Making the Appearance

~

JeonJa

~

I checked the clock to see the time, it was around 10. I could hear the soft classical music echoing through the walls as the party went full swing, it was disturbing while at the same time uplifting.

The room I was given was plastered in gold and cream stucco work lacing the cornice of the ceiling and skirting. The furnishings were all pastels, while the only window was near the bedside lamp.

The room was soothing and some healing scent enveloped the air, making me sleepy.

Jackson really did gave me the best suit, and it was suspicious.

A soft knock on my door alerted me of a presence outside, one which was impatient enough to just barge through if I was any late in opening the door.

So I lousily opened it and saw Jackson standing there. His arms crossed and a pissed look on his face. His guise was smart though, something that was difficult not to notice.

A black suit with a black cloak, the seams were laced while the collar was adjusted with a small bow.

"What?"

He huffed in annoyance, "Don't 'what' me, I asked you to come downstairs to the party but noooo, you had to ignore me. Are you hiding from someone? Look at you, you aren't even dressed yet. Don't tell me you didn't even take the shower."

"I was thinking, and you wasted my time quite a lot... earlier, if not for that, I would have been well rested and clean."

He looked even more pissed now, if that was possible. Yet his aura wasn't dense enough or prickly, he was good at keeping some restraint. "I want you downstairs now! Half an hour is all you have to get ready, take more than that and I am dragging you down even if you wear nothing but a bathrobe. And please use some extra conditioner and lotions, you reek."

I just nodded, not in the mood to argue, I hadn't had much to eat, so I was really hungry. Jackson had offered me some tea but food was yet to be served.

"I forgot to ask earlier," I stopped him from going back, "what is your real name?"

"Wang Ka, but don't call me that, I am now Jackson."

"Hm, JeonJa."

He nodded and was out of my hair to deal with his own stuff. Strange, how we learned the names after the deal was finalized.

I sighed as I locked my door and went through my personal wardrobe. There were many clothes filled to the brim, but all were too fancy for my taste, I liked simple ones better, it matched the monotone of my life. They were comfortable and not too eye catching.

I picked out from the black pile, since it was more favorable for disguise if needed. And grabbed some extra entities that went with it.

After a quick shower and some expensive caring with scented lotions, I was out getting dressed. I had no doubt Jackson would really drag me down even if I was half naked, he appeared to be that kind of a man. Punctual to a fault.

After a while of pampering myself, I checked myself out in the mirror and left the room.

I looked better than expected and it was comforting. Having no extra clothes, money or even hygienics, I always traveled in poor condition, only managing to get by. With no personal belongings, I lacked comfort and familiarity.

Right now... I am doubtful of my future but this kind of luxury will surely spoil me, I thought with a snicker.

The corridor was wide, detailed with extravagant carvings and sculptures placed at regular intervals facing the smooth passage. There were even small openings next to the sculptures, letting in the moon light.

The chandeliers were beautifully decorating the curvature of the arches and highlighted the strong architectural frame of the palace.

But up ahead I saw a healthy middle aged man posing like a flirt, blocking the corridor, successfully devaluing the aesthetics around. He looked drunk, but his suit flashed his price, that grey one with silk stitches. So whoever he was, I ignored him, walking faster, almost crossing over.

Until... he had the nerve to bump onto me and drag his sweaty palms along my hips. I shivered with disgust, a cold anger seeping through me.

"Sorry sorry young man..." he murmured, stumbling backwards and then forwards. He giggled like an idiot and bumped into me again. This time holding me into a hug.

Damn.

"Will you get off of me?" I dragged through my teeth, I always hated being touched, made me repulsed.

For his age he had quite a grip, not losing the hold on me. He moved his lips to my ears, smelling me in process, "You smell *hiccup* nice."

And he didn't.

I pushed him away with more force this time, and he had no choice but to let me go. His eyes were dazed as he stared at me, half awake. "Just go away, you are drunk old man." I wanted to throttle him but he could be some higher up Jackson sucked up to, it wasn't right to hinder him when it would affect me in return.

But sheesh, he was persistent, loitering around me like a puppy.

"Stop provoking him elder, your flirting techniques are cringe worthy."

I noticed a yellow haired guy walking towards us, I had seen him earlier, he was part of Jackson's pack.

He was dressed nicely, just as handsome as his alpha, but unlike Jackson, he presented a more conniving and calculative facade.

"You look nice," he gestured with his chin as he spoke to me, standing in front of me without any hesitation.

I accepted his compliment with a nod, not really kind, but that's just me. I wasn't here to act kind. I was just standing my deal. "Where is the ballroom? I assume it is where the party is going." I asked him, not minding the drunk man hiding behind this yellow guy.

"Oh, it's just downstairs, you will find it without any issues."

"I am hoping to."

With that I moved ahead, leaving him behind. But before going down the stairs I heard him shout, "My name is Yuga by the way, pleasure to finally talk to you. The one who defeated my brothers."

And with that he was gone, and I was fine with it. We both knew I wasn't going to reply and that was it.

--

When I reached the main entrance of the ball, I was actually anticipating what it was all about, I wasn't nervous, no, but it was strange, not really my cup of tea. Upon moving in, the warm glow of the hall reached me, engulfing me in various scents of the crowd.

My nose twitched, the strong fragrances disturbing, a little too much. I haven't before been to a party, so everything was new to me.

My stomach growled, making me wonder if I could directly just eat up the buffet instead of meeting random jackasses. Would Jackson mind?

Probably would, but who cares.

I walked down the stairs, admiring the beautiful hall with an intermediate floor lining the bay. There were several arches encircling the space, and people were all too busy moving and talking to really share a look with me. That was good, I didn't like interactions.

I watched the people on my way, they were all dressed so extravagantly, it was...intimidating, and I wondered if wearing a dress really made such a difference. Or was it the confidence these alphas and betas held themselves with.

"JeonJa my man!" I was startled out of my musings as Jackson marched towards me, inviting a bunch of stares along with him. And he was too loud, like he was wanting the extra attention. Creep.

"Yes."

He patted my shoulders and urged me to move with him. So I listened for once.

He brought me to a small clearing and took hold of the drink placed on the side table filled with red wine, the smell suggested me how expensive it was.

He clinked the glass with a small silver spoon and grasped the attention of the gathering. "Meet JeonJa my dear mates, my new pack member, though extended one."

The crowd who was watching me like a hawk started to cheer for me, congratulating Jackson as he basked in the glory.

"He is shy," Jackson told everyone, as I coughed in retaliation, "so don't force him into anything, the kid is new to such environment." Jackson introduced, and the crowed hummed in agreement.

"Most of you were asking me where are the rest of my men, well, there were minor complications at the border, so they had to leave, they wouldn't be able to attend this auspicious occasion tonight, although I hope it wouldn't affect the gathering in any way."

Border complications my ass, I knew why they weren't here, they weren't healed by my attack yet and it was risky to let them attend with those bruises, it would only invite unwanted attention.

"So let us resume back, enjoy the food and the company!"

The crowd cheered and went back to the same buzz like before, as if they didn't really care what happened as long as they were well fed.

I turned to looked at Jackson who was still standing next to me drinking his wine. But his eyes were observing me curiously, a sharp gleam to them. It bothered me.

"What?"

He grinned, "You are looking handsome, is your beauty a part of those rumored omega traits."

I scowled, "Why do you care."

My dress was a simple suit, with white shirt and black overalls, what was so charming about it?

His grin became wider, "Because you are attracting quiet a lot of attention kid. And not all are from females."

My scowl deepened, for the sake of God, I wasn't here for entertaining others, what did they take me for.

Jackson laughed at my annoyance, a full fledged laugh, inviting even more attention, as I noticed a number of young ladies staring at me. Even some males. Jackson was right.

"Stop laughing." I wanted to call him a moron too, but in this crowd who knew how many had their ears on us, calling Jackson curse names wouldn't favor me.

"Go and interact, you are too stiff."

"When can we have dinner?"

"Ah yes, you must be hungry," he stated and looked at the buffet arranged at the corner tables, "you can have it whenever you want to, it is already arranged."

I nodded and left his company, well aware that wherever I went, several eyes followed me. Some were shy of staring directly, but some weren't.

I found a few who were even lustfully striping me with their eyes, a heat in their gaze which sent a shiver running down my spine. It felt insulting. And then that damned Jackson had politely unleashed their wants by asking if my beauty was an 'omega' trait, and he was loud, the imbecile.

Now they must have heard I was an omega, hell.

I hadn't been very focused earlier, my thoughts revolving around wanting to meet a certain group of people I always missed.

So the reason for my coming was to look for them, they could be around and it wasn't like they could recognize me, I had matured, grown up, even my scent had changed a lot, somehow I could tell.

A big group of girls ahead, wearing sparkling gowns blocked my way. This was the second time I was stopped in my pursuit.

I tensed, watching them, they were a total of seven or eight in number and stood confidently with expensive grace. Jutting out their chests exaggeratedly trying to garner my attention.

"Hey there JeonJa," a green haired girl called me, "nice to meet you. I am Rave." She extended her hand prettily, it was pale and smooth, a strong flowery scent clinging to it, mostly her perfume.

I just nodded, stopping myself from hurling my stomach out, I didn't like artificial scents this strong, a softer one was good enough, but it appeared to me she had went and dipped her hand in the entire bottle. I stood there saying nothing, nor shaking her hands in return, because there wasn't anything nice in meeting her, I knew she was just some backstabbing woman.

Her pretty smile faltered as she let her hand drop, but again, she looked stubborn, so she smiled at me with a smile she must consider as sexy, "It is not nice to ignore a young woman, specially an alpha."

I stared at her to find out what was so alpha about her, she looked more like a gamma. Then again, female population was different. They were better at hiding their true selves, they were more in control of their hormones and bodies than the males. It was a plus point.

I had met female alphas before, and some were very pleasant actually, but a few were sadistic and very temperamental. Although, they all held higher morals than the males, who just f*cked anything during their rut season which happened annually.

The female population was less than the males, like the ratio was 1:5. The gap was large, and they didn't have rut episodes, only heat ones. They could get pregnant, unlike the omega population who couldn't. And that was another reason why the omegas were bought as sex slaves, for they could be used as long as the vitals weren't dead. Whereas females were fragile, not like omegas, who could handle the rougher sex anytime, so they were more preferred by brutes.

And to my actual shock, I concluded that only a male can be an omega, female omegas were unheard of. They were generally betas, alphas, gammas, deltas, thetas, or sigmas.

I sighed internally, cursing my omega trait once again, why were we even there if we didn't have much of an actual purpose in the society... and being a sex slave was definitely not one of them.

"JeonJaah~" another female called me, she was a blonde. She was tall but not anywhere near me. "You want some drink, talk to us." She whined.

What ticked me off was her use of 'Ah'. Calling me so familiarly before even knowing me properly, was she selling herself? Females like her were the reason why many others were not treated well. Even while standing in such a wealthy gathering, she was reflecting a cheap vibe.

"Excuse me," I said coldly, making her flinch back. And the rest of her group left the way for me, at least that was what I thought, before I was hugged by some brunette who was giggling madly. God... was she drunk too?

Her actions had resulted into some jealous eyes glaring at her, but she was unaffected by it.

I shivered again, repulsed by her scent and body. So not thinking about the consequences, I just pushed her away not caring if she fell or what.

There were collective gasps from around me when she did fall. Great.

The classical music was still live, but the crowd around me had stilled, all watching the interaction between me and the brunet who had now started to cry with big fake tears. What rubbish.

"How can you be so rough, know your place omega!" A girl from behind her said testily, crouching down by her friend for support. She must have heard from Jackson about the term, that bastard... making things difficult on purpose.

I didn't say anything, I had met people like her before, and in my anger they ended up dead. But right now I was not in the mood to bother with her, also, it would gather even more attention which I didn't want.

So I started to leave them, hoping they wouldn't bother me again, it would make things complicated.

"Just look at him," someone said, I think it was that green haired woman, "he didn't even apologize!!"

Oh really? My bad bitch.

Then a sudden grip on my arm stopped me, a pale dark haired girl was clutching me tightly. She had so much makeup caking her cheeks, I wanted to puke, feeling allergic already.

"Where do you think you are going, even if you are Jackson's pack member, you are still beneath us. Apologize."

I had to apologize to Jackson before and that had been enough. I was in no mood for her jokes, it was her group's fault anyway.

I snatched my arm back from her and moved forward, ignoring the stares I was still getting, like they were accusing me, frowning at my behavior. I searched for Jackson but couldn't find him in the crowd, he must be at the other side of the hall, doing God knows what.

"You won't get away with it, we won't let you. A stupid low class like you deserves to be kicked out of the pack, I will personally ask him to do it."

"Oh yes?" I asked her with a grin and she flinched back, her eyes widening. I knew my aura had started to surface and the air tensed around me. "No one has the gall to kick me out." I sneered, making her group take a step back beneath my glare, their scents starting to reek of fear.

"I am letting you go for your insolence, but if you bother me again," I paused, flicking my nails absently as they protruded into sharp claws, "I will cut you down to dust."

The last part was effective enough as they backed down, their eyes wide as saucers. Huh, and she said she was an alpha. Pathetic.

The crowd around me shifted away, making a clear path for me without my interference, it was like they were afraid to even look at me now. What a bunch of losers.

I found my way to the buffet and took a plate to fill it with food. The coast was clear, so it wasn't difficult to move around. What a relief.

After that I searched around for vacant chairs to sit on, and there was one next to a green haired guy. I frowned, I hoped that green haired woman from before wasn't his sister or something, I was too hungry for another round of threatening and subduing.

Anyway.

I took my place next to him and noticed he was eating something meaty. His expression closed off. But really, whatever he was eating smelled so nice. Why hadn't I found it in the buffet?

"Want some?" he asked me, still eating but not looking at me.

I wondered, who he was talking to... me?

"I am asking you moron, want some?" he repeated, this time taking a peek at me.

"What is it?"

He shrugged, "Lamb skewers."

"Oh, but I didn't find it in the buffet."

"You won't, it is specially ordered."

"Oh."

Without asking further, he picked up a piece from his fork and dropped it in my plate. And I didn't know what to think of it, most would find it dirty, like it was in his plate from which he was eating. And secondly I didn't think rich people shared their food with others.

"Eat up before it gets cold."

I nodded, finding him a bit dominating, when he wasn't even trying to, he just had a different ambiance around him.

I ate the stuff he gave me, at first hesitant, what if he had poisoned it somehow, but even to me it seemed utter crap. So I just did what my stomach wanted, and damn... who would have though it would taste this good?

I had moaned without even realizing my error, only to snap out of it when I heard him chuckle. Shit.

"I urm-" the f*ck, was I nervous?

"I will order one for you."

"...What?"

He turned to me with a look, "Lamb skewers, I will order a plate for you."

"Thanks..."

Great, I was starting to learn manners already. Who was he anyway?