Kayla's POV
That night, I didn't sleep at all.
The silver wolf appeared each time I closed my eyes. Her power. Her tone. Mira's expression as she noticed my shine, I was unable to ignore it.
The old healer was sitting next to me once more in the morning. She handed me a slice of bread and some steaming tea. My body was still hurting, but it was considerably better than it had been, so I ate slowly.
Then she gave me a calm, serious look.
She continued, "Kayla, I have something to tell you." "Something about your true self."
I blinked. "What do you mean?"
She opened a tiny wooden box that she had reached for. It contained a necklace with a crescent-shaped silver pendant. It gave off a slight shine.
"Your mother owned this," Mira remarked. "And your father before that."
My heart tightened. "You were acquainted with my parents?"
Mira gave a nod. "I knew enough, but not well. Your father came from a holy line and was a formidable warrior. He was no ordinary wolf. He was carrying a prophecy that many Alphas were afraid of.
I opened my mouth. "Which prophecy?"
She spoke more softly. "A child with the spirit of an ancient wolf born under the silver moon who would bring harmony and reveal the lies of the ruling packs."
I went cold.
"Kayla, you were that kid."
"No," I said in a whisper while shaking my head. "All I am is an omega. I've been weak all my life—
She interrupted, saying, "Because they made you believe that." They kept you famished, mistreated, and alone. To keep you safe, your wolf had to go to sleep. But she's waking up now.
My hands were shaking.
"What prevented my mother from telling me?"
She was terrified. She went into hiding when your father passed away. They were pursuing her.
I was having trouble breathing. Was my entire existence a lie?
Mira whispered, "She never stopped protecting you." "Even in her final moments."
My eyes welled up with tears. "I was too late when she told me to run."
"No," Mira firmly stated. "There's still time. There's a reason you've survived. It's time to embrace your true self now.
Mira started training me that day.
I was a failure at everything at first. I had weak legs. I had awful balance. I couldn't fight.
But I continued. I was forced to. For this, my father lost his life. For this, my mother sacrificed her life. I was determined to stop being a broken girl.
"Pay attention to your inner wolf," Mira often urged. "Your strength is her."
Every day, I became faster. More powerful. My body recovered. My senses became more acute. Something started to feel alive inside of me. She had stopped being silent.
"Now I'm with you," my wolf said.
And I felt powerful for the first time in my life.
In Riverash Pack, far away...
Sweat trickled down Arthur Dylan's cheeks as he paced his room. He hadn't slept well since the Gathering night.
He reminded himself, "She's weak." "She wasn't anything."
But why did he keep seeing her face in his dreams?
He clutched his chest. His wolf was snarling once again. Furious. Agitated.
The voice in his head said, You made a mistake.
"No," Arthur spoke out. She was an omega. I took the necessary action.
However, the dreams persisted. Fire. Blood. He was being watched by silver eyes.
Panting, he banged his hands on the wall. There was a problem. "I must know more," he whispered.
He requested a report on Kayla Roger and summoned his Gamma. Her family, history, and birth certificates.
His brain spun at what he received.
The Gamma stated, "Her father's death is not documented." "Just an Alpha Damian sealed note stating the man was killed while on a border patrol."
"Simple," Arthur snarled. "And her mom?" Arthur enquired.
"Not officially pronounced dead but reported as ill." No burial.
Arthur's eyes narrowed. "And nobody asked questions about this?"
"No, Alpha." Arthur brushed him aside.
Once more, his wolf spoke.
She isn't who you believe. Return. Discover the truth.
Arthur's jaw tightened. "Oh no."
He reached for his coat. He had to witness this firsthand.
For the first time, Mira sent me out on my own, back in the wild. The southern ridge was where I was to collect herbs.
Keeping my senses sharp, I walked stealthily between the trees. Above me, birds were chirping. A squirrel ran right by me.
Then I heard voices, an odd sound. Not amiable ones.
"Spread out." Her head is what Alpha Zane wants.
I went cold.
Rogues. I crouched behind a tree and took a quick look. Four of them were sniffing for my scent as they moved through the trees.
She was unable to move too far. She is hurt.
They were unaware that I had recovered.
I emerged from the tree's cover.
"Are you trying to find someone?" I made a call.
Startled, they turned around.
The largest smiled. "Well, take a look at this brave person."
I let out a low-pitched growl. My wolf roared forward. I felt a burning strength within.
They launched an assault.
I never moved so quickly. I sidestepped one blow, rolled beneath another, and then kicked someone in the chest. I was led by my wolf.
"Now!" she said. I leapt, snarled, and cut the closest rogue in the face. He let out a yell.
Someone else took hold of my arm. I whirled around and struck his jaw with my elbow. He stumbled back.
They weren't prepared for me in this form.
I knocked them down one by one. It wasn't flawless. I was hit, nonetheless. I bled on my lip. My arm hurts. But I didn't back down.
They took off running. I stood in the centre of the clearing, blood trickling from my knuckles. My chest was thumping with my heart.
I succeeded. I had fought and prevailed.
To remove the blood from my cheek, I reached up.
Then I stopped. From behind me heard a loud snarl.
"Your existence is not intended."
Slowly, my body turned.
Arthur Dylan was standing at the edge of the trees.
He had large eyes. Startled. Furious. Perplexed.
With my heart pounding, I held my ground.
"You," he repeated as he moved in closer. "Who are you?"
"Not who you thought I was," I said.