Alpha Valerius

Alpha & Omega

My eyes followed around the yard. All the forms, all the dancing figures that pressed together. None of them were it. None of them caused the storm in the pit of my stomach. I winced as another painful wave overcame me.

Whoever it was...I didn't want to know.

But then the doors to the yard opened once again and the one of the servants announced the names of men who had come to the celebration. I didn't realize it in that moment, but one of the names stuck to my mind.

Valerius.

In that second, three men walked in.

I recognized the form in the center. A tall, powerful looking man that led our pack. Alpha Liam. He stood tall and proud. All the people around me bowed in respect, and even though I was too tense, I followed suit. The one on his left side was his right hand. Another alpha that pledged his loyalty to our pack. Someone who had seen many deaths, someone who supported the war.

And on his right...was Valerius.

A man in his early forties, tall and with broad shoulders. His suit was pitch black, hugging every aspect of his built body. Sharp jaw and nicely shaped lips that were turned down in a dangerous frown. By his skin, you wouldn't say he was that old. But the aura around him gave the vibe of a strong soldier that has seen war too many times. It was also the scar over his left eye that gave that away. It stretched from his forehead, his thick brow and eyelid, all the way to the beginning of his cheek.

His hair was the same as his suit, a shade of black, nicely slicked back to show off the golden earrings that decorated his ears. They matched with the golden assets on his dress shirt and tie. A string of gold attached to a tiny skull on his jacket.

But that wasn't the most bizarre thing about him. It was the eyes. A shade of the finest orange and gold, blazing in all the darkness that covered him. They were sharp, confident and could instill fear in any man or woman.

They bore right into mine.

I shivered.

The pain was gone. There was only a tsunami of euphoria that flooded my whole system. I felt my legs grow weak, my heart spike up in its rhythmical beating, and my blood flew right into my head. I felt how red and hot I was.

But I couldn't look away.

The pull was so strong that I stumbled forward a few steps. I saw his shoulders twitch. He was feeling it just as much.

No.

It was him.

The man that stole my freedom, bought me like a slave on the black market. Valerius was the one to make sure my family lives happily ever after, with riches and things they could never have before. While I lie on his bed, waiting for him to return.

That man was also my mate.

It was only for a second, but I felt it. I saw it. The red string tied around my neck and his hand. He tugged on it gently and I was ready to fall to my knees. We were made for each other. Destined to meet and fulfill the rest of the cup. The free space in the cup could only be filled by a mate. And we were that.

Mates.

If only we met without these conditions. If only we found each other as the moon goddess wished us too. I wouldn't feel so sick to my stomach. It pained me to know that I was sold to him.

That I was..bought by my soulmate.

I winced and looked away. It was only for a second, but I saw his eyes narrow.

I couldn't stand it.

I couldn't.

Suppressing the tears that wanted to coat my cheeks, I straightened my back and focused on the speech of our Alpha.

Something, something, victory. If only it were meaningful to listen to him speak. I wouldn't have to shiver each time a wave of longing washed over my body.

I need to take my mind off of him. Before he comes to us, I need to compose myself.

I turned away from the scene and went to one of the tables. Drinking alcohol was out of the question for me. With the suppressants, I couldn't even take a sip. It would push my system into overdrive.

So I poured myself some juice and drank it in one go. My body was burning up, a fever was just on the doorstep.

I knew that now there was no turning back.

I couldn't possibly be away from him. Omega's don't have that choice. Rejecting a mate was equal to death. For us, even being away from our mate, was hell.

"Enjoy the celebration and drink for the victory and all our soldiers that gave their best."

The cheers brought me back to reality. Voices of other people felt like poison to my ears. Before I realized it, my hands were covering my ears.

And then I felt him.

Valerius was coming closer.

Like an enigma that radiated energy, strong enough to blow away all those who were present, he creeped closer and closer. My knees gave in.

"Rosalie? Are you okay?"

My sister caught me by the waist, holding me up as I tried to stand on my legs. I nodded. I couldn't speak.

"Ladies. Sir."

"Alpha Valerius."

My sister turned us to look. Valerius's tall form loomed over my father who was bowing slightly. He was taller than he looked up there.

I fell into the trap.

Dazed and feverish, I stared at him. His gorgeous eyes were strictly focused on my father, who in my eyes spoke animatedly. His smell, heavy and addicting, entered my nostrils. The hairs on my neck stood on its ends. Strength returned to my legs, but my body felt as light as a feather.

And then...he looked at me.

A shot right through my weakened heart. I froze up completely.

"Rosalie, I want you to meet your future husband."

And my mate.

I heard my father well. But I simply couldn't move. My muscles felt like stones. My hands were icy cold, but the rest of my body burned as though I was boiling inside. And I was.

"Rosalie."

My father called again, but I simply continued to stare.

"It's alright. If I were here, I'd be as shocked."

His voice was like honey. So deep, devouring, my ears instantly wanted to hear it again.

"It's a pleasure...to finally meet you."

As he took a step closer, the world around me whitened and all I saw, or heard, was him.

"I've been waiting for you."

-My little flower.