Chapter 2 Omega for the Luna

Hailey remained perfectly still until the grand double doors closed behind Alpha Rowan's entrance.

Peeking around the pillar, she let out a wistful sigh. There sat the love of her life, her only dream. His fiery red hair cascaded over his shoulders, and his full lips curved into a confident smile as his mother whispered something in his ear. His keen hazel eyes scanned the room, seemingly searching for someone. He was breathtakingly beautiful; each contour of his face was flawlessly sculpted. Just a glance at Alpha Rowan ignited an intense longing within her—a yearning that left her gasping for breath.

Dressed in a regal black and gold jacket and pants, he looked magnificent.

Beta Ruel ascended the dais and leaned in to whisper something to Alpha Rowan, who nodded curtly in response.

Turning to the gathered crowd, Ruel began, "Welcome..."

Hailey didn’t hear another word of his speech; her attention was solely on Alpha Rowan. As if sensing her gaze, he turned his head towards her, sending her heart racing. She quickly ducked behind the pillar again, her pulse quickening. When she peeked out once more, it was time for the maidens to formally introduce themselves.

Her heart pounded as each woman approached him in turn, responding to the questions posed by the former Luna—Rowan’s mother.

With every passing moment, her nerves intensified. When Beta Ruel paused, glancing at the list with confusion, she realized her moment had arrived.

"What is it, Beta?" the Alpha’s mother asked, her tone sharp.

Ruel hesitated. "There seems to be a name... It might be an error..."

Alpha Rowan appeared bored. "Just announce it, Ruel. Don’t waste my time."

After a brief pause, Ruel shook his head in disbelief and finally proclaimed, "Hailey Griffin of the Flaming pack."

Hailey’s heart raced so rapidly that she feared it might burst. This was her opportunity to claim Alpha Rowan.

Standing tall and poised, she stepped out from her hiding spot, walking through rows of elegantly dressed women, their luxurious attire starkly contrasting her simple uniform. She chose to ignore the gasps of disbelief that rippled through the crowd at the sight of a maid.

Reaching the dais, she fixed her gaze on Alpha Rowan.

Her knees weakened as he looked directly at her, making her feel as if the world had faded away. In that moment, she could die happy.

"Surely, this is a joke," his mother scoffed, turning to Beta Ruel. "You were assigned to verify the names on this list. How did an Omega’s name end up here?"

When Ruel offered no response, she turned her sharp, icy gaze toward Hailey, slicing through her confidence. "You must realize that this is a mistake. A maid and an Omega cannot be considered for the role of Luna."

Hailey refused to look away from Alpha Rowan, who regarded her with a hint of amusement. Steeling her resolve, she spoke from her heart. "That’s true... It’s probably a mistake, but my feelings for the Alpha are real. I, Hailey Griffin, an Omega with nothing to my name, seek your hand in marriage, Alpha. I want to be your Luna... I truly love you."

Perhaps Hailey should have chosen her words more carefully.

Her fingers trembled as Alpha Rowan rose from his powerful seat, towering above her. She had to tilt her head back to see him, and as she did, she couldn’t help but think he was the most stunning man alive.

"What did you say?" His voice resonated within her, causing butterflies to scatter in her stomach.

"I said—" she began, her voice barely a whisper. She swallowed hard and tried again. "I said I wish to be your Luna, Alpha."

His gaze pierced through her as if searching the depths of her soul. "No, the last part. What was that?"

The hall fell into an eerie silence; she could hear birds chirping outside and footsteps echoing in the corridor. Her own heartbeat drummed loudly in her ears, echoing for everyone to hear. She parted her lips to speak, but her tongue felt too heavy to express her feelings.

This moment shouldn’t feel so daunting. Hailey had imagined it countless times—the instant when the Alpha would gaze into her eyes, and she could finally confess how long she had yearned for him and how she had remained chaste for him.

"I love you," she whispered, hoping her voice could break the silence.

Alpha Rowan regarded her for a moment, his dark brows arched as he assessed her. Her heart raced wildly in anticipation of his reaction, leaving her unsure of her expectations. The downside of dreaming too much was that reality became hard to distinguish. What if Lovie was right, and she had genuinely lost her mind?

But that was nothing new. Everyone knew Hailey Griffin; she had always been seen as somewhat eccentric. Everyone except the Alpha and his mother, who were far too preoccupied with pack affairs and rogue threats to pay her any attention.

When Alpha Rowan stepped back, she suddenly felt the heat radiating from him, followed by his laughter. It started as a sharp sound, soon mingling with the laughter of everyone in the hall.

Heat flooded her cheeks in embarrassment, but she refused to drop her head in shame. Rowan sank back into his seat, waving dismissively in Beta Ruel’s direction. "When I asked for entertainment, I didn’t mean this, Beta." He then turned to her and added, "Off you go. I’ve had a good laugh."

Hailey hesitated, confusion knitting her brows. Did he truly think she was joking?

Beta Ruel began to move toward her, anger twisting his features, but she wasn’t going to let herself be so easily dismissed. She stepped forward before he could reach her and exclaimed, "Do you consider me a joke because I'm an Omega?" Her voice resonated powerfully through the hall, replacing laughter with gasps. She pointed behind her and continued, "Can’t I be your Luna just because I lack the privilege they have? You pride yourself on being a just Alpha, a man who treats all members of his pack equally, but I see now that it’s just talk if you disregard me simply because I’m a maid and not the daughter of a powerful Alpha!"

Her mother had often claimed she had been born wrong, insisting she had too much fire to be an Omega. It was in moments like this that Hailey believed her, for no Omega was supposed to confront an Alpha. Yet here she was, an anomaly, defying expectations. She shouldn’t have been able to challenge him like this; she shouldn’t even have been able to stand in a room filled with the overwhelming auras of various Alphas.

Alpha Rowan's jaw tightened, and anger sparked in his eyes. "Be careful with your words, Hailey Griffin."

Hailey’s mind raced, her jaw nearly dropping in disbelief. Goddess, he knows my name, and he actually said it. Inside, she felt herself melt, struggling to maintain her composure and prevent her thoughts from spiraling out of control.

"I’m not wrong," she declared, standing her ground.

Alpha Rowan straightened in his chair, his icy gaze sending a shiver down her spine. "Get her out of my sight," he commanded, addressing no one in particular.

Tears began to well in her eyes as the sentries closed in around her. Did he truly despise her? Was she that repulsive to him? Should she have approached him differently? Was there something she had done wrong? How had she managed to sabotage this moment so quickly? She needed to find a way to salvage this chance to stand before him again.