Lyla's POV
The crowd erupted around me as my name echoed across the auditorium.
Valedictorian. Me. Lyla Grace.
A mere omega, the daughter of nobodies..
I’d earned this, blood, sweat, every sleepless night, every whispered doubt. I deserved it, this was my triumph.
I stood with grace but was suddenly yanked back down. My eyes snapped to hers in shock.
“Valedictorian huh?” She sneered.
“Let’s see how long till you’re scrubbing my chamber pot” she cackled and I snatched my hand from hers, drawing a bit of blood.
“And let’s see where that classless behaviour of yours take you,” I sneered back at her and heard her snarl.
I left the pew where all the graduates were gathered, leaving a trail of Clara’s malicious eyes to wander.
I walked on stage with a certain pride, ignoring the angry stares from Clara and her cohorts who actually believed that Clara would win the valedictorian position just because she was betrothed to the king.
I took the award, holding it closely to my face as my eyes skipped her and scanned for my parents but it was just my mother sitting behind the last rows in the crowd.
I didn’t care that I was quickly ushered out of the stage, I was still the best in meadow pack healing school.
My mother and I finally got back to our lowly built and barely standing house and I sighed in relief.
It was time for me to use my new degree to give us the life I so desperately wanted.
“Lyla?”
I turned unexpectedly towards the voice, a slight frown furrowing my brows as my eyes caught my father suddenly appearing out of nowhere.
My mother stood, her hands wringing each other. A nervous habit I had come to get used to.
My eyes followed the movement of my father as he walked past me, his demeanor cold and unwelcoming.
What was going on?
I turned back to my mother, my lips cracked open to ask when she gave a small sigh “come,” she beckoned and walked away.
I had no choice but to follow.
My father sat down on the only arm chair we had and my mother stood behind him.
My furrowed brows deepened with worry.
Did something happen?
This wasn’t the typical behavior you exhibited when your only child crossed a milestone nobody in our lineage, much less our social status had ever crossed.
I stood in front of him, my eyes searching his but my father was excellent at keeping his emotions at bay.
“We are very proud of you, I want you to know that,” my mother began, breaking the stifling silence in the room.
I wanted to smile but the situation didn’t seem like a happy one.
“But, I’m afraid that’s not what we need right now,” my father deadpanned.
“W–what?” I asked, genuinely confused.
“You will work as a maid at the palace tonight and if you do well, you’ll have a real job there,” he finished and my breath hitched.
My brows raised in shock.
I staggered, shifting my weight to my other leg as I tried to process what I was hearing.
“I just bagged a degree. As the best healer in this pack,” I emphasized and my father’s eyes locked on mine.
“And so?”
What the…
“So, that means we can afford a better life.” I tried to keep my voice steady even though anger boiled in my veins.
He gave an irritated snort.
“ And how many hospitals do you know are hiring omegas, Lyla? Hmm? “ He demandedly questioned “Go on, name one” He asked and I was stunned.
“I worked hard for that degree.” I said behind gritted teeth but he didn’t move. Didn’t flinch.
He never contributed once, never asked me how it was for me to go to school and juggle jobs to keep everyone afloat.
And now, after three years of relentless hard work. He says this?
“Look, it has been decided,” he finalized and this was where I knew I was going to blow up.
“By whom!?” I challenged and my father stood up. My mother’s hands immediately circled his arms to stop him.
“By me! The head of this house!” He yelled and I flinched.
“We have barely enough to survive. We cannot wait for you to get a portable job at a hospital working because at meadow pack, there is no such thing as a powerful omega. “ he said but my chest had tightened.
This couldn’t be happening. Not to me.
“And you should be grateful!” He spat. My eyes widened.
“Grateful!?” I repeated venomously and I could see anger swirl in his eyes.
“While you were out there, wasting your time on a degree that nobody would want — I chuckled incredulously, a harsh sound behind my throat — “your mother and I looked for different jobs for you, so you don’t get stranded in the real world. And luckily for you, there was a miracle today at the palace. Believe it or not,You were specially invited for a job,” he finished and the wheels in my head started to turn.
A miracle? In the palace?
“You’ve been asked for, as a maid directly working with Clara Henshaw today of all days! You’re going to be her lady in waiting. Can you imagine it? A lady in waiting to the crowned Luna!?” His tone was high pitched in astonishment while my face paled.
The same Clara that tried to best me at meadow healing school? The same one that threatened me a few hours ago?
“Today is a great day! Your mother and I even had the opportunity of getting you new uniforms and she promised a large payment after today and a promise of recruitment. Now, that is stability,” his voice was echoing in my mind.
I staggered a little, trying my best not to fall flat.
“Let’s see for how long before you start scrubbing my chamber pots” — those were Clara’s last words to me.
She had set me up.
“Father — “ I called breathlessly but he was still talking with so much excitement.
“I — “ I was trying so hard to breathe as her threats came back to haunt me.
Suddenly, my father’s hands encased my shoulders snapping me back to reality.
And for the first time, I saw just behind those emotionless eyes.
It was fear.
“You have to do this for us, Lyla. Please,” he begged.
“Your mother and I, we’re too old and this is our best shot at anything. For three years, I’ve let you go to that fancy school and goddess knows I’m proud of you but it’s time to be realistic,” he said and my voice choked with sobs.
I slowly fell to my knees as he went down with me.
“I’m sorry, Layla,” he said and I’ve never heard anything tear me to pieces like that.
