Chapter six

I rushed out of the cabin and down the pathway to the woods where the healing den was. Vira caught up with me a few minutes later. I hadn’t known she was behind me, and honestly, I wasn’t pleased about it. Like she actually cared about Dexter. I shot her a look. She stared straight ahead, but muttered, "I'm sorry."

Sorry for what, exactly? Our fight last night? Or for a lifetime of wrongs? This is the part where I'm supposed to say I'm sorry too and we hug like Mom would want. But I don’t owe Vira anything. She owes me way more than sorry.

"Save it," I said, and picked up my pace.

Selene was standing outside the healing den when we arrived. She looked like she’d been crying.

"Rhea, are you okay?" she asked, glancing at the bandage on my arm.

"I'm fine. How's Dexter?"

Selene's face fell. "See for yourself."

I took a deep breath and entered the den. Vira followed behind me.

Dexter lay on a mat, a wreck. Deep, jagged claw marks from shoulder to waist, like they tried to tear him open. His legs were mangled. I broke down immediately. Vira, Selene, and the healer stared as I sobbed.

"It’s my fault," I whispered between sobs. "I shouldn’t have left him."

Vira held me. "Rhea, there’s nothing you could have done."

Exactly. That’s why it’s my fault.

"You ran away?" Selene asked.

"He told me to. I had to get help," I said, but Selene was judging me. Hard. I didn’t blame her.

I looked at Dexter again. His eyes were closed. His breathing shallow.

"He has a punctured lung from a broken rib and both legs are fractured, tendons torn," the healer said.

"Will he survive?" I asked.

"We’re not sure. We’ve never seen something this brutal. If he does survive, he may never walk again."

Selene covered her mouth to stifle a sob.

I stepped out of the den. I couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t think. Dexter’s dream of becoming a soldier is gone. All because of those wolves. All because of me.

I started walking, ignoring Vira calling after me. What was I supposed to do? Sit there and stare at his broken body?

I didn’t even know where I was going, but about a mile from the den, I saw Rohan approaching. He had some scratches, nothing major.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

Since when did he care?

"I'm fine," I said, brushing past him.

"We need to talk."

"About what?"

"That dream you had."

"Oh, so now you believe me?" I laughed bitterly. "There’s nothing to talk about."

"Rhea, the pack might be in danger."

I laughed harder. "So what if it is? What does that have to do with me? I’m not the weak omega you all despise anymore?"

"Listen to me—"

"No, you listen to me, Rohan. It was just a coincidence. So stop pretending you care or that I’m some kind of prophet."

He looked stunned. Honestly? So was I. I never thought I’d talk back to the Gamma.

I don’t know how long I locked myself in my room crying before Mom knocked on my door.

"Go away!" I shouted into my pillow.

"Rhea, that’s enough," she said. "You’ve been crying all day."

"Leave me alone."

"No. The Alpha is making a speech on the cliff and expects us all to be there. Get up."

Reluctantly, I opened the door. Mom and Vira were waiting.

"Rhea, Dexter is going to be okay…"

"Have you seen Aidrac yet?" I cut Vira off. "I bet he's fine."

"Yes, he's fine," Vira said softly.

"Then you don’t understand."

I walked past them before Mom could say anything.

Everyone was already on the cliff when we arrived. The air buzzed with murmurs.

"Attack at the border..."

"Some said they were rogues..."

The Alpha stepped forward. The crowd hushed. He stood with the Luna, Aidrac, Dad, and Rohan. Aidrac, of course, looked untouched.

"Everyone," the Alpha began, "as you know, there was an attack at the border."

The murmurs returned. He raised a hand, and they stopped.

"We don’t know who they were, but we will find out. Until then, patrols will double and a curfew will be in place. No one outside after 6 PM except hunters and soldiers."

Surprise rippled through the crowd.

"During the attack, one of our own was gravely injured. Dexter, a soldier trainee. While we honor his bravery, let’s also pray for his recovery."

Heads bowed. Mine too. I could feel the tears.

Then someone shouted, "It’s her!"

I looked up. A middle-aged woman with blonde hair and gray eyes—Dexter’s mom—was pointing at me.

"It’s her! That cursed omega! She led those wolves to us!"

All eyes turned to me. She marched forward.

“ She told Dexter there would be an attack!"

Mom stepped in front of me.

"What are you talking about?"

"Your daughter cursed my son! It’s her fault he’s hurt! She’s cursed! She’ll kill us all!"

People whispered. Pointed.

Mom turned to me. "Is that true, Rhea?"

I was crying.

"It’s her fault!"

"She’s cursed!"

"She brought this on us!"

"Silence!" someone snarled.

It was Rohan. The crowd froze.

"Have we lost our minds?" he demanded. "We’re under threat and you’re blaming an omega?"

I blinked, wiping my eyes. Rohan was defending me.

"How could she plan something like this? Look at her. She can’t even fight."

People snickered.

That did it. I turned and walked back to the cabin.