Chapter 2: Heart of an Omega

Morning came too soon. Adira's dreams about mysterious eyes and Lucian's smile vanished as sunlight peeked through her window. Her muscles ached from yesterday's chores, but there was no time to rest. The pack never stopped needing things done.

As she tied her hair back, Adira wondered if she should tell someone about the eyes she'd seen in the forest. But who would listen? Omegas weren't supposed to bother higher ranks with their concerns.

She grabbed her worn shawl and headed out. The morning air smelled fresh after last night's rain. Mud squished under her feet as she hurried toward the pack kitchen.

"Faster, Omega!" Greta shouted as soon as Adira walked in. "The hunting party returns soon. They'll be hungry."

Adira nodded and got to work chopping vegetables for stew. Her mind drifted back to yesterday. Twice Lucian had noticed her. But today would probably be different. Important wolves like him didn't waste time on Omegas.

After kitchen duty, Adira carried a basket of clean laundry across the main clearing. Pack members bustled around, preparing for the day. Children chased each other, playing tag between the cabins.

A high-pitched yelp cut through the normal morning noise.

Adira stopped. Near the edge of the clearing, several children stood in a circle, pointing at something on the ground. She heard their voices.

"Don't touch it!" "It's bleeding!" "Someone get an adult."

But none of the children moved to find help. Curious, Adira walked closer. The children backed away as she approached—even the youngest pups ranked higher than an Omega.

In the center of their circle lay a small wolf pup, whimpering in pain. Its gray fur was matted with blood from a deep cut on its leg. The poor thing couldn't have been more than four months old.

"What happened?" Adira asked.

A boy with red hair answered. "We were playing, and he fell on a sharp rock. No one wants to touch him because he's bleeding."

Adira glanced around. No adults were coming. The pup whimpered again, its small body trembling.

Without thinking twice, Adira set down her laundry basket and knelt beside the injured pup. Blood didn't scare her. She'd helped Eira, the pack healer, clean wounds before.

"It's okay, little one," she whispered, gently examining the cut. "You're going to be fine."

The pup's frightened eyes met hers. He stopped whimpering and went still, as if he trusted her.

The cut was deep but clean. It needed to be washed and wrapped. Adira tore a strip from her own already-ragged dress hem.

"Can someone bring me water?" she asked the watching children.

They stared at her like she had grown two heads. An Omega didn't give orders.

Adira sighed. "Please? He needs help."

Still, no one moved.

"I'll get it."

The deep voice made Adira jump. Lucian stood behind the circle of children, his eyes fixed on her and the pup. Without another word, he strode to the nearby well and returned with a bucket of water.

The children whispered in shock. Their future Alpha was helping an Omega!

Lucian knelt beside Adira, their shoulders almost touching. She could smell his pine scent, feel the warmth coming from him. Her hands trembled slightly.

"What do you need me to do?" he asked quietly.

Adira swallowed hard. "Hold him still while I clean the wound."

Lucian's large hands gently held the pup, who whined but stayed put. Adira worked quickly, washing away dirt and blood, then wrapping her makeshift bandage around the leg.

"There," she said to the pup. "All better now. But you should see Eira to make sure it doesn't get yucky."

The pup licked her hand once, then hobbled over to his friends.

Only then did Adira realize everyone was staring. Not just the children, but adults too. They had gathered to watch an Omega give instructions to their future Alpha.

Her face burned. She had broken pack rules. Omegas didn't tell Alphas what to do. Ever.

"I'm sorry," she whispered, keeping her eyes down. "I forgot my place."

"Look at me," Lucian said.

Slowly, Adira raised her eyes to meet his. They were a startling blue, like the sky after a storm.

"You have nothing to be sorry for," he said, loud enough for everyone to hear. "That was brave. Most people walked by, but you stopped to help."

Adira didn't know what to say. No one had ever called her brave before.

Lucian stood and offered his hand to help her up. The gesture shocked everyone watching. Alphas didn't touch Omegas unless they had to.

After a moment's hesitation, Adira placed her small hand in his. His grip was warm and strong as he pulled her to her feet.

"What's your name?" he asked.

Her mouth felt dry. "Adira."

"Adira," he repeated, as if testing how it sounded. "I've seen you around. You work hard."

She couldn't believe he had noticed her before yesterday.

"Thank you for helping the pup," Lucian continued. "We need more wolves like you in this pack."

With that, he picked up her forgotten laundry basket and handed it to her. Their fingers brushed, sending a jolt through Adira's arm.

"I hope I see you again soon, Adira," he said with a small smile. Then he walked away, leaving her standing in stunned silence.

The gathered crowd broke into whispers. Some looked curious, others angry. Omegas weren't supposed to get special attention, especially not from the future Alpha.

Adira hugged the laundry basket to her chest and hurried away. Her heart pounded so loudly she was sure everyone could hear it.

That evening, as she swept the steps of the pack meeting hall, Adira couldn't stop thinking about Lucian. The way he had looked at her. How he knew her name before she told him. It made no sense.

"You've made quite an impression."

Adira spun around. Eira, the pack healer, stood watching her. The older woman's silver hair was tied in a long braid, and her eyes held secrets.

"What do you mean?" Adira asked.

"Lucian brought that pup to me himself," Eira said. "He told me you were gentle and skilled. Said you didn't hesitate when others did."

Adira looked down at her worn shoes. "I just did what anyone would do."

"But that's just it, child. No one else did." Eira stepped closer. "Do you know why?"

Adira shook her head.

"That pup belongs to the Shadow Claw Pack."

Adira's head snapped up. "What?"

Eira nodded. "He must have wandered across the border. No wonder the children were afraid to touch him. They've been taught that Shadow Claw wolves are dangerous."

"But he was just a pup!" Adira protested.

"Yes. And you saw that when others only saw an enemy." Eira patted Adira's shoulder. "Interesting that Lucian saw it too."

With that cryptic comment, Eira walked away, leaving Adira more confused than ever.

That night, Adira sat outside her cabin again, watching the stars. The pack seemed different somehow. People had looked at her today. Actually seen her. Some with curiosity, others with jealousy.

Being noticed was strange after years of being invisible.

A twig snapped in the forest behind her cabin. Adira froze, remembering the eyes from last night.

But this time, what stepped out of the shadows wasn't a mysterious creature. It was Lucian.

"May I join you?" he asked, his voice gentle in the darkness.

Before she could answer, a howl ripped through the night. A warning howl from the pack guards.

Lucian's head snapped toward the sound. His body tensed.

"Something's wrong," he said.

Another howl joined the first, more urgent.

"Stay here," Lucian ordered, already moving away. "Stay safe, Adira."

He disappeared into the night, leaving Adira staring after him.

The howls continued, joined by shouts and the sound of running feet. Something bad was happening.

Adira chewed her lip. Lucian had told her to stay put. But what if someone needed help, like the pup had?

She made her decision and took her first step toward the commotion.

Toward danger.