From Omega to True Mate

As the feast continued around me, I couldn't shake the feeling that she was right. And somewhere in the back of my mind, that scent of night-blooming jasmine called to me again, stronger than before, promising something I couldn't yet name but desperately needed to find.

A sudden hush fell over the great hall. The massive windows that lined the wall revealed the night sky and the forest beyond—and there, emerging from the tree line, was the largest wolf I had ever seen. His midnight fur absorbed the moonlight rather than reflecting it, making him appear like a shadow given form. Even from this distance, I could feel the power radiating from him.

"Alpha Ryan," someone whispered reverently.

The great black wolf paused, his head turning toward the hall. For a heartbeat—just one—his amber eyes found mine through the glass. A jolt of electricity shot through me, so intense that I gasped aloud. My wolf surged forward, pressing against my skin as if trying to break free.

*Him*, she whispered with a yearning that frightened me. *It's him*.

"Emma!" Jake's sharp voice yanked me back to reality. "What's wrong with you?"

I realized I was half-standing, my hand pressed against my chest where my heart thundered wildly. The wolves around us were staring, some with curiosity, others with poorly concealed amusement.

"I... I thought I saw something," I stammered, sinking back into my seat.

Jake's eyes narrowed, following my gaze to the window where Alpha Ryan had been. The massive wolf was gone now, melted back into the darkness.

"What, the Alpha?" Jake snorted, his lips curling into a cruel smirk. "Don't tell me you're getting ideas above your station, Emma."

Madison giggled, the sound like breaking glass in my ears. "As if the Alpha would look twice at an Omega who can barely shift."

"True," Jake agreed, his voice carrying just enough for the surrounding tables to hear. "Lucky you I tolerate your weak shifts. Most wolves would be embarrassed to be seen with someone who took so long to awaken their wolf."

Laughter rippled through our table, each chuckle like a knife between my ribs. I lowered my gaze to my plate, shoulders slumping under the weight of their mockery. If only they knew the truth—that my wolf was a magnificent silver Lycan, powerful enough to challenge any Alpha in this room. But I had chosen this path, this disguise, and now I was paying the price.

The feast eventually wound down, and I escaped to the bathroom to splash cold water on my face. When I returned, I found Madison had taken my seat. She was now draped across Jake's lap, wearing a gown so sheer it left nothing to the imagination. The fabric shimmered with the telltale iridescence of healer's blessing—an expensive protection charm that most wolves could only afford for ceremonial occasions.

She caught my eye and smiled, deliberately running her fingers through Jake's hair. "Oh, Emma, there you are. I was just telling Jake how *comfortable* this dress is. The healer blessed it specially for me."

I stood awkwardly beside the table, acutely aware that I had nowhere to sit. Jake hadn't even noticed my return, too busy whispering something in Madison's ear that made her giggle and press closer.

"Jake," I said quietly, "could we talk for a moment?"

He looked up, irritation flashing across his face. "What?"

"I'm... not comfortable with this," I gestured vaguely toward Madison, whose gown had slipped further down her shoulder.

Jake's expression hardened. "With what, exactly?"

"The way she's dressed, how close you two are..." I trailed off, hating how petty I sounded even to my own ears.

"Wow," Jake said, his voice dropping dangerously low. "I didn't realize you were so narrow-minded, Emma."

Madison's eyes gleamed with triumph as Jake's aura expanded, pressing against mine with crushing force. The dominance wave he unleashed was meant to silence me, to remind me of my place. It washed over me like ice water, making my knees weak and my breath catch.

"Madison and I are pack siblings," he continued, each word dripping with condescension. "This is natural behavior between wolves who grew up together. If you can't understand that, maybe you should go back to the common area and think about your attitude."

I wanted to fight back, to tell him that nothing about this was natural or appropriate. But his dominance held me in place, my wolf whimpering under the pressure. All I could do was nod mutely and retreat, the weight of humiliation burning like acid in my throat.

As I walked away, I felt a strange sensation—like being watched. I turned and caught a glimpse through the window of those same amber eyes, now in human form, observing the scene with an intensity that made my skin prickle. Before I could react, he was gone again, leaving me wondering if I had imagined it all.