The ballroom

Valerie's POV

I went back to my room to shower and change into one of the few decent dresses I had. Alpha Ronald preferred buying me scandalous ones, just for his own gratification.

I was so glad for whoever called him, because he was not here to lock me up.

"Where are you going?" One of my guards asked me, as I stepped out of the room. Alpha Ronald made sure that I was always guarded, so that I would never be able to escape him.

"The Alpha wants me to join him." I stated confidently, but there was a skeptical look in his eyes as he stared at me. "Look, if you delay me and the Alpha come here to get me by himself, you know too well how he will punish you. So better get out of my way, so I can be done with all these." I didn't bother to hide the irritation in my voice. All my guards and the other omegas that the Alpha specifically chose to watch me knew that I hated him. They knew that I was his play thing, and they had heard me lash out at him a few times.

He then nodded, but he insisted on following me. I rolled my eyes, but I let him.

I followed the scent, and it led me right to the ballroom. I stood in front of the huge double doors, my heart pounding loudly. He was here, and he was my way out. The scent was too strong.

I hesitated as I thought about going past the doors. The room was mostly filled with Alphas, Lunas, Betas, Gammas, Elders, top warriors and other high ranking members from different packs. I was only an omega.

"Are you going in or not?" The guard asked me. I had even forgotten his presence.

I then took a deep breath, and entered. I was hoping that Ronald would not see me. My heart also shook with uncertainty when I realized that the mate I was searching for was not searching for me. I really was not hoping for a kind of romance between us, I just wanted to be free.

And just as I stepped in, the music started, and men started taking their women to the dance floor. I sighted many happy couples dancing, and I looked away. I knew that I would never be able to experience that.

I swallowed the lump in my throat, as I navigated my way through the ballroom, still following the scent. Just when I thought I was close, I heard the voice that I was dreading behind me.

"Valerie! What the fuck are you doing out here?" Alpha Ronald lashed at me as he grabbed my arm roughly and turned me to face him. "Did I give you permission to come out?"

"I wanted air." I murmured, trying to free myself from his grip.

"And what is this you are wearing? Showing your legs to people?"

I looked down at my body. My gown had a slit in the left side, that exposed one leg up to my mid thigh. It didn't look bad at all, the Alpha was just obsessed with controlling everything that I wear.

"Go to my room. I will meet you there when I am done here."

My heart clenched in pain. I knew that once I went back in, I would not be able to come out again. And when he returns, he would fuck me, whether I liked it or not.

"Please. Please, just let me stay for a while."

"No." He turned to my guard. "Take her to my room, make sure she does not step out again. In fact, lock the door."

"Yes, Alpha."

What did I do that the goddess had to curse me with a mate like this? My eyelids prickled with tears, and I blinked rapidly to hold them back.

The guard grabbed my arm.

"Be careful how you touch her. I want no marks on her her pretty melanated skin."

He was talking as if I was just a mere object. I was truly his slave. I had to find a way to escape. I could not afford to let this opportunity slip away.

"Yes, Alpha." The guard said, before bowing to him.

But just as he began to drag me out, causing a scene and embarrassing me, we heard a voice from behind us, deep and commanding.

"Leave her alone."

We both turned, and I was almost knocked down when the sweet and strong scent of forest and the earth after rain hit me. I looked up and I was staring into a pair of hazel eyes that seemed to be studying me.

"I said leave. her. alone." He bit out the words, a threat attached to each of them.

The guard holding me was confused. I didn't blame him though. He would be disobeying his Alpha, but the man here was too intimidating to ignore.

His mere presence and voice commanded respect. There was an air of confidence, or was it arrogance around him. Did I mention that he was the most handsome man I had ever set my eyes on?

"What is happening here?" Alpha Ronald's voice made me snap out of my bubble, and I blinked. It seemed that I had been staring at the man and I didn't even notice when he stepped in.

"I was just asking this one to leave the nice lady alone." He jerked his head towards the guard, and he left my arm. "Run along now."

The guard bowed to the men before taking his leave. Now I was left in the presence of the two men whom my life was in their hands. One was my doom, the other might be my saviour.

"And what is your name, Love?"

A faint blush crept to my cheeks at the sound of his voice and the endearment he used. But before I could answer, Alpha Ronald interfered.

"She is an omega causing disruption. Let me take her out."

"No. There is no need for that." The handsome stranger took my hand in his. "Dance with me."

Anger flashed in Alpha Ronald's eyes. He looked at me, daring me to take the Alpha's hand.

'If you dare let him touch you, I will make sure that you fucking regret it everyday for the rest of your life.' He warned me through the mindlink, making my heart shake with fear. I knew that was no empty threat.

I looked at the man with his hand still stretched out, and then at Alpha Ronald. There was a smug smile on his lips, as if he expected me not to take the Alpha's hand.

What was I to lose? I didn't have much to me before. And I had my freedom to gain if I played my part well with this new mate of mine.

"My name is Valerie. Valerie Ava Montrell." I told the stranger, and he smiled, revealing deep dimples at both cheeks.

I then placed my hand at his outstretched one, making Alpha Ronald see red.

'You will pay for this, Omega.' He warned, but the stranger was already leading me to the dance floor.