The evening air was crisp, filled with the earthy scent of pine and the faint crackle of fire from the torches around the training field. The pack had gathered for a sparring showcase, a tradition where the strongest wolves demonstrated their skill before the Alpha. Abigail kept to the farthest edge, balancing a tray of water jugs, careful not to draw attention.
Selene, dressed in a sleek black training outfit that hugged her toned body, strutted into the field as if the ground belonged to her. Her golden hair gleamed under the torchlight, and whispers followed her every step. She was beautiful, strong, and she knew it. She was also ruthless, and Abigail had learned that firsthand.
Abigail bent to set a jug down, but Selene's sharp voice carried across the field. "Oh, look who decided to crawl out of the shadows."
A few heads turned. Abigail froze, her fingers tightening around the jug's handle. She kept her head low, praying Selene would lose interest.
But Selene never lost interest when it came to tormenting her.
"Careful with those, omega," Selene said loudly, her lips curling into a cruel smile. "We wouldn't want you to trip and embarrass the Alpha in front of the entire pack again."
Snickers rippled through the crowd. Abigail's cheeks burned, but she forced herself to keep moving. If she responded, they'd only laugh harder.
Selene, unsatisfied with silence, closed the distance and stepped directly into Abigail's path. "Do you even belong here?"
Abigail's throat tightened. "I was told to bring water..."
"Water," Selene repeated with mocking sweetness. She glanced around at the crowd. "That's all you'll ever bring, isn't it? Scraps. Jugs. Dirty work. Certainly not strength, or beauty, or… worth."
Laughter erupted, loud and cruel. Abigail kept her head down, but the sting of tears threatened.
Then Selene's tone shifted, her voice rising proudly. "I will tell you what I do bring. Strength, grace, and bloodlines fit for an Alpha." She pivoted toward the onlookers, lifting her chin. "One day, I will stand as Luna of this pack, beside Alpha Steve."
The declaration sent murmurs buzzing through the crowd. Some nodded approvingly; others whispered behind their hands. Abigail's chest constricted painfully.
Selene's eyes glittered as she turned back to Abigail, lowering her voice so only she could hear. "And you? You'll still be fetching water. That's the only place you'll ever have here."
Abigail tried to step around her, but Selene deliberately shoved the tray in her hands, sending the jugs crashing to the dirt. Water splashed across Abigail's dress, soaking her front. Gasps and laughter followed.
"Oops," Selene cooed, feigning innocence. "How clumsy of you."
Abigail clenched her fists, trembling. She wanted to scream, to shove back, to tell Selene she wasn't worthless. But the jeering stares pressed down on her like chains.
"Enough."
The single word cut through the laughter like a whip.
Alpha Steve stood a few paces away, his arms crossed, his expression carved from stone. The crowd fell instantly silent. Even Selene's smug smile faltered for a moment before she quickly recovered, lowering her head in a respectful bow.
"Alpha," she purred. "Forgive me. I was merely reminding the omega of her place."
Steve's cold gaze swept the spilled water, then landed briefly on Abigail long enough for her heart to skip. She waited, braced for his scorn. But instead, he turned his glare on Selene.
"Do not waste the pack's time with petty games," he said flatly. "If you want to prove yourself worthy of anything, do it in the training ring. Not like this."
Selene flushed under the rebuke, but forced a smile. "Of course, Alpha. I only wanted to show where my loyalties lie."
Her eyes flicked to Abigail, sharp as daggers. "Some of us are destined for greatness. Others…" She let the sentence trail off, her meaning clear.
The tension was broken when Adrian strode into the circle, his eyes narrowing at the sight of Abigail's soaked dress and the broken jugs at her feet. "She didn't deserve that." His voice carried, bold and challenging.
Selene's eyes flashed. "You defend her?"
"Someone has to," Adrian shot back, stepping closer to Abigail. "She's done nothing but serve this pack, yet you all treat her like dirt."
Whispers erupted again, louder this time. Some wolves frowned in disapproval, others leaned in with interest.
Selene's smile returned, sharp and triumphant. "Ah, so it's true," she said, her gaze sliding between Adrian and Abigail. "You've taken a liking to the little omega. No wonder she hasn't run off yet."
Abigail's breath caught, mortification flooding her veins. "N-no," she stammered, shaking her head. "That's not...."
But Selene raised her voice, cutting her off. "Imagine that! The Alpha's own brother defending an omega. How… amusing." She tilted her head toward Steve, her voice sweet with venom. "Do you hear that, Alpha? While you stand strong for the pack, your brother wastes his energy on… this."
All eyes turned to Steve. His expression was unreadable, but the air grew heavy with the restrained power radiating from him. His jaw clenched, his fists tight at his sides.
Abigail dared not look up, but she could feel his gaze burning into her, hotter than fire.
Finally, Steve spoke, his tone low and commanding. "This conversation is over. Get back to your places."
The crowd scattered quickly, not daring to test his patience. Selene lingered just long enough to lean close to Abigail, whispering, "You will regret this, omega. Mark my words. No one steals what's meant for me."
Then she flounced away, her head high, leaving Abigail trembling in the dirt.
Adrian crouched beside her, his voice gentler now. "Don't listen to her. She just wants to break you."
Abigail shook her head, clutching the broken tray to her chest. "She's right. I don't belong here."
"Yes, you do," Adrian said firmly. "And one day, everyone else will see it."
Behind them, Steve remained at the edge of the field, his eyes locked on Abigail. His wolf snarled inside him, furious at Selene, furious at Adrian, furious at himself.
He turned away abruptly, but his thoughts wouldn't let him rest. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't shake the truth he refused to accept.
The omega was his.
And Selene had just declared war.