All Chapters of The Omega's Deception: Chapter 31 - Chapter 38

A thin veil of fog clings to the courtyard, curling around the stone arches and the grasses on the field. The whole place is quiet, the pack house included, because the majority of the werewolves have gone to the hall where Selene’s trial will take place. Two days have passed since Selene was taken to the containment room. He makes sure she gets enough water, food, and the comfort he can provide, but the trial is out of his hands. It has to happen. Caden stands before the hall, just beyond the pack house. It’s an ancient structure of dark stone and timber beams. Its outside walls, just like the inside, are lined with tapestries of battles won, wolves who have been alphas before him, and writings of oaths sworn. Every pack has a hall where the council, when summoned, can pass justice. He walks in. He’s late as it is—he has spent time in his office trying to keep his wolf grounded. He needs a clear mind for what is going to take place. Rows of benches are filled with wolves—warrior

Dorian walks in, and I relax a bit. The scent of stew—a mixture of meat and herbs—drifts through the air. He hands it to me, and when I make no move to collect it, he sets it gently beside me. He isn’t wearing his beta expression tonight. His shoulders are slumped, the weight of responsibility pressing down on him. “You will be here until the next full moon,” he says quietly. My heart stops. That’s a week from now—and why until the next full moon, when a wolf can hardly contain their shift? I see what they did here. Dorian says again, “The Alpha is buying you time.” My stomach twists into knots. “Buying me time for what?” He hesitates, his eyes flicking to the narrow window before coming back to me. “To get things sorted out smoothly,” he says, then adds, “For himself, too, I think.” “What does that mean?” He doesn’t answer. Instead, he gestures toward the bowl. “Eat something. You will need your strength.” He leaves, shutting the door behind him with a muted click.

I have him right where I want him. That’s the thought that runs through my mind as my eyes find Ryken’s in the crowd of wolves gathered in the field under the full moon. Some wolves are already half shifted, finding it difficult to resist the pull of the moon, but there won’t be any running through the forest tonight. It’s going to be all about me. The moon’s silver light spills over the field, washing over the crowd of wolves gathered here. I stand in the center of it all, finally free of the moonsbane cuffs but with no way to flee—not that I want to. I have to get rid of Ryken tonight. Caden stands with the council, his jaw set, every emotion wiped from his face. But I can feel him—the faint hum of our bond thrumming in the back of my mind. He hasn’t slept; I can tell. He wants to stop this, but he can’t. Every move he makes now is watched. He doesn’t know he’s helped me indirectly by prolonging this to the night of the full moon. I keep my plan all to myself so no one can sus

I am scrubbing the hallways early that morning when an omega rushes over to me. She kneels beside me and covers the hand holding the rag, with hers. I sigh internally. Here we go again. “Let me help you with that,” she says nervously. I give her a small smile. “It’s fine. I’m fine with it.” She shakes her head, not lifting her hand from mine. “No, please let me.” “You don’t have to—” “Luna, it’s an honor,” she insists. She uses the advantage of me being in shock over the title to snatch the rag and bucket from me, already moving to the other part of the hall before I can stop her. I glance at the guard glued to the wall at the other side, expecting him to reprimand her but taking over a duty that isn’t assigned to her but he keeps his gaze straight ahead, keen on pretending not to have seen what happened. I look over to Mira, who is also scrubbing the other side. But she’s paused now, a cheeky grin on her face as she watches me. I roll my eyes. She is enjoying this