Ezra
I must have drifted off at some point, because the next thing I heard was a soft knock on the door. It was so soft I wasn't even sure I'd heard it.
Before I could answer, the door opened slowly, and the elves from earlier walked in. All of them. Again moving like they were all wired together. They barely made a sound as they moved, almost as though they were floating.
The lead elf who was tall, silver hair, and had a soft voice, stepped forward.
"I can see you are well rested." she asked. "We came to check."
I rubbed my eyes.
"Yeah… I think so. I don't even know what time it is."
"It has been two hours since your arrival," another elf said.
"A suitable length for recovery."
Recovery? I wasn't injured but okay.
The lead elf placed a hand over her chest like she was making an announcement.
"We have come to introduce ourselves properly, young omega."
Six of them stepped forward, one after the other.
"I am Seris."
"I am Elira."
"I am Nemea."
"I am Thalen."
"I am Riva."
"I am Solenne."
They said their names one by one, each giving a small bow. It felt like I was being introduced to a council of pretty forest spirits.
Seris continued, "We are your attendants. Our duty is to care for your comfort, your health, your meals, your clothing, and your scent regulation."
I blinked at that last part. "My what?"
"Your scent regulation," Elira repeated. "It is vital for omegas in the palace."
Great. Just great.
Then Seris said something that immediately made me sit up straight.
"We will begin by bathing you."
I almost choked on my own spit.
"Bathing me?" I repeated. "Bathing me how? What do you mean by bathing me?"
Thalen tilted her head, confused. "In the normal way. With water."
"No," I said quickly. "No, no, no. I can bathe myself."
Riva looked at me like I just said I could fly. "You cannot."
"Yes, I can," I insisted. "I've been bathing myself since forever."
Elira shook her head.
"You are our omega. We have to do everything required of us. It is our duty to prepare you for the moment the princes wish to meet you."
"We bathe you, feed you, dress you, and guide you," Seris added.
"Whatever you require, simply tell us."
Hell nah. If there was one thing I valued so much, it was my independence and they were NOT taking that away from me.
"And why," I asked slowly, "do I have to be bathed before… whatever is happening tonight?"
Solenne answered, "There will be a feast."
"A feast?" I frowned. "For what?"
"For the arrival of a new alpha into the royal bloodline," Nemea said calmly. "It is tradition. The kingdom will attend."
My stomach dropped.
"Wait," I said. "People? Like… a crowd?"
"Many," Seris confirmed. "The feast is important. You must look your best."
I swallowed. "Why does it feel like I'm being prepared for sale or something?"
Elira blinked. "Sale? No. You are being presented."
"That's worse," I whispered.
Seris smiled politely like she didn't understand.
"We must begin," she said. "Choose the bath routine you prefer."
"Bath routine?" I repeated. "There are routines?"
Riva nodded and raised her hand. Light formed above her palm, and each of them shaped into words.
I stared at the options.
1. Moonpetal Bath
Soft fragrance. Helps stabilize omega scent.
2. Starlit Steam Bath
Warm. Helps to clear the skin. Reduces swelling from overheating.
3. Riverstone Bath
Helps with nerves.
4. Blossom Foam Bath
Light bubbles. Floral scent. Traditional omega preparation.
5. Silent Mist Bath
For new omegas. Has calming and rejuvenating effects.
I stared at the list, then at them.
"You actually expect me to pick from this?"
"Yes," Seris said. "Choice is important."
I let out a breath. "Fine. The… Silent Mist one."
Mostly because it sounded the least dramatic.
The elves nodded.
"Very well," Seris said. "We will prepare it."
Before I knew what was happening, they guided me toward the bathing chamber connected to my room. The door opened on its own, and the scentless mist drifted out.
I hesitated at the doorway.
"Are all of you… coming in?"
"Yes," Elira said gently. "You are our omega."
"But—"
"Do not worry," Seris added.
"This is our work. We do not consider it strange."
Well, I did.
But before I could argue again, they were already untying sashes, rolling up sleeves, and moving around like a choreographed team. They didn't touch me weirdly.
Everything was professional. They didn't stare at anything, didn't make comments, didn't act like anything was odd.
It was honestly just me losing my mind inside.
The bath itself felt so good I can't lie. It really calmed my nerves and I was feeling much better.
The elves washed my hair gently, careful not to get water in my eyes. They rinsed my arms and shoulders.
It was strangely… normal.
And then it was over.
They wrapped me in soft towels and led me back into the room.
A tray of food waited for me—fruit, warm bread, a bowl of broth, and a cup of something steaming faintly.
"Eat," Seris said. "Your body needs strength."
I sat and ate because honestly, the food smelled too good to resist. The broth warmed me from the inside. The fruit tasted fresh. It felt like the first real meal I'd had since I got here.
When I finished, Thalen brought out a small dish with glowing incense sticks.
"These will help suppress your scent," she said. "In case your pheromones shift again."
Incense? Was I some type of demon or something?
There was no way this wasn't exorcism .
After the incense filled the room, they dressed me again. I looked so good that when I stood in front of the mirror, I couldn't believe I was the one. Indeed I looked like a god—damn!
"You look suitable for the feast," Seris said.
Suitable? Okay. I'd pretend that was a compliment because I looked disgustingly handsome even if I was self-glazing, it was true.
"We will return when it is time," Elira added.
They bowed slightly and left the room.
The door clicked shut.
And immediately, the feeling of panic began.
A feast.
A royal feast.
With a crowd.
And the princes.
And a "new alpha" I hadn't met.
I stood in the middle of the room.
What if I messed up?
What was I even supposed to do in the first place?
Smile and wave like a pageant in a beauty contest?
I suddenly felt dizzy and before I could call for help, everything turned black.
OMEGA SYSTEM ACTIVATED: SYRUS VALEDORN
AWAKENED, EZRA EMBERLOCK TEMPORARILY OUT