Three Alpha Princes for an Unwanted Omega

Ayla could barely contain her excitement.

She sat in front of the large mirror while Mira moved around her, fixing the last few details of her dress.

The gown was beautiful.

It was one of the few things Ayla could admit without hesitation.

The fabric fell elegantly around her body, hugging her waist before flowing down to the floor. The neckline was modest, but still enough to make her feel like the Luna Lucius expected her to look like.

Her hair had been styled carefully, with a few loose strands framing her face.

She stared at her reflection.

For anyone looking at her, she probably looked like a woman preparing to attend an important feast.

But inside?

Her heart was practically dancing.

She was finally leaving Emberfall...

Ayla’s fingers curled against the fabric of her dress.

She could not wait to be free and she could not wait to make Lucius pay for every single thing he had done to her.

But first, she needed to get out alive and tonight was her chance.

Mira stepped in front of her and adjusted the necklace around her neck.

"There," she smiled. "You look beautiful."

Ayla’s lips curved into a small smile.

"Thank you."

Mira stepped back, admiring her work.

"You really do. I think everyone will be staring at you tonight."

Ayla gave a quiet laugh.

"That is probably the point."

Mira smiled.

Ayla’s gaze drifted toward the door.

She had not seen Willow since yesterday’s confrontation with Ares. She wondered if she was all right.

Part of Ayla had been tempted to find her and tell her everything about them leaving but Ares had been very clear.

No one was to know and so Ayla had to keep the information to herself and as much as she cared about Willow, she understood why.

One wrong person knowing could ruin everything and they could not risk that. She had already come too close to losing her chance at freedom.

"Are you ready?" Mira asked.

Ayla turned toward her.

"Yes."

Mira opened the door and Ayla took one final look at herself in the mirror.

She said a quick prayer to the moon goddess that it be the last time she saw herself in this room then she stepped out.

The guards escorted her through the corridors toward the great hall.

With every step, Ayla’s heart beat faster.

When they reached the hall, the large doors were already open and music drifted through the room with voices filling the air.

Ayla slowed slightly.

There were guards positioned around the hall. Her eyes moved across them before she forced herself to look away.

Do not stare, she told herself. It was obvious Ares was one of them.

He had told her he would be there and he would signal when it was time.

She only needed to wait.

At the doorway, Lucius stood waiting for her. He was dressed in black, his hair swept back, his face a mask of solemn pride. The moment he saw her, a smile spread across his face.

He stepped forward and held out his hand.

Ayla took it and he lifted her hand to his lips and pressed a kiss to her knuckles.

"You look exquisite," he said. "The color suits you."

"Thank you, my love." Ayla smiled.

Inside, she was counting the minutes until she never had to say those words again. Until she could watch him burn for every lie, every touch, every moment she had spent in this gilded cage.

"How are you feeling?" he asked, his head tilting.

Ayla blinked. "What?"

"Your woman cycle," he said. "I hear it causes some discomfort."

She remembered the lie she had told to escape his study. "Oh. Yes. Thank you, but I am well used to it."

Lucius studied her face for a moment then he nodded in satisfaction, and led her into the hall.

The noise of the crowd swelled as they entered. Ayla kept her eyes forward as Lucius guided her to the head of the table, to the chair beside his own. He pulled it out for her, and she sat.

Lucius picked up his glass and clinked it, the sound echoed around the hall and all the voices went silent.

"Tonight is not simply a feast." he said, his voice carrying to every corner of the hall "Tonight is a night of remembrance."

For the first time since Ayla had known him, there was something that almost looked like genuine grief on his face.

"My family was taken from me a long time ago. My parents...relatives and my people. They were killed by the Northern Territory, the very same people who plague our borders today and each one of you here has lost someone to the ambitions of the Alpha lords."

His eyes swept across the room.

"But rest assured. I will get rid of them."

Cheers erupted.

"Today, we feast and honor all we have lost." He raised his glass. "The reason we are all here today. The reason we fight. The reason we will defeat our enemies."

The cheers became louder as glasses were lifted. Ayla forced herself to raise hers too.

Lucius smiled. "Let’s feast."

Ayla picked up her fork. She speared a piece of roasted root vegetable and brought it to her lips. The food tasted like nothing but she forced herself to eat.

The minutes crawled by slowly until she could barely keep her mind together.

That was when she heard Ares’ voice in her head.

Now.

Ayla set down her fork and pushed her chair back, rising to her feet.

Lucius’ hand closed around her wrist.

"Where are you going?" he asked. His voice was light and casual, but his grip was iron.

"I need to use the washroom," she said. "I am sorry. I will be quick."

He held her gaze for a long moment then he released her. "Do not be long. The main course is about to be served."

She nodded and turned, walking away from the table with measured steps, her heart slamming against her ribs. She did not look back until she was out of the hall and into the corridor, then she lifted her dress and she ran.

She reached her room. The door was ajar and she pushed it open.

Ares was there, standing in the shadows by the window. He straightened when he saw her.

"We need to leave now," he said.

She nodded, her chest heaving. "Willow..."

"We will get her," he said. Ares grabbed her hand. "After we are out, there will be an attack."

"An attack?"

Before Ares could answer, a voice came from behind them.

"What are you doing, Ayla?"

Ayla spun around to Amara stood in the doorway.

Her eyes immediately landed on Ares and her expression changed.

"Who is this man?" She stepped forward. "What is the meaning of this?"

Ayla stared at her.

"This is Ares and he is here to rescue me."

Amara’s face hardened. "No."

Ayla frowned. "No?"

"That was not the plan."

Ayla felt something inside her snap.

"The plan?" She shook her head. "Plans change, Amara."

Amara opened her mouth.

"Ayla..."

"I was all for being taught." Ayla stepped closer. "I was all for plotting and waiting when I had no other choice but I have a choice now and we have a plan."

Amara shook her head.

"You do not understand what you are doing. Ayla, listen to me."

"We need to leave now." Ares cut in.

"Thank you for everything, Amara but I have to go."

Amara’s expression faltered.

Ayla brushed past her with Ares and they hurried through the corridor.

Ares led, his hand gripping hers, his head swiveling at every intersection. They reached a corner where Alistair stood waiting, his face drawn, his hands clasped behind his back.

"I think we should call this off," Alistair said.

"There is no time," Ares said. "Let us go."

Alistair hesitated, then nodded. He led them down a narrow corridor, past a row of storage rooms, and stopped at a heavy wooden door. He pushed it open, and cold night air rushed in.

"I cannot follow you further," Alistair said. He pointed. "You see that bend? Take it. You will see an opening. That should lead you out of the palace."

Ares nodded.

"Thank you."

Alistair’s jaw tightened.

"Just go."

Ares grabbed Ayla’s hand and they ran.

Ayla’s dress made it difficult, but she did not care. She saw the bend Alistair had described, and beyond it, a dark gap in the wall half-hidden by ivy.

Her heart soared and Nyx stirred inside her.

We are free, Nyx Ayla thought. We will soon be free.

A shout suddenly rang out, stopping them in their tracks.

"STOP!"

Ayla’s blood ran cold as guards emerged from both sides and within seconds, they were surrounded.

No, no, no.

Ares moved in front of her and his hand went to his weapon but there were too many. There was no way he could fight them all.

Ayla slowly looked around, her heart sinking into her stomach.

The guards had blocked every possible exit.

"Ares," she whispered, her voice cracking.

They had walked straight into an ambush.