Chapter 2: New Beginning

Adira’s POV

As I edged through the boundary of Crimson Pack territory, my senses were overwhelmed with the familiar smell of pine and moist ground. My eyes, which had before been too weak and soft, were sharpened by the glow of resolve, and my hair, which had previously been a dull brown, now shimmered black in the moonlight. I had turned into Serena, a forgotten Omega to the pack and a renegade to the world.

Behind me, a gruff voice snarled, "What are you doing here?"

A young patrol guard's inquisitive eyes met mine as I spun around. Despite my heart thumping, I maintained a bland expression. "I'm only stopping by. There's no need to worry."

"Rogues aren’t allowed here."

I raised my hands. "I'm not fighting here. Merely seeking employment.

The guard scented the air, and his eyes narrowed. "Your scent… it’s different."

Even as my stomach knotted, I managed to laugh. "Rogues don’t exactly get spa days, do we?"

With a grunt, the guard moved closer. Faraway voices drifted on the breeze before he could ask any questions.

Someone asked, "You heard about the festival tomorrow?"

You did hear about the rogues, though? "They have big plans," someone else said.

When the guard's attention was drawn to the voices, I seized the opportunity to disappear into the darkness.

I heard a sound that chilled my blood as I ventured farther into the pack's domain. "We can't trust him," was said in a low, anxious voice. Everything will be destroyed by Donovan's plot.

I could see Lyric through the thickets, her golden hair shining in the moonlight. She was standing close to an unfamiliar man, whose massive form exuded strength. Donovan, the rebellious Alpha, had to be the one.

"Caspian’s downfall is necessary," Donovan stated in a menacingly low voice. However, it needs to be prompt and decisive. Are you able to manage it?

A cunning smirk curved Lyric's lips. "Trust me, Caspian won’t see it coming."

I balled my hands into fists. Lyric was betraying our pack by collaborating with rogues. My pack.

Lyric's voice became hardly audible, yet I managed to catch the words that stopped my heart in its tracks. "We’ll strike during the festival."

The big hall of the Crimson Pack was as bustling as ever, with the smell of roasted meat and laughter filling the air. I stayed close to the rear, blending in with the people. In the middle of it all stood Caspian, the Alpha who had previously turned me down, his wide shoulders bearing the burden of the pack's expectations.

"The festival is important," he explained to Rowan, his Beta. However, security needs to be tightened. There are rumours of trouble, I've heard.

Rowan gave a nod. "I get it, Alpha. However, you don't appear well."

Caspian's jaw tensed as he ran a hand through his hair. "It’s nothing."

It wasn't nothing, though. His eyes were straining, and I could see it. Even though he was strong, he had an uneasiness that had never been before. Did it involve guilt? Uncertainty?

I drew nearer, staying in the shadows. Even though I was veiled, he seemed to notice me. He glanced around the room before settling on me. Our eyes briefly met, and my heart flutteringly betrayed me.

He strode over to me and demanded, "Who are you?"

I said, "Just a rogue looking for work," maintaining a steady tone.

He looked at me intently, searching for answers that I was unable to provide. "You look familiar."

I shrugged. "Maybe I just have one of those faces."

Rowan stepped forward, frowning. "Alpha, is everything okay?"

With his gaze fixed on mine, Caspian remained silent. "You're concealing something," he said.

He reached out and grabbed my arm. "And I’m going to find out what it is."

Music and joy filled the air as the festival got underway. I kept my senses sharp and stayed on the periphery. I could still clearly recall Lyric's betrayal, and I was certain Donovan would move quickly.

It came as a shock. The night was shattered by a howling sound, and then there was mayhem. With sparkling, vile eyes, rogues flooded into the clearing.

"Protect the pack!" Caspian screamed, his voice breaking through the panic.

I didn't think twice. The old wolf spirit's power surged through me, causing my body to move instinctively. I battled with the group, making sure every move I made was accurate and lethal.

"Who is she?" When I defeated a rogue twice my size, I heard someone gasp.

In the middle of a fight, Caspian noticed me. He looked suspicious instead of shocked. He started, "You…" but was forced back to the combat when a rogue leapt at him.

The wolves kept their ground as the battle continued. Donovan's army withdrew, but not before making their imprint.

Caspian came at me with intense, dark eyes as the dust fell. You're more than a rogue. "Who are you?"

I slipped away from the others in search of some alone time because I was exhausted from the fight. However, as I approached the forest's edge, a folded piece of paper dropped from the sky and landed at my feet.

I scowled as I grabbed it up. The writing was elegant and crisp:

Watch out for the internal traitor. They'll attack once more.

When I saw the symbol at the bottom of the page, my breath caught. It mirrored the glowing mark that the old wolf spirit had left on my chest.

"What does this mean?" My fingers shaking, I whispered.

Behind me, a twig broke, and I turned to see a dark figure coming out of the trees. "You shouldn’t have come back, Adira," the apparition remarked in a voice that seemed eerily familiar.