Luna's Chosen: The King's Omega

I returned to my chamber after a long, taxing day, my mind swirling with thoughts of what had transpired in the dining hall.

A shiver ran down my spine as I recalled the intensity of his gaze—those deep, unwavering eyes that held a storm of emotions. His fingers, unexpectedly gentle as they cupped my chin, sent electric currents through my skin, and the sound of his voice had a warmth that seeped into my very core, melting away my resolve.

It was nearly impossible to ignore the feelings he stirred within me. After all, he was my mate.

But I couldn't help but question the sudden change in his demeanor.

Why now?

Why did he want me after he had so vehemently rejected me? It felt like jealousy, a raw, stinging reaction to seeing me with another man, Sir Thane—an encounter that must have bruised his pride and prompted a hasty claim.

It had to be possessiveness disguised as genuine interest. For so long, he had shown disdain for Omegas like me. This sudden yearning seemed more about assuaging his jealousy than any true affinity.

"There's been a whole lot of gossip flying around," Emily interrupted my thoughts, pulling my attention away from my swirling emotions.

She leaned in closer, her expression animated with curiosity. "I hear everyone saying that the king requested to see you alone."

I narrowed my eyes, a sense of unease prickling at my skin, and nodded in response.

"What did you two talk about?" she pressed, her eagerness palpable.

"He said he wanted me," I replied tersely, and I could see her eyes widen in disbelief as if the very idea was preposterous.

Her brows furrowed in confusion. "Why would he want you? I thought you said he had no interest in you." She leaned even closer, hanging on to every word I spoke.

"He didn't. But I suppose seeing me with Sir Thane struck a chord in him. It's just jealousy, nothing more," I responded, flopping onto the bed, my arms outspread as if seeking comfort in the soft fabric.

I didn't notice Emily's expression shift, her eyes filled with concern and something else entirely. "So… what happens now? Are you going back to him?" she asked cautiously.

I shook my head vehemently.

Her eyebrows shot up in surprise. "You're not going back to the king? But it's such a huge honor that he wants to be with you! Why wouldn't you take that opportunity?"

"Because it's too sudden," I challenged, every word laced with the weight of my hurt. "He hurt me. I can't just erase that and return as if nothing happened. If he truly wants me, he will have to prove himself worthy," I countered, lowering my voice to a whisper to avoid drawing attention from the others.

"He is the king. Does he have to prove himself?" Emily continued, her voice tinged with disbelief.

"I couldn't care less about his title. As women, we need to have self-respect and not be toys for men to play with when it suits them. That's what I believe, and he seems to be just fine with everything I said" I told her firmly.

After a moment of silence, Emily finally spoke again, a hint of hope in her tone. "Does that mean he'll try to woo you?"

"I don't know, Emily. I just need to sleep; I'm exhausted from all this stress," I replied wearily. Moments later, sleep overtook me as I sank into the soft embrace of the bed, my mind finally quieting amidst the chaos.

The next day dawned quickly, the sun spilling light into my room as I prepared to see Thane after completing a few tasks. My long skirt swayed gracefully behind me in the gentle breeze, and my hair danced about my shoulders as I hummed softly. Little did I know, someone was watching from above, an eyebrow arched dangerously in my direction, irritation simmering just below the surface.

When I found Thane, he was deeply engrossed in a pile of books, his brows furrowed in concentration. As I approached, he seemed to sense my presence but chose to look back at his book, his silence heavy and uninviting.

"I see you're busy," I murmured, unable to mask the disappointment creeping into my voice.

"Yes, as you can see," he answered curtly, his focus unwavering, leaving me feeling small and unimportant.

"I shall take my leave now," I said, a flush of embarrassment coloring my cheeks as I prepared to turn away. But just as I began to step back, he called after me, his voice laced with an unexpected finality.

"Hazel. I think you should not come to see me again... No, I want to end the relationship," he muttered, each word slicing through the air with a chilling clarity.

I was blindsided, confusion swirling in my mind as I glanced back at the other men who had been sneering at me, their laughter intertwining with my heartbreak like a haunting melody.

"W-why?" I managed to stammer, my voice barely a whisper.

"I want to focus on improving myself. Preparing for the future is far more important than engaging in... this," he said, his gaze momentarily clouded with the memory of yesterday's duel and the king's stern words.

The laughter grew louder, unabashed and cruel, the men delighting in my humiliation.

"Okay. Goodbye," I could only muster, my heart heavy as I turned away, disappointment settling over me like a dark shroud, crushing any remnants of hope I had harbored.

Meanwhile, back in the castle, the king wore a satisfied grin, feeling his nerves settle as he observed the scene unfold. "Thane seems to be a wise man," he mused to himself, fetching his coat before slipping away, determined to find the woman who had just faced disappointment—disappointment that he was entirely responsible for bringing upon her.

****

As I stepped into the dimly lit corridors of the castle, the sounds of my footsteps echoed softly against the stone walls. Suddenly, a maid came rushing towards me, her expression a mix of urgency and concern. "Hazel, the king has requested your presence in the barn," she announced breathlessly, glancing over her shoulder as if expecting someone to follow.

A frown creased my brow, a storm of confusion swirling within me. The thought of facing the king sent a shiver down my spine, especially after the blow I had just endured. "Tell him I'm sick or something, I can't go," I replied dismissively.

Her eyes widened in disbelief as she sized me up, clearly aghast at my nonchalance. "Have you gone mad? I said it's the king!" she snapped, her voice rising in agitation.