The First Test
1753 Words
[Roanna’s Pov]
I woke up to a loud alarm, my bones ached and my body felt like a weight had been dumped on it. I bat my eyes to clear off the fog that covers my eyes. Why wake up? Today is the day I want to sleep through. After spending last night working on cleaning better because Zane thinks I’m not very good. Even though his room and the kitchen always look decent at the end.
I don’t think I’m that bad at it. I sit up, holding my body with my elbows. I stared at the door. I know for sure someone will come in soon to remind me.
The only positive coming out of today is the part where I don’t need to wear that ridiculous uniform. I honestly think I need a better plan. Because sitting here trying to do my chores list each day will drive me f*****g mad.
Thankfully, Aspen is the one accompanying me today. She sent over a message saying she’d spend the day with me because Zane has alot of work on his hands. As much as I envy her- and yes, that envy turns to hate- I do want to talk to her.
Get some advice on what I should do to make Zane a bit more lenient. It’s against everything that I actually want to do, but the more aggressive I act the dumber I present myself to be. Because in the f**k would I not try to survive. If this change is possible, then I’m going to have a child. Which will leave me more vulnerable than I want to be.
I’ll need him to at least tolerate me. I moved out of the bed and got ready for the day. Which meant just taking a shower, and waiting for the maids to come in. They handled styling my hair and picking a dress for me.
They didn’t let me go until they were satisfied. I brushed my hands over the bracelets as I made my way towards the front entrance of the palace. So hot. I need a way to deal with the heart. The rooms have air conditioning, but the other parts of the palace are hot. Just like the rest of Soleria.
Aspen was waiting for me in one of the royal carriages. The dragon was majestic and saddled up with a carriage at the top. I was helped up by the guards, and through the door. In some ways, I felt royal. Even though they hated me, they still tolerated me enough to treat me well.
Or maybe this is the effect of having a queen visit. I don’t really know. But for once, I was grateful to see Aspen’s face.
Once the doors closed, I let out a long exhale and tried to figure out how to ask her the question before we arrived at that creepy doctor’s place.
“You okay?” Aspen asked, breaking the terse silence.
“No,” I told her the truth. “I need your help. How do I... I want to get on Zane’s good side. He’s working me to the bone. It’s.... I didn’t know I could hate living even more. I don’t think it’ll reduce if this procedure works. Will I be cleaning his room pregnant?” Aspen winced, and I shared the same feeling. I’ve been hating every single moment.
Don’t underestimate a Valtero. They’ll surprise the f*****g hell out of you. Just like Zane was doing right now.
I didn’t think anyone could make me hate my life more than I already did, but he definitely had a talent for it.
“I’m not sure I understand. You want me to-”
“Give me some advice. You made Rylan like you. How’d you do that?”
“I don’t know,” she said sheepishly. Blushing as she thought of her husband. “Rylan is sweet. To be honest, my son did most of the work. He was so adorable.”
“I doubt that. They love you.” I didn’t choke on the word love. That would be stupid. no. I said it calmly. Because I didn’t need it. I made a conscious decision that once I secured my family’s safety, I would disappear. I can’t say no to them, but if I’m not around them at all. If there’s no way for them to reach me, then maybe I can have a life.
I want one of those. Not dictated by someone else.
"I don't know how I did it."
"I just need some advice. I don't know what to do."
“I... okay, here’s the deal. What you did may not seem that bad to anyone or any other species... but the valteros run our world. They own the majority of us. This is their world. The dragon shifters adore their kings- well I don’t think they adore Malek but you never know. My point is that tricking their king is basically treason. Part of the reason they like me is because I healed Rylan’s wounded heart- I wasn’t even trying for that. His first mate had hurt him when she tried to kill him. His people... they treat him like a god. Most of the draconians do that. This is something they won’t forgive. Do you want Zane to relax? Then you need to speak Solerian. You need to tell him you would like to earn mercy through a fight. He will pit you against a strong dragonshifter.... you’ll probably die or you’ll unlock your true power. But I can’t promise that he’ll forgive you entirely, but by his own customs, if you win... he has to be merciful. He could toss away the chores.” she sighed, tucking strands of her hair behind her ear.
She was precious cargo. I looked around the carriage, it was decorated. So beautiful. Only the best for her. For the queen of Wyndora.
“A fight. Against a dragon shifter. Yeah, I could die but I need to try something. He really really hates me.”
She purses her lips. “Have you tried seducing him?”
I almost faint at the suggestion. A major dramatization, I know but I did feel like fainting when she suggested that I... that I... seduce- no.
“No.”
“Listen. You guys will f**k anyways. Zane has a good record. The way he beds women makes them crave him badly.”
“You know you’re married right?” I had to remind her.
She laughs. It’s so easy. So free. “Of course, I know. I have a soreness and a lot of hickies to prove it. I love Rylan.” her eyes turned crimson. Wow, I didn’t even know they could do that. No wonder the king’s hooked. Take a good look at Aspen Valtero. You’d seen a beauty that was noticeable from anywhere.
“What I was trying to say is that seducing Zane might make what’s to come seem... less unnerving. You’re an alpha, it goes against your nature. But you will be a temporary omega. That bite is not there. Omegas... some are strong, but they are generally raised to be quite submissive. It’s something our kind should change but, that’s not gonna happen. My point is, I’ve been around omegas. The need, the way they act, the things they require.... I imagine it’ll be worse once you’re flooded with whatever this doctor is giving you to make it possible for you to conceive.” she takes a moment to pause, letting her words sink in. “You’re not going to have this back peddle with you. You’re doing something that is dangerous. You’re gonna need Zane to at least lust after you. So try it out.”
I stayed quiet. She had a point. We would eventually have s*x, and the process had to happen frequently. That’s what the doctor had said.
Aspen stays by my side through the process. I’m giving more medication, and shockingly, the doctor isn’t creepy with her here. He kept casting her glances. Like he was terrified he’d breathe or talk the wrong way and she would kill him.
Her presence was calming. It reminded me of our third. Lola. I wonder how she’s doing. She’s the omega!
Oh, my f*****g- I should her. Maybe she can prepare me for this.
Aspen rides with me back to the castle. She takes care of cooking dinner. The process put my tired body through the ringer. I was given new meds. The injections hurt the least. It was the others that unnerved me.
The doctor had kept me awake while he worked. I could feel things going on in my body. I was tired. So f*****g tired.
Aspen- to my tired mind- was a saint. She was friendly, chatting with me as she cooked. She stayed until Zane returned with her husband.
I watched them. Rylan didn’t look my way. He was in front of his wife in seconds. She giggled before her mouth became preoccupied. They looked at each other in a way that made me want to through up the medication I’d taken.
So happy.
Zane ignored me. He spoke to his brother, and Aspen, seeing them off once they were ready to go. Meanwhile, I sat by the dining table where Aspen had set up all the food. I ate very little.
Zane joined me soon enough. We didn’t talk. Of course not. I thought about Aspen’s words. Fight for a bit of peace. I could use it. I should probably enjoy my last moments as an alpha.
The other part of her advice floated in too. Seduce him. Where would I even start?
I didn’t know how to live for myself, how would I know how to seduce a guy? Guys didn’t like me. I was built for war. Built to be a guard dog. Not a lover.
I closed my eyes and rested my head on the table in front of my food. Somedays, it’s harder to keep being myself.
To keep existing. When the exhaustion gets too much, I just want to be done with it all.
I am not a quitter, I will try out Aspen’s advice as soon as I speak to Lola. But for tonight, my soul felt crushed. Why can’t I just say f**k them and move on?
Why am I so compelled to do as they say?
I know the answers but that didn't stop the questions.
- Writer
