AllFreeNovel
Share Us
We entered the main entrance and hundreds of yards of hanging pink, lavender, and white wisteria instantly surrounded us, creating the illusion of walking into a dreamland. There were small chandeliers placed intermittently throughout the flower canopy, and the fragrance was divine. “The flowers will help mask any stray scent. But the entire castle will be well ventilated, so don’t worry. Oh, and make sure to take your suppressant and use as much descenter as you can. Omegas will not be allowed into the event if there is any sign of an immediate heat or if your scent is not contained.” I frowned as we made our way through the extravagant setup.
“But then how will I know who is the right pack for me? I mean, if I get along with one.” Mrs. Watts ushered me along as we weaved through the halls, a beta attendant carrying my luggage behind me.
“Everyone has scent cards they can hand out. If you don’t have any, we can certainly get those set up for you this evening before the festivities start.” I glanced around, trying to discreetly look at the various omegas and packs that were arriving. Alphas must have come through a separate entrance. To prevent mixing outside of the official events, the organizers housed them in the opposite wing. I saw a few omegas walking through, some with a chaperone, but others with an entire entourage. From my quick glances, it looked like I had my competition set out for me. These women were beautiful - I knew most of these omegas had full-time stylists who helped get them ready every day for these events. A pit formed in my stomach. How would I stand out amongst all these beauties?
As we turned a corner to get to the omega wing, something suddenly halted me in my tracks. Ahead of me was a vision, one of the most beautiful people I had ever seen in real life. In front of me was Celeste Harringday - heiress to the Harringday empire, extraordinarily famous and recently returned to the omega courting scene. I had followed her on social media for years - she posted images of a life I could only dream of. Her style was flawless and her jet setting, perfectly posed photos showed one side of her, while the rumor mill ran wild about her antics behind closed doors. She was apparently a wild child with a penchant for alcohol. Every omega wanted to be her, and every alpha wanted her to call their own. Not only would she never have to worry about money - she was slated to take over her family’s billion dollar empire - but she was also one of the most beautiful omegas in the country, if not the world. There were rumors that the most wealthy packs and alphas had made her offers for courtship, but she had the means to turn anyone down. That made her even more desired, and hardly a week went by without a gossip post online of her being gifted insane courtship bribes by various packs. One wealthy alpha bought her a private jet, and from how the story goes, she simply turned it down, stating she would rather buy her own in a different color. Last week, a scandal had erupted about a pack who was promised to an omega with royal blood, but broke their promise to make an offer to court Celeste instead.
Now here she was in the flesh. She gracefully floated along the hall, with several security details and what I could only assume were her personal assistants following her. She walked as if she had not a care in the world, as if this event was a hindrance to her otherwise perfect life. I suppose it was for her - she could snap her fingers and have any pack in the world. Why would she even come here and pretend to have to try? I remember she had ended a courtship with the pack she had been seeing for months recently, but never thought in a million years she would put herself on the market at the Darlington Ball. I realized my jaw was hanging open as Celeste opened the door to a suite and disappeared while my chaperone clicked her tongue at me.
“Come now, it’s rude to stare.” She tried to nudge me along, but I remained rooted to the floor, looking after Celeste’s suite, which was now flanked with two beefy mated betas.
“Her suite is massive!” I remarked, the small glimpse inside already letting me know it was a VIP room.
“Yes, well, she needs more space. Someone of her rank needs to be very careful. Alphas go crazy trying to get her to notice them. Come along.” I finally started walking, already wondering how everyone at the Omega House would react to hearing that I saw Celeste Harringday in person. I followed Mrs. Watts in a daze, finally snapping to attention when she stopped and opened a sturdy wooden door toward the end of the long hallway. “And here is your private suite. It has everything you should need, but let me know if you want anything else. Your room will be cleaned daily and you may take your food here as well, although we encourage you to attend as many events as you can while you are here. There will be guards posted at the entrance of the omega suite at all times.” I peered inside the room and gasped. It was beautiful - the decor was luxurious, and I could see a massive wardrobe and a private bathroom through the door. “Go on.” Mrs. Watts said encouragingly, and I stepped inside as the beta attendant brought my luggage in behind me. I felt like a princess. “I’ll let you get settled in now. Please check the itinerary and let me know if you have any questions. You have my number.” With that, Mrs. Watts left with the attendant and closed the door behind her.
I looked around my new temporary lodging and felt like I was in a dream. It was all too surreal - I was in a castle, had a celebrity sighting, and was living in luxury. I sighed and fell back onto the soft bed, sinking deep into the mattress. Even if all I did was rub elbows with high society, this experience would be enough for me. I rolled over and grabbed my phone to take a video. Piper had sent a text to check on me, so I hurriedly responded to her before looking at the itinerary again. Tomorrow there would be a morning breakfast with introductions and then a variety of meet and greet events until the evening presentations, where we would all be individually presented to the attending packs as eligible omegas. This was where the attendees would first see us and hear a little about our personality and hobbies. Then, we would be allowed to mingle and packs could approach us to meet and propose courtship. It would be a busy day, and I knew I needed plenty of energy. One of the pages in the binder showed me how to order room service, which was promptly delivered on a literal silver platter. I giddily ate and snapped photos to send to Piper later before feeling the wave of exhaustion from the day hit me. Once I was all cleaned up and unpacked, I laid down in the bed and fell asleep before I could even imagine what tomorrow might look like.
Chapter 9
Bella
I woke up from one of the best nights of sleep I’d ever had in my life. I attributed it to the mattress, which was so comfortable I didn’t want to get up. But my alarm was going off, and I needed to get ready for breakfast. Although I would only meet other omegas for this event, I still wanted to look the best I could for the morning social. I wanted to get to know as many people as possible. And maybe even meet Celeste Harringday, although I would probably be too tongue tied to say anything.
After my shower, I carefully dried and curled my hair, applying my makeup as I went. I pulled out one of the dresses Piper had lent me, paired it with a nice set of heels and accessorized with earrings and a dainty bracelet. I could pull off being at least upper middle class with these brands. I didn’t want to stick out too much here. Once I was sure I appeared presentable, I looked over the map to where the first event was and headed out the door. A few other omegas were walking down the hallway, already chatting with each other. We went all the way down to the end and passed the guards, then turned right as we made our way into a long room with high ceilings. In the middle was a table that had at least thirty chairs on each side. That meant over sixty omegas would be introduced this evening! I swallowed, trying to look confident as I searched the table for my name. Luckily, it was in alphabetical order and I quickly found my spot.
“Welcome ladies! Help yourself to pastries and fruit. A server will be around once we are seated to take your order for breakfast.” She gestured to the right side of the room where a table was overflowing with more varieties of fruit that I had ever seen in person, along with mouth watering pastries dipped in chocolate, covered in various nuts and some filled with cheese. My feet were already taking me in that direction as I grabbed a plate and looked at the setup of food. I wasn’t sure what to pick.
“It’s almost too hard to decide, right?” A sweet voice said next to me. I turned and saw a girl my height with black hair and deep blue eyes. I smiled at her.
“Yes, our plates only have so much room!” She giggled and held out her free hand.
“I’m Evangeline.” I reached back, happy to make a friend.
“I’m Bella. Where are you from, Evangeline?” She reached for a pastry that was glazed with honey and crumbled pistachios.
“Over in Baxwin, about an hour from here.” My eyes widened a bit. She was from the Eastern Province, like many of the other omegas here. “I’m sure you get this a lot, but at first glance I thought you were Celeste Harringday” Evangeline said with a slight blush, but it was I who felt flattered. I knew we had similar features, but Celeste was so much prettier than me.
“I have heard we have a slight resemblance. She’s here, you know.” I whispered as I reached for some of the rare fruits piled onto gilded plates.
“I know. That’s why I did a double take when I saw you! She’s just a bit taller than you, I think. But you look like you could be her cousin, at least.” I was flattered at the comparison. “Bella… So you’re the other lottery omega, right?” Her words made me pause. Was it that obvious that I didn’t belong? “I researched everyone on the attendee list. I’m a lottery winner, too.” My shoulders relaxed as I looked at Evangeline. She was gorgeous and dressed well. I wouldn’t have guessed her to be an omega who was here on charity, so maybe we would both fit in. Truth be told, I hadn’t bothered to look at the attendee list. There was simply too much to do beforehand.
“Yes, I’m here from Haven in the Western Province. It’s good to meet someone else who’s in my position. I’ve been a little intimidated by it all.” She giggled at me as we finished filling out plates.
“I know - there are so many famous people here! And everyone looks so good.” She whispered as we walked over to our places at the table. We sat down, luckily right next to each other.
“Yes, but we still belong. We are omegas just like everyone else.” I tried to keep the confidence levels high for the both of us. Just then, there was a murmur in the crowd as we looked over and saw someone enter the room. It was Celeste. She walked in without a care and began filling her plate. She was by far the most well-known person here.
“Jeez, can you imagine being her? She has it so easy. She could pick any pack from this ball.” Evangeline murmured. She was right. Celeste didn’t look like she was fazed at all. She filled her plate and sat at the other end of the table as everyone settled in. Even for breakfast, everyone around us dressed so nicely. I’d never been around so much wealth before. Luckily for me, I was trained at the Omega House on proper table manners. We never had formal dinners there, much less fancy breakfasts, but I still knew how to look like I belonged here with everyone else.
The elegant woman at the podium waited until we were all settled before speaking again. “I welcome you all to the first day of the Darlington Ball. Please mingle and converse as your breakfast is served. This is a great time to meet other omegas. You will all eventually be matched with an influential pack, and it will help you to make connections now.” Her words reminded me that I was among the elite. She was right - I should be making connections and getting to know others. Even if I didn’t get a match, it might help me in the future if an omega knew to recommend me to a pack that was looking for a good fit.
I turned to the omega on the other side of me and Evangeline. “Hi, I’m Bella. I love your bracelet!” I exclaimed to the woman as she nibbled on her food.
“Thank you, it was a courting gift! Obviously, that match didn’t work out!” She laughed as she touched the silver bracelet with her other hand. The piece of jewelry looked expensive - it was crazy to me that these omegas were showered with gifts from packs and just kept them as souvenirs. The only souvenir I got from a pack would probably be a gift card or some flowers, which only lasted a week.
Evangeline and I talked to the other omegas around us, giggling to each other as we recognized certain minor celebrities or women from gossip sites. I was glad they encouraged us to use so much de-scenter throughout the event. With so many of us here, I’d probably be agitated to smell so many sweet scents all in one room. Omegas had a hard enough time as it was getting along when packs were involved. But everyone seemed to be so polite that I finally relaxed and started enjoying myself. By the end of the meal, I felt comfortable with the other omegas and was looking forward to the rest of the day's events. The host told us of today’s options, which included a dance lesson to brush up on partner dances, afternoon tea and optional hair and makeup appointments before the main ball. I decided I’d do anything and everything to experience all that this event had to offer.
Evangeline was smiling at the omega next to her, nodding as she listened to a story of a pack courtship gone haywire. I smiled at the thought that lottery omegas, even ones like me, finally had a chance at a good pack and true love.
