Chapter 1 The life she chose

Three Years Ago...

ISABELLA

"Are you certain you wish to end the pregnancy? With a body as delicate as yours, it could take a serious toll upon you. Let us go over the risks once more," the physician said, adjusting his spectacles before looking back at me.

I was certain he could scent my distress. I drew in a shaky breath. "I know the risks." My gaze fell to my trembling fingers. "I have made my decision," I said, forcing the words past the lump in my throat. "It must be done." The physician studied me for a moment before finally nodding. "Very well. The attendants shall prepare you." I was led into a small chamber, where I changed into the plain hospital gown that had been provided for me. When I stepped out, my eyes immediately fell upon my stomach. It was still flat, barely bearing any sign that a life was growing within me. My trembling hand slowly settled over it. The supposed father of this child has no knowledge that I am about to end the pregnancy. And I doubt he would care even if he knew. An Omega's pregnancy was sacred. So was the pup growing within them. An Omega's body was naturally fashioned to protect and nurture the life it carried. But mine was doing the opposite. My body was rejecting the pregnancy. Gestational rejection. It had begun the moment my Omega detected the lingering scent of another female's perfume upon the man she believed to be her mate. My Omega had sensed what I had been desperately trying to deny. Something was wrong. I pressed my palm against my stomach one final time and closed my eyes. Then I drew a deep breath. I reached for the door handle. My fingers curled around it. I turned it. The door opened without a sound. I stepped out.

Three Years Later...

"Boss Isa! Table six has requested Asta Black wine and red cheese, and the kitchen is running short of onions!" Renley threw his hands into the air, his face twisted with frustration. "Damn these suppliers! I swear, I shall ride down to their farm myself and dig those onions from the earth. They were meant to deliver them yesterday!" I groaned. A headache was already beginning to form. Renley was the finest at what he did, but whenever matters failed to unfold according to plan, he became exceedingly restless and irritable. He was my general steward and my closest friend. He was also a male Omega-one of the rarest in the region. I allowed my gaze to wander across the supper house. The evening patrons had begun to settle in, filling the hall with the gentle clatter of cutlery and the murmur of conversation. Warm lanterns cast a welcoming glow over the tables, giving the supper house the comfortable atmosphere I had worked so hard to create. Everything looked as I desired. Peaceful. Normal. My eyes returned to Renley. He was the anchor of this place, the one who somehow kept everything from falling into disarray whenever I was not present. In a world where Alphas ruled the great houses, commanded armies, governed territories, and held the highest seats of power, Betas were regarded as the balanced ones, while Omegas were expected to live within the boundaries society had drawn for them. Renley was considered something of a glitch. A male Omega. Rare. Unusual. And, to some, unacceptable. But within my supper house, none of that mattered. Renley was simply Renley. Three years ago, I never would have imagined that someone like him would become such an important part of my life. To everyone else, Belda's Home belonged to me. But only I knew that without Renley, this place likely would not still be standing. "Stop staring at me. Table six shall not serve itself!" Renley clapped his hands. I blinked and looked at him. "You do remember that I am the mistress of this establishment, do you not?" "Nobody cares." He rolled his eyes. "Besides, you are the one who insisted that I keep order and granted me leave even during the busiest weekends, claiming that you wished to actually enjoy the fruits of your investment." A playful smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth. I sighed. "Fair point." I took up a serving tray and made my way toward table six. The night stretched on. Patrons came and went, filling the supper house with laughter, conversation, and the occasional clatter of dishes. After serving a family who had gathered to celebrate a birthday, I returned to the counter and leaned against it, finally allowing my weary body a moment of rest. I had barely settled when something changed. The atmosphere shifted. I lifted my head. A man stood by the entrance. My eyes instinctively followed him as he stepped into the supper house. There was something about his presence that caused the room to grow quieter. Not because he demanded attention. It simply followed him. He was tall-towering over most of those around him-with broad shoulders and an imposing frame. His dark garments were impeccably tailored, every detail about him proclaiming wealth and authority. Then I recognized him. Adrain Pierce. A Prime Alpha. A man whose wealth could rival that of every soul seated within the supper house combined. The man behind the vast Pierce Enterprises, one of the most powerful enterprises in the territory, whose influence stretched far beyond its borders. And somehow, that man was standing inside my supper house. My eyes widened. Oh, Goddess.