Page 89 of Shared Omega

We are standing in the dark, in the broad corridor of what must have once been a lavish hotel. The only light comes from the candles held by Lily on my right and another omega named Hannah on my left. In front of us, closed and locked, are a pair of fancy double doors that are stained and worn with time.

“How much longer?” I whisper.

“Any minute now,” Lily answers. “Just try to be patient.”

I nod and look down at my body.

After the gathering, I was rushed to the hot baths which are supplied by underground springs in order to cleanse my body in preparation for the coming ceremony. It was the first real bath I’ve had since coming into the Zone several days ago, and it was a welcome luxury. The steaming water washed away the dirt and sweat of the past days and relaxed my muscles.

But it couldn’t wash away the nervousness of what I’m about to do.

What I have to do.

Now my body is clothed in a sheer white gown. It covers my breasts and my sex, but the high slits up the sides leave my thighs exposed all the way up to my hips. Besides, the thin, see-through fabric actually does little to hide my nakedness. Even in the low light of the candles, the color of my nipples bleeds through the gossamer fabric.

The gown has been patched together from numerous old garments that date back before the Cataclysm—wedding dresses from the looks of it.

In the old traditions, the white of a wedding gown represents the bride’s virginal purity.

I almost laugh at that thought.

I’m no virgin, not after the events of the past few days. And I’m certainly not pure.

My body has been well soiled by the flowing seed of three dominating Alphas, and before this night is over, it will be sullied once again in the most shameful ways imaginable.

Some pieces of my gown have lacy patterns while other parts are simply thin veils. The ragged and patchwork nature of the outfit makes it clear that it has been ripped to shreds and re-stitched countless times.

And I know that it will be ripped again tonight.

Lily has told me all about the ceremony.

I tell myself that I can handle it. I can handle anything these Alphas throw at me. After all, I’ve already mated with all three of them, one right after another, by the little ruined wall outside of the city.

But tonight will be different.

In front of us, the doors swing open with a sharp, painful groan. Startled, I jump a little at the sound.

Ahead of us now is a dark, empty space lit only by a ring of candles in the center, which does little to push back the deep shadows.

I don’t know if I can go through with this now.

For a split second I consider turning tail and making a run for it.

But this has to be done, and I can do it. I’m a marine, after all. I’ve put my life and my body on the line numerous times in order to complete my mission.

Now I have to offer up my body as a sacrifice to the Alphas in order to fulfill the biggest mission of all.

“Let’s go,” Lily says, giving my hand an encouraging squeeze.

She and the other omega lead me forward into the room.

As we step inside, I start to get a feel for the place. It is an oblong ballroom with arched galleries running around the sides and an upstairs balcony. My bare feet are cushioned by a layer of soft, green moss which covers the entire floor, including the central dais where the ring of candles are burning.

The air is thick with the mingled scent of many Alphas.

I can barely see them at first, little more than shadows standing and crouching in the archways of the outer galleries and perched upon the bannister of the upper balcony. There are smaller forms as well—their shared mates, their omegas.

Their eyes catch the wavering candlelight, sending it back with a greenish glow.