Chapter 1 Chapter One

Chapter One

“Get up from that mat, you lazy thing!” The kitchen matron shrieked as she poured cold, icy water on her.

Rina jumped up immediately, wet and dripping, to see the older woman glaring hatefully at her.

“What are you still doing standing there, omega scum? Get to the kitchens this instant!”

Rina ducked as a slipper sailed past her and harsh insults followed Rina as she darted to the kitchens. There was a big pile of dirty dishes waiting just for her, while the other omegas were already preparing for the feast that would take place later that night.

The formidable figure of the kitchen matron entered the kitchen and addressed the omegas. “Listen here you wastes of space, I want no mistakes today you hear me? The Alpha prince is back now and his mating ceremony must be perfect, understand?”

“Yes matron!” They all chorused.

Satisfied, the matron’s eyes landed on Rina. “And you! I don’t want to see you anywhere near that hall. Filth like you has no place near royalty. Just stick to washing plates, that’s all you’re good for.”

Rina merely bowed her head, already used to the matron’s harsh words. She was the outcast of the pack. A slave. Bullied and tormented by everyone, even the children. Her life was merely nothing more than a pitiful existence.

Some of the omegas cast her pitying glances but none dare interfere.

Meanwhile, the entire pack was buzzing. Everyone had dressed in their best finery to welcome their alpha prince back to the pack after four long years. Gossip was already buzzing among the omegas wondering who the prince would choose to be his mate and future Queen Luna during the ceremony.

“I heard that none of the other alphas could defeat the alpha prince when he went for training throughout the four kingdoms.” One of them gushed.

“Oh he must be so handsome,” Another one said dreamily.

The third leaned closer to the two, whispering behind her hands, “Hear me out. What if, during his mating ceremony the alpha prince decides to choose an omega, someone like us as his mate?”

All three laughed, knowing that the chances were next to impossible. Alphas could never be mated to omegas.

It was now midnight and the mating ceremony was underway, the noble men, warriors and the people seated in the hall to see their future Alpha King choose his Luna.

Rina was in the kitchen, elbows deep in dirty dishwater, washing the seemingly endless pile of dishes, and not going near the ceremony as the kitchen matron had said when one of the other omegas leaned against the wall, gasping for breath.

Rina looked to see one of the younger omega, she couldn’t be older than fifteen, her entire body caved under the weight of the tray she was carrying.

“Are you okay, Sara?” Rina asked in concern.

Sara bobbed her head but when she tried to step forward, she winced in pain. There was big boils and blisters under her foot, since the kitchen matron didn’t permit them to wear any type of foot wear.

The poor girl wasn’t in any condition to be walking, let alone carrying such a heavy load.

“Give me that,” Rina told her, her mind made up as she dried her hands.

“But the matron will punish you,” Sara tried to argue. “If she sees you helping one of us again, she’ll punish you even worse than last time.”

“I’ll be in and out so fast, she won’t even know,” Rina assured her, lifting the tray.

Sara’s big eyes filled with tears. “Thank you.” The child whispered gratefully and Rina’s heart squeezed. It was worth any punishment, just to at least ease some of the burdens on the shoulders of the younger ones.

Rina moved quickly, covering half of her face with a veil and stepping into the hall. The entire hall was crowded and no one noticed the presence of one more.

All eyes were glued to the royal dais where the Alpha king and the Alpha prince were sitting on their throne. Even from here, Rina could feel the waves of power and dominance emanating from the alpha prince.

She hastily went to drop the food at the table but just as she was about to reach the table, a foot stuck out and Rina tripped, sending all the dishes crashing to the floor.

The sound of dishes smashing on the floor was heard throughout the hall. All conversations and music stopped. Everyone’s eyes turned to stare at Rina. Their’s filled with disdain. How dare an omega drag attention to herself?

Rina stared in horror. How had this happened? She knew she was in deep trouble now. Trembling, she stared down at the floor. Suddenly, expensive leather boots appeared in her vision.

Who could it be?

Rina slowly looked up and up, finding herself staring into the handsome face of the alpha prince, Prince Lyon. His eyes were a deep azure blue and was staring at her with so much intensity.

“Can you stand?” He asked, his voice as deep and smooth like the sound of moving waters, filled with authority. It could only be the voice of an Alpha.

Instantly, Rina dragged her eyes down, filled with dismay. “I’m sorry, Alpha prince. Please don’t punish me.”

“What are you sorry for?”

“I shouldn’t have looked you in the eyes,” Rina stammered and bowed, hoping the submissive pose would appease him.

Before Lyon could say anything, a nasally voice shrieked, “Rina!”

Rina’s eyes widened, recognizing the voice of the kitchen matron. Oh now she was dead.

The Kitchen matron strode angrily into the hall, her heavy bosom heaving.

“How dare you come in here after I expressly forbade you not to? How dare you stand in front of the prince? Don’t you know your place, you filthy omega?!”

Furiously the matron’s hands rose to strike Rina’s weeping face but to everyone’s shock and surprise, the alpha prince stopped her.

“Don’t even think about it.”

It was the matron’s turn to tremble at his cold tone. “My prince, I-”

But the prince flung her hand, ignoring the rest of her speech. Instead, he stretched his hand to Rina to help her up on her feet.

But they both weren’t ready for what was about to happen when they touched.

Because the moment their skins met, instantly, the mate bond sizzled to life between them and they both froze.

The Alpha Prince was her mate.