The days that followed passed like a mist—there, but unclear. Calla's body went through its routines, but her mind felt scattered. Like something inside her was waking up, stretching after a long slumber, unsure if it was safe to fully rise.
Since that quiet night when Darien told her to go inside, she hadn't seen him again. But she felt him. Or rather, she noticed the shift in herself whenever he was near—even if she couldn't see him.
Her skin would prickle. Her breath would catch. Her wolf would stir.
But no bond.
No golden string of fate pulling her toward him like the stories said.
Just… a quiet spark. Hidden. Silent. Like a fire not yet lit.
---
That morning, she and Mika were sent to the eastern field to help with the harvest. The task was tedious but peaceful. The pack's food stores needed to be filled before the colder moon cycles arrived. Omegas often worked the fields. It wasn't glamorous, but it was honest work.
"Hey, Calla," Mika said after an hour of silent digging. "You've been off lately."
Calla glanced up, brushing sweat from her brow. "What do you mean?"
"You've been zoning out. More than usual," Mika said, flicking dirt off her gloves. "You're either humming with nerves or completely blank. Something's going on."
Calla opened her mouth, then closed it again.
Mika sighed. "Is it because of him?"
Calla froze.
Mika narrowed her eyes. "The Alpha. Darien Kaelstrom. I've seen the way he looked at you."
"I don't know what you're talking about," Calla said quickly.
But her heart thudded.
"You might not know it, but people are watching you, Calla. You're quiet, but you're not invisible."
Calla looked back down at her hands, fingers buried in the dirt.
"I don't feel anything, Mika," she whispered. "Not a mate bond. Not love. Nothing. I don't even think he remembers my name."
Mika gave her a small smile. "You don't need to feel something yet. But if something is meant, it will happen. And maybe… maybe you're not supposed to feel it until you're ready."
---
That night, Calla visited the small stream that bordered the northern side of the village.
It was where she went when the air felt too heavy. When her thoughts knotted too tightly.
She knelt by the water, dipping her hands into the cool stream.
As the current flowed past her fingers, she spoke aloud—not to anyone in particular, just to herself. To the wind. To the moon.
"Why can't I feel anything? Why don't I know who I am?"
Her inner wolf stirred again, slower this time. Heavier.
Because you were never allowed to know.
Calla's breath caught. "What does that mean?"
But her wolf went silent again.
Just like always.
---
From the upper balcony of his mansion, Darien stood alone, the wind rustling his shirt, the night calm and warm.
He looked out over his territory. His pack. His people.
Everything should feel right. He had no enemies at the border, no uprisings among the ranks, no shortages of food or supply.
But still… something was wrong.
You're restless, his wolf growled.
"Because something's out of place."
Not something, the wolf corrected. Someone.
Darien's jaw tensed.
"You mean her."
I mean us, the wolf growled. We're not complete.
"But she's just—"
She's not just anything, the wolf cut him off. She's the missing breath in our lungs. But she's hidden. And you can't force the truth.
Darien turned his gaze toward the distant forest, the same direction Calla had disappeared the last time he saw her. Part of him wanted to find her. Speak to her again.
But another part—the part that led his pack—feared what finding her might awaken.
---
Back in her small cottage, Calla stared at the silver ring around her finger. It was glowing faintly again. Only when she was alone. Only when she was unsure.
She had tried once to pull it off—but it wouldn't budge.
Not like a normal ring.
It clung to her like it belonged. Like it was a part of her.
Her mother had given it to her before she passed. But even her mother had never explained what it truly meant.
You'll know when it's time, she used to say. That ring isn't just a decoration.
Calla turned over and buried her face into the pillow, trying to quiet the racing thoughts.
I don't want to be special, she whispered to herself.
I just want to be free.
---
You were never meant to be just an omega, her wolf whispered, deep in her sleep. But they had to keep you hidden. For your sake. For ours.
One day, Calla… they'll remember your name.