Raven's POV
The bucket tips over, and I watch cold, dirty water spread across the marble floor I just spent an hour cleaning.
Perfect.
I drop to my knees, ignoring the ache in my back, and start scrubbing again. Around me, the grand hall buzzes with morning activity. Wolves stride past without looking down. Why would they? Omegas like me are part of the furniture—noticed only when we're in the way.
"Watch it!" A warrior she-wolf kicks my bucket as she passes, splashing filthy water onto my worn dress. Her friends laugh.
I keep my head down and scrub harder. Three months ago, I might have looked up. Might have let them see the hurt in my eyes.
Not anymore.
Three months ago, I still had hope.
The memory hits me like a physical blow, even though I try to push it away. I can still see the great hall filled with the entire pack. Still feel my heart racing as Caspian Blackwater—tall, powerful, and perfect—stood before me with everyone watching.
My fated mate. The future Alpha.
Mine.
"I, Caspian Blackwater, future Alpha of Shadowpeak, reject you, Raven Thorne, as my mate."
The bond between us snapped like a rubber band pulled too tight. Pain exploded through my chest—real, physical pain that dropped me to my knees. I couldn't breathe. Couldn't think. Could only feel everything inside me breaking apart.
Isla Reign stepped forward, beautiful and strong, and Caspian took her hand instead.
The pack had cheered.
I scrub the floor so hard my knuckles turn white, trying to wash away the memory with the dirt.
"Still alive, little Raven?"
I freeze. That voice makes my skin crawl.
Slowly, I look up at Isla. She's even more beautiful than I remember, with golden hair and amber eyes that gleam with cruelty. Behind her stand two of her warrior friends, smirking.
"I'm working," I say quietly, keeping my voice respectful. Omegas who talk back get punished.
"Working?" Isla laughs. "Is that what you call leaving puddles everywhere? Honestly, I don't know why the pack keeps useless omegas like you around."
My hands clench around the scrub brush, but I force them to relax. "I'll clean it up."
"You'd better." She crouches down, her perfect face inches from mine. "And stay away from Caspian. I've seen you watching him during meals. He's mine now. He chose me. Remember that."
I want to tell her I don't watch Caspian. I want to scream that I'm not interested in the male who shattered my heart. But omegas don't scream at future Alphas' chosen mates.
"Yes, ma'am," I whisper.
She smiles like she's won something and walks away, her friends following.
I sit back on my heels, breathing hard. My chest aches where the bond used to be—a phantom pain that never quite goes away.
Around me, the grand hall continues its morning chaos. No one noticed Isla's cruelty. No one ever does.
I'm invisible.
And that's exactly what I need to be.
I finish cleaning just as the sun reaches its peak. My stomach growls—I haven't eaten since yesterday—but omega meals don't start until the higher ranks are fed. So I head to my next task: cleaning the Alpha's council room.
The corridor leading to the private wing is empty and quiet. My footsteps echo on the polished stone. I'm almost to the council room when I hear voices—angry voices.
I should leave. Omegas who eavesdrop get punished severely.
But something makes me stop.
"—can't continue like this!" That's Caspian, and he sounds desperate. Afraid, even.
My breath catches. I've never heard fear in his voice before.
"The numbers don't lie." An older woman's voice—Elder Meredith. "Three wolves went feral this month. Your power fluctuations are getting worse. The pack bond is fracturing."
"There has to be another explanation!"
"There isn't." Magnus Blackwater's voice is cold and hard. "You rejected your true mate. Your wolf is rejecting you in return. The instability will kill you—and destroy the pack bond completely."
True mate?
My heart starts pounding so hard I'm sure they can hear it through the door.
"The omega's scent stabilizes you," Elder Meredith continues. "We've tested it three times. When she's near, your power calms. The bond strengthens. She's the only solution."
"I won't use her like—"
"You'll do what's necessary for this pack!" Magnus roars. "Bring her back to the estate. Keep her close. I don't care how you do it."
"She'll never agree to—"
"She's omega. She doesn't get to refuse."
The floor tilts under my feet.
They're talking about me. About using me to fix whatever's wrong with Caspian.
About forcing me back into the world that destroyed me.
I stumble backward, my hand flying to my mouth to stop a sound of panic. I need to run. Need to hide. Need to—
The council room door flies open.
Caspian stands in the doorway, his silver eyes finding mine instantly. He looks terrible—dark circles under his eyes, his powerful frame trembling slightly. When our eyes meet, something flickers across his face.
Relief. Hunger. Desperation.
"Raven," he breathes.
I turn and run.
Behind me, I hear Magnus bark orders. Hear footsteps. Hear Caspian calling my name.
I run faster than I've ever run before, my heart threatening to explode, my mind screaming one thought over and over:
They can't make me go back. They can't. They can't.
I burst through the door to the omega quarters and slam it behind me, pressing my back against it. My whole body shakes.
A knock echoes through the wood—soft, careful.
"Raven." Caspian's voice, quieter now. Broken. "Please. We need to talk."
"Go away," I whisper.
"The pack is dying. I'm dying. And you're the only one who can—"
"I DON'T CARE!"
Silence.
Then: "I know you hate me. I know I don't deserve anything from you. But please, just—"
The door explodes inward, smashing me against the wall. Caspian staggers through, his eyes rolling back, his body convulsing. Alpha power—wild and deadly—pours off him in waves that make the air itself scream.
He's collapsing. Dying right in front of me.
And even though I hate him, even though he destroyed me, my omega instincts scream at me to help.
My hand reaches for him without permission.
The moment my skin touches his, everything changes.