The Omega’s Second-Chance Mates

The Festival and the Deadline

Chapter 1

"All of the scholars... Your written reports should be submitted by the end of this month. Be certain that the requirements are completed before surrendering them to Headmaster Matteo," Professor Allison announced after dismissing our class. "Well, have a happy festival, and of course, do not forget to study iconography and field archaeology. You have plenty of time. One week of no classes is an advantage."

I groaned and shoved my face to the table when I reached the dining hall, exhausted and thinking so hard about the one-week festival I had been looking forward to attending.

The one-week annual festival in the Sowinski Kingdom was a grand event that celebrated the abundance of our kingdom with our reigning monarch, Alpha King Azarius de Carteret, 1st son of our previous monarch. The entire kingdom was in the midst of a national holiday, with all work put on hold to commemorate the end of a hundred-year drought that had plagued our people. The festival was a solemn dedication to the struggles and perseverance of our ancestors, a celebration of their triumph over the harsh climate.

As much as I wanted to celebrate and enjoy this, I had to devote myself to finishing the written reports.

We, who were granted a royal scholarship from the royal lycan family, would need to submit the written reports to Headmaster Matteo. They contained the learnings about all the subjects we were taking, some records we needed to comply with by helping the staff of the royal academy, maintaining our performances in our studies, and excelling at the combat section. These were our tasks to maintain our scholarship. If not submitted on or before the deadline, the Alpha of the pack would be summoned to question the abilities of his pack members who failed to maintain their standing.

That was why I needed to sort things out before they summoned Alpha Orlando. I did not want to put his name to discomposure when he had dedicated himself to allowing us to study in this prestigious royal academy where only those people with nouveau riche and vieux richer could handle the tuition here. We, the commoners and peasants who couldn't afford the expenditures in this academy, could rely on royal scholarship.

"What's with the long face, Czerie?"

I looked up when I saw a tray of food in my opposite direction and was surprised to see someone I knew.

"Ashlyn!" My posture suddenly erected upon seeing her. "Have you finished your written reports?" It was an odd way to greet someone I knew, but Ashlyn was one of the people I knew that was also taking a scholarship.

Ashlyn was one of my fellow pack members in the Silver Growl pack who was also studying here in the royal academy. She was also an Omega like me and was granted by Alpha Orlando to study here. Like me, she was also a scholar.

"Yes. I passed them a week ago. Why?" she asked as she started munching her meal. I only smiled wryly before burying my head on the table again. "Looks like you haven't done them."

I only frowned and painstakingly nodded, envying her. She was a diligent student who could meet the tasks without fail. She was more precise and had the understanding of how to finish it in a short amount of time but with an excellent outcome.

"I was so engrossed with our research that it slipped into my mind..." I replied in a dejected tone. I wished I could be like her, who could finish her tasks immediately.

I was jealous...

For someone like me who was taking the archeological program, we were devoting ourselves to examining artifacts of ancient times. I already told Alpha Orlando that I would raise my reputation by working in one of the government departments here in our kingdom. There was a high chance we could be summoned to participate in the expedition of one of the lycan princes.

But I couldn't graduate if the requirements were not submitted.

"You still have plenty of time, Czerie. Take advantage of the festival." She winked at me.

"You're right..." I paused when my eyes flew towards the dining hall entrance, seeing Prince Atticus, who just arrived and went to take something to eat. I followed him by gazing at the 18-year-old Prince Atticus, the youngest son of Grand Alpha King Apollo and Mother Luna Queen Adeline and 5th brother of Alpha King Azarius.

He wore a classic tunic and trousers, but the way they clung to his body left little to the imagination. The fabric stretched over his broad chest and muscular arms, emphasizing every ripple and curve. His tapered waist and narrow hips led down to powerful thighs that strained against the fabric, while his calves were perfectly sculpted and defined. I couldn't help but admire how the tunic hugged his body, highlighting his chiseled abs, and his almond-colored disheveled hair emphasized his features that all of the women in the dining hall turned their heads in his direction. He was a sight to behold, a man whose physical presence commanded attention and respect.

"So, Prince Atticus is really going to study here, huh..." I couldn't help remarking while gulping at his beguiled presence.

I knew he and his four brothers, Alpha King Azarius, Crown Prince Alucard, Prince Alistair, and Prince Alejandro, had distinctive features. But one thing I must say was that they were drop-dead gorgeous, I must admit.

I heard that he was going to set on his first expedition first. I wondered if he would take some students from our department to go with him. I hoped I could be picked if the Moon Goddess allowed me.

"Indeed." Ashlyn offered me food, but I politely declined.

I decided to stand up after a while. "I need to start working on my written reports. See you around, Ashlyn!" I waved my hand at her.

For the next few days, I was so engrossed in fulfilling the task that I forgot that the festival was already here. I needed to finish them just before the main events since I was looking forward to seeing the fireworks while drowning myself in studying.

After completing them, I scurried to Headmaster Matteo's study room, looking exhausted from an all-nighter I pulled just to shuffle them in the correct order. I almost cried since I knew that I had to study for the upcoming examinations, but I still wondered if I could still enjoy the remaining days of the festival.

I knocked three times before someone opened the door.

As I approached the entrance of the study room, my heart pounded in my chest. My eyes widened when I caught sight of His Royal Highness, Crown Prince Alucard, standing before me. He was a tall, imposing figure with piercing forest-green eyes, just like the rest of his brothers, and a strong jawline. I could feel the weight of his gaze as he swept his hand to beckon me inside.

For a moment, I was struck dumb by his commanding presence. But then I remembered my manners and offered a deep bow. "G-Greetings, Your Royal Highness, Crown Prince Alucard!" As I straightened up, I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe in the presence of such royal magnificence.

"It is fine. You do not need to. Your hands are full." He glanced at the piled-up documents I had in my hands, knowing well what they were. His forest green orbs were glinting in amusement. "Come on in. I am about to leave as well." His attention was on Headmaster Matteo. "I shall expect some prospects, Matteo."

Headmaster Matteo nodded and bowed his head. "Yes, of course, Your Royal Highness. I shall handle His Highnesses here as well."

"Good. Especially my twin brothers are quite a handful..." His Royal Highness sighed and nodded before heeding me. He instantly wiped that annoyed expression on his handsome face and smiled like the brightest star in the night sky. "Have a nice day, my lady."

My heart raced as he bowed before me, leaving me momentarily stunned. I remained standing there, lost in thought, until he disappeared from my view, causing me to snap back to reality.

"H-Headmaster Matteo, greetings..." I heaved out a sigh before looking up at him.

His forehead furrowed with a gentle smile plastering on his lips. "Please settle your written reports here, Lady Grieco." He gestured to his desk.

I followed what he said, almost collapsing at this moment. That stiffened me when Headmaster Matteo chuckled.

"You caught up to the deadline. How are your studies, Lady Grieco?" He gestured his hand to the couch.

"Wonderfully dreadful, headmaster..." There was no hesitation when I took the seat, but I maintained my posture as a prim and proper lady. "I made sure that I completed them..." My eyes gestured to the couch, quietly inviting me to at least take a nap while seeing him checking my written reports.

"I have checked them. Congratulations on another semester, Lady Grieco." His enthusiastic tone suddenly drifted my drowsiness. I thanked him for that affirmation since I was really looking forward to that. "You can enjoy the festival after this."

As he spoke, my lips curved into a wry smile. His laughter followed, a knowing glint in his eyes suggesting he understood the reason behind my reaction.

"Ah, yes. The examinations are coming after this," he immediately corrected himself even though I did not say anything he should do.

I nodded, defeated. But it was a good thing that he was able to read the atmosphere. I did not know how to open it up that I had matters to attend first, but I would certainly try to enjoy the festival later. "I shall take my leave, headmaster." I curtsied and wanted to add that I badly needed some sleep after this.

"Do you have any idea why His Royal Highness is here?"

I was caught off guard, fluttering my eyelids at that question just as I reached the doorknob. "Um... About Prince Alistair and Prince Alejandro...?" The mere mention of the Twin Garnets brought chills down my spine as my core memory was unlocked from being kept in the wooden storage box. I really did not want to mention them, but Headmaster Matteo was asking me, and I happened to hear it from Crown Prince Alucard before he left. "And Prince Atticus...?" I added since I knew that our youngest lycan prince had enrolled here.

When he nodded, I felt a huge relief wash over me since I had guessed it right.

"Do you have any idea what could have been our conversation?" I almost thought it must have been their welfare, but then I remembered I should not say that directly. I only shooked my head as a safe response. "Well..." He pressed his palms against each other, his fingers intertwining to form a mysterious energy that seemed to emanate from him. "It is better if that is a surprise," he beamed.

I almost dropped my jaw, wanting to fling myself to the ground because of the suspense in his words. To hide my disappointment veiling under my eyelids, I dismissed myself.

"I see, headmaster. Perhaps, I shall look forward to it?"

"Indeed, Lady Grieco."

That was the end of our discourse when I thought he would at least reveal what they discussed. I did not put it into my heart since one thing I would like to get at this moment was to satiate this drowsiness I was feeling.

But it seemed that the lady luck was not smiling at me when I turned to the next corner and happened to bump into some wall or something.

"Damn it! Freaking walls..." I raised my hand and ran it over the rough surface of the nearby wall, scowling at it. It was easier to attribute my fatigue to the wall than to admit my exhaustion.

As I reached out to touch what I assumed was a solid wall, my hand met with unexpected resistance. My eyes widened in surprise as I realized I was face to face with two identical young men with striking forest-green eyes and chiseled features.

I froze in shock as the two men stared back at me, their eyes gleaming with intense curiosity. Without warning, one of them spoke up, his voice laced with a hint of amusement.

"So, we are 'freaking walls'?"