Sera's POV
I spent the whole night cleaning Gray's blood off my floor.
My hands were still shaking when I locked my apartment door for the last time. Everything I owned fit in one backpack some clothes, fake documents, and the silver knife wrapped in an old T-shirt. I'd left Gray's body in the dumpster behind the building. It made me sick, but I couldn't risk calling the police. Whoever killed him was still watching.
The text message burned in my mind: Hello, little moon.
Only one person had ever called me that. Viktor Stone. My father's best friend. The man Gray said was the real killer.
But that was impossible. I saw Kael Blackthorn that night. Saw him covered in blood. Saw my father's body at his feet.
Didn't I?
The bus to Frost River territory smelled like diesel and wet dog. I sat in the back, my heart hammering against my ribs. Every instinct screamed at me to run. Going into pack territory meant walking into a trap. But I'd come too far to stop now.
I pressed my forehead against the window and watched the human city disappear behind me. Tall buildings gave way to forests. Pavement turned to dirt roads. And with every mile, I felt the pull of wolf territory getting stronger. My wolf woke up inside me, excited for the first time in years.
No, I told her firmly. Stay hidden. Stay quiet.
If anyone discovered I was Silver Crest, if anyone saw my real wolf, I was dead.
The bus stopped at a gas station on the border. Last stop before pack lands, the driver announced. Anyone getting off?
Three people got off. I stayed in my seat, gripping my backpack so hard my knuckles turned white.
This was it. No going back.
When the bus crossed into Frost River territory, the air changed. It felt heavier, wilder. My wolf pressed against my skin, begging to be free. I dug my nails into my palms until I tasted blood in my mouth.
The pack house appeared through the trees a huge building made of stone and wood. Wolves moved around outside, laughing and talking. They looked happy. Safe. Like they belonged.
I hadn't belonged anywhere in seven years.
The bus door hissed open. I stepped off on shaky legs and immediately felt eyes on me. A group of wolves by the entrance went quiet, staring. My omega disguise was working they saw me as weak, beneath them. Good.
Sara Wells? A voice cut through the silence.
A tall man with gray hair and cold blue eyes walked toward me. Power rolled off him in waves. Alpha. This had to be Cormac Winter.
Yes, sir, I said, keeping my head down like a proper omega should.
I'm Alpha Cormac. Welcome to Frost River Pack. His tone said I wasn't really welcome at all. My daughter will show you to the omega quarters.
A girl stepped forward, and I had to fight not to stare. She was beautiful long dark hair, perfect skin, and eyes that looked right through me like I was dirt on her shoe.
Follow me, she said without introducing herself.
I grabbed my backpack and hurried after her. Other wolves whispered as we passed. I caught words like rogue and orphan and pathetic. Let them think that. Let them underestimate me.
The girl Elena, I learned from the whispers walked fast, her heels clicking on the stone floor. Omegas eat in the kitchen, sleep in the east wing, and stay out of Alpha business, she said without looking at me. You'll work in the kitchens and help with cleaning. Don't speak unless spoken to. Don't go where you're not invited. And definitely don't embarrass this pack.
Yes, ma'am, I murmured.
She finally turned, her lip curling. Ma'am? I'm not that old. She looked me up and down. You're smaller than I expected. Weaker too. Try not to break.
Before I could respond, she shoved open a door and walked away, leaving me standing in a tiny room with three sets of bunk beds. Five other girls were inside, all staring at me.
New omega? One asked. She had red hair and kind eyes.
Sara, I said quietly. Sara Wells.
I'm Jenny. That's Beth, Lou, Marie, and Cat. She pointed to each girl. You can take the top bunk in the corner. Sorry it's not much.
It's fine, I said. And it was. I'd slept in worse places.
That night, the omegas talked non-stop about the Gathering Stones ceremony. All five Alphas will be there, Jenny said, her eyes wide. Even Kael Blackthorn from Blood Moon Pack.
My heart stopped. Kael Blackthorn?
The most powerful Alpha in all territories, Beth sighed. He's so gorgeous. Cold as ice, but gorgeous.
I heard he killed his own father, Lou whispered.
I heard he's never taken a mate because no one's good enough, Marie added.
I kept my face blank, but inside, rage burned through me. They talked about him like he was some hero. Like he hadn't murdered innocent wolves. Like he hadn't destroyed my entire world.
Two weeks until the Gathering, Jenny said. I can't wait.
Two weeks. Fourteen days until I'd see Kael Blackthorn face to face.
I waited until all the girls fell asleep, then I slipped out of bed. My silver knife was hidden in my mattress, but I needed to know the layout of this place. Needed to find exits, weak points, anywhere I could hide if things went wrong.
The pack house was quiet at night. I moved through shadows, my wolf's instincts guiding me. Kitchen. Meeting rooms. Training hall. I memorized everything.
Then I turned a corner and froze.
A huge photo hung on the wall all five territory Alphas standing together at last year's Gathering. My eyes found Kael Blackthorn immediately.
He was massive. Taller than the others, broader, with jet-black hair and a face like carved stone. But it was his eyes that made my breath catch. Even in a photo, they were intense. Silver-blue and cold.
The eyes from my nightmares.
Two more weeks, I whispered to his image. Just two more weeks.
A floorboard creaked behind me.
I spun around, my heart in my throat.
A man stood in the shadows. Not close, but close enough. I couldn't see his face, but I could feel his eyes on me. Watching.
You shouldn't be out here, omega, he said. His voice was deep, amused.
I got lost, I lied quickly. I was looking for the bathroom.
The bathroom is on the other side of the building. He stepped forward into the moonlight streaming through the window.
I stopped breathing.
He looked exactly like Kael Blackthorn. Same build. Same dark hair. But his eyes were different warm brown instead of cold silver.
I'm Nash, he said. Beta of Blood Moon Pack. I'm here for pre-Gathering security checks. His head tilted, studying me. What's your name, little omega?
Sara, I managed.
Sara. He said it slowly, like he was tasting the name. You smell... familiar. Have we met before?
My wolf screamed at me to run. If Kael's Beta recognized me somehow
No, sir. I just arrived today.
Nash's eyes narrowed. For a long moment, he just stared at me. Then he smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. Welcome to Frost River, Sara. I'm sure we'll be seeing a lot of each other.
He walked away, but I felt his suspicion like a knife between my shoulder blades.
I ran back to the omega quarters and climbed into bed, my heart racing.
Nash was here. Kael's right-hand man. That meant Kael might come early too.
I pulled my blanket up to my chin and stared at the ceiling. Gray's dying words echoed in my head: Viktor killed your father. Not Blackthorn.
But if that was true, why did Nash look at me like he knew I was lying about everything?
And why did he say I smelled familiar?