Chapter 5
470words
Perhaps feeling guilty about abandoning an Omega in the wilderness, or perhaps unwilling to let their unfinished conversation go, Damian made an exception by bringing Genevieve to this exclusive feast reserved for core pack members.
The long table overflowed with delicacies, the atmosphere both solemn and festive. The Alphas studied Genevieve with awe and curiosity. To them, this Omega who could calm their heir from the brink of madness already held extraordinary status.
Genevieve played her role perfectly. She sat quietly beside Damian with a modest smile, while internally counting down the days until freedom.
Halfway through the banquet, Damian suddenly rose.
The room fell silent, all eyes turning to their future alpha.
"I have an announcement." Damian's voice carried unquestionable authority as his gaze swept the room before settling on Genevieve with an expression mixing condescension, compensation, and charity.
"To compensate Genevieve for her companionship and dedication," he deliberately emphasized "compensate," "I will hold a Temporary Mark ceremony for her at Moon Goddess Lake during the next full moon."
A wave of suppressed gasps rippled through the crowd. Moon Goddess Lake! The most sacred site!
Damian, clearly satisfied with the reaction, continued, "The ceremony will be second only to… that previous occasion."
He didn't need to say the name—everyone knew the reference. He was bestowing upon this "substitute" an honor nearly equal to that of a destined mate. What an extraordinary gesture!
Just then, Genevieve's hidden personal terminal vibrated slightly under the table.
She discreetly lowered her gaze and unlocked the screen.
It was a triple-encrypted message containing only three words: [Sera Is Coming Back.]
Seraphina was coming back.
Genevieve's pupils contracted sharply. She could imagine the chaos that would erupt when those "destined mates" reunited. She absolutely could not get caught in the crossfire. She had to leave—now, immediately! All exit plans needed acceleration!
So, just as Damian was basking in the admiring gazes and preparing to announce the ceremony details, a cool, calm voice rang out clearly enough for everyone to hear.
"I don't want your ceremony, Damian."
Genevieve stood, looking directly at Damian's shocked face, and spoke with unprecedented calm detachment:
"I was simply being kind, unwilling to watch the pack's heir deteriorate. I stabilized your pheromones. That's all it ever was."
As her words landed, the banquet hall fell deathly silent. Music stopped, conversations died, as if the air itself had frozen. Everyone stared in horror at this Omega who had openly rejected a top Alpha's "blessing."
The shock on Damian's face transformed in seconds—from disbelief to towering rage at being publicly contradicted.
His gaze turned cold and dangerous.
A powerful, suffocating aura erupted like a tsunami, crashing down on the Omega who dared defy him. The air thickened to syrup, making everyone struggle to breathe.
"Genevieve."
