19. Opal
Chapter nineteen
Opal
T he room is abuzz with energy as Zayden tugs me into the crowded ballroom, and every eye is on us.
I even recognize some of the Omegas from the Academy, and there’s no missing the jealousy on their beautiful faces.
Zayden and I are the new hot couple in town, and as we glide toward a familiar Omega at the other end of the room, my throat closes up.
Ella…
I recall how Ella looked at me in the boudoir as I keep my head bent low, eyes peeled on the floor, and this is going to be awkward.
“Well, well, if it isn’t the evil twins ,” Zayden drawls as he speaks to Ella and her Omega, Brody, and I haven’t been introduced to him yet.
Ella smirks at Zayden, jabbing him playfully as she lands a soft fist on his shoulder, and there’s no missing the bond they share.
Ella, jokingly, warned me that if I hurt Zayden, then she would hunt me down and hurt me, and I keep my wits about me now as I search the room.
I don’t spy the governor anywhere, and my nerves get the best of me next.
“Opal, this is Brody,” Zayden says, and I meet the soft, fawn brown eyes of the spectacled male.
He has red hair, just like mine.
However, Brody’s hair is more of a light orange as opposed to my darker chestnut, and Ella is one lucky Omega.
I see why she fell for him.
They complement each other so well. He’s nerdy, she’s psycho, a match made in heaven.
There’s no denying how the air changes around them, intermingling with sugary watermelon and sour cherry, and it looks as if they are scent matches.
Just like how Zayden is my scent match.
Does he even know yet?
Not that it would make a difference.
I cannot stay for long. As a matter of fact, I was hoping that tonight would be the night I finally returned to the warden.
I just need to find my moment.
Reed has vanished, and thank goodness.
The less I see of that Acute Alpha, the better.
No doubt he will sniff out my intentions from the moment I set my plan in motion.
“Hi, Brody,” I say, reaching my hand out to him.
He takes my hand, blushing an adorable shade of cherry red. “Hello, Opal. It’s nice to finally meet you. Though, we’ve met in a way before...”
I raise a brow. “How so?”
Brody's skin blushes a deeper red. “Well, we had some classes together at the Academy."
Oh, right. Of course.
I’m surprised I never noticed him, but I always kept to myself.
As I said, I couldn’t afford to make friends at that awful place. There was no point in getting complacent.
Brody fumbles, pushing his glasses up his pert nose. “It's fine. I get that you were quiet, Opal. I never made much friends at that place, either.”
Well, at least I feel less alone in that regard.
It seemed everyone was best pals at the Academy, when in reality they were stabbing each other in the back and spreading gossip.
“But that’s all in the past. Look at us now, all packed up," he chuckles.
I return his smile, and I just hope they don’t notice how I'm dying inside.
My dress feels tight yet again, and then my head spins as sweat gathers down my back.
Belle sneaks up behind Ella, then throws her hands over her friend's eyes, and of course, the Omega looks gorgeous in her periwinkle dress.
As does Ella in her vermillion satin.
“Guess who?” Belle giggles.
Ella yanks Belle's hands off her face, and the Omegas scream in unison next when they get a look at each other, offending a pack close by.
They embrace, and once they let go, Belle wraps her arms around me, the gesture taking me utterly by surprise.
I meet the eyes of her pack mate and Omega, Rian, and damn, I’ve never seen eyes so green.
Like moss.
The earthy tone complements his dark hair as Belle steps back again, rejoining his side.
“Opal, this is Rian,” she says, taking his hand with a proud smile.
I lift my fingers in a wave. “Hey, Rian.”
The Omega nods in my direction. “Nice to meet you, Opal. Belle tells me good things about you. Even Gold hasn’t been shy in that regard…”
Rian glances at Zayden with a smirk on his handsome face, and the group squabbles next, arguing back and forth like unruly siblings.
But it's all friendly banter.
They truly are a close-knit group of Omegas, something that I never thought I would ever see after spending four years at the Academy.
They’re a squad, as Ella put it back at the dressmaker's boudoir.
And it appears I truly am outmatched, and that’s when my head whirls again.
Focus, Opal.
“Fuck you, Snow,” Zayden snaps, turning as red as Brody did a few moments ago, yet they still laugh at my poor scent match’s expense.
Yeah, I know they're talking about us. Or our love life , more specifically.
Not that much action has been going on in that department.
“So, when are you going to bond her to the pack, Gold?” Rian asks, getting a stern look from Belle, and that's when my own cheeks burn.
Things just got complicated.
Of course, Zayden will have to get one of his Alphas to do the honor, and at least I know that leaves Reed out.
That Alpha hates me.
“ Soon ,” Zayden hisses through clenched teeth. "And it's none of your business, anyway."
Ella laughs, leaning closer to ruffle Zayden's hair, and he looks at her irritated. “Oh, but it is. Remember, we want details, Z. Leave no stone unturned when you relay the story to us, okay? We’re a squad now. We tell each other everything ."
“Leave him alone, Ella,” Brody scolds next. Then he blinks. “Wait… what have you shared about me?”
She smirks, and then her eyes land on someone behind us. “Oh, shit. It’s the captain."
Belle’s eyes widen, and then she spies her brother with Mila, waving her arms to get his attention.
“Ooh, Oliver, Oliver! Over here! You have to meet my brother, Opal.”
Fuck. No.
Not Oliver Hart…
It's his Alpha I intend to kill tonight.
My dress constricts me now, and I struggle to breathe.
Zayden grips my fingers. “It’s fine, Opal, if you’re a little overwhelmed.”
I’m not. I can deal with Omegas.
I've dealt with them for four years, so I think I am safe to say that I can deal with this lot.
They care about Zayden, and I’m glad he has friends who look out for him.
Maybe then he will have a bigger support group when I eventually break his heart and leave him.
Soon, I will have to betray him, and what’s hard is that it won’t be my choice.
Oliver and Mila arrive, and I finally meet the infamous Omega who’s responsible for the existence of the squad around me.
I meet Oliver’s ocean-blue eyes, and they’re so like his little sister’s that they take me aback for a moment.
Even the set of his nose and lips are just like hers, and the resemblance is uncanny.
Oliver grins. “It’s an honor to finally meet you, Opal. Belle talks about you a lot. You've made quite the impression on her, it seems. ”
“You… you too,” I say, having no choice but to take his hand.
Mine is trembling.
Let's hope he doesn’t notice.
I feel his penetrating gaze on me the whole time, and I avert my eyes, trying not to look around too much in case he suspects me.
If only he knew that I was searching for his Alpha just so I can kill him.
To my relief, Oliver sets his gaze on Ella and Brody now, and I no longer feel as if I'm under a microscope as I stand by Zayden’s side.
“I expect you two to be on your best behavior tonight,” Oliver notes.
Ella rolls her eyes. “Yes, Dad .”
Oliver bristles. “Oh, don’t even go there, Titan. Brody, tell your Omega to behave.”
Brody peers at Ella. “Behave.”
Oliver shakes his head. “You really are a bad influence on him.”
Ella has no remorse as she sniggers, tugging Brody away as they disappear into the crowd to do no good, I bet, and Zayden turns my way.
He pushes me away from the others as he speaks in hushed tones. “You okay, Opal? I know how overwhelming these events can be.”
“No, no, it’s fine,” I say, patting my head. “I want to meet all your friends, Zayden. Your entire squad.”
Zayden smiles. “They can be a little much at times, but they mean well. I’m sure you'll grow close with them in time.”
I guess I already have grown rather close with Belle and Ella.
Not that the three of us can stay friends.
It will have to end soon. Tonight, to be precise.
Just after I kill the governor…
“Come on, let’s find you something to drink.”
Zayden pulls me away, and I sense the probing eyes of Oliver the entire time.
No doubt Mila told him about my erratic behavior in the boudoir.
One moment, I was ready to leave, and then the next, I was adamant to stay.
That’s when my eyes finally find him.
Governor Gryphon.
The Alpha I have been tasked to kill.
A lump forms in my throat.
I can’t do it.
But I have no choice.
Because I am nothing but a worthless puppet.