CHAPTER FIVE

The wolf lunged.

That’s when I moved. I reached into my boot and whipped out a slim, silver blade. I drove it hard into Sylah’s hind leg as she soared toward me.

Thud. She hit the ground howling, her form flickering in and out and her leg twitching violently.

Zara’s scream tore through the clearing. “You bitch! You used wolfsbane on her?!”

Duhh… I wasn’t stupid enough to show up empty-handed. I knew they wouldn't fight fair so I brought my own backups. They were illegal, of course. But laws meant little where they were concerned.

“She’s still breathing,” I said, backing away. My ribs screamed with every breath, but I stood tall. “You guys never planned to have a fair fight, right?”

Derek grabbed my shoulder and slammed me down hard. My ribs flared with agony. His boot pressed to my back. I pushed it off and staggered backwards. Arnou came at me next. I barely ducked. His fist skimmed my shoulder, but I grabbed a chunk of broken wood from the crate behind me and swung it hard.

Crack. Straight into Arnou’s arm as he lunged. He howled in pain, stumbling back. They all looked stunned, just for a second. That was enough.

I slipped my hand into my coat pocket and twisted something small and sharp.

Shriek.

A high-pitched pulse ripped through the clearing like a banshee’s cry. The others dropped to their knees, howling in pain, hands clutching their ears and gritting their teeth.

It was a tiny shard of sonic crystal. I’d borrowed it from Mira, tweaked it using leftover training tech, tuned it to hit frequencies only wolves could hear. One sharp twist and it would ring so loud it’d drop even a Beta to their knees.

Only I stood. It didn’t affect me. One of the perks of being half-human, I guess.

Zara was on the ground, swaying, blood at the edge of her ear. I staggered toward her and landed a punch right across her jaw. She crumpled.

“HEY!”

A voice from the treeline. A guard. We all froze. No one was supposed to wander around after the lights went out.

“Who's there??” The voice shouted again from the woods. It was closer now.

I didn't wait. I turned and fled. My ribs were bruised, my fingers cold, and my face bloody. But I ran through the trees till I got far enough to breathe again. When I reached the ridge overlooking the pack grounds which was close to the Omega houses, I collapsed to my knees, my chest heaving.

Then a huge grin broke out.

***********************************************************

The sun had barely risen, but I’d been up long before light touched the trees. Omegas rise with the wind. My hands moved in rhythm as I scrubbed wooden trays behind the packhouse, ribs aching. I didn’t wince. Not with people watching.

The quiet didn’t last.

“Ren!”

I turned. Mira stood there, eyes locked on my jaw, lips trembling.

“You... went?”

I kept scrubbing. “Yeah. Couldn't let them smash your face again. I kind of like it.”

She crouched beside me. “Ren, they could’ve killed you.”

“They didn’t.” I shrugged. “Besides, I wasn’t unprepared.”

Her voice softened. “Did Freya see you?”

I scoffed. “Slipped out before she woke. She’ll assume I tripped or something.”

Mira didn’t laugh — never did — just stared like I’d crumble.

“I’m okay,” I muttered. “Sore. But okay.”

The silence that followed was broken by a sudden thundering of feet. A group of children, mostly younger wolves from omega lines and lower ranks, came barreling toward us.

“Ren! Ren!”

Before I could brace myself, they tackled my legs in a heap of squeals and giggles.

The kids gasped. “Really?!”

“Oh yeah. But later, I’ve got duties to finish first.”

They groaned. I ruffled their heads. “Swear on my last piece of bread.”

I used to hate mornings like this. Cold chores, stiff bones. But somehow, they made it worth it. These kids looked at me like I was more than bruises and busted lips, more than a half breed. Like I mattered.

As they ran off, Mira and I started heading toward the main corridor of the packhouse. A few familiar faces from the omega quarters waved as we passed. We waved back.

“Did you hear?” a whisper floated through the air as we passed a knot of laundry girls.

“No, what?”

“Zara and her minions were found behind the west training field last night. All bruised up. Looked like they got mauled.”

“By who?”

“They won’t say. They’re pretending it never happened. You think their parents will find out?”

I bit back a grin. Mira glanced at me and I shrugged. Of course they wouldn’t talk, not after getting wrecked by a wolf-less omega girl with a dull kitchen blade, a bit of wolfsbane, and a lot of rage.

We turned toward the eastern fence then paused.

Clang.

We all froze. It was the emergency bell which was only used for war… or worse. Mira’s eyes met mine. Around us, laughter died. Warriors stood still. Everything halted.

Clang. Clang. Clang.

Three strikes.

That wasn’t protocol. That was panic.

I felt the blood rush in my ears. My ribs still ached from last night, but adrenaline overrode it. Whatever this was, it wasn’t just another patrol issue.

Mira grabbed my arm, and we moved towards the packhouse with the others. I don't know what we’d find. But one thing I know for sure — it can't be a good sign.