Adira's heart thumped as she hurried toward the commotion. The night air felt cold against her skin. More howls echoed through the darkness, making her shiver.
She wasn't supposed to be there. Omegas never attended emergency gatherings. But something pulled her forward, step by step.
The pack's main clearing buzzed with voices. Torches cast long shadows across worried faces. Everyone had come—except other Omegas, who knew better than to show up uninvited.
Adira hid behind a large oak tree at the edge of the clearing. From there, she could see and hear everything without being spotted.
Lucian stood in the center, tall and serious. His father, Alpha Darius, looked grim beside him. Blood stained Lucian's arm. Had he been hurt? Adira's fingers itched to help, to clean the wound like she had for the pup.
"The Shadow Claw Pack has crossed our borders again!" Alpha Darius shouted. "This time, they attacked our hunting party!"
Angry growls rumbled through the crowd.
"Three of our wolves were injured," Lucian added. "Fenrir's pack grows bolder. They no longer respect our boundaries."
Adira gasped softly. The wounded pup she had helped belonged to Shadow Claw. Was this attack somehow connected?
"We should strike back!" someone yelled from the crowd. "Show them we won't be bullied!"
More voices joined in agreement.
Alpha Darius raised his hand for silence. "We will not rush into war. First, we must understand their motives."
"Their motives are clear," a cold female voice cut through the noise. "They want our territory."
Heads turned as a beautiful woman stepped forward. Her black hair gleamed in the torchlight, and her eyes flashed with anger.
Adira recognized her immediately. Selene. Daughter of the pack's lead warrior and known for her beauty and ambition.
"Fenrir has always been greedy," Selene continued, placing a hand on Lucian's arm. "He won't stop until he takes everything."
Lucian didn't move away from Selene's touch. They had history—everyone knew that. Once, they had been expected to mate, before something changed between them.
"We should send a message," Selene suggested, her voice silky. "Show strength now, or appear weak forever."
Many nodded in agreement. Adira frowned. Why did war always seem like the first choice?
"And what message would you send, Selene?" Lucian asked. "More bloodshed? More injured wolves on both sides?"
"Sometimes blood must be spilled to keep the peace," she replied.
Adira shifted her weight, accidentally stepping on a twig. The snap seemed louder than thunder in the tense silence.
All eyes turned toward her hiding spot.
"Come out!" Alpha Darius commanded.
Trembling, Adira stepped into the light. Whispers instantly spread through the crowd.
"An Omega at a pack meeting?" "How dare she?" "Who does she think she is?"
Adira kept her eyes down, her cheeks burning with shame.
"What are you doing here?" Alpha Darius demanded. "Omegas are not welcome at pack meetings."
"I—I heard the howls," Adira stammered. "I wanted to help if anyone was hurt."
Selene laughed, the sound sharp as broken glass. "An Omega offering help? Know your place, girl. Your job is to clean and cook, not concern yourself with pack matters."
More laughter followed. Adira wished the ground would open and swallow her.
"Enough!" Lucian's voice cut through the mockery. "She helped a wounded pup today without hesitation. She has more compassion than most of you."
Silence fell. No one had expected the future Alpha to defend an Omega.
"The pup she helped was from Shadow Claw," Lucian continued. "Yet she saw only a creature in pain, not an enemy. Perhaps we should learn from her example."
Adira dared to look up. Lucian's eyes met hers, warm and approving. But beside him, Selene's face twisted with jealousy.
"This Omega should be punished for breaking our rules," Selene insisted. "We cannot allow lower ranks to ignore their place in the pack."
Alpha Darius studied Adira for a long moment. "What is your name, girl?"
"Adira, sir."
"Well, Adira," he said slowly, "while I appreciate compassion, rules exist for a reason. You will spend tomorrow helping Eira gather herbs as punishment for attending this meeting."
Adira blinked in surprise. Helping the pack healer was hardly a punishment—it was an honor most Omegas would beg for.
"Now, return to your cabin," Alpha Darius ordered.
Head bowed, Adira turned to leave. As she passed through the crowd, wolves stepped aside as if she carried disease. Only Magnus, Lucian's Beta friend, gave her a curious nod.
Behind her, the meeting continued. Alpha Darius decided to send Magnus to meet with Fenrir's Beta the next day. They would try talking before fighting.
Adira had almost reached the edge of the clearing when a hand grabbed her arm, pulling her into the shadows.
She gasped, ready to scream, when she recognized Eira's weathered face.
"Quiet, child," the healer whispered. "I need to speak with you."
"I'm sorry about the meeting," Adira said. "I didn't mean to cause trouble."
Eira shook her head. "This isn't about the meeting. It's about you—and why Lucian can't seem to take his eyes off you."
Adira's heart jumped. "That's ridiculous. He barely knows me."
"Perhaps," Eira said mysteriously. "Or perhaps he knows you better than either of you realize."
Before Adira could ask what that meant, Eira pressed something cold and metal into her palm. "Keep this hidden. Wear it only in great danger."
Adira opened her hand to see a small silver pendant shaped like a crescent moon.
"What is—"
"Hush," Eira interrupted. "Someone comes."
The old healer melted into the darkness just as footsteps approached.
"Adira?" Lucian's voice was soft in the night. "Are you still here?"
She quickly tucked the pendant into her pocket. "Yes."
He stepped closer, his face half-hidden in shadow. "I'm sorry about what happened in there. You didn't deserve their scorn."
"Why are you being kind to me?" The question tumbled out before she could stop it. "I'm just an Omega."
"Is that all you think you are?" He reached out, his fingers gently tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
The simple touch sent warmth spreading through her body. No one had ever touched her with such tenderness.
"I see something in you, Adira. Something rare and valuable."
Her heart pounded so loudly she was sure he could hear it. "What?"
A howl pierced the night—different from the earlier warnings. This one sounded desperate, afraid.
Lucian tensed. "That's Magnus!"
Without another word, he sprinted toward the sound, leaving Adira clutching the mysterious pendant in her pocket. Something was very wrong.
At the edge of the clearing, a figure stumbled into the torchlight. Magnus—his clothes torn, blood streaming from a gash on his forehead.
"They're coming!" he gasped, collapsing to his knees as the pack rushed toward him. "Fenrir's pack—they're attacking tonight!"
Adira froze as panic spread through the crowd. In her pocket, the silver pendant suddenly felt hot against her skin.
War had arrived at their doorstep.