Helen POV
With quivering hands, I was sweeping the huge hall with fast, tense strokes. As usual, the omegas oversaw organizing everything for the Blueblood Pack's major event, the Moon Ceremony. It was a special night because this ceremony was when wolves often met their fated spouses. For me, it was just another night of working hard and staying unseen, even though it was intended to be a celebratory night.
"Helen, go faster! Serena said, her voice resonating through the hallway, "We don't have all day. She carried herself with the usual air of importance. "Ensure that everything is flawless. The Alpha is intolerant of errors.
I dared not look up as I nodded. I wasn't racing because of her; it wasn't. The peculiar feeling that had been developing inside of me since yesterday persisted. My ability to think had been impaired ever since I saw that glimpse of Alpha Scott in my thoughts.
"What's the matter with me?" I tightened my grasp on the broom and murmured to myself.
I looked up when I heard heavy footsteps reverberating along the hallway. Alpha Scott had just walked in, capturing the attention of all with his presence. My heart stopped a beat, and I felt that overwhelming, familiar feeling all over again. This time, it was stronger still, to the point where I had to hold onto the broom to prevent it from trembling.
With his eyes concentrated and keen, he cast a quick scan over the room. Even though he wasn't even looking at me, I could feel a pull between us that felt like an unseen thread. My chest constricted, and I averted my gaze in the hopes that no one would see the peculiar feelings arising within me.
"Everything must be prepared for tonight," Scott said in a deep, commanding voice. For our pack, the Moon Ceremony is crucial.
All around him gave a nod of approval, and I rushed to complete my assignment while attempting to ignore my developing emotions.
When the Moon Ceremony began, the sky had grown black and the full moon was high overhead, illuminating the clearing with a silvery glow. With their best clothes on and ready for the upcoming night, the pack had assembled.
I tried to remain hidden by standing over to the side near the trees. Though there was a lot of excitement and anticipation in the air, all I could sense was the same strong tug I had experienced earlier. Now it was worse, drawing me toward Alpha Scott like a fire in my breast.
I saw him standing close to the front, with the leaders of the pack encircling him. Wearing a dark suit, his commanding presence was unavoidable. Despite knowing better, I couldn't resist staring at him with my eyes since they were drawn to him.
"Why am I feeling this way?" My throat tightened with panic as I muttered to myself.
The purpose of the event was to help wolves find partners. It was a happy occasion to commemorate the link that bound us all together. It was becoming more of a nightmare for me, though. I was not welcome here. This wasn't how I was expected to feel.
My senses were more acute when the Moon Priestess spoke softly and melodically to start the ceremony. Everything around me became indistinct, and my only attention was on Scott. Now there was no denying the draw; it was so powerful it was almost painful.
The closer we became, the more my heart hammered in my chest, and then suddenly everything was evident.
My eyes widened in disbelief as I thought, "Alpha Scott is my mate." It is not possible. There must be some sort of error here.
But the sensation persisted. It was hard to ignore since it simply became stronger.
I was motionless as I stood there, thinking rapidly. Should I come forward and declare him my mate, or should I remain mute and keep this a secret? The latter is what my heart urged me to do, but fear stopped me.
The Priestess's words were no longer audible to me as the ceremony went on. All I could think of was how our relationship was dragging me toward Scott, almost like gravity.
Before I knew it, my feet started to move independently, and I was moving forward and emerging into the lunar clearing from the shadows. As I walked up to the audience, my heart pounded in my chest and my whole body shook.
As word of me reached the audience, murmurs began to circulate. I could feel their interest and bewilderment encircling me like a tempest.
What are you doing, Helen? Lila angrily whispered from the sidelines, but I chose to ignore her.
I halted a few feet from Alpha Scott, trembling all over my body from nerves. He gave me a small tilt of the head and met my eyes. As soon as our eyes locked, a strong and unbreakable connection formed between us.
"I..." I stammered; my voice scarcely audible. I took a deep breath and pushed the words out. "Alpha Scott... You are my friend.
The pack hushed. I could sense their astonishment and amazement radiating like wildfire throughout the throng, as well as the weight of their looks.
"What was said by her?"
"She is simply an omega."
"Not possible."
Even though I felt like my legs were going to give out from under me, I forced myself to stay upright and keep staring at Scott. As I waited for his reaction, my heart was racing in my ears, hoping and praying that he would have the same connection that I had.
Scott gave me a long, incomprehensible look as he peered at me. I waited for him to say something, and my breath stuck in my throat. I briefly believed I saw a spark of something, like astonishment or perplexity, in his eyes.
But suddenly his face became stern.
"No," he replied in a harsh, piercing voice.
My heart sank to my gut as I blinked. "W-What?"
"You're wrong, Omega," Scott uttered in a cold tone. "My mate is not you."
I felt his remarks as if they were a physical blow, depleting my lungs of air. I stood there dumbfounded, not understanding what was going on.
Scott said, scorn in his green eyes, "You're nothing." "You could never be my mate; you are an orphaned omega."
Shocked whispers from the throng broke out, their voices full of sympathy and amazement. I felt their gaze upon me, their criticism piercing me like a pair of scissors.
The agonizing tightening in my chest was caused by the breaking of our bond, which tore at my heart. With tears welling up in my eyes, I staggered backward. How could he treat me so badly? Did he not sense it too?
I trembled as I murmured, "I... I don't understand." It hurt so bad, it felt like someone had torn a piece of my soul away.
Scott remained silent. He just stood there, seemingly indifferent to me, chilly and aloof. Silently, the throng watched, waiting for something to happen.
But I was limited to running.
My heart was shattering with each stride I took as I turned and ran, tears streaming down my cheeks. We had broken our tie, and I felt empty and hollow inside.
I had no idea where I was heading. It didn't matter to me. I just wanted to get out of there, far away from the anguish and shame of what had just transpired.
I could still feel Scott's eyes following me as I dashed into the night. However, he didn't comply. He didn't give me a call. His rejection hung heavily in the air as he simply let me go.
The pain of the rejection tore through me as I ran, my tears blurring the path ahead. But even through the heartbreak, I couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't right. Why did Scott look at me like that before he rejected me? Was he hiding something? As the night closed in around me, I knew one thing for sure this was only the beginning.