Alpha's Obsession, The Omega's Destiny

　　Remi's POV

　　The kitchen buzzed with activity, the clatter of pots and the hum of conversation filling the space. The scent of freshly baked bread and sizzling herbs filled the air, but none of it brought me comfort. My hands moved on autopilot as I chopped vegetables at the counter, the rhythmic motion grounding me. Another day in paradise, right? Omega duties were my life—cooking, cleaning, and staying out of sight. Just the way they liked it.

　　I glanced at the clock on the wall. Almost three. My chest tightened, the bond stirring like an itch I couldn't scratch. I gritted my teeth and tried to ignore it, but the familiar ache blossomed in my chest, sharp and unforgiving. He's with someone else again. The bond didn't just let me know—it made me feel it. The pain was raw, like claws scraping at my soul.

　　I blinked back the sting of tears and focused on the knife in my hand. Chop. Slice. Focus. Don't think about him.

　　The kitchen door creaked open, and my stomach sank. I didn't need to look up to know who it was. His presence filled the room like a storm, suffocating and electric. Elias.

　　"Well, if it isn't my favorite little omega," he said, his voice dripping with that same mocking tone I'd grown to despise. "Hard at work, I see."

　　I straightened my spine but didn't turn to face him. "Someone has to be."

　　He chuckled, the sound low and cruel. "Careful, Remi. That tongue of yours might get you into trouble."

　　I kept my focus on the vegetables, refusing to give him the satisfaction of a reaction. It wasn't easy. Everything about Elias demanded attention—his voice, his presence, the sheer arrogance he wore like a crown. His cologne mixed with the faint scent of another woman. I felt bile rise in my throat.

　　"You know," he continued, stepping closer, "Vanessa was quite... enthusiastic earlier." He said her name like it was meant to stab me, and it worked. The bond twisted, sending another jolt of pain through my chest. "She's not the only one, either. Tonight, I think I'll see if I can double my efforts. The beta's daughter and maybe Astrid. She's been giving me that look, you know?"

　　I gripped the counter so hard my knuckles turned white. My wolf growled in my mind, but I swallowed the sound before it could escape. Don't let him win.

　　Finally, I turned to face him, forcing my expression to stay neutral. "Is there a reason you're here, or did you just come to brag?"

　　Elias smirked, leaning casually against the counter as if he owned the room. Well, technically, he did. "Just checking on things. Big day tomorrow, after all. My crowning ceremony. I'll need everything to be perfect. Think you can manage that, little omega?"

　　I clenched my jaw, my wolf clawing at the edges of my mind. We should be standing beside him, not hiding in a kitchen. But instead of saying that, I kept my tone even. "I'll do my job. You don't have to worry."

　　"Good." He pushed off the counter and headed toward the door, pausing just long enough to glance back at me. "Oh, and Remi? Try not to burn anything. It would be a shame to ruin such a special occasion."

　　As the door swung shut behind him, I felt my composure crack. My hands trembled as I turned back to the counter. I wanted to scream, cry, something, but all I could do was stare blankly at the cutting board.

　　"Remi, sweetheart," Ethhel's voice broke through my haze. She placed a gentle hand on my shoulder, her touch warm and steady. Ethhel had been the closest thing I'd had to a mother since I was a kid. She'd been the one to patch me up after every scrape and wipe my tears when no one else cared. Her presence was a lifeline.

　　I shook my head, blinking back the tears. "I'm fine."

　　"You're not fine," she said softly, her eyes full of concern. "You've never been a good liar, Remi."

　　I let out a bitter laugh. "Guess it's just another thing I'm bad at."

　　"Don't say that." Ethhel stepped in front of me, forcing me to meet her gaze. "You're stronger than you think. I've seen it. And one day, they'll see it too."

　　I wanted to believe her. God, I wanted to. But it felt like the walls of this pack were closing in on me, suffocating me a little more each day.

　　I managed to push through the next few hours, focusing on the endless tasks that came with preparing for Elias's ceremony. I'd scrubbed dishes, arranged flowers, and set the dining tables until my fingers ached. The pain was welcome—it gave me something else to focus on.

　　I was carrying a tray of glasses toward the dining room when the beta, Owen, appeared in the hallway. He was sipping from a bottle of soda, a smug grin plastered on his face. Everything about him screamed arrogance, just like his sister.

　　"Careful there, omega," he said, stepping into my path. "Wouldn't want to drop anything."

　　I moved to sidestep him, but he shifted at the last second, pretending to trip. The drink in his hand spilled all over me, soaking my shirt and jeans in sticky soda.

　　"Oh no," he said, his voice oozing mock concern. "Did I do that?" He looked me up and down, a cruel laugh bubbling from his throat. "You should probably change. Not that it matters—you could be dressed in gold, and my sister would still be a better Luna than you."

　　The words hit harder than I wanted to admit. I clenched my fists, fighting the tears that threatened to spill. "Excuse me," I mumbled, pushing past him.

　　I rushed to my room, slamming the door shut behind me. My shirt clung to my skin, sticky and uncomfortable. I stripped it off and tossed it into the laundry pile, blinking back the tears that blurred my vision. My reflection stared back at me from the small mirror on the wall—red-rimmed eyes, trembling lips, and a whole lot of not enough.

　　The door burst open, and I froze, my arms wrapping around myself instinctively. Elias stormed in, his expression dark and unreadable.

　　"What the hell are you doing?" he demanded, his voice sharp enough to cut.

　　"I—" I stammered, taking a step back. "I'm just—"

　　Before I could finish, he closed the distance between us, his hand wrapping around my arm as he pushed me against the wall. My breath hitched, my heart hammering in my chest.

　　"You think you can just run off like that?" His voice was low, dangerous, his breath warm against my skin. His eyes roamed over me, lingering on the exposed skin of my stomach. I hated the way my body responded, the traitorous shiver that ran through me.

　　"Elias," I started, but his hand slid up my thigh, silencing me. Sparks ignited wherever his skin touched mine, the bond's cruel reminder of what could have been.

　　"Is this what you want?" he murmured, his lips brushing against my neck. I gasped, my body betraying me again. He pressed closer, his lips trailing up toward my ear. For a moment, I thought he might kiss me. My wolf practically purred, torn between anger and longing.

　　But then he pulled away, his expression hardening. He shoved me back, and I stumbled, landing on the floor.

　　"Pathetic," he muttered, straightening his shirt. "Stay here and get yourself together. I need you in the dining hall tomorrow for final preparations. Don't embarrass me."

　　With that, he stormed out, slamming the door behind him. I sat on the floor, gasping for air, my chest heaving. The room felt too small, too quiet, too empty.

　　Tears slid down my cheeks as I clutched my knees to my chest. The bond pulled at me, a cruel tether to a man who saw me as nothing more than a toy to break.

　　This isn't love. This isn't fate. This is hell.

　　But tomorrow, I'd paste on a smile and do what was expected of me. Because that's what I always did. What else could I do?

　　背景 女主受欺负 第二天男主继任