The cursed omega

"I had a nightmare last night," I said to my mom, who was braiding my sister's hair. She was so focused, she didn’t even respond. The three of us were in Vira’s room. Vira, my sister, was determined to make sure we both helped her prepare on this special day. Her special day. Vira turned eighteen a few months ago. And tonight is the mating ceremony. The night every eighteen-year-old is given their mate by Eris, the moon goddess. The night every teenage werewolf looks forward to. My current annoyance? It’s seven o’clock in the morning, and Vira won't leave Mom and me alone. She literally woke us up to help her pick an outfit and braid her hair. That’s just the thing with Vira. She makes sure to rub her good fortune and success in everyone’s face. The ceremony doesn’t start until 7 at night, but oh well. Now Mom’s attention was completely centered on her while I sat on her bed, watching. "What nightmare?" Vira finally asked,

I hate a lot of people: my bullies, Rohan, and sometimes even my parents. Honestly, I think I hate everyone in my pack. But there’s one person I hate most: Vira. While my parents and the rest of the pack danced around the bonfire, celebrating new mates, I stood at the edge of the cliff, staring down. Another tradition: after the pull, the new mates shift into wolf form and run together—down the cliff and under the moon—to prove their unity. Vira and the young Alpha did just that, followed by the others. My parents were beyond thrilled. Their perfect daughter scored again. Soon-to-be Luna. So they danced with everyone else, round and round the bonfire. I refused to join. The noise gave me a headache. I decided to go back to our cabin to sleep. Or maybe cry. As I walked down the cliff, head low and hands stuffed in my jacket, I started asking myself: have I ever received anything good in my life? Not something

They are real. These wolves from my nightmares, they're real. Just like in my dreams: bigger, twisted, with fangs like blades and glowing red eyes. They circled us—all three of them—slow, deliberate. "Stay close to me," Dexter whispered, halfway through his shift. His voice was strained, low and primal. I knew he was strong, but against all three? No way. We were at their mercy. I was trembling. Then, without warning, one lunged. Just a blur of fur and teeth. Dexter met it midair, and the collision made a sickening thud. I screamed and that was when the others turned toward me. Eyes locked. I ran. I ran along the pack's border, screaming, hoping someone—anyone—might hear me. I didn’t look back, but I could hear them: pounding paws, snarls, low growls. If I had any chance of outrunning them, I needed to shift. Except... I couldn't. Not on command. The first wolf let out

The Alpha’s orders were put into action the next day. Soldiers were doubled at the border and inside the pack too. The woods were restricted, and we couldn’t leave our cabins alone. But trainees still had to report to the training grounds. A bummer, because I didn’t feel like leaving my room this morning. I hadn’t stepped out since I came back yesterday, even when Mom and Dad knocked on my door. I knew they wanted answers for what happened at the cliff, but I wasn’t ready to face them or anyone. But when I caught a whiff of Mom’s cooking, I had to come out. Mom and Vira were in the kitchen when I entered. “Good morning,” Vira said. I ignored her and reached for a glass of water. She stared at me intently. In an effort to ease the tension, I asked, “Where’s Dad?” “He’s escorting the Alpha to visit the Valeblood pack, to get to the root of this,” Mom said. Valeblood pack was the one we shared our borders with, but those wolves didn’t look like Valebloods. I watched Mom and Vira

It wasn't until we arrived at his cabin that I let go of Aidrac’s hand, suddenly feeling guilty. He knocked on the door, and his mom — the Luna — opened it. She looked like she had questions. Like why we arrived together. Heck, the whole room looked confused. Inside the living room were the Alpha, my dad, Rohan, my mom, and Vira, who was darting her eyes from me to Aidrac, then back again. “We met on our way here,” Aidrac muttered to no one in particular. I nodded in agreement, my eyes fixed on the floor. “So how did the trip go?” he asked, trying to ease the tension. “A failure,” the Alpha said. “We couldn't get into Valeblood.” “Why?” Mom asked. “Their borders were heavily guarded by soldiers,” Dad said. “They wouldn't let us in, even after we told them who we were and why we wanted to see their Alpha.” “Is it usually that guarded?” I asked, confused. I knew this wasn't their first visit to Valeblood, but it was the first time they were denied entry. “No,” the Alpha replie