Chapter 4

Liana

Footsteps bounded the stairs at the sound of my cry. My parents stood by the door looking at me while I cried with the dress in my hands.

“What did you do?” Mother asked.

“Nothing. I just came out and saw it had been destroyed.” I explained to her.

She looked at me like I was stupid.

“You have an opportunity that everyone is clamoring for, and this is how you want to use it?” She asked.

That was when I noticed the little smirk on Ariana's face. And I realized she was the one who tampered with the dress. A surge of anger spammed through me and I before I could think better of it, I rushed her and grabbed her by the collar.

Shock closed in on her face and her eyes widened.

I heard mother screech before she grabbed my hands violently and pulled me off Ariana.

“What the hell do you think you're doing?” Father asked angrily.

“She's the one that did this.” I accused pointing my finger at her.

Father looked back at Ariana but she quickly donned on her pity face and shook her head furiously.

“I swear I don't know what she's talking about.” She quickly defended herself.

“Listen, Liana.” My father warned. “Just because you were chosen to marry the prince, don't think your value has increased and any day you forget your standing and put hands on my daughter like that, that will be the day you take your last breath.” He threatened.

Even getting married to the prince and becoming the future Luna didn't change who I was. I was still that worthless omega in their eyes. 

“Luthor will get you another dress and if you like, allow it to get slashed. You will be walking down the grounds in them and in that manner. Show the world how unworthy you are.”

Ariana's smile widened as she followed my parents out. She had gotten exactly what she wanted.

Soon, the omegas arrived with a new dress. They helped me to get ready by doing my hair and doing my make up.

No one said anything, but I could feel the tension in the air. Even Sandra, who was one of the few friends I had in the pack, refused to meet my eye.

After a while, I couldn't deal with the hostility anymore.

“Is something wrong?” I asked.

Everyone stopped what they were doing immediately and looked at each other, then they continued as if I hadn't said anything.

“Sandra.” I prompted.

She looked at me with contempt and shrugged.

“What did you do?” She asked.

I looked at her in confusion.

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“How did you get the prince to choose you as his mate?” She asked. “We could all use the tip.” 

I chuckled nervously.

“I didn't do anything. This was the decision of the goddess.” I told them.

“Oh, bullshit. So what makes you any different from the rest of us? Why would the goddess choose you and not us?” Sandra asked.

I couldn't believe what I was hearing.

“I don't know.” I answered truthfully. “I thought you were my friends. Why are you being this way?” I asked sadly.

“We thought so too. We omegas, we thought we were friends who would stick with each other no matter what and now that you've been chosen to become the next Luna, you are no longer one of us.” Sandra spat.

“Just because this is happening, doesn't mean we can no longer be friends.” I told her.

She laughed humorlessly.

“What? When you move into the palace, you'd start treating us like the rest of the pack so cut the bullshit. Enjoy this little power you have now while it lasts because no matter how much you want to disguise, you'd never be able to shed your skin. You are an omega, and you will never be accepted among the elites.” She said.

Her words hit me hard because they were true. Exactly like the ones my father had said earlier. I could never truly change who I was.

They finished up quickly and helped me into my new dress.

“See you at the grounds.” Sandra said.

Then, they all left. I stared at myself in the mirror, looking at the girl staring back. I barely recognized myself.

My stomach churned due to nerves and I swallowed trying to tamp them down.

A knock sounded on my bedroom and I sucked in a deep breath.

“Come in.” I said.

Luthor opened the door and stepped in halfway.

“It's time to go.” He announced.

I nodded and looked at myself in the mirror one more time.

“I'm ready.”

“The carriage is waiting.”

I followed him out to the front court. My entire family was already there, waiting for me. I walked out unsteadily. 

Ariana wasn't putting on her ceremonial robe like every other person, instead, she was wearing a dress that could rival the beauty of my own dress.

“Why are you dressed like that?” I asked.

“I thought dad told you not to forget your place.” She fired back.

I quickly shut up and looked away. The male omegas stepped forward immediately and helped me into the carriage.

I felt them lift it off the ground and begin marching towards the sound of drums. The other wolves had already gathered and had begun the festivities.

I looked out the carriage to see the decorations and the fire adorning the grounds. My family walked towards their designated seats and they sat down. 

Prince Baylor stood at the entrance waiting for me. The minute the omegas brought down the carriage, I stepped out and he offered his hand to me. I took it with a smile.

“Wipe that stupid smile off your face. I'm ashamed to be seen with you.” He stated.

The smile quickly dropped and I felt like someone just plunged a knife into my chest.

He led me to the altar where the priestess was already waiting. She greeted us with a smile and handed us a sash to bind our hands together.

Baylor took it but made no move to bind our hands.

“Today, under the guidance and the watchful eyes of our merciful goddess, we've gathered to witness the union between Liana Stark and prince Baylor Velaryon of the crescent moon pack. A union ordained by the goddess herself.”

Everyone hollered in agreement and happiness. I could only wonder if their excitement was real.

“Let it be known, that this union is divine and should anyone have any contrary opinions, now is the time to make your claims.” The priestess said.

Silence ensued as everyone stared at each other waiting for who would make the first move.

No one did. The priestess then picked up a blade and handed it to Baylor so we could join our bloods. Baylor took the blade and threw it on the ground.

“I, Prince Baylor Velaryon, future alpha of the crescent moon pack, reject this union. I will not be shackled with a lowly omega.” He said abruptly.

Everyone gasped in shock because no one expected the prince to refute the goddess's claims.