Five Years As A Rogue Omega, Now I’m The Lycan Princess

"The ceremony is off. We'll postpone until the next full moon."

My Alpha, Caleb, announced this in front of the Moon Goddess altar.

"Jenna needs me." He turned, cupping my face in his hands.

His eyes were full of concern. Pain and guilt were written all over his face. But his tone was final. "Only my Alpha scent can soothe her. She could die, Evelyn. We have to save her."

Jenna. It was always Jenna.

Every time she called, this was his unshakable excuse.

"Caleb, we're one step away from completing the mating bond," I said, looking at him calmly.

He sighed, kissing my forehead with a gentle but hurried press of his lips.

"I know this is hard for you, Evelyn. I wanted to make you fully mine tonight, too." He gazed at me, his voice dripping with a familiar, patronizing sweetness. "But you understand, don't you? You've always been the strong one. The understanding one."

That look in his eyes said it all: You're a helpless rogue orphan. Being my mate is the greatest honor you'll ever have. Jenna grew up with me. You should be grateful. You should tolerate this.

Before, whenever he forced me into this choice, my eyes would well up with tears as I begged him to stay.

But today, I didn't even try to stop him.

"Be a good girl. Don't make a scene." Before I could answer, Caleb had already made the decision for me. He ruffled my hair, his voice arrogant and certain. "You don't have any other family. The Crimson River pack is your home. Go back to the penthouse and wait for me. I'll be back later tonight. I swear, this is the last time."

With that, he turned and strode away. His pace was urgent. He never looked back.

Sharp whispers rose from the crowd.

"I knew the Alpha would never actually marry a rogue omega."

"He and Jenna have been together since they were kids. How could an outsider ever compare?"

Their scornful, mocking stares felt like needles in my back.

I didn't cry.

I met their gazes, reached up, and untied the elaborate veil. I let it fall onto the white rose petals scattered on the ground.

Then, I slipped out of the heavy, long-trained gown and walked away from the altar without a second glance.

An hour later. The penthouse.

My phone chimed. A direct message from Jenna. She wanted to make sure I saw it.

On the screen was a Live Photo she had just posted to the pack's feed.

Under the bright full moon, Caleb stood on the balcony of Jenna's apartment, holding her gently in his arms.

His broad shoulders shielded her from the night wind. He was her devoted savior.

The caption below the photo was a gut punch:

"Thank you for always being there for me, C. For spending the full moon with me."

In the comments, wolves from other packs who didn't know me were flooding the post with congratulations.

"OMG, so sweet!"

"A beautiful she-wolf and a heroic Alpha. They're a perfect match!"

"I heard she's the real future Luna of the Crimson River pack."

My gaze was flat. I pressed my finger on the Live Photo.

The image moved, and their crystal-clear voices played out.

"Caleb, you ditched Evelyn at your mating ceremony for me… won't she be mad? Maybe you should go back…" Jenna's voice was so fragile it sounded like it could break at any moment.

Then came the voice I had listened to for five years. My fated mate's voice.

"It's fine, Jenna. Don't overthink it." Caleb's tone was gentle, certain. "Evelyn loves me. She's a good girl. Besides, she's an orphan. She's my mate. She has nowhere else to go. I'll let her sulk for a bit, then I'll spend some time with her. It'll be fine."

The Live Photo ended.

The image froze on him holding Jenna in a tight embrace.

A year ago, I would have stormed over to her apartment.

I would have screamed at him.

I would have demanded answers with tears streaming down my face.

Now? I felt nothing.

I tapped the screen twice. I liked her post.

I walked to my vanity and unclasped the moonstone necklace, the one that marked me as Luna.

Then, I zipped up my suitcase.

Five years ago, I stood defiantly in my father's study.

"I don't need the Princess title!" I had yelled. "I'll hide my identity. I'll prove that even without the Lycan King as my father, even as a common rogue, I can find true love!"

Thinking back, I was so laughably foolish.

I looked at the pale, worn-out rogue omega who had been tortured for five years in the mirror. I shook my head with a bitter smile.

It was time for this ridiculous charade to end.

From the very bottom of my bag, I pulled out an encrypted phone. I dialed a number I hadn't called in five years.

"Dad, I lost the bet. The ceremony was canceled. My training is over. I'm coming home."