Elara struggled against the strong grip of the guards as they dragged her through the bush. Her heart beat so fast she thought it might burst from her chest.
"Please," she begged, "I didn't do anything wrong!"
The guards didn't answer. Their faces were hard as stone as they pulled her toward Alpha Kael's big cabin at the edge of the pack lands. Behind them, the sounds of the gathering faded—the music, the laughter, all of it replaced by the scary quiet of the dark woods.
Elara's mind raced. How did Alpha Kael know about her dreams? Why had he looked at her like he recognized her? What would happen to her now?
The guards pushed her through a heavy wooden door and into a room lit by a roaring fire. They forced her into a chair.
"Wait here," one guard directed. "Alpha Kael will deal with you soon."
When they left, Elara jumped up. Should she run? But where would she go? Omegas who ran from their packs never lived long in the wild.
She paced back and forth, trying to calm down. The room was filled with things that showed Alpha Kael's power—animal skins, weapons, gifts from other packs. On one wall hung a map with red marks all over it. On another wall was a picture of a black wolf with golden eyes—Kael in his wolf form.
The door suddenly flew open, making Elara jump. But it wasn't Kael. It was a woman with long red hair and cold eyes. She wore the special collar that marked her as the pack's head female—though not Kael's mate. Everyone knew Kael never took a true mate.
"So," the woman said, looking Elara up and down with a mean smile. "You're the omega who caught our Alpha's eye."
Elara swallowed hard. "It was an accident. I didn't mean to—"
"Silence!" the woman snapped. "I am Serena, the pack's lead female. You will speak only when spoken to." She circled Elara slowly. "What makes you so special, little omega? You're nothing. Less than nothing."
Elara kept her eyes down, the way omegas were supposed to. "I'm not special."
Serena grabbed Elara's chin, causing her to look up. "Then why did he look at you that way? Why did he bring you here?" Her nails dug into Elara's skin. "If you think you can take my place, you're wrong."
Before Elara could answer, the door opened again. This time, it was Alpha Kael. He filled the doorway with his large body, his golden eyes taking in the scene before him.
"Serena," he said, his voice sharp as a knife. "Leave us."
Serena dropped her hand from Elara's face and stepped back. "But Alpha—" "Now." The single word held so much power that even Elara felt it.
With one last angry look at Elara, Serena left the room, slamming the door behind her.
For a long moment, Alpha Kael just stared at Elara. She wanted to look away, but something in his eyes held her gaze. Up close, he was even more striking—strong jaw, dark eyebrows, and those strange golden eyes that seemed to look right through her.
"Sit," he finally said, pointing to the chair.
Elara sat, her legs shaking so badly she was afraid they wouldn't hold her anyway.
Kael paced in front of her. "What's your name?"
"Elara," she whispered.
"Elara," he repeated, like he was trying how it sounded. "You're from the East Ridge part of the pack lands?"
She nodded. "Yes, Alpha."
"And you've been having dreams." It wasn't a question.
Elara's blood turned to ice. How did he know? "I—I don't know what you mean."
In a flash, Kael was in front of her, his hands on the arms of her chair, his face inches from hers. "Don't lie to me, little omega. I can smell your fear. I can smell your confusion. Tell me about the dreams."
Something inside Elara snapped. Maybe it was fear. Maybe it was that strange feeling she'd always had that she was different from other omegas. Whatever it was, it gave her strength.
"Why should I tell you anything?" she asked, looking straight into his eyes. "You had me dragged here like a thief. I've done nothing wrong!"
Kael's eyes widened in surprise. Omegas never talked back to Alphas. Ever.
To her shock, he smiled—a real smile that eased his hard face. "Interesting," he said quietly. Then louder, "The dreams, Elara. Tell me about them."
Maybe it was the way he said her name, or maybe she just knew she had no choice, but Elara found herself talking. She told him about the golden eyes in her dreams—his eyes, though she didn't say that part out loud. She told him about feeling called to someone, about the sense that she was meant for something more than just being a normal omega.
"And today?" he asked. "What happened at the river this morning? And at the gathering?"
Elara froze. "How do you know about the river?"
"I know everything that happens in my pack," Kael said. "Answer the question."
So she told him about the strange visions—the running, the chasing, the feeling of danger and betrayal.
When she finished, Kael turned away, rubbing his chin. "It's happening faster than I thought," he mumbled.
"What's happening?" Elara asked. "Please, I don't understand any of this."
Kael turned back to her, and his eyes had changed. They looked almost... worried. "You're not just an omega, Elara. You're—"
Before he could finish, the cabin door burst open again. Beta Marcus rushed in, his face urgent.
"Alpha, there's trouble at the meeting. A fight broke out between our dogs and the North Pack. They're saying we stole something from them."
Kael growled, a low, dangerous sound. "I'll be right there." He looked at Elara. "Stay here. I'm not done with you."
As soon as he left, Elara jumped up. This was her chance to run!
But before she could reach the door, it opened again. It was Zane, his face red from running.
"Elara! Are you okay? Did he hurt you?" Zane rushed to her side.
"I'm fine, but we need to go," Elara said. "Right now, while everyone's distracted."
Zane shook his head. "It's too late for that. Listen, there's something I never told you." He grabbed her hands. "I used to be part of Kael's tight circle. I know things—dangerous things. And I know why he's interested in you."
"What? Why didn't you tell me this before?"
"Because I was trying to protect you!" Zane looked over his shoulder nervously. "We don't have much time. You need to know the truth about who you are."
"Who I am? What are you talking about?"
Zane took a deep breath. "Your mother isn't your real mother, Elara. You were brought to this pack as a baby. You're not just an omega—you're—"
The door slammed open once more. This time it was Serena with two guards. Her face twisted with hate when she saw Zane.
"I knew it," she hissed. "The traitor returns." She pointed at them. "Arrest them both. Alpha Kael was right—she's the one the oracle warned about. She must be eliminated before the moon rises tomorrow night!"
The guards rushed forward. Zane pushed Elara behind him, ready to fight.
"Run!" he shouted to her. "Find Calla in the White Rock pack! She'll tell you everything!"
As the guards tackled Zane, Elara made a split-second choice. She dove for the open window and fell out into the dark night, the words "prophecy" and "eliminated" echoing in her head.
Behind her, she heard Serena scream, "After her! Don't let her leave!"
With fear giving her speed she never knew she had, Elara ran into the bush, away from everything she'd ever known, with no idea who she really was or why everyone suddenly wanted her dead.