I did it once, after all, I just had to do it again.
And be safe. Get out of here.
Free.
Free-ish I’d even take since I knew I could only be as free as any omega ever could be even though I wasn’t so sure what that looked like anymore, not as a beta, but as an omega.
Always an omega who was going to have to deal with what exactly I was going to do if I went into heat before or worse, after, courting was over and I was taken away by Benjamin Davinson as his…
Willing omega.
There was no mistaking it now that I slipped into the cocktail dress Lidya pulled out inside a garment bag hidden in the back, her face breaking into a mischievous smile.
A stunning emerald green dress that seemed to shimmer in the dim light of the room.
My breath caught in my throat at the sight of the dress, its intricate lace details and flowing silhouette far more elegant than anything I had ever worn. It felt like a dream, a touch of luxury in my otherwise mundane existence.
The fabric hugged my curves in all the right places. The transformation was striking, and for a moment, I almost didn't recognize myself in the mirror.
After, Lidya worked her magic with my hair. She wrestled it out from the bun and let it cascade down my shoulders in loose waves that framed my face delicately.
As we made our way to the courting dinner together, the anticipation and nervousness coiled tightly in my stomach.
Lucas's words echoed in my mind, his promise to figure something out. I didn’t know if I could count on that.
Tonight, the only person I had to count on was myself. Luckily, I had been doing that for years. I could do this.
I clung to that hope, that flicker of possibility amidst the uncertainty of my future.
Right now, it was all on me.
The grand hall of the school where I heard meetings and other events were held I was never a part of, was where the courting dinner was held. It was a spectacle of class and extravagance, with crystal chandeliers casting a soft glow over the elegantly dressed guests being guided to their seats.
“There you are,” the chipper voice of Jessica startled me as she came up along my side. “Nice dress.”
“Thanks.”
“Ready for round two?”
I paused before I gave a nod.
“Wonderful. We are right this way.”
My heart raced only a few steps into the room. It didn’t take long this time for Benjamin to find me even in this crowded room. I spotted Benjamin making his way towards me, his expression indecipherable under the dim lights.
"Ella," he greeted me with a nod, his eyes glancing over my appearance. "I see you've decided to make an effort tonight."
I forced a smile, feeling a surge of defiance rise within me. "Just thought I'd try something different for a change."
“It would be nice,” he leaned in close enough to my ear that no one else could likely see. “If you didn’t make me walk over here to get you. Come to my table.”
I took a deep breath, feeling the fire in my chest at his words and not wanting to submit. Not to him.
“Omega Elena,” another voice intruded.
In front of me, Benjamin looked like he was about to take a chance on a new party trick and breathe fire.
Turning around, Alpha Anderson stood next to me. “Hi.”