THE FIRST SIGNS
701 Words
A week had passed since the rejection.
Liyana opened her eyes before sunrise.
For a moment, she lay still.
Then a quiet voice reached her.
‘Good morning.’
Liyana smiled.
“Good morning, Nova.”
It wasn’t the cheerful greeting she was used to.
It wasn’t followed by endless excitement.
But it was progress.
Liyana closed her eyes for a second.
She had missed hearing Nova’s voice.
They got ready for another day.
The smell of breakfast filled the cottage.
Liyana walked into the kitchen to find Maren already cooking.
“Morning.”
Maren smiled.
“Morning.”
She reached for another bowl when a cough escaped her.
Just once.
Liyana looked up immediately.
“Are you alright?”
Maren nodded with a small smile.
“I just swallowed wrong.”
She waved a hand dismissively.
“Now, hurry and eat before it gets cold.”
Liyana nodded and sat down.
Inside her mind, Nova frowned.
‘Something feels off.’
Liyana glanced at Maren one more time before picking up her spoon.
“I’m sure she’s fine.”
Nova didn’t look convinced.
After breakfast, Liyana headed to work.
The storage house was already busy.
Several omegas were sorting supplies while others prepared meals for the warriors.
“Liyana!”
She turned to see one of the older omegas waving at her.
“There you are.”
“I was beginning to think you’d forgotten how to smile.”
Liyana laughed softly.
The others chuckled.
Liyana couldn’t help laughing with them.
The sound surprised even her.
Inside her mind, Nova smiled.
‘I missed hearing you laugh.’
Liyana’s smile softened.
“I missed it too.”
The older omega looked at her.
“That’s better.”
“It suits you.”
Liyana smiled again before getting back to work.
Across the village…
Kael stood in the training grounds.
“Again.”
The warriors rushed forward.
Wooden swords clashed.
Training continued long after everyone was exhausted.
When it finally ended, one of the warriors walked over.
“Alpha.”
Kael looked at him.
“You’ve been pushing yourself every day.”
“I’m fine.”
The warrior hesitated.
“You don’t have to carry everything alone.”
Kael gave a small nod.
“I’ll be alright.”
The warrior wasn’t convinced.
But he bowed and walked away.
Silence returned.
Kael closed his eyes.
Inside his mind, he searched for Onyx.
Nothing.
Then…
A familiar voice.
‘You’re lying to everyone…including yourself.’
Kael’s breath caught.
“I know.”
He waited.
But Onyx didn’t say another word.
The silence returned.
That evening, Liyana and Maren carried buckets of water back to the cottage.
Normally, they each carried one.
Halfway home…
Maren stopped walking.
She took a slow breath.
Then another.
Liyana turned around.
“Aunt Maren?”
Maren smiled.
“I’m alright.”
“I can carry both.”
Before Maren could answer, Liyana reached over and took the second bucket.
“You don’t have to.”
“I don’t mind.”
Maren laughed softly.
“I’m getting older.”
Liyana laughed.
“You’re not that old.”
Maren smiled.
“I’ll pretend you didn’t say that.”
The two of them continued walking.
Liyana reached the cottage first and carried the buckets inside.
Behind her…
Maren stopped.
She quietly placed a hand against her chest.
Another cough escaped her.
Then another.
This time it lasted longer.
She waited until it finally passed.
Took a deep breath.
Then walked inside as though nothing had happened.
No one saw.
That night…
Liyana lay in bed staring at the ceiling.
Nova lay quietly inside their shared mind.
After a long silence, Nova spoke.
‘Do you think we’ll ever be happy again?’
Liyana didn’t answer straight away.
She thought about everything that had happened.
Then she whispered,
“I don’t know.”
A small smile appeared on her face.
“…but I hope so.”
Nova moved a little closer.
Neither of them spoke again.
Outside…
The moon shone brightly over Moon Shadow Pack.
Inside the cottage…
Maren lay awake in the darkness.
She covered her mouth as another coughing fit took hold.
It went on…
And on…
Liyana never heard it.
She was already asleep.
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