2.2: Fairy Godmother

Setia's father stared at her after the Alpha, and his men left. He sighed and wiped his hand across his face, exasperatedly.

"It's like you're trying to get yourself killed!" He whispered in anger. He picked up his fork and resumed eating the still hot breakfast on the table. Setia filled her plate and did the same. Couldn't beat a world on an empty stomach.

"How old is the Alpha?" She asked, curious. Her father looked up at her.

"He'll be thirty this year." My father drawled. Setia studied her father. He was an older gentleman, with graying hair and a full beard. Fit and in his prime, he also had kind brown eyes. He was dressed in an expensive-looking suit, and holding a newspaper next to him.

"Why aren't you our Alpha?" I asked. He froze. He growled low in the back of his throat.

"Never suggest such a thing! What if someone heard you? The Alpha is the strongest of all of us and he protects the community." He said firmly. Setia bit her lower lip. What strength must he possess to be in charge of an entire city?

"Why do you guys hide my scent?" Setia probed again. She heard her mother drop a dish in the kitchen. It shattered. Her father stilled, staring at her curiously.

"What's with all the questions this morning?" He grumbled. "You know, we mask your scent to hide the fact that you are an Omega from them. You have never been subservient. Let alone a breeder. We wanted better for you. We want better for you." He said sincerely, warmth and pride shining in his eyes. Setia flushed, felt uncomfortable, and looked away.

If she were to grow up in society as an Omega, she wouldn't have access to higher tier schools, jobs, associations. Her parents were trying to shield her from a life in service, or a life of just being a mother. She placed a hand on her stomach, remembering how it felt to become a mother. She sighed.

"So what's this ball?" Setia asked, trying to lighten the mood. Her mother tittered and came running into the room, squealing with excitement.

"You mean you want to go?" She said, shock clear in her face. Setia blanched. She didn't really know of any other way to further her mission, so doing it at this upcoming ball seemed like the best place to gather information.

"We have no choice, dear, the Alpha expects us." Father said in a commanding tone. Mother nodded. Then she turned to Setia and clapped her hands together. She was a handsome woman with buxom curves.

"We'll have to go shopping for a dress! Oh, and how we'll do your hair! I'm so excited." She practically squealed. Setia blanched, not knowing what she just signed herself up for.

And that was how she ended up spending the entire afternoon at the local shopping centers with her mother, shopping the day away. It was clear they weren't a family who had to worry about finances, as she stacked item after item on the pile that we were buying. Things for herself and for me. A gown for the ball, some cosmetics, ate some lunch and finally they were on their way back to the house.

Her mom made good company. She was witty and funny, kind and unique in her own way. She was proud to call her a mother in this world. When they arrived back at the house, Setia took her bags and went up to her bedroom, throwing the stuff down and collapsing back on the bed with a sigh. Eli popped out of the bracelet and hovered over Setia's face.

'Excited for the ball?' Eli mused. Setia scoffed.

'Nervous, but also somewhat dreading it." She catalogued her feelings. Eli snorted.

'This is the best opportunity to get closer to the Alpha, and to get a read on the situation, and how you can rise in this world.' Eli chided her. She nodded. Keep her mind on the mission.

The next day came quickly, and with it her mother's excitement came to a crescendo. It was the night of the ball at the Alpha's manor. They have invited many of the Alpha and Beta families, eager to show off their Omega daughters, and make connections and political marriages. It would be like a meat market. Setia sighed.

Her mother had been fussing over her face and hair for the better part of the last few hours, and she was getting restless. Even the palace servants in Andruil hadn't taken this long to get her ready! Finally, her mother hummed in appreciation and sat back. Setia turned to look toward the full-length mirror on the other side of the room. She gasped.

She wore a deep maroon gown, with a plunging V neckline that went almost to her navel, and a plunging back line as well. It had gossamer sleeves that covered her arms in sheer fabric. The dress clung to her like a second skin. A slit went up the side of the skirt to show bared thigh. Her hair was curled expertly in waves that cascaded down her back and was pinned with jewelled pins to the side. Her eyes were smoky, lined with kohl, and her lips a dark ruby red. She looked sinful.

"You look beautiful, darling." Her mother's eyes shined. She smiled and went to call for her father.

"Trevor! Get in here and see your daughter." She said affectionately. Setia's father wandered into the room, pausing in shock. He growled low.

"You're letting her go out in that?" He said, outraged. Setia laughed, and so did her mother.

"Oh dear, that means it looks good." She said with a wink to Setia. "Dear, its fine. She is an alpha's daughter of mateable age, after all." Setia struggled not to cringe at the mention of mating age. She'd have to make a note to ask Eli how mates work.

'Mating in this world is often down to physiology and compatibility. Your senses will be drawn to each other if compatible. Omegas releases a strong mating scent that can drive an alpha into a mating frenzy. Alphas also contain strong pheromones that can trigger the heat of an Omega.' Eli chimed in her head.

'And how do you tell if you want to mate?' She asked.

'Your body will know. And your heart rate will increase, you'll be hyper aware of them, drawn to them above all else.' Eli said. Setia grimaced. That didn't sound fun. She thought of the thoughts she had earlier around the Alpha and shook her head. It wouldn't be that easy, would it?

"Time to go, sweetheart." Her mother said, appearing in her own midnight blue satin gown, and my father was in his tuxedo. We all piled into the car that waited for us outside.