LORCAN
A smile graced my lips as the flavour of the soup hit my tongue. This was perfect; Luca would love this. This was his favourite soup and I paired it with assorted meats and some seafood.
"Do you need help with any other thing, Luna?" Eno asked as she entered the kitchen. I wasn't Luna. Officially, I wasn't recognised as Luca's Luna supreme, despite being his mate of six years. But the staff of the mansion have always accorded me the respect of the title.
We weren't officially mated either because the province elders and the Alpha council will never recognise me as Luca's Luna. I was a male omega in a world where female omegas were the prize. The council has always regarded me as a burden to Luca, ever since he brought me to the province to be his mate. I know it should bother me that I have been with him for six years and still have no official title or legal record that binds us together. Sometimes it does bother me, but I have to remind myself that their opinion doesn't matter because, despite what the council may think and all their pushback, Luca chose me. He wanted me and he has gone against all their wishes to keep me. His opinion was the only thing that mattered to me and he has not once failed to remind me how much he loves me.
"Did you set the dining?" She nodded. "You used the silverware I asked?" She nodded again.
"Yes, Luna. I have everything set up the way you asked."
"Great, thank you. You can take the rest of the day off and inform the others as well." Turning off the stove, I grab my favourite pan reserved for special occasions and I transfer the soup into it.
"Dare I ask, Luna, what the special occasion is? You're using the kitchen wares only reserved for special occasions and the dining room is decorated with Alpha's favourite flowers. Did something happen?" Eno asked, her eyes curiously following my movements.
Turning to her with a shy smile. "It's our anniversary," I whispered, averting my attention as my cheek popped up with colour.
"Your anniversary? Ohh…" Her eyes twinkled, and she smiled with delight. "That's why you had us clean everywhere and even decorated the mansion. That's so sweet; I bet Alpha is probably on his way home with some of your favourite things."
Grabbing the rest of the items from the kitchen island, she trailed after me as I made my way to the dining room. "I would hope so. He didn't ask what I wanted this morning, but Luca is always full of surprises and he's very thoughtful."
"You know, sometimes I envy you, Luna. You are so lucky."
"I am?" I asked, wondering what she was referring to.
"Yes, you are. Do you know how many omegas dream of being with Alpha? Everyone wants him, but he chose you. Some of the girls gossip that you have him wrapped around your finger; he treats you like a princess. Look at all the luxury he provides you, and he doesn't even question how you spend his money."
I listened raptly as she listed things I never paid attention to. I never would've thought everyone assumed I had that much control over Luca. I wasn't the decision-maker in our relationship; that was all him, but I guess I couldn't deny some of the things she was saying. Luca has truly given me a life I could only ever dream of. A life I never once thought was achievable for me, he has given me peace, luxury, respect, and most of all, love. All of which I never knew I could have in this lifetime. Although it came with a price, and that price was my freedom.
"You can do whatever you want, and the Alpha barely bats an eye. He doesn't even like it when you overexert yourself." She went on with her rambling, singing her admiration of my and Luca's relationship.
She wasn't wrong; in hindsight, I could do whatever I wanted except leave. Despite having access to Luca's riches and having everyone at my beck and call, there was one thing I didn't have and that was the freedom to leave the comfortable luxury of this mansion.
I was akin to a bird with wings big enough to fly only within the expanse of his cage but never beyond it. Luca, life with him was my cage. The luxury and comfortable lifestyle that came with him was the size of my wings. This mansion was the expanse within which I was allowed to fly. Nothing more.
But I wasn't complaining, though. I love Luca, I love my life, and I am happy and grateful for what I have. For what Luca has given me.
"I guess, you're right. I am lucky, aren't I?" She beamed as she nodded.
I was lucky; I have heard the tales of male omegas whose lives cannot even be spoken about. I know what my life was like before Luca, and it was a nightmare.
Once the dining was set to my satisfaction, I politely dismissed Eno, telling her to pass the message to the other staff members before making my way up the stairs to our bedroom. Luca would be home any minute from now and I need to prepare his bath.
This morning, he told me he'd have a busy day and I know he'd come back home absolutely wrecked. A warm, scented herbal bath should help soothe his muscles and drain out exhaustion and then dinner. He loves a nice bath, especially when I give him extra special treatment.
I hummed a favourite sound as I moved about the large bathroom big enough for five people. I remember when I first arrived here and Luca brought me into this bathroom to wash off the grime on me. It was a shocking revelation to know that people had such a large space just to bathe. Back home, I was never allowed the luxury of using my parent's bathroom. I rarely bathed and when I did, it was at the public bath house in the pack, which was always occupied, dirtied and offered no privacy.
One time I tried going for a bath during the day and two Alphas I met there had almost accosted me. Thankfully, a female beta had walked in and yelled at them for being vile. She also yelled at me for being foolish around Alphas. Ever since that day, I mostly snuck into the bathhouse at night when I knew it was empty.
Coming here, Luca gave me a new view of life, of what my life could've been from the start if I was a female omega. I know for sure that my parents would've treated me like I was made of gold if I had been born female. Female Omegas were worth everything to Alphas. They are the most prized treasures of our kind because they are the mothers of life.
Regardless, now I have a mate who loves me more than anyone has ever loved me and he doesn't care that I'll never be able to give him a son.
With the bath all set, I stripped out of my clothes and made my way to the shower stall for a quick wash. I'll end up bathing with Luca anyway, but I also want to smell good for him when he gets here; I don't want to welcome him smelling like all the spices I used while preparing dinner.
My shower was fast but precise. Back in the bedroom, I had prepared something to wear for dinner so I rummaged through the dresser for something sheer and sexy to wear to welcome my mate. I ended up picking a lacy lavender nightgown to wear. A smile spreads across my lips as I imagine Luca's reaction when he sees me in this. I twirled in front of the dressing mirror, playing with the thin strap of the dress. He's going to love this; I just know it. It will take a lot of convincing for him to keep his hands off me before dinner.
Satisfied with the state of my hair and how I looked, I turned around just as the door to the bedroom opened and Luca walked in. "Babe…" I hurried over to him, only to halt as I saw the expression on his face. "Is something wrong? Did something happen?"
He stopped in the centre of the room, the look on his face unreadable. "Luca?" I made a move to hold his hand, only to flinch as he pulled his arm out of reach.