Chapter two

Teen werewolves trained for different ranks until they were ready, except healers, who trained on the Spire. A cliff overlooking our borders and the woods beyond. Vira had been ready since she was... well... six. But Rohan kept her on because she was also a good mentor.

The first person I saw was Rohan, standing at the entrance with his hands behind his back.

"You're late," he snarled.

"You won't believe whose fault it is," I said with a snicker as I walked past.

"It's mine," Vira said behind me. "Tonight is the mating ceremony. Can't be caught lacking, you know." She laughed.

Rohan muttered something under his breath. I'm pretty sure he's given up on mating ceremonies.

"Soldiers! Forty laps, now!" he barked. The soldier trainees scrambled up. Soldiers were trained first. Then hunters. Finally, omegas.

I took a seat beside the other omegas. One of them was my best friend, Selene. Now here's the thing: Selene isn’t exactly weak, but God, she's allergic to everything. Trees, grass, animals, the sun and even some werewolves. It was that bad. The omega forum, usually silent and half-dead, was buzzing today.

"What's going on?" I asked Selene.

"It's about the mating ceremony," she said.

"What about it?"

"Some eighteen-year-olds are scared they won't be given a mate because they're... you know... omegas."

I rolled my eyes. I understood the worry, though. Omegas rarely find their mates, and when we do, there's a good chance they'll reject us because we're weak. I don't know what's worse: waiting forever or being rejected.

"New fear unlocked," Selene muttered, looking genuinely concerned.

"But you're not eighteen yet," I pointed out.

"No, but there's only a year left!"

"We’ll be strong by then." Selene glared at me. She knew I was joking. We’d both long stopped hoping to gain strength.

"I'm serious, Rhea."

"Oh, for god's sake, let it go. And so what if we don't find mates?"

"A mate would make us stronger," she replied.

She had me there. Mates don’t just love each other, they make each other stronger.

I sighed and glanced at Rohan and Vira, who were teaching combat skills. Astrid was right. They looked like a perfect couple. I’d never admit that out loud.

I turned my gaze to one of the trainees. My friend, Dexter. He winked at me. I rolled my eyes but smiled. Dexter was training to be a soldier. Unlike most trainees, he wasn’t ashamed to associate with omegas. He was friends with quite a few of us, Selene and me included.

I liked Dexter. He was smart, strong, kind. Selene, on the other hand, was basically in love with him. I’d call it love, because it was far too intense for a crush. Selene wouldn't admit it, but she didn’t need to. I’ve known her long enough to recognize the signs. Like blushing when a guy winks at someone else.

That’s what she was doing now.

The soldier trainees finished and Dexter walked up to us. I could hear giggles behind me. Dexter was popular with omega girls being the only non-omega guy who paid us any attention.

"You look washed out," Dexter told me.

"Doesn't she always?" Selene added. I shot her a look.

"Yeah, but she looks worse now," Dexter said.

"Thanks for the compliment," I said dryly. "If you must know, it's because I haven’t slept well in three days."

"Why?" Selene asked.

"Because she doesn’t have me in her bed," Dexter joked. More giggles.

"You're not funny, Dexter," I said dryly.

"But why, though?"

"Nightmares."

"About what?"

"Being chased by scary-looking wolves. At the border."

Dexter shrugged. "Weird. But the borders are safe. Heavily guarded. I go there sometimes."

"Doesn’t change the dream," Selene added.

"It’s just a dream," Dexter insisted.

"One I’ve had for three nights in a row," I said.

"Rhea, come on. We can go check out the border if you want," Dexter offered.

"What about the border?" Rohan’s voice came from behind us.

"Rhea thinks there's a threat at the border," Dexter said.

Rohan smirked. "Is that so? Think you can do a better job than the soldiers?"

"No. I never said that."

"Why don’t you omegas come do some soldier training, then? Surely it can't be that hard."

Groans and sighs echoed from my rank. I shot Dexter a look.

"Sorry," he muttered.

We spent three hours doing soldier training. A huge challenge for omegas, who are only trained to survive. Many didn’t last. They fainted. Selene was doing okay until she started sweating. Turns out she’s allergic to her own sweat.

I pushed through until they told us to transform into wolves. That’s when I bailed. I know I’ll be punished. I don’t care. While all this happened, the others laughed. Including Vira.

I’ve been attending mating ceremonies since I was eleven. Everyone goes, even if you’re not eighteen. Not because we belong there, but because it’s fun to watch who gets matched. It creates tension, drama, gossip.

"Aha! I knew they had something going on since the lake."

"What will Carl do now that his crush is his brother's mate?"

There’s always something.

But this year, I didn’t feel like going. I didn’t want to see Vira meet her mate.

My parents, of course, were thrilled. Made me bathe in the lake and dress up. Then dragged me to the Spire, where we host it every year.

The full moon was out by 7 o'clock. Everyone had left their cabins and gathered at the cliff.

The Alpha, tall and powerful, gave the opening speech and prayer. Next to him stood the Luna and their son, the next Alpha. I had forgotten his name. He trained with us for a while but left early. Alpha privilege.

Wait. Had he turned eighteen too? Was he mating this year?

I couldn’t remember.

The Alpha spoke on the importance of mates: for strength, love, and pack unity. Then he thanked the moon goddess and called on her for another successful ceremony.

A blue flame bonfire was lit to symbolize mate bonds.

Then came the main part: the supernatural pull. The magnetic force that draws you to your mate.

I looked at Vira, standing a few feet away. She looked confused.

Maybe she won't get a mate tonight. Maybe, for once, she wouldn’t get what she wanted.

Please, moon goddess. Let me smile tonight. I prayed.

She must hate me. Because at that moment, Vira began to feel the pull. She sniffed the air, eyes scanning for someone she couldn’t resist.

If I hadn’t been so focused on her, I might have seen him sooner.

The tall, muscular figure approaching her.

Wait.

Was that... the Alpha's son?