Dumped Omega? Now Their Alpha King Begs at My Feet novel Chapter 1

"Honestly, Valerie, can you even try to look happy? You're killing the vibe."

That was my perfect stepsister, Brenda.

Her voice, you know, the kind that's all sweet on the outside but rotten underneath, cut right through the dead silence at the dinner table.

I didn't look up. I just kept stabbing this cold piece of steak on my plate with my fork.

I knew exactly what she wanted. If I looked, she'd win.

"Look at me," she pushed, sticking her hand right in the middle of the table.

"Cody is just the best at making a girl feel special. This ring? It was custom-made for the future Luna of the Red Creek pack."

She added, "He said my status deserves the best."

Her mom, the pack's Luna, Iris, let out a little laugh of approval. "He's absolutely right, dear. A strong Beta needs a strong partner."

"It's all about strong alliances and family reputation," she finished.

The two of them were a real team. Every word was like a public execution, and I was the one on the chopping block.

Cody, a.k.a. Beta Marcus Junior, was supposed to be my fiancé a year ago.

It was some political deal I never agreed to, cooked up by my foster father, Alpha Marcus Blackwood, to lock down more territory. I was just the thing he was selling.

Funny thing is, the deal fell through. They decided I, the omega with a mystery background, wasn't good enough.

They said I'd "pollute" their precious bloodline or something. Ever since then, it's been Brenda's favorite weapon to use against me.

"Are you listening, Valerie?" Brenda's voice got sharp. "You should be happy for me."

"I'm the one who sealed the deal this family needed. After all, Dad's been paying for you for ten years."

"You ought to be useful for something, right? Oh, wait. I forgot."

Her voice dripped with fake pity. "Your use is reminding us how generous we are for taking in an orphan nobody else wanted."

Ten years. A full decade of being their personal charity case. Their omega punching bag.

The one they could kick whenever they were bored.

So I learned to be quiet. I learned to wear this blank mask, you know? It was the only armor I had.

"That's enough," Alpha Marcus finally said. His voice wasn't loud, but it had this power that shut Brenda up instantly.

It felt like he'd just finished watching the opening act and was ready for the main event. And guess who that was? Me.

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