Evangeline
When I awake the following morning, there is no sign of the Prince, and I am not even sure if he returned last night. The bed on the other side doesn’t look slept in. I get dressed in one of the outfits that were given to me, choosing a red dress with a black mesh panel on the back and neck area. It is up to my knees, and I am grateful for that. I pair it with one of the many pairs of sexy heels. Most of the clothes are red or have some red in them. Is this what the Head Omega meant when she asked what colour to give me?
I remember Grandmother once saying how each alpha had a colour and an insignia.
I am grateful for the toiletry pack that had been given to me with the items sent yesterday. Once I have washed my face and brushed my teeth, I decide to go get breakfast. I am famished, after all.
An hour later, I am fed and feel much better; the hunger pangs now satiated. I made sure to ask about Zedkiel's breakfast, but I was told he usually asked if he wanted anything to eat. I was then sent to the Head Omega's office again, where Alistair is now circling me, one hand on his waist, as his eyes run over me critically.
"Oh, come on, sweetheart, square those shoulders." I obey, fixing my posture, remembering just how I was taught. "Oh, much better."
"Alistair! Just tell her how things work and send her on her way!" Dolores snaps. "She won't be here for long!"
I know what she meant by that. They are all just waiting for me to drop dead, or should I say, be killed?
"Oh, relax, we have time. Besides, I like this one… can she be mine?"
His?He looks at Dolores pleadingly, a pout on his lips, and the woman frowns. "Fine! Just make sure it doesn't get in the way of her duties!"
"Oh, thank you, sunshine!" he exclaims happily, now turning to me and clasping his hands. "You are now my mannequin of art, my muse! Now, before I can play with you, I need to tell you the important little tidbits. But tell me first, do you know how to apply makeup?"
"A little," I reply.
He shakes his head. "No, every morning I want you to come to me, I will dress you up. When I am done with you, you will be the most ravishing omega in the castle!"
"If she lives," Dolores adds, frowning.
A sliver of fear settles in me again, but I want to stay positive. I mean, I have survived this far. Maybe, just maybe, I can somehow last.
"So, here is a list of rules to follow, and I will explain each one thoroughly. Since we don't know what is expected of you, clearly his keeping you in his quarters means he likes you as a bed warmer! You may ask Antonio to bring breakfast to the room in the morning to save you time. You must remain in bed for as long as your alpha wishes. You must always be dressed appealingly as his omega, and since he said he will mark you, then you will hold the status of the Chosen Omega of the Third Prince. And since you are the only one, your status will be second only to his Luna when he takes one."
Celia's words about being there for sloppy seconds makes me shudder. I don’t understand this. Long ago, the fated bond existed between two souls, where many would leave their omegas once they found their mates. Why had things changed so much that men took multiple omegas under their wings and kept them, even after finding their luna?
"If he takes a luna," I hear Dolores mutter. Obviously, she doesn’t think I’ll survive long anyway, so I ignore her, not wanting to let her words get to me.
Alistair continues telling me the rules while pacing around me as he gives me a form to fill out. It was just a general form that asks for minor details such as height, eye colour, hair colour, name, pack, and date of birth. I pause when I look at the section at the bottom for your wolf information.
"I don't have a wolf," I say quietly, making him freeze. The excitement that had been building within him suddenly seems to deflate like a balloon, and he sighs, but it is only for a moment.
"Oh well, you are surviving without a furry beast! Now, let's focus on the positives. Here is your personal tablet. You may place orders for anything you or your alpha may need. However, there's a monthly budget so please try to stick to it. If he does claim you, this will increase, but we all know you may need many pairs of clothing and lingerie, so those are on top of the budget. You may not contact anyone outside the castle unless your alpha gives you permission."
I look down at the tablet, seeing the place where I can place our orders in the database. Maybe some oils and things to help relax the Prince might work. Oh, and perhaps I can order some nice, comfortable shoes."Remember to stick to the dress code, and I will approve or decline all orders. Since you don't have the mind-link, we need to find a way for the Prince to summon you. I'm certain you can't be kept in his quarters constantly. Once you are marked, you can move around the castle and venture out."
Venture out?My heart leaps in excitement and with hope, a glimmer of a life that might be almost normal flitting before my eyes. Alistair notices and pats my cheek.
"Things will get better," he says with a smile.
"If she-"
"Oh, Dolores, get that stick out of your washboard behind! She's alive!" he snaps, rolling his eyes, making her grunt, and I have to bite down on my cheeks just so I don’t burst out laughing.
"Thank you, Mr Alistair," I say with a smile. He gives me a wink while examining my hair.
"Not at all. I will see if we can get some sort of smart watch or something so the Alpha can beep you when he needs you! But he didn't really say anything about your insignia. Has he said how he will mark you?"
I shook my head. I know the other princes’ omegas wear some sort of symbol that shows they are claimed. Often, it is in the form of a necklace or other jewellery that must never be removed. Magic keeps it on the omega, and only death can remove it. Just thinking of that makes my stomach sink.
He nods, "Perhaps you can ask him tonight?"
"I will," I reply, although I am not sure I can. After all, his mood was… strange.
Alistair smiles faintly, almost knowingly, as I look down at the tablet in my hand. "There are a few things I think the Prince could use. May I order them?"
"Yes, of course, and then I will take you to the omega's lounge right after I do your makeup and, I think, a little trim. I do not like how your hair is always in your face."
An hour later, I stare at the inches of hair on the floor. My hair was once much longer and is now up to my waist, but the shorter length gives it a lot more bounce. He cut some bangs to frame my face, and to my dismay, he pinned my hair off my face. The makeup is light, yet eye-catching, and I don’t feel like I am looking at myself.
He is busy polishing my nails as I stare at the woman in the mirror. He looks up and gazes in the mirror. "See how beautiful she is? Carry that confidence, and life becomes easier," he whispers.
I look at him for a moment before staring at my reflection again. His words resonate in my head, along with Grandmother Philomena's words: display confidence and the world will feel your energy.
I had been raised with the teachings of a lady. If I implement them, maybe the likes of Celia won’t be able to hurt me. Maybe…
"Now come, for now, this ribbon will work as your mark of being claimed," he says, placing a satin red ribbon no wider than an inch around my neck and tying it in a bow. I pick up the bag that includes the tablet, a charger wire, typical castle routines and special dates, a map of the castle, and the rules. For a moment, I feel like I am back in school, but sadly, there is no end to this life.
We walk through the halls, and I look up at Alistair. "May I ask a question?"
"Ask away."
Hesitating, I clutch the bag tighter despite trying to walk just as Grandmother would be proud of me. "Yesterday… the Third Prince… he… with the Second Prince’s mate… will… will they hate me? It was because of me…"
Alistair looks around, his face becoming serious. He places a finger to his lips in warning, his hand resting on my shoulder, and guides me into one of the side rooms. "Be careful of what you say in the open. Look, my dear… no one will challenge the Third Prince, however, it may make others hate you. Just be careful who you befriend in these walls. With the rumours of the tournament rising, everyone is on edge."
I nod, and somehow, I feel like I have just found myself a friend.
As Alistair explains, we continue until we reach a quieter part of the castle. "This is usually the claimed omega quarters. Each omega has his or her own room here where the princes will visit them when desired, especially the mated princes who keep their omegas away from their lunas. I don't know what the Third Prince will decide for you yet. We shall see."
I nod, keeping my chin up, and when we enter what looks like a huge lounge, the light chatter from the women and the few men instantly dies down. So, these are the claimed omegas…
I recognise Lucia, Nadia, and others from the ball. I can tell which were the top omegas from their clothing, each one is now looking at me calculatingly, and some were even hostile. "Ladies and gentlemen, this is Evangeline Rose, the claimed omega of Alpha Prince Zedkiel Vilkas."
If the room was silent before, it just dropped even further, the sound of my own heart thudding loudly in my ear.
Lucia steps forward. “Welcome, Evangeline." She smiles gently, but there it is again, the sympathy and fear I am getting so used to seeing.
“She’s not officially claimed, Alistair?” a red-head woman asks.
One thing they all have in common is their beauty. Even the few male omegas are handsome. Oh, I don’t fit here either! They are all far prettier than I am.
“Since Prince Vilkas hasn’t had an omega before, you must of course know we need to prepare the piece of jewellery. These things take time, Sophia.”
Another woman with curly brown hair steps forward, looking me over. “Then we should all proceed with caution. After all, who knows who will suffer the repercussions of upsetting her?”
“Katy… don’t do this,” Alistair warns.
She nods, looking away. “I am the one who sees how broken Prince Alcazer is.”
I look up sharply. She is his… I need to learn who is who. I quickly note her clothing. She is wearing a pretty coral dress, but the beaded bracelet on her arm doesn’t match the inch-wide charm in gold and olive green. Is that his colour?
I glance over at Nadia, remembering her mentioning Prince Ragnar. This time I notice the pendant around her neck, a long gold chain with a large diamond-shaped plate at the end containing a symbol in white.
“Well, I’ll leave you here and will be sure to inform the Third Prince where you are,” Alistair says, “Lucia, my darling, will you be so kind as to help her a little? I understand she isn’t Alpha Prince Chasyn’s, but she has no one.”
Lucia nods without hesitation. “Absolutely, Alistair, leave her with me.”
“You should perhaps ask your prince first before taking on charity cases,” Nadia remarks, tossing her tumbling black hair over her shoulder.
Lucia shakes her head, taking hold of my wrist and tugging me forward. “He won’t mind,” she responds confidently.
Alistair gives me a small smile before glancing around and moving back. “Take care. I’ll see you in the morning!”
“Thank you.” Watching him leave makes my heart plummet. I feel like I just walked into a lair full of danger.