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.

The night swallowed me whole.

The moment my feet hit the dense forest beyond my father's estate, I forced myself not to look back. Every instinct screamed at me to run, to put as much distance between myself and my former life as possible. But I couldn't afford reckless speed. Not yet.

I kept my steps measured, silent, each breath shallow as I moved through the thick undergrowth. The wolfsbane in my satchel pressed against my ribs like a reminder. One mistake-one slip-and I would be found.

My father would drag me back. Darius would claim me.

I wouldn't let that happen.

By the time the first light of dawn crept over the treetops, my body ached with exhaustion. My clothes were damp with sweat, my boots caked in mud, but I kept moving.

Dominion Academy was still hours away, but I wasn't stopping. Not until I reached the gates.

By midday, the Academy's towering walls loomed in the distance.

A fortress. A kingdom built for alphas, where only the strongest survived. I didn't know what gave me the idea to come here, but I knew it was the only place I could be remotely safe.

I adjusted my stolen cloak, pulling the hood lower over my cropped hair. I had spent years hearing whispers of Dominion Academy-where elite alphas trained, where only the most ruthless ascended.

If I was going to disappear, I needed to do it in the last place anyone would expect to find an omega.

And what better place than where alphas are gathered?

The entrance was flanked by massive iron gates, etched with the Academy's emblem, a wolf's head, crowned in flame. Guards patrolled the perimeter, their presence a silent warning.

I squared my shoulders and stepped forward. I was going to face them no matter what.

"State your name and rank."

A broad-shouldered guard blocked my path, his piercing gaze locking onto me. I lifted my chin, steadying my breath.

"Val Rhen," I said, forcing confidence into my voice. "Alpha heir of the Ashgrave Pack."

The lie slid off my tongue with ease.

The guard's expression didn't change. His nostrils flared slightly, as if trying to catch my scent. My heart pounded. Did the wolfsbane mask work? Could he tell something was off?

"You don't smell like an alpha," he said, suspicion lacing his tone.

Panic clawed at my throat. I clenched my fists. "I don't need to prove anything to a doorman."

The insult landed hard. His jaw twitched, but before he could react, a voice cut through the tension.

"Having trouble, Lance?"

A girl stood just beyond the gate, arms crossed, eyes sharp with amusement.

She was dressed in a blue uniform. A blazer with the name Lyra Dune inscribed on an iron pin over her left breast while she wore a skirt.

I didn't recognize her or her name for that matter. But something about her screamed strength. The kind only female alphas could have. The kind my father expected from me.

And she was staring at me like I was the most interesting thing she'd seen all day.

The guard hesitated. "This one doesn't smell right."

Lyra stepped closer, tilting her head as she studied me. Her gaze swept over my too-slender frame, my tense posture.

"You think an alpha of my rank needs your approval to enter?" I snapped.

Lyra's lips quirked. Then, to my shock, she turned to the guard.

"He's with me."

The guard frowned. "You sure?"

She shrugged. "If he's lying, he won't last a week. Either way, it's not our problem."

The guard grunted but stepped aside.

I exhaled slowly.

Lyra walked past me, tossing a glance over her shoulder. "Try not to embarrass yourself, Rhen."

I didn't dare respond.

With a quiet nod, I stepped through the gates. I was in.

Dominion Academy was overwhelming.

The sheer size of the place, the towering stone buildings, the vast training grounds-it was nothing like the suffocating halls of my father's estate. But the presence of them was what unsettled me most.

Alphas. Everywhere. It was like being surrounded by an almost impenetrable wall of power.

Their dominance pressed against my skin like a warning. Some barely spared me a glance, too absorbed in what they were doing. Others, however, felt me.

A pack of students lingered near the entrance, their conversation halting as I passed.

"You smell that?" one muttered.

Another tilted his head, frowning. "Something's off about him."

I kept my pace steady, gripping the vial of wolfsbane in my satchel like a lifeline. I needed to dose myself again-soon.

Before they could probe further, a sharp voice cut through the air.

"You. New recruit."

A towering figure stood ahead, his presence alone enough to command silence.

Headmaster Soren.

How did he know I was new here? But then he wasn't the headmaster for nothing. He could tell from scent.

His presence was like steel, he looked imposing, sharp, and impossible to ignore. The stories about him were endless. He had led Dominion Academy for over a decade, shaping countless alphas into warriors.

He looked at me like he already knew I didn't belong.

"With me," he ordered.

I followed, forcing my hands to remain loose at my sides. The last thing I wanted was draw unnecessary attention to myself.

His office was a cavernous space lined with ancient tomes and battle maps. He moved behind his desk, fixing me with a stare that made my bones feel weak.

"Val Rhen," he murmured, his fingers tapping against the wooden surface. "Alpha heir of Ashgrave."

I nodded once. It seemed the guard had somehow communicated to the headmaster about my presence.

Shit.

He studied me for a long moment.

"You don't carry yourself like an alpha," he said finally.

I forced a smirk. "I wasn't aware there was a manual."

His lips twitched, but there was no amusement in his gaze.

"You are here to train, to prove yourself worthy of Dominion." His voice hardened. "Weakness has no place here. You either rise... or you fall."

His words hit like a promise. A warning.

I swallowed, keeping my expression neutral.

"Go to the great hall," he said. "Your room assignment will be posted soon."

I turned on my heel and walked out.

Only when I reached the hallway did I let out the breath I had been holding.

I was finally inside Dominion Academy.

Now let me know where I will be laying my head for the time being.

The great hall buzzed with conversations. It seemed everybody was curious about who they were about to be sharing a room with.

And from the look of things, I wasn't the only fresher. There were some people with bags. Obviously they didn't have to run away from their homes to be here.

Students gathered in clusters, some jostling for a better view of the massive screen flickering above the entrance. The moment the first names appeared, murmurs filled the air.

I kept to the edge of the crowd, my pulse steady but my body tight with anticipation. Every part of this academy was a test. Every move I made was being watched.

I knew that much, because I looked nothing like the other male alphas despite my claim.

They wanted to know who I was truly but there was no way I was going to let anybody know.

Especially if I don't want to get kicked out. But something about this place told me that would be the least of my worries if I were to be caught.

I scanned the names, searching for mine.

Then the whispers started.

"Did you see that?"

"No way. That has to be a mistake."

My stomach clenched. I followed their gazes, heart slamming into my ribs as my name appeared beside one I instantly recognized.

Cassian Virex.

The Golden Boy of Dominion Academy.

The best fighter, the most ruthless competitor. A prodigy born of an elite alpha bloodline, carrying a reputation so untouchable that he had never shared a room with anyone. Until now.

I swallowed hard, keeping my face neutral even as my pulse roared in my ears. What was the principal thinking pairing me up with Virex?

He probably suspected something and wanted Cassian to catch me. Things just got muddy now.

"Well, he's screwed," someone muttered nearby.

I didn't know if they meant Cassian or me.

Then, I felt it. A weight that I've come to know belongs only to an alpha. His presence pressed down against me like a shadow stretching over my body.

Cassian stood on the opposite side of the hall, arms crossed, jaw tight, gray eyes locked onto mine with pure, simmering irritation. He wasn't happy.

But then neither was I. Something told me to be wary of him. And I knew deep within me that he had the potential of putting a dent in my plans.

I met his gaze, refusing to shrink away. Though he intimidated me, I refused to show it. With his imposing size and large scowl on his face, I should be running the other way.

But something drew me to him. Despite the irritated look on his face, there was the sharp angular face of his that had me wanting to stare at him for long.

His inky black hair was neatly styled making me feel the need to my hand through it and ruffle it.

Down to earth Valeria, I chided myself as stopped myself from mentally undressing him.

For a long moment, we just stared at each other, tension crackling between us like a storm about to break.

Then, without a word, he turned and strode out of the hall. I exhaled slowly.

I had a feeling my new roommate was going to make my life hell.

The dorms were nothing like I expected.

Spacious, luxurious, more like suites than student rooms. Dominion Academy clearly didn't just train warriors-it crafted alphas fit to rule.

I stepped inside cautiously, taking in the dark furnishings, the massive window overlooking the training fields, the single sleek desk against the wall and the chair pressed against it.

Cassian was already there.

He leaned against the table, arms still crossed like he had been in the great hall. He didn't speak at first, just watched me.

Sizing me up.

His gray eyes dragged over my frame, sharp and assessing, like he was peeling back my skin to see what lay beneath.

Well there was nothing to see, I hoped he just moved along.

I ignored him. Kept my movements slow and deliberate as I placed my bag down by the empty bed.

"You're small for an alpha," Cassian said finally, voice smooth but edged with something sharp.

I tensed.

I'd been waiting for this moment. The first challenge. I turned to him, forcing a smirk. "You're observant."

His brow lifted, like he hadn't expected me to bite back. Then he moved. Fast.

Something flashed through the air toward me-a test.

Instinct kicked in.

I barely caught the object-my fingers closed around cold metal at the last second. A dagger.

Cassian's smirk widened, unimpressed.

"Too slow," he said, pushing off the doorway.

I gritted my teeth, setting the dagger down. My body hummed with adrenaline. I hadn't expected him to throw a weapon at me the moment I walked in.

Cassian studied me like a puzzle he couldn't quite solve. I wondered what was getting under his skin, as a dangerous energy leaked into the air between us.

"You'll never last here," he murmured, turning away.

The words should have been a warning.

Instead, they felt like a challenge. I inhaled, steadying my breath. My scent was masked. My secret was safe.

But then Cassian walked past me. And my world tilted.

A scent. Faint but unmistakable.

My stomach lurched. My body went rigid.

No. No, no, no.

Mate. Panic surged through me so fast I almost swayed on my feet.

I forced myself to move, reaching into my satchel with shaking fingers. The vial of wolfsbane.

I uncorked it and took a quick, sharp dose, swallowing the bitterness down before my body could betray me.

Cassian didn't notice. He was already halfway across the room and outside, oblivious to the way my heart pounded in my chest.

I clutched the vial tighter, forcing air into my lungs.

How can this be happening? Why will my roommate be my mate? Was this some cruel joke or what?

Cassian Virex could never know the truth or it will be the end of my stay here.