Chapter 4 The Mating Ball 2
We were taken in through the back and led to the kitchen where we unloaded all the food. We were all given trays of small foods by the head chef.
He gave me a sympathetic smile, his dark brown eyes gleaming with sadness, "You don't look good dear" he pointed out.
I sighed deeply, looking away. I knew all the stress had become evident on my face. The dark rings under my eyes, droopy gaze, blotchy cheeks and my pale lips.
"Rest I'll send someone else" he said, opting for me to take a seat but I shook my head in disapproval. He knew what would happen if he was caught helping me, I couldn't risk getting Burtrum in trouble with Luna. He would probably be subjected to the same punishment as me and he was too old to handle it.
"Don't worry Burtrum, I'm fine" I gave him a lump sided smile that didn't really do much to ease his worrisome face. I collected the tray from his hands before he could force me to stay. Walking into the ballroom I felt my mouth go dry. Everywhere was absolutely gorgeous.
The gold heavy velvet curtains that drape the walls, the huge diamond chandelier added to the grandeur of the ballroom. Everywhere was dripping with expense and the people were dressed equally as expensive.
I sucked in a deep breath, trying my best to look as small as possible as I manoeuvred through the crowd, my head lowered and my hands to my sides. I refused to raise my head and look at anyone who stopped me to take from my tray. Maybe if I continued like this I would get through the day without making a fool of myself. But as fate would have it I started feeling dizzy.
The mountain of food that resided on the feast table had my mouth watering but as an omega I wasn't to be seen anywhere near the benefits of such an event. According to the Alpha we were opportuned to even be serving at such an event because we were the bottom of the barrel and the scum of the packs so we should never expect the pleasures other pack members received. He made it clear to me the first day I arrived at his pack that I was meant for the work I was going to be doing, that I meant nothing and would amount to absolutely nothing. That day I remember crying myself to sleep, hearing that as an eight year old did things to me. I cried so hard I became sick. I was convinced that if I refused to get better and I died I would be able to meet my parents again and all my heart ache would end but after a few years I got used to the verbal and physical abuse.
For a long time I was numb, a body without a host but something gave me hope again. Till now I didn't know what it was that gave me hope of a better tomorrow as long as I endured it all and tried to see the best part of it.
Right now I was losing it. I slipped round the corner approaching the hallway to the kitchen in a haze. Maybe if I sat down I would regain my senses, but all came tumbling down when I tripped on my own foot, and collided straight into someone's strong body. The tray in my hands flew and spilled all over the unfortunate stranger, their red liquid contents spilling all over him. My knees and elbows dug into the ground making me hiss in pain. I heard gasps from the crowd and only then did it register I was laying at someone's feet. I got up quickly, shaking to my core because I knew what I had just done.
I was doomed. My eyes met with the Alpha's and they narrowed into slits, his face contorted into a sinister scowl.
With shaky hands I began using my little napkin to wipe off the wine stain from the strangers... dark green mantle!?? With wide eyes my gaze flickered up to meet a pair of dark onyx eyes, framed with thick long lashes that flushed against his high cheekbones as he blinked slowly at me. His eyes were dark and stormy like an impending catastrophe, like a thunderous wind brewing in his gaze yet I couldn't help but stare into his eyes, mesmerized.
The way his pupils dilated, his perfectly pointed nose flaring as he took in my scent. All the air caught in my throat as the strongest overpowering spicy scent invaded my nostrils making my palms clammy and my already racing heart thump even faster.
What?
I turned to see the Alpha approaching with a furious expression. In that split second I could see a mix of fear and vulnerability in his gaze.
I hadn't yet registered his raising hand, coming down to strike my cheek. I squeezed my eyes shut, waiting for the impact but instead a deafening growl tore through the halls, startling my already shaken body into full on trembles.
Everywhere fell silent and for a minute I thought I had fainted and this was the grave silence before I went over the edge.
My eyes snapped open,"𝔐𝔦𝔫𝔢" His deep voice growled, booming through the hall, sending a shiver down my spine. Everywhere rumbled with his thunderous voice, the walls shook and the floors crumbled. His eyes were glowing a radiant black, their depths opaque and mysterious. Everyone fell to their knees, their heads bent over in submission. His claws extended, drawing blood from the Alpha's neck, leaving deep gashes oozing out blood onto the floor. The amount of fear I could see in the Alpha's eyes had me faltering.
I stared in shock, my breathing laboured as it all came crashing down on me. I-it was the king. I spilled drinks all over the king. I was frozen in fear, my body was rooted to the ground and I was shaking uncontrollably. My lungs started contrasting, refusing to obey my command to breathe.
Sugars. Tears pricked my vision, my chest tightened as black dots stained my gaze.
The last thing I heard was an ear curdling scream and dark onyx eyes staring deeply into mine before my eyelids closed, my greyish vision going black.