5. Go to your Room

Nivia’s pov

It hurt. I am a strong and confident person, but it hurts to be treated this way. To be just regarded as nothing.

I’ve left my home and my family to join Alpha Dashwood. And not because I wanted to either!

He came up with this idea, but now he treats me like an unwanted guest.

Beta Samuel placed his hand on my shoulder and squeezed softly, “It will be fine. I’ll ask one of the omegas to show you around. I need to work as well, but perhaps you could come by later and meet Sarah?”

I swallowed the lump in my throat and smiled, “that sounds great.”

We had not spoken much, but occasionally, when I called or emailed to check on something, Sam answered instead of Alpha Dashwood.

Since he wasn’t a total ass like my mate, we would make some small talk. Nothing much, but enough for me to know the beta is nothing like my mate.

My wolf didn’t like me insulting my mate, ‘you should get to know him better.’

But his words and actions today were enough for me to know this man had no heart. He even treated his kids like they were a nuisance.

An omega woman approached me, with her eyes down.

“I’m Nivia,” I said, extending my hand.

“It’s nice to meet you, Luna Nivia. I’m the head omega, Helen.” She quickly looked at me before her head went down again.

I wanted to tell her not to call me Luna, but I doubt she would listen to my request. She seemed too scared of me.

She began showing me around, barely looking at me and not saying much.

Not that there was much to say.

Their packhouse was nothing like ours.

The Iron River pack’s packhouse is huge. Like a giant hotel with rooms not just for everyone in our family, but for pack members that need a place as well. But it never feels like a hotel, but like home.

This place felt cold. It was bare. There was no proof kids lived here. No mess or toys anywhere.

We walked past a large living room that contained two small sofas. The dining room had a table that could fit no more than eight people. How can this be the packhouse?

“Where are packmeetings held?” I asked carefully.

“At the packhouse, downtown, Luna.” Helen explained.

“This is not the packhouse?” 

She shook her head, “No, this is Alpha Dashwood’s residence. Our packhouse is not far from here, and it’s where our alpha does his work.”

“So nobody lives there?”

She smiled, her eyes down. “Beta Samuel and his mate live there.” She must like the beta better than her alpha.

So it’s good enough for the beta, but not the alpha? 

“Why don’t I show you to your room?” Helen suggested with an awkward smile.

We walked up the stairs to the first floor, and I was led to a door in the back.

She opened the door to the room where my bags were already waiting, but she did not step inside.

“Are there any guest rooms for, um, my friends or family?” I asked, hoping to avoid staying in Alpha Dashwood’s room.

I didn’t want to cause confusion or make things uncomfortable for Helen, so I decided against telling her I wasn’t planning on staying long or being her Luna. Or that I would rather eat dirt than sleep next to the jackass who had left me here by myself on my first day.

Helen shook her head, “There are rooms in the packhouse for our guests, but it’s been a few years since we’ve hosted an alpha, beta, or luna in our pack. Our allies do visit for lunch or dinner at times.”

I guess it’s different when most of our allies are also our family. We don’t just have meetings; we have reunions. Lots of food, drinks, and a lot of noise. Forrest isn’t always a fan of those busy Omari family days, but I love them.

“I see.” I replied. So if any of my family came to visit, they wouldn’t even be staying in the same house as me.

“I will let you get some rest,” Helen said, baring her neck and stepping away from the room.

“Thank you,” I said, trying to keep myself from crying. I am stronger than this. Yet as soon as I closed the door behind me, the tears started flowing.

‘You are strong, Nivia. You got this. This is just the first day.’ My wolf reminded me.

Yeah, and how many more days like this was I going to endure here?

Thankfully, I’m very good at multitasking, so while I unpacked, I sulked. Stupid mate, stupid house.

His room was big but looked like a hotel room. No, a hotel room has more character than this. There was nothing out of place, no knickknacks or photos anywhere.

Just a big bed, two side tables, and a large mirror. My mate did have a large walk-in closet, big enough to be a small bedroom. Maybe I could sleep in here if Alpha Dashwood misbehaved.

There was an attached bathroom as well, but I wasn’t sure if I felt comfortable showering so close to this stupid alpha. 

It’s fine. It will be fine. This entire shitshow is just fine...

‘It’s not fine,’ Gwyn said, stating the obvious.

‘Of course it’s not! But I can’t just sit here and cry all day! I am Nivia fucking Omari. The next alpha of the Iron River pack. I won’t go down without a fight. I won’t let some man push me around, and I will not grovel and beg. Once my time here is over, I will go back home and lead my people alone.’

‘Not sure I like that alone part, but I agree with the rest,’ Gwyn replied.

I didn’t want to do any of it alone, but I could if I had to. My parents didn’t raise some damsel in distress. I would show Alpha Dashwood who I am, and he can accept me for me or accept my rejection.

Before I could do another thing, there was a knock on my door, “excuse me, Luna, lunch is served.”

I left my room just as the kids were exiting theirs with their nanny, Madeline. Both their eyes lit up when they saw me, and I waved at them, “are you going down for lunch as well?”

Madeline nodded with a slight bow, not meeting my gaze. “Yes, Miss Omari.”

“Nivia,” I said, “just Nivia is fine.”

I ducked down to the kids’ level, “did you learn something fun today?”

Ada shook her head, “no.”

“Adelaide….” Madeline warned her.

Ada sighed with her entire body in a dramatic way, “no, Nivia.”

While I understood the importance of learning to speak politely, Ada was only around three. Besides, I love it when kids speak freely. They say the funniest things.

“I apologize, Miss Omari. She is a bit cranky today.” Madeline explained.

I winked at Ada, “well, I felt a bit cranky today too. But I feel a lot better seeing you.”

“Really?” Ada asked with her big eyes staring up at me.

"Why wouldn't I feel happy when I see a little princess like you?" I asked, giving her a big smile.

Ada smiled back at me with a look of pride in her eyes. “I like your hair. It’s pink.”

“That’s enough, children. You know your father will not be happy if we are late.” Madeline scolded the kids, although it felt more like she was scolding me.

The four of us walked to the dining room where my angry looking mate was already seated.

“I thought I made it clear; I abhor tardiness, Miss Omari. I do not appreciate you making my children late for lunch.” My mate’s deep voice said in his stupid British accent as we walked into the dining room.

Had Madeline snitched on me? I looked at him with confusion. “we just talked for a minute."

He stared back with his stupid, smug face, “I do not need your excuses; ensure it does not happen again. Now please, take your seat.”

I smiled at him with the best fake smile I could, “whatever…” I picked a chair as far away from my mate as possible, near the kids.

He sighed and growled softly, “Your seat is here, at the head table.” He pointed to a chair near him.

Was there a reason he sat so far away from the kids?

I reluctantly sat down next to him, trying to be the bigger person. It wasn’t easy, though, especially when his scent was so much more intense the closer I was to him.

I had to hold myself, and especially Gwyn, back from taking a good whiff.

A plate was brought out, and I thanked the omega who brought me my food. She barely looked at me, just like Helen had.

I knew some saw this as a sign of respect, but to me it felt more like a sign of fear. There’s a difference between brief eye contact and a stare down.

“Elbows,” Alpha Dashwood said. I wasn’t sure who he was speaking to.

I took another bite, unsure of why he was saying such a word. Was that his safeword?

“Miss Omari, your elbows.” My stupid mate said again.

“Sorry, what?” 

There was nobody talking at the table either, so his voice sounded even louder than usual and incredibly stern.

“Elbows off the table, Miss Omari.”

Nope. No fucking way. I am not being told etiquette rules by my mate. He is not my father!

I growled softly, not to scare the kids. “that’s ridiculous. We’re not at a formal dinner.”

“It’s basic etiquette, no matter who you dine with.” My stupid mate replied smugly.

Hold your tongue. Do it for the kids. I tried to remind myself, but it was so damn hard not to lose my mind.

“I need a word outside of this room.” I said, moving my chair back. I made sure to give the kids a smile before I left the room, so they knew it would be okay.

Alpha Asswood took his time walking to me, and as soon as he was near me, I tore into him. “The only reason I did not just curse you out was because your kids were there, but I am not one of your kids. I haven’t even been here a day, and you’ve shown me nothing but disrespect.”

“Disrespect? You dare speak about disrespect to me?” He started, but I didn’t give the man a chance to start a whole speech about how disrespectful I had been.

“Let me make it very clear. If things continue as they are, I will reject your ass.” He tried talking again, but I stopped him. I could see a vein appear on his forehead, growing thicker the more agitated he became.

“I will not be ordered around like I’m a child. While I am willing to adjust myself to my environment. Ultimately, it’s for me to decide how I will behave and for you to either accept it or send me home. Either one is just fine with me.”

I stared at him, daring him to say or do something. “Are you finished, Miss Omari? Are you done interrupting me, or do you have anything to add?”

“No, that’s it for now.” I looked at him as smugly as possible.

His nostrils flared as he stared at me, then he muttered under his breath, “bugger off.”

“What?” I asked, loving how I made him lose his patience for a moment.

He squinted at me, “get out of my sight; GO TO YOUR ROOM.” He fucking alpha-ordered me!

Sweat began to trickle down my back as I ignored his order. I wasn’t going to do this. He’s not my alpha. We might not be the same rank yet, but I am still an alpha female.

With everything in my power, I forced myself to walk back into the dining room. Every step hurt like hell, but I wasn’t going to let this asshole win. I pulled my chair back, taking a seat, and forcing myself to take a bite. I put both my elbows on the table and rested my head on my hands.

With large strides, Alpha Dashwood marched back into the room.

“Adelaide, Percival, Madeline, you are excused.” He said, motioning for his children to leave the room. They practically rushed out, sensing the tense vibes between us.

I wasn’t sure I would be able to speak without moaning out of pain. Even breathing hurt. 

My arms were shaking, my body begging me to move away from the table, but my willpower was too strong.

My stupid mate started to eat next to me, waiting for me to break. But I would not give him the satisfaction.