I watched his expression crumble, the excitement vanishing as his tone turned bland.
"Did I hear you right, Lady Krystal?"
I shrugged.
"Of course you did. I've heard your pack is desperate for healthcare, and if you take me as your Luna, I'll be able to help." I looked him in the eyes. "Don't worry. Our agreement would last only five years, and I'll make sure to fulfill my duties as your other half during that time."
"Lady Krystal... aren't you... a bit naive?"
"What?" My heart dropped.
[He's just like the others.] My wolf's disappointed voice echoed in my mind, and the words that came out of his mouth next proved Echo right. He was no different.
"Do you know what you're asking for? The Luna position? How can an Omega be a Luna, huh?" He looked at me in disbelief, shaking his head.
"Even if you're a healer, you're still not worthy of that title, Lady Krystal. You're reaching for more than you can grasp."
"So... you're rejecting my terms because I'm an Omega?"
"Who would accept them? Even if my pack needs help, I wouldn't allow just anyone to become Luna. My people would never want that. Also, Lady Krystal, have you ever heard of an Omega becoming a Luna?" He shook his head. "No. Never. So why don't you reduce your terms?"
"Reduce my terms?" I voiced icily.
"Yes." He nodded with a smile.
"Be my breeder. I promise to treat you well and give you whatever you want: gold, jewelry, money, anything—"
"Enough." I raised a hand, tired of hearing him blabber on about things I didn't want.
"What I want is the Luna position. And since you can't offer it, this conversation ends here. I thought the rumors were true: that your warriors are injured, that there's famine but it seems they're nothing but lies. Otherwise, you wouldn't be rejecting my offer."
Without another word, I turned to leave but he grabbed my arm.
Emotionless, I stared at him.
"Anything else?"
He sighed, his voice reluctant. "Alright then... you'll become my Luna."
I wasn't as enthusiastic as I had been earlier, but relief still washed over me.
Good. This is just the first step.
"When are we getting married then?"
"What?" He blinked, startled. "M-Marry?"
"Yes." I replied without hesitation.
"And it needs to happen quickly. I want you to speak with my father once the festival is over. What do you think?"
"I—I..." He scratched his head, his gaze shifting.
"Can't you give me a few days to think about it? At least let me prepare my people."
"No."
Tonight… my fate will be sealed if I can't find someone to take me away from this place.
"Ahhh, you have so many demands. Fine... I'll speak to your father after the festival. I hope there's nothing else?"
"There is."
I watched his face tighten into a frown.
"There is? Aren't you demanding a bit too much, Lady Krystal?"
"I believe I have the ability to demand whatever I want, Alpha Cole."
He clicked his tongue. "You surely can, but you already asked for the impossible. Pushing further makes you look greedy."
"Don't be angry. I just want reassurance."
"Reassurance?"
"Of course. That you'll treat me well. That you won't back out halfway through the five years. That you won't force me into anything against my will. That you won't pry into my personal matters, and that you won't tell anyone about me being a healer without my permission." I looked into his eyes.
"Do you promise me that?"
He nodded solemnly, his expression softening.
"Not a problem. I promise."
"You see, I have trust issues. So I need something more binding." I pulled out the paper I'd hidden in my corset.
"Will you sign the Moon Contract?"
I watched his face go pale, then red. He shook his head firmly.
"No, I wouldn't."
"I thought we had an agreement."
"The Moon Contract is sacred. I can't sign one casually!" he declared, avoiding my gaze.
My expression turned cold.
"And here I thought all you needed to do was prove your word. Turns out you never intended to keep it in the first place."
"I already gave you my word! Don't you trust me?" he said through clenched teeth.
I laughed bitterly.
"Why would I trust someone I just met? I'm sorry, Alpha Cole, but would you trust yourself if you were in my position? Don't worry. As long as you keep your word, no harm will come to you."
He shook his head.
"I won't sign it. My word should be enough. If we're going to get married, we need trust between us. You'll have to learn to put your faith in me."
"Then I guess this conversation ends here. I'll give you the grace of one hour to reconsider. If you change your mind, you can still sign it. Otherwise, I'll find someone else. Surely there's no shortage of Alphas who would do anything to have me."
Honestly, I had been naive.
I thought my plan had a high chance of success. His pack's desperation seemed obvious. But the prejudice against Omegas ran deeper than I imagined. He'd rather let his people suffer than have an Omega Luna.
And foolish me... I had no backup plan.
Damn it.
But I wasn't giving up. I still believed someone out there would see what I could offer.
"Ouch!" I cried out as a hand yanked my hair back.
"What are you doing?!" I shouted as Cole shoved me toward the ground.
He pinned me down, his face twisted in rage, eyes glinting with a malice that made my stomach drop. One hand tightened around my throat while the other groped at my chest.
"Let me go! What are you doing?! Get your filthy hands off me!"
"I'll make you mine," he snarled, his tone filled with twisted determination.
His grip around my neck tightened. I gasped, the air vanishing from my lungs. My vision blurred.
"You're in my father's pack! He'll kill you if he finds out!"
He laughed.
"Oh, I'm terrified! Foolish girl. I'm sure your father will hand you over willingly once he knows I've fucked you! Hahaha! Two birds with one stone, I get his support, and you bear me healer children! Hahaha!"
"You son of a bitch!" I screamed, my eyes stinging with tears. I fought harder.
I couldn't let this happen. If he succeeded, I was finished.
"You're a coward! If you're a real man, you'd let me go!"
"Hahaha! You're mine now! MINE!"
His hand slipped into my dress, fingers grazing my thigh.
A tear rolled down my cheek.
Am I done for...?
"Mmph!" I gasped as he suddenly went limp on top of me.
Time froze.
He... lost consciousness?
And that's when I saw him.
He stood tall, robust and gallant, like an angel sent by the Moon. His eyes glowed faintly in the dark, and as he stepped closer, I saw him clearly. His skin was honey-toned, like chocolate. His dark hair was slicked back, one ear adorned with a glinting earring. A tattoo peeked from beneath the collar of his suit.
"Are you okay?" he asked, his gaze steady and calm.
I pushed Cole's unconscious body off me, choking out,
"Thank you for saving me."
Tears burst from my eyes like a broken dam.
My heart was still pounding. The more I thought about what had just happened, the more my body trembled uncontrollably.
"Thank you... thank you for saving me," I sobbed.
This man was a stranger, possibly another Alpha who held twisted views about Omegas. But he'd helped me. That much was real.
"I was just passing by. Should I help you up?"
He offered his hand, and without hesitation, I grabbed it.
With teary eyes and a trembling voice, I whispered,
"Pl–ease marry me."
"Uh?"
"Marry me."
He smiled. A warm, genuine smile that lit up the world. I felt my heart skipped a beat.
"Okay."
"O–okay?"
"Yes."
My vision blurred.
What happened next, I had no idea.