Three Alpha Princes for an Unwanted Omega

AYLA

”Rise and shine.”

I bolted upright, my heart slamming against my ribs, the sheets tangled around my legs. For a moment, I did not know where I was.

Then it all came crashing back.

The princes’ quarters...The marking ceremony.

My mother stood at the foot of the bed, her arms crossed, her eyes sweeping over me.

She was already dressed in her finest, her hair pinned in an elaborate twist with and a huge smile on her face.

”Good, you are awake,” she said. ”We have much to do and little time to do it.”

Before I could respond, the door swung open and three maids hurried inside, carrying armfuls of fabric and small wooden boxes. They set to work immediately, pulling me from the bed, stripping the thin shift I had slept in, and positioning me in the center of the room like a doll being dressed for display.

”What is happening?” I asked, my voice still rough with sleep.

”The marking ceremony,” my mother said, as if I were stupid. ”First you need to take a bath.”

I looked down at myself. I was standing in nothing but my underclothes, my hair a tangled mess.

The maids emptied buckets of warm water into the bathtub and then proceeded to pour in different scented oils so strong that it made my eye water.

I climbed in and let them scrub me from head to toe per my mother’s instructions.

”Do not forget behind her ears.” My mother chipped in.

I could feel the resentment coming out of the maids in waves as she ordered them about like she was their better but they did not dare utter a word.

Finally after much scrubbing that I could feel every pore in my body, I was helped out of the tub and into a chair.

One of the maids worked on my hair, pulling a brush through it and another knelt at my feet rubbing oil into my skin until it gleamed.

The third held up a dress.

My mother surveyed it critically before she nodded in approval.

I was helped into it.

The fabric was thick silk that caught the light turning it almost silver, the bodice embroidered with silver thread in patterns of crescent moons and stars. The neckline sat high against my throat, modest, but the back dipped low enough that I could feel the air against my spine.

”It is beautiful,” I whispered before I could stop myself.

My mother snorted. ”It cost more than you are worth. That’s for sure.”

I bit my tongue.

The maids worked in silence. They pinned my hair into an intricate arrangement of braids and curls, leaving two soft tendrils to frame my face. They dusted powder across my cheeks and painted my lips with something that tasted faintly of berries.

When they stepped back, I barely recognized myself.

The girl in the small mirror looked like someone else.

”Good enough,” my mother said. ”Now come. The pack is waiting.”

She grabbed my wrist and pulled me toward the door.

My mother walked ahead of me, her heels clicking against the stone path, her head held high like she was the one about to be presented. Servants bowed as we passed. Wolves I had scrubbed floors for looked at me with wide eyes and tight mouths.

I kept my gaze forward.

The great hall loomed ahead, its massive doors thrown open to reveal the crowd within.

The pack had gathered in force.

Hundreds of wolves filled the hall. They stood in clusters along the edges, leaving a wide aisle that led to the raised platform at the far end. Alpha Kieran sat on his throne and the princes stood at the base of the platform.

Ares was in black, his broad shoulders straining against the fabric, his green eyes scanning the crowd while Cassian stood beside him, his silver-white hair catching the torchlight like a halo.

Damon was off to the side, his arms crossed, his eyes fixed on the door... on me.

I felt his gaze like a touch.

My mother stopped at the entrance. She turned to me, her fingers digging into my shoulder with bruising force.

”Remember,” she hissed. ”Smile. Nod and do not embarrass me.”

Then she stepped back, leaving me alone in the doorway.

The crowd turned.

Hundreds of eyes. All on me.

I forced my feet to move. One step after another. The aisle stretched before me like an endless road, and I walked it with my heart pounding so hard I could hear it in my ears alongside the whispers.

I felt fear lick up my spine and my steps faltered.

I looked up, desperate to catch the eyes of anyone who did not hate me at the moment.

Ares.

He was looking at me now, his eyes intense on my face.

Eyes on me, Ayla. I heard in my head.

I gasped.

My gaze flew around the hall. No one else appeared to have noticed.

Had he just spoken inside my head? How did he do that?

His lips curved in a smile and he gave me a little nod.

I began walking again, making sure to keep my eyes on him and him only.

I reached the platform.

The three princes parted so I was standing in their middle with Ares to my right, Cassian and Damon to my left.

The priestess stepped forward, her voice ringing through the hall.

”Presenting Ayla, daughter of Brenna, chosen mate of the Alpha’s sons. By the will of the Moon and the witness of this pack, the bond is sealed.”

I let out a breath I did not know I had been holding.

The ceremony continued.

Words were spoken and I nodded when I was supposed nod and spoke when I was supposed to speak.

When it was finally over, I stepped off the platform and slipped toward the edge of the hall.

I needed air.

I found a quiet alcove near the back entrance, hidden from the main crowd by a heavy curtain. I pressed my back against the cold stone wall and closed my eyes, forcing air into my lungs.

”The dark suits you quite well. It’s a pity you refused to stay there”

I opened my eyes to see Willow standing before me, flanked by two of her usual cronies and they were looking at me like they always looked at me... like I was something they had scraped off their boots.

”Hello, Willow,” I said flatly.

”Look at you.” She circled me, her eyes dragging over my dress. ”All dressed up like you actually belong here. Tell me, sister, how does it feel to whore yourself out to three men at once?”

My hands curled into fists at my sides.

On any normal day I would have tried to avoid the conflict but today no matter how crazy it was was my day and not even Willow would ruin it for me.

”I would think you would be an expert on that,” I said. ”Considering you have been warming Ares’ bed for months.”

Her eyes flashed with surprise then anger.

”You think you are something special now, do you? You think just because the moon goddess picked you, you are better than me?”

”I think,” I said slowly, ”that you should find something better to do than always being the mean girl. Quite frankly, it is exhausting to watch and listen to.”

Her cronies gasped.

Willow’s face went red. ”You miserable little...”

”Willow.”

We both turned.

Damon stood a few feet away, his arms crossed, his amber eyes fixed on Willow with cold amusement.

”Should you not be somewhere else?” he asked.

Willow’s mouth opened and closed. She shot me one last venomous look before turning and stalking away, her cronies scurrying after her.

Damon watched them go, then turned to me.

”So the little Omega finally grew claws,” he said, a smirk tugging at his lips.

I met his eyes. ”The bully routine was getting tiring.”

Damon’s eyes widened and then he threw his head back and laughed.

The sound traveled all the way down to my toes, heating my entire body.

His amber eyes darkened as they lingered on me.

”It is time to dance” He said softly. ”Would...”

”So this is where you were.” Ares’ voice cut him off.

”I was beginning to think you have run away, Ayla” He smirked.

He was always smirking. It was almost like there was this private joke only he knew.

”No, just taking a break” I squeaked.

Oh moon goddess... It was happening again. Anytime Ares spoke to me, my senses took leave.

”Brother, I hope you don’t mind but I am going to steal her away now.” Ares’ stepped in front of Damon and put a hand out to me.

I glanced at Damon but he looked away from me, clearing his throat.

I put my hand in Ares and he led me away and to the dance floor.

He wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled me flush against his chest.

”I hope my brother has been on his best behavior” he whispered.

”Uh... yes, he has” I said breathlessly.

”Good” he murmured.

Heat crept into my face.

I wanted to ask him now how he was able to speak to me. I did not know wolves could send their thoughts or words through their minds.

I was just about to speak when I heard a sharp scream then I felt something cold and wet spreading across my back.

I turned around to see a girl.

She was holding an empty wine glass. Empty because the content of it had spilled and were not seeping into my dress.

”Oh, I am so sorry. I did not see you there.” she said, her voice high.

Her eyes said otherwise though.

Little whispers and snickers spread around now as everyone stared at the red stain spreading across my white dress.

I felt panic begin to claw at my throat.

Ares’ hand closed around my arm as he stepped closer, his body shielding me.

”Come with me.”