Lilith
As soon as the doors to the council chamber shut behind us, sealing away the murmurs of Elders and advisers, Nala seized my hands.
"You did wonderfully," she said.
Tala nodded in perfect rhythm with her twin. "As always, Alpha, you did not falter."
But I was suffocating. It was too much, this was all too much.
Nala studied my face more closely, and her voice softened. "Still, we believe it would be wise to summon a healer."
"Only as a precaution," Tala added quickly.
My brain felt like it was about to explode, so I turned abruptly down another corridor. I needed air and space, most importantly, I needed all this to stop! Panicking, I pushed open the first huge doors I saw and stepped into the vast chamber lined with towering shelves and multiple books.
"I want to be alone," I said.
Nala hesitated. Tala's brows drew together. "Alpha—"
"Now!" I insisted.
They bowed in unison and withdrew.
I remained standing, breathing too quickly with my hands trembling at my sides. As soon as the doors sealed shut, my legs gave out beneath me. I sank to the floor and wrapped my arms around my trembling body.
"I never wanted this," I whispered hoarsely.
In all my years, I had not dreamed of power or command. Life as an omega had not been glorious, but it had been simple, and that had been enough for me. I had dreamed of something painfully ordinary, like waking beside my mate daily, working hard but not starving, laughing freely, and raising a beautiful family.
I rose abruptly and began pacing. "This is not real," I muttered. "It cannot be real. This is a dream. It has to be."
I slapped my cheek then pinched the inside of my arm until tears sprang to my eyes.
"Wake up," I whispered fiercely. "Wake up."
But nothing changed. I staggered toward a large table near the center of the library and gripped its edge, breathing through the rising hysteria. There had to be a way out.
Perhaps I could confess to the council that I was unwell—
A knock sounded at the door. I straightened instantly as the doors opened, and Nala and Tala entered. Between them shuffled an old man.
He was thin, and his robes were threadbare and dusty. His eyes were pale and unfocused, and a thin wooden staff supported his weight.
"He is a healer, but he is blind and mute, Alpha," Nala said with a bow. "He is what you need, since he cannot see or reveal anything to anyone."
The old man's lips curved into a gentle smile as they guided him forward.
I stared at him warily. "How did you find him?"
"He has served us for decades," Tala replied. "He is gifted and brings clarity to troubled minds."
The old man lifted his hand and made a small gesture, palm up, as if asking permission.
"For what?" I asked. "For my arm?"
He nodded faintly. Swallowing, I extended it.
As his fingers wrapped around my wrist, I felt an unexpected warmth radiate through his skin. His touch was steady despite his frail appearance.
"How can you be certain he knows what he is doing?" I pressed.
"We are certain he will help you," Tala said firmly.
The old man made another gesture, more insistent this time, directing it toward the door.
"He wishes privacy," Nala interpreted.
I hesitated, then nodded.
They bowed and left, the doors closing behind them once more.
Just then, his thumb pressed lightly against my pulse point, and his head tilted slightly, as if listening to something.
'I see through the fog that clouds you.' A voice suddenly spoke inside my mind.
Gasping, I tried to pull back, but his grip tightened with surprising strength.
'Do not fear. I see the fracture in your thoughts,' the voice continued calmly. 'I see two paths layered atop each other. I am here to clear the mud.'
"Who are you?" I whispered aloud.
'No one that matters.' He replied with a chuckle.
Suddenly, a strange vibration passed through his fingers into my bloodstream, and a low sound vibrated in his throat. At once, darkness swallowed the library, and I was plunging through a torrent of images. Memory after memory of who I was supposed to be in this life flooded me: from the day I was born to the day I became Alpha and how I commanded terror and respect. The visions intensified, flooding me with detail that filled every missing gap. There was no trace of my life as an omega in those memories.
'Forget what was. Embrace what is.' The old man's voice echoed again. 'You were not given this mantle by accident. Enjoy the time granted to you.'
Then, abruptly, the visions snapped away, and I was back in the library. I staggered forward, catching myself on a table.
"Wait," I said hoarsely.
But the room was empty, and the old man was gone.
I rushed to the door and flung it open.
Nala and Tala stood immediately outside, their expressions alert.
"Where is he?" I demanded.
They frowned. "Who, Alpha?"
"The healer. The old man you brought."
"There was no healer," Tala said carefully.
"You asked to be left alone," Nala added. "We have remained here the entire time. No one entered."
"That is impossible," I insisted. "You brought him. He touched my arm."
They exchanged a look.
"Alpha," Tala said softly, "you have been alone for nearly an hour."
"We were discussing whether to insist upon summoning a healer," Nala added. "This confirms it. You must allow us to—"
"No," I growled. A strange calm began to spread through me, replacing the last remnants of fear.
"You are not yourself," Tala pressed gently. "We fear—"
"Do not question me again," I snapped, and both of them stiffened.
A slow smile curved my lips. I felt with absolute certainty that my confusion was gone and that the fracture in my mind had sealed. I was no longer an Omega, but the most ruthless Alpha to have ever existed. It was time I lived up to these memories of myself.
I met the twins' gazes steadily. "We have much to do."