24. Rian

Chapter twenty-four

Rian

W e all wait downstairs in our suits for Belle.

I can't believe after all these years, I can finally shed my Beta skin and present as an Omega.

It still doesn't feel real, and I have to pinch myself several times to confirm that this isn't another dream.

I won't wake at any moment back at the barracks, lining up in the yard to be screamed at by a drill sergeant.

No.

Instead, I am attending an elite ball in the heart of the Alpha City.

How on earth did Gryphon manage to get us tickets?

His pack will be presenting Mila, and I find it poetic that we'll be presenting together.

We both trained as Betas and now we will present at the Presentation Ball.

Mila hid her real identity just like me.

I had no idea she was even an Omega, but I guess I was just too busy thinking about hiding my own secrets to take notice.

I just wonder how many more Omegas are out there hiding.

There could be more at the Beta Academy. Maybe they're just too afraid to come forward.

Not everyone wants a pack, and no one should be forced.

That is a change I would like to see one day.

Omegas should have a choice.

I hear Oliver offers Gryphon counsel in that department, but they've got a long way to go yet.

Change like that can take years.

"She's coming…" Leo announces, pushing my shoulder, and we both turn to the top of the stairs.

Lo and behold…

It's a real-life fairy tale princess.

Not that she wasn't perfect before, but now Belle truly shines as she floats down the steps in her pink shimmering gown, a silver tiara sparkling on her ebony hair.

Her hair is tied up, so now we can all see her neck. I can feel the rumbling growls from all three Alphas when they spy her delicate porcelain skin.

Even Troy looks spellbound, even though he threatened her once upon a time.

He looks at her differently these days, but it's not enough to make up for all his wrongs.

Leo steps toward Belle, offering her his elbow, and I will share the good news later.

I think it's time she got to be a part of our internal conversations.

I see the lost look on her face when we communicate. She doesn't know what to do with herself, but after tonight, she won't have to ponder anymore.

I bet she worries that we're all talking about her.

It's all good stuff though.

Lately, we keep the conversations to a minimum out of respect for her.

I take Belle's other elbow, and now we escort her to the limousine that awaits us outside.

She's nervous, and I lean forward to reassure her. "Don't fret. You look beautiful, Belle."

She glances up and those shimmering eyes shine brighter than her tiara. "Thank you. I've just never been to a ball before… I've always wanted to go to one though."

My smile reaches my ears. "Well, now you will."

I just hate that she can't present as an Omega.

One day…

When all this shit is over and we can breathe.

For now, she has to masquerade as my Beta companion, and I wouldn't wish pretending to be Beta on anyone.

Not that there is anything wrong with being Beta.

It's just really hard trying to hide being an Omega.

It's hard to hide your true self.

We get into the limo, and Leo and I keep Belle wedged between us on the leather seat.

Jeremy and Troy take the other seat, and now we ride in silence.

Jeremy appears tense.

I have a gut feeling that something is going to happen tonight, and I poke into his mind.

"You okay?"

"Yeah."

I know he is keeping something from me, so I probe further.

"What is it? You have that look on your face…"

He meets my gaze. "Just…. keep your wits about you. Don't let Belle out of your sight…"

I heave a sigh and Belle glances at me.

I assure her everything is okay and meet Jeremy's gaze again.

Just when I was looking forward to tonight.

Fuck war.

I was a fool to think that I could ever leave the military.

We're all just soldiers in the end.

What was it that former Governor Lily used to say? " Every day is the potential for war…"

God rest her soul.

Or Satan.

All my fears are confirmed once we pull up outside the venue.

Guards surround the building, dressed to the nines in bulletproof vests and weapons, and they're all Alphas from what I can see.

Hardly any Betas.

It's usually Betas that guard these kinds of events, but Gryphon is taking extra precautions.

I only spy a few Betas, and I bet they're people he trusts.

Or ones he has interrogated.

The Alpha has no choice. It's not my place to judge.

I just hate the idea of Belle being in that prison, receiving the same treatment, but not anymore.

She will never be a prisoner again.

I sense her tensing once she spies the soldiers, and I tell her not to worry as we get out of the limo and march up the grand steps.

All eyes are on us, and it seems we're the talk of the ball.

Of course.

Why didn't I see this coming?

I'm going to be the only male presenting today, and I ball my fists.

It's fine, though.

More and more males are presenting these days, but I hardly pick up on the scent of a male Omega as I enter the doors.

They never bothered with scent diffusers for this event, so now I am hit with a myriad of aromas.

Mostly Alpha and Omega scents.

Only a few Beta scents here and there, but they're drowned out by the stronger designations.

Well, this is it.

My time to shine.

Let the Presentation Ball begin.