His Broken Luna: The Omega He Discarded

CHAPTER 5: UNLIKELY ALLIES

I don't sleep well. Every time I close my eyes, I see Kaley's satisfied smile right before everything went dark. My wolf paces restlessly beneath my skin, agitated and wanting vengeance I can't give her.

By four-thirty AM, I give up on sleep entirely and drag myself out of bed. My head still aches from the concussion, and every muscle in my body protests the movement. Hannah said no training for three days, but sitting at home alone with my thoughts sounds worse than any physical pain.

The pre-dawn air is crisp and cold as I make my way to the gym. Frost crunches under my feet, and my breath fogs in little clouds. October mornings in our territory are brutal, but I've always preferred the cold. It keeps me sharp, focused.

The gym lights are already on when I arrive. Through the windows, I can see Sierra stretching on the main mat, her movements fluid and controlled.

I push open the door, and she looks up immediately.

"You're early," she says.

"Couldn't sleep."

"Yeah, I figured." She tosses me a water bottle. "How's your head?"

"Been better." I set down my bag and join her on the mat. "You know I'm not supposed to be training, right?"

"Who said anything about training? We're just stretching. Very therapeutic for concussions." Her grin is infectious. "Besides, we need to talk, and I don't trust anywhere else not to have ears."

That gets my attention. I sink into a seated stretch, feeling my tight muscles protest. "Talk about what?"

"About yesterday. About Kaley. About the fact that she literally tried to frame you for arson and assault." Sierra moves into a lunge, her expression serious. "We need a plan, Skylar. This can't keep happening."

"What kind of plan?"

"The kind where we gather evidence, build a case, and make sure she can't hurt you anymore." Sierra switches legs. "My uncle Kyle has connections. He could help if we bring him solid proof."

"Delta Kyle already knows some of what's going on." I touch my toes, feeling the burn in my hamstrings. "He's tried to help before. It doesn't work."

"Because you won't let it work." Sierra's voice isn't accusatory, just matter-of-fact. "You keep protecting them by staying silent."

"I'm not protecting them. I'm protecting myself." The words come out sharper than I intended. "Every time someone tries to intervene, Kaley and her friends find new ways to make my life hell. At least now I know what to expect."

"That's a terrible way to live."

"It's my way to live." I straighten up, meeting her eyes. "I appreciate what you're trying to do, Sierra. Really. But this is my battle."

"It doesn't have to be." She sits down cross-legged on the mat, abandoning the pretense of stretching. "Look, I know we just met. I know you have no reason to trust me. But I'm not going anywhere, Skylar. You're stuck with me whether you like it or not."

Despite everything, I feel a smile tugging at my lips. "Why?"

"Why what?"

"Why do you care? You could hang out with anyone. The ranked kids would love to have you. You're an outsider, which makes you interesting. You're Delta Kyle's niece, which makes you connected. So why waste your time on the pack's designated punching bag?"

Sierra's expression softens. "Because I've been where you are. Different circumstances, same basic situation. In my old pack, I was the Alpha's bastard daughter. Not legitimate enough to matter, but too high-ranking to ignore. I spent years being torn between two worlds, not belonging in either."

I hadn't expected that level of honesty. "What changed?"

"I did. I stopped waiting for other people to decide my worth and started deciding it myself." She stands, offering me her hand. "Come on. Let me show you something."

She leads me to the far corner of the gym where the heavy bags hang. Most of them are standard issue, but one in the back looks different. Newer. Custom-made.

"Kyle had this brought in last week," Sierra says, running her hand over the reinforced leather. "It's designed to handle wolf strength without tearing. He said someone requested it specifically for early morning training sessions."

My chest tightens. "He did that for me?"

"He believes in you, Skylar. He sees your potential even if you don't." Sierra moves back to give me space. "Show me what you've got. Just light work, since you're supposed to be resting."

I shouldn't. I know I shouldn't. But my wolf is still restless, and the need to move, to hit something, is overwhelming.

I start slow. Jab, cross, hook. Basic combinations that feel like muscle memory. The bag swings gently under my strikes.

"Harder," Sierra says. "Let it out."

I increase the power. My fists connect with satisfying thuds. Sweat starts to bead on my forehead despite the cool air.

"More."

Something breaks loose inside me. All the fear and frustration from yesterday, all the years of biting my tongue and taking abuse I don't deserve. I unleash it on the bag with everything I have.

The heavy bag rocks violently on its chain. My fists blur with speed, each strike perfectly placed, perfectly timed. I lose myself in the rhythm of it until my arms burn and my lungs scream for air.

When I finally stop, breathing hard, Sierra is watching me with an expression I can't quite read.

"That," she says quietly, "is what I'm talking about. That power, that skill, that fire. Why do you only let it out when no one's watching?"

"Because this is safe." I lean against the bag, my heart still racing. "Out there, in the real world, showing this side of me would just paint a bigger target on my back."

"Or it would make people think twice before messing with you."

Before I can respond, the gym door opens. We both tense, but it's just Delta Kyle, looking unsurprised to find us here.

"Morning, ladies," he says, carrying two coffee cups. "Figured you'd be here."

He hands one to Sierra, then offers the other to me. I take it gratefully, letting the warmth seep into my cold hands.

"How's the head, Skylar?" he asks.

"Fine. Just a little headache."

"Uh-huh." His expression says he doesn't believe me for a second. "Hannah told me to make sure you're not doing anything strenuous. I'm guessing the sweat and heavy breathing means you've been following her orders perfectly?"

Sierra grins. "We were just stretching. Very gentle, very therapeutic."

"Right. And I'm the Moon Goddess." Kyle takes a sip of his coffee. "Look, I'm not going to lecture you about following medical advice. You're both stubborn enough that it wouldn't do any good anyway. But Skylar, I need you to be honest with me about something."

My stomach drops. "About what?"

"The fire yesterday. You knew it was a trap, didn't you?" His eyes are kind but serious. "That's why you ran in after Cameron. Because you knew whoever set it was still inside."

There's no point lying to him. "Yes."

"And you know who set it."

It's not a question. I nod slowly.

Kyle's jaw tightens. "This is the same person who's been using silver on you, isn't it? The one who left those scars on your back?"

Sierra's head whips toward me. "Silver? Skylar, you didn't mention silver."

"It's not a big deal—"

"Not a big deal?" Kyle's voice rises slightly before he controls it. "Silver is illegal for use on pack members. It's torture, plain and simple. This isn't just bullying anymore, Skylar. This is assault. Criminal assault."

"I know what it is." I set down my coffee cup carefully. "But unless you have proof, it's just my word against theirs. And we all know how that would go."

"Then we get proof." Kyle pulls out his phone. "I'm increasing security camera coverage. Installing new systems in areas we don't currently monitor. Whoever's doing this will slip up, and when they do, we'll have evidence."

"They'll just find ways around the cameras. They always do."

"Not if they don't know where the cameras are." He types something on his phone. "Let me handle this part, Skylar. You focus on healing and training. Leave the detective work to me."

Part of me wants to argue, to tell him it's pointless. But the determined look on his face stops me. Maybe, just maybe, this could actually work.

"Okay," I say quietly.

Kyle looks surprised, like he expected more resistance. "Okay? Just like that?"

"Just like that." I pick up my coffee again. "But if this blows up in my face, I reserve the right to say I told you so."

"Deal." He heads toward his office in the back of the gym. "And Skylar? Take it easy today. No more heavy bag work. I mean it."

After he's gone, Sierra turns to me with a mixture of concern and frustration. "How long has the silver thing been going on?"

"A while."

"That's not an answer."

"It's the only answer I'm giving." I start gathering my things. "We should get ready for school. First period starts in three hours."

"Skylar—"

"Please, Sierra. I can't talk about it right now." My voice cracks slightly. "I just can't."

She studies me for a long moment, then nods. "Okay. But we're not done with this conversation. You know that, right?"

"I figured."

We change in the locker room in comfortable silence. Or it should be comfortable, but I can feel Sierra's eyes on the scars that crisscross my back and shoulders. Evidence of years of abuse I've tried so hard to hide.

"Your uncle has good instincts," she says finally as I pull on my shirt. "About security, I mean. If anyone can catch them in the act, it's him."

"Maybe." I don't let myself hope too much. Hope is dangerous.

"So, since we have time before school, want to grab breakfast?" Sierra grabs her bag. "There's a diner in town that supposedly makes amazing pancakes."

"I usually eat at home."

"Well, today you're eating with me. Come on, my treat." She loops her arm through mine before I can protest. "Consider it payment for the excellent training session."

"We barely trained."

"Details." She steers me toward the exit. "Besides, I have questions about your course schedule. We're in the same AP Calc class, right?"

"Yeah, and AP Literature, and Chemistry."

"Perfect. We can be study partners." Sierra pushes open the gym door, and we step into the brightening morning. The sun is just starting to peek over the horizon, painting the sky in shades of pink and gold.

"You know hanging out with me will tank your social status, right?" I have to at least warn her. "The popular kids don't associate with me for a reason."

"Good thing I don't give a damn about popularity then." She pulls out her phone to look up the diner's address. "I transferred here to get away from pack politics and social hierarchies. The last thing I want is to get sucked into that garbage again."

We're halfway across the parking lot when a familiar truck pulls in. My heart sinks when I see Cameron behind the wheel.

He parks and climbs out, looking tired but determined. "Skylar. Sierra. You're both here early."

"Could say the same about you," Sierra says casually. "Isn't it a bit early for future Alphas to be awake?"

"Couldn't sleep." His eyes find mine. "I wanted to check on you. Make sure you're okay after yesterday."

"I'm fine."

"Your definition of fine is concerning." He glances at the gym, then back to us. "Were you training? You're supposed to be resting."

"We were just stretching," Sierra says before I can answer. "Very gentle, very therapeutic. That seems to be the theme of the morning."

Cameron doesn't look convinced, but he doesn't push it. "Can I talk to you for a minute, Skylar? Alone?"

Sierra squeezes my arm. "I'll wait in my car. Don't take too long, or I'm eating all the pancakes myself."

She walks away, leaving me standing in the parking lot with Cameron as the sun continues its slow rise behind us.

"What did you want to talk about?" I ask.

"Yesterday. The fire. Everything." He runs a hand through his hair, that nervous gesture again. "I've been thinking about what you said. About knowing who's behind it but not having proof."

"Cameron—"

"I want to help. I know you don't trust easily, and I know we barely know each other, but I can't just stand by and watch someone hurt you." His expression is intense, genuine. "Please. Let me help."

The sincerity in his voice nearly undoes me. How long has it been since someone offered to help without expecting something in return?

"Why?" The question comes out barely above a whisper. "Why do you care so much?"

"Because—" He stops, seeming to struggle with his words. "Because you matter, Skylar. You've always mattered, even when no one bothered to notice. And I'm done being one of the people who didn't notice."

My phone buzzes, breaking the moment. A text from an unknown number: "Enjoy your last few days of peace. The real fun is just beginning."

I show it to Cameron, watching his expression darken.

"That's it," he says. "We're going to Alpha Kade right now. This is a direct threat."

"It's from a burner number. It's not traceable."

"I don't care. This has gone too far." He pulls out his own phone. "I'm calling an emergency council meeting. You, me, Delta Kyle, my parents. We're settling this today."

"Cameron, please don't." Panic rises in my chest. "You'll just make everything worse."

"How could it possibly be worse than someone threatening your life?" He's already dialing. "No, Skylar. This ends now."

Before I can stop him, someone answers. I hear him explaining the situation, requesting the emergency meeting, outlining everything that's happened.

I feel like I'm watching a train wreck in slow motion, unable to stop it.

When he hangs up, his expression is set. "Meeting's in two hours. Alpha Kade wants both of us there."

"Cameron, you have no idea what you've just done."

"I've started the process of protecting you." He touches my arm gently. "Trust me. Please."

Trust. Such a simple word for something so complicated.

My phone buzzes again. Another text from the unknown number: "Big mistake, little wolf. You'll regret this."

Looking at Cameron's determined expression, at the gym where Delta Kyle is already working to help me, at Sierra waiting patiently in her car, I realize something.

Maybe I'm tired of being alone in this fight.

Maybe it's time to let people help, even if it scares me.

"Okay," I say quietly. "I'll trust you. But if this blows up—"

"It won't." His confidence is almost convincing. "I promise."

I want to believe him. I really do.

But as we walk back toward Sierra's car to explain why breakfast plans just got cancelled, I can't shake the feeling that we've just set something irreversible in motion.

And I have no idea if we're prepared for what comes next.