Maya's POV
My head was struck by the hefty box of party decorations.
"Ow!" With the stars dancing before my eyes, I let out a cry. There were silver balloons and golden streamers all over the floor.
"Clumsy, watch where you're going!" I got a shout from Beta James. "You're worth less than those decorations!"
A huge bump was already starting to form on my head, so I rubbed it. "I apologize, Beta. I didn't see you coming."
He snorted, "Of course you didn't. Omegas like you are inattentive. Now, tidy up everything before I tell Alpha Connor that you're ruining his birthday plans."
I felt sick to my stomach. Because of last night, Connor was already upset with me. I couldn't exacerbate the situation.
I quickly gathered the strewn-about decorations while on my hands and knees. However, something happened as I reached for a silver balloon. As in my dreams, a soft light began to glow inside the balloon.
I looked again and blinked hard. The balloon was now normal. No light, no glow. Simply ordinary silver.
"Am I going crazy?" I muttered to myself.
"Probably," a voice behind me said.
Jake, Connor's best friend, was observing me with interest when I turned around.
I whispered, "Did you see that?"
"See what?" Jake cocked his head. "You speaking to a balloon?"
My cheeks felt hot. "Nothin'. Nevermind."
Jake, however, continued to look at me. "Maya, you've changed recently in some way. Connor saw it, too."
My heart began to race. "Different how?"
"I don't know yet," Jake uttered slowly. "But I'll find out."
I was left alone with the decorations and a horrible sensation in my chest after he left. Connor must have been watching me if Jake was. And it couldn't be good.
For the next hour, I blew up balloons and hung streamers. Excitement was in the air in the pack house. The big party tomorrow was the topic of discussion.
Mrs. Anderson, the head cook for the pack, expressed her excitement about Connor choosing his partner. "Sophia will be a stunning Luna."
"Of course she will," Elder Patricia concurred. "She is ideal for him. Smart, strong, and from a good family."
Their remarks hurt, but I made an effort to concentrate on my work. No one ever complimented me. I was just the orphan girl who cleaned up after everyone else.
I heard something that made me freeze as I ascended a ladder to hang additional streamers.
"Are you certain about this plan?" From his father's office, it was Connor's voice.
Alpha Marcus answered, "It's the only way, son. We must move quickly if your suspicions are correct."
"But what if I'm wrong?" Connor inquired. "What if she's not...?"
His father said icily, "Then we'll deal with that problem too. What matters is that nothing interferes with tomorrow's ceremony. Nothing and nobody."
In an attempt to hear more, I held my breath. However, they became more subdued. What did they intend to do? And about whom were they speaking?
"Maya!" I jumped at Sophia's piercing voice. I nearly went down the ladder.
She commanded, "Get down from there right now! I need to speak with you."
With trembling legs, I descended slowly. Sophia's eyes were filled with something other than anger. Fear?
She grabbed my arm roughly and said, "Follow me."
She pulled me into a room that was empty and closed the door. Then she looked at me, her eyes blazing.
She growled, "I don't know what you're trying to do, but it stops now."
Sincerely, I said, "I don't understand. What did I do wrong?"
"Don't act foolish around me!" Sophia's voice was growing louder. "Since yesterday, Connor has been acting strangely. He keeps making strange inquiries about you."
My heart skipped a beat. "Questions about me?"
"He inquired about your parents, your family background, and even your birthday." Sophia took a step forward. "Unless you're trying to steal him from me, why would he care about any of that?"
"I would never—"
"Liar!" Sophia gave me a forceful slap across the face. "I noticed how you gazed at him yesterday. I witnessed the strange light phenomenon."
I rubbed my burning cheek. "I have no idea what that was."
"Well, I do," Sophia grinned sourly. "You're attempting to deceive Connor into believing you're unique by using some sort of magic. However, I will not allow you to destroy my future."
"Magic?" I gazed at her. "I have no knowledge of magic."
She insisted, "Then tell me what happened yesterday. What makes Connor suddenly interested in a useless Omega like you?"
I opened my mouth to respond, but nothing came out. Since I didn't understand it myself, I was unable to explain it.
"That's what I thought," Sophia stated. "However, this is what will occur. As we agreed, Connor will choose me to be his mate tomorrow. You will also avoid him at all costs. I'll make sure you regret it if you even give him the wrong look."
She started to go, but she paused at the door.
She said sweetly, "Oh, and Maya? After the ceremony, I overheard Connor and Alpha Marcus discussing sending you away. Indefinitely. Enjoy your final day here, then."
I was left standing there by myself with my heart broken and my face stinging after she left. Were they planning to deport me? Where would I go? I had only ever known this house.
I collapsed to the ground and began to cry. I had no idea why everything was collapsing. But then I heard that voice once more. The same deep, warm voice from yesterday.
"Little one, stop crying. Answers will be revealed tomorrow."
I looked around the empty room. "Who are you? Where are you?"
Not a word. I wiped away my tears and got to my feet. Perhaps I was losing my mind. Perhaps I was hearing things because of the stress. However, I had a gut feeling that something significant was about to happen. Something that would completely alter the situation.
I returned to decorating, but Sophia's words continued to occupy my thoughts. Connor had inquired about my family. My birthday? Why would any of that be important?
I heard Jake conversing with another pack member late that evening while I was clearing away any remaining decorations.
Jake was saying, "I did some research like Connor asked. Tomorrow is Maya's birthday. The same day as Connor's."
The other wolf said, "So what?"
"So, probably nothing. However, Connor appeared to believe it was significant. He wanted me to know about her parents, too. Her father wasn't just any wolf, it turns out. He was—"
"Jake!" They were interrupted by Connor's voice. "We must speak. Now."
In an attempt to blend in, I pressed myself against the wall. However, I could hear Connor's footsteps approaching.
"Maya?" Connor yelled. "I know you're there. Come on out."
As I entered the light, my entire body trembled. I couldn't tell what emotion was shining in Connor's green eyes.
He whispered, "Your birthday is tomorrow too, isn't it? 21 years old. Born on the blood moon's night."
Unconfident in my voice, I nodded.
Connor's voice was hardly audible. "As the prophecy stated."
"What prophecy?" With a shiver of fear running up my spine, I asked.
Connor gave me a long look. Then he grinned, but it wasn't a pleasant one. It was the grin of someone who had recently discovered a horrible secret.
He said, "Maya, get a good night's sleep tonight. Because everything you believe to be true about yourself will change forever tomorrow."