CHAPTER SEVEN: THE OMEGA'S MASK 

Life as an omega was everything I'd feared and worse.

I woke before dawn to prepare breakfast for the ranked wolves. Spent my days scrubbing floors, washing clothes, serving meals. The other omegas kept their distance—word had spread quickly that I was the Alpha's rejected mate, back by his mercy. No one wanted to associate with someone so low, so tainted.

Fine by me. The isolation made it easier to work.

Over the first week, I planted three of Elena's cameras in strategic locations. One in the main hallway near Kane's office, disguised as a button on a decorative curtain. One in the dining hall, stuck to the underside of a table. One in the training yard, hidden in a crack in the wall.

I moved through Moontide like a ghost, invisible and insignificant. An omega carrying laundry, cleaning windows, serving food. No one paid attention to me.

Which meant I could watch everything.

I learned which warriors were loyal to Kane and which ones grumbled behind his back. I learned that the Beta, Marcus Greyson, was pushing for an alliance with two more packs—a show of strength against the Human Alpha's threat. I learned that Vanessa, my former best friend, was struggling in her role as Ryker's chosen mate.

I learned that Ryker watched me when he thought I wasn't looking.

It happened in the dining hall first. I was serving breakfast to the ranked wolves, keeping my eyes down, playing the perfect submissive omega. But I felt his gaze on me, heavy and intense.

When I finally risked a glance up, our eyes met for just a moment. I saw confusion in his expression, and something else. Something that looked almost like regret.

Then Vanessa touched his arm and the moment shattered. He turned away, and I went back to being invisible.

But it kept happening.

In the corridors, I'd catch him staring. In the training yard, I'd feel his eyes follow me as I cleaned. At meals, he'd watch me serve others, his expression unreadable.

"He still wants you, you know," a voice said.

I turned to find one of the other omegas standing behind me. Her name was Sarah, and she was one of the few who'd shown me any kindness.

"What?"

"Ryker. He watches you constantly. Vanessa has noticed. She's not happy about it."

"He rejected me," I said flatly. "He doesn't want me. He just wants to make sure I'm not a threat."

Sarah smiled sadly. "Keep telling yourself that. But I've been an omega for ten years. I know what regret looks like."

She left before I could respond.

I tried not to think about it. Tried not to let Ryker's attention distract me from my mission. But it was hard when every time I turned around, he was there.

On day eight, Kane summoned me to his office.

My heart raced as I climbed the stairs. Had I been discovered? Had one of the cameras been found?

But when I entered, Kane was alone, sitting behind his desk with a glass of whiskey.

"Sit," he commanded.

I sat, keeping my posture submissive.

"You've been here a week," he said. "And you've caused no problems. The omegas say you work hard. The guards report nothing suspicious."

"I'm just trying to earn my place back, Alpha."

"Are you?" He leaned forward. "Or are you planning something?"

"I don't understand."

"I've been thinking about your story. About how conveniently you escaped from the Human Alpha. About how perfectly your information matches my other sources." His eyes narrowed. "It's almost too perfect, Shahira."

My mouth went dry. "Alpha, I swear—"

"I'm not accusing you. Yet." He took a sip of his drink. "But I'm also not a fool. So I'm going to test your loyalty."

"How?"

"In two days, Alpha Marcus of Silverfang Pack is visiting. We're finalizing our alliance. You're going to serve at the dinner." He watched me carefully. "And you're going to tell me everything you overhear. Every word. Every detail."

This was it. This was what Daren needed. Information about the alliance, about Marcus's visit.

"Of course, Alpha. I'll tell you everything."

"Good. Because if I find out you've withheld even the smallest detail, I'll know you're a spy. And then..." He smiled, and it was the cruelest thing I'd ever seen. "Then I'll make you watch while I slaughter everyone who helped you before I finally let you die."

The threat hung in the air between us.

"I understand, Alpha."

"Dismissed."

I left his office on shaking legs. As soon as I was alone, I pulled out the phone and sent Daren a message: Marcus visiting in 2 days. Dinner. Alliance talk. I'll be serving.

His response: Perfect. Record everything you can.

That night, I couldn't sleep. I lay in my bed in the omega quarters, listening to the sounds of other wolves breathing, and tried to calm my racing thoughts.

Kane suspected something. Not enough to kill me yet, but enough to test me. One mistake and I was dead.

A sound outside made me freeze. Footsteps, quiet and deliberate.

The door to the omega quarters opened slowly. A figure slipped inside, moving with the confidence of someone who belonged.

"Shahira?" a male voice whispered.

I sat up carefully. "Who's there?"

"Jacob. We need to talk."

Finally. Daren's inside man.

I got up and followed him out of the building, into the shadows between structures. Jacob was older than I expected, maybe forty, with gray streaking his dark hair and scars marking his face.

"You're taking a huge risk being here," he said quietly. "Kane has you watched."

"I know. What do you need?"

"To warn you. The guard watching you tonight is loyal to me, so we have a few minutes. But you need to be more careful." His eyes were serious. "Ryker has been asking questions. About where you were, what you did, whether you're really as broken as you seem."

"Why does he care?"

"Because he's not an idiot. And because..." Jacob hesitated. "Because he regrets rejecting you. Everyone can see it except Vanessa."

"That doesn't matter. I'm not here for him."

"I know. But his attention makes our job harder. If he's watching you closely, you can't operate freely."

"Then what do I do?"

"At the dinner with Alpha Marcus, there will be a moment when Ryker is distracted. I'll make sure of it. Use that time to plant the listening device near Kane's seat. It's our best chance to hear the alliance details."

I nodded. "Anything else?"

"Yes. After the dinner, Kane is planning to have you followed. To see if you make contact with anyone." Jacob's expression was grim. "Don't use the phone for at least three days after. No matter what you learn."

"But if I discover something urgent—"

"Then you remember it and report later. Getting caught helps no one." He checked over his shoulder. "I have to go. The guard changes soon. Remember—be careful, stay invisible, and trust no one except me and Daren."

He disappeared into the shadows as quietly as he'd come.

I stood there for a moment, letting the weight of it all settle on me. Kane was testing me. Ryker was watching me. And in two days, I'd have to perform perfectly while gathering intelligence that could bring down an entire pack.

No pressure.

I went back inside and lay down, but sleep was impossible. Instead, I went over the plan again and again, memorizing every detail, preparing for every contingency.

Two days. In two days, everything would change.

I just had to survive until then.