“Do you think only humans reside in the empire?”
“You are not allowed to be there,” he said. “It is not legal.” I nodded.
“And yet I grew up there,” I stood up then. My attention went to a heavily pregnant omega that needed to be on bed rest. I sat with her too. We spoke of children, whether I wanted any. I was in no position to consider having children. The night grew tired, and many patients were no longer awake. I ignored Inge’s questions by keeping myself busy.
That night, after my late shift, I found my way to the General’s chambers. Behind me were footsteps. They halted when I halted. At a reasonable distance, I was being followed by a beta guard with a sword as large as Erna’s. I noticed her the moment I left the infirmary. She was not subtle about her orders to follow me. It did not come as a shock to me that Axel was having me guarded as I moved through the castle.
On the way to the General’s wing, I saw torches lighting up the throne room through the windows. A storm must have been brewing, for his council to be working till dawn was almostbreaking. The same guards that saw me being pulled towards his chambers the day before let me in without question. My face got hot with the memory of what they saw and must have heard last night. I swallowed my embarrassment.
Two more guards were now standing before his chambers. They opened the doors for me without looking at me. Perhaps too afraid to lay their eyes on their General’s omega. I did not thank them. This was all too new to me. I stood in the middle of the room. My feet rooted to the ground, taking it all in.
While the room was empty, the fire was lit. It was warmer than last night. Torches on the walls, even more blankets and furs covered the four-poster bed. Instead of just an empty frame, the bed now had satin draping top to bottom. A bed fit for an omega werewolf. I had no need for softness the way werewolves did. At least, I did not think so. My mother was the only other druid of my rank I had known, and we did not have the means for such luxury. Of course I could nest, same as any omega. But a bed that would swallow me whole was daunting. Perhaps it was because I did not grow up with opulence.
But why was I to remain modest, in the face of losing everything I ever loved? Did I not deserve these riches as payment for my hardships? I lost my home, my peace, my freedom. Was I going to torment myself further by being a groveling commoner, too modest to accept anything from the people who took me from my home? In some ways, they saved me from a worse fate. But did they know it then? If I was to live a new life, one where my fate was unknown, and nothing was simple, did I not deserve payment for it?
I thought it would not be like me, to revel in the riches an alpha can provide for me. But would it be like me, to never ask for more? Did that not mean that I was too thankful to demand, like a groveling slave? Sleeping in his chambers, warming his bed for him, gladly depending on all he provided for me. It wasin line with my station, but not with my character. If he did not claim me, my position would remain unstable. I could wait and see what I was to him, if he was truly going to take responsibility. That was not me. I had to fight for my place in this castle. I had to assert my own rank. Was I a courtesan? Or was I going to be like a queen to the lands he was too modest to claim as his kingdom? I had no desire to rule over anything, but it was better than being anyone’s toy. What if I simply demanded power? In the empire, power had to be a man’s birthright. That could not be the case in the Oaklands. Axel himself came here with nothing to his name. I could not live off whatever he gave me. My status as a healer, he demanded of me. He granted me freedom then took it away as he pleased. These displays of wealth, his gifts, his furs, they were all his to give.
For a moment, I stood there, unmoving. In the middle of the chamber that was made to please me. Another gift from the alpha I could not truly call my own. Whatever came over me then was a madness, for it lasted too long to be an impulse. I straightened my back. I unclenched my jaw. I marched to the doors, and was met by three guards. The alphas that guarded the chambers, and the beta swordswoman that was assigned to me. They did not move, or speak.
“You are my guard, yes?” I asked the blonde woman. She stood still for a moment, before nodding at me. She was a head taller than me, while the alpha guards were even taller. My posture could not falter. Neither could my conviction.
“Excellent,” I said. Now what could I demand? “I need a hot bath. With lavender, preferably. Maybe a servant or two to prepare it.” She was frowning, but nodded. I assumed there was no anger in her gaze, but her knitted eyebrows and clenched jaw signalled at least a seriousness, and a tad of confusion. I could demand someone other than Astrid to take care of me in the morning. She had more power than I did, I knew it from herpoise, as well as her judgement. Who dares judge the General, but those who control him? In Auriyonne, a noble girl was called to serve in Tellevine castle as a lady’s maid.
“I want my own omega’s maid by morning. One with a proper station,” I said. “And a chamber of my own with a desk and a vanity. A place to get ready. My own bath, and a closet. See to it.” I did not care much for fine clothes, silk robes or silver combs. But this was what I imagined Axel’s omega would ask for. I left the guards in the hallway without sparing them another glance.
Back in the room, I let out a breath I did not know I was holding. I slumped against the door. Had I gone insane? I sat there for a bit. An empty mind. My body on edge. Wondering what would be done now. The demands I made when in captivity felt nothing like those I made today. Those were made in desperation, by a person with no power. I was a whole different person back then.
Water splashing behind the bathroom door. Over the next few minutes, the scent of lavender started permeating the air. A knock on the door, and a soft female voice.
“The bath is ready, your grace.”
A door closing.
Sixty-four nights after meeting the General
“Gabriel!” A voice. “Wake up!” Too loud. I groaned. Sleep was still holding my limbs hostage. It took some time before life returned to them. I opened my eyes. A face was hovering over me. A brown braid. Tanned skin. Red silks and golden cufflinks.
“Espen?” I recognised the omega immediately, despite us not having crossed paths in a while. I sat up. He grinned at my frowning face.
“What are you doing here?” I asked. He threw the sheets from my body.
I regretted my choice of nightwear. In my boldest moments, I requested my nightwear be threaded with gold. I did not expect them to have such a thing, or to comply with my wish at all. I was only testing the waters out of a childish sense of rebellion. Espen paid it no mind. He took my hand and pulled me out of bed. I wobbled before steadying myself. I saw nothing for a moment, or everything at once. It was as if I was twirling, dancing around the room. My vision returned before long.
“Come, sit down,” he said. It all happened so fast. I could only follow his lead. He sat me down on the rocking chair. A cupof tea was thrust into my hand. It smelled of roses and the steam warmed my face.
“Drink,” he said. It was the perfect temperature, not too hot or too cold.
“The General is already back to his duties, I’m afraid. Now, what can I do for you, your grace?” I choked on my tea. I coughed and felt tea dripping from my chin.
Espen was behind me in a flash, patting my back, telling me to breathe. It took a while before I regained my composure.
Truly awake at this point, memories flooded back to me. My frantic search for control. The decisions it led me to make. I took a few breaths. I was back in my body.
“What is going on?” I asked. Espen stood next to me, facing the side of the chair. He was still smiling, the way he always was.
“You requested an omega’s maid. Well, here I am!” he said. My jaw dropped. I could not stop myself. The man I met while in captivity, the first noble omega I ever met, was to be my omega’s maid? The man that was wearing more riches on his body at any given moment than I could dream of possessing? It felt like a fever dream. Perhaps it was. In a moment of desperation, in order to regain some control, I asked for too much and received even more.
“Isn’t it great that Axel decided on me? Now I have a new task, with even better standing. I wasn’t sure what to do with my time. I can’t heal, I can’t sew, I can’t cook. I can fight, of course, but my brother won’t let me,” Espen kept chatting away.
