "No?"

"I won't accept it."

He exhaled sharply, frustration creeping into his expression. "You have no choice, Valeria. Be grateful that Darius even wants you."

The finality in his tone slammed into me like a blow. I had never been given a choice. Not even now.

I turned on my heel and left.

---

"You have to leave," my mother whispered, pressing a small pouch into my palm.

I had plans of escaping this place before I was forced to marry Darius but what I didn't expect was my mom taking the initiative.

We stood in the shadows of my chambers, the moon casting silver streaks across her worried face.

Elara Rhen was a woman of quiet strength, the only one who had ever seen me as more than a tool. And now, she was risking everything to help me escape.

I opened the pouch, the sharp scent hitting me instantly. Wolfsbane.

"It will mask your scent," she said, squeezing my hand. "You must leave tonight. They'll never let you go once the bond is sealed."

A lump formed in my throat. "Mother-"

She shook her head. "No time for goodbyes. Just promise me... you'll survive."

I nodded. There was no room for doubt.

After she left, I moved quickly.

I stripped off my silk dress, replacing it with rough male clothing stolen from the servants' quarters. The fabric was weird against my skin, but I welcomed it.

I grabbed a dagger and stood before the mirror.

One last thing.

Taking a deep breath, I lifted the blade to my hair. The first cut was hesitant, but the rest came fast. Strands of brown tumbled to the floor, and in their place, a new face emerged. One different from the Valeria Rhen's own.

I was no longer Valeria Rhen, omega daughter of an alpha.

I was Val Rhen.

And I was free.

The night was silent as I crept through the estate's corridors.

Every step was calculated. Every breath measured.

Guards patrolled the exits, but I knew my surroundings better than they did. Years of being invisible had made me an expert at slipping past unseen.

One last turn. The back gate.

I pressed myself against the stone wall, waiting for the right moment. The guards shifted, their attention slipping just enough.

Now.

I darted forward, silent as the wind.

A rustle behind me. My heart slammed into my ribs.

I turned.

Nothing. Just the night. Just my own fear clawing at me. I swallowed hard and kept moving.

The forest loomed ahead, dark and endless. One step. Then another. The moment my feet hit the treeline, I knew there was no turning back.