Chapter 4
1253 Words
The next morning came too quickly.
Irene woke with the moon still lingering in her thoughts, the promise of two days hanging over her like a quiet weight. She lay still for a moment, listening to the soft sounds of the pack waking footsteps outside, distant voices, the low hum of daily life beginning again.
Two days.
She exhaled slowly and pushed herself out of bed.
There was work to be done.
As an omega, Irene’s duties were simple but constant. She helped where she was needed cleaning, sorting supplies, assisting elders, carrying messages. It was work she had done all her life, work she did without complaint.
She found comfort in routine.
It kept her mind from wandering too far ahead.
After washing and dressing, Irene made her way to the common hall. The morning light streamed through the windows, casting long shadows across the wooden floor. A few wolves were already there, eating quietly before heading out for the day.
Irene moved toward the shelves, gathering cups to refill with fresh water.
She worked carefully. Always carefully.
Still, accidents happened.
As she turned, her foot caught on the edge of a loose mat. The tray tilted in her hands. One cup slipped free, hitting the floor with a sharp sound.
It shattered.
The sound echoed louder than it should have.
Irene froze.
Her heart leapt into her throat as she stared down at the broken pieces scattered across the floor. The cup had been painted, its design intricate and familiar.
She recognized it instantly.
It belonged to Carris.
Her hands began to shake.
Carris was a beta high ranking, respected, and known for her sharp temper. That cup was one of her personal belongings, something she had brought from another pack years ago.
“I—I’m sorry,” Irene whispered to the empty room, though her voice barely carried.
She dropped to her knees immediately, reaching for the pieces, her fingers trembling as she gathered the shards.
“I’ll replace it,” she murmured to herself. “I’ll fix this.”
But deep down, she knew replacing it wouldn’t be that simple.
“Irene.”
The voice came from behind her.
She flinched.
Slowly, she turned her head.
Carris stood in the doorway.
She was taller than Irene, her posture straight and commanding. Her dark hair was pulled back neatly, her sharp eyes already fixed on the broken pieces in Irene’s hands.
For a moment, Carris said nothing.
Then she smiled.
It wasn’t a kind smile.
“What happened here?” Carris asked calmly.
Irene swallowed. “I—It was an accident. I tripped. I didn’t mean—”
“Of course you didn’t,” Carris interrupted, stepping closer. “You omegas never mean to break things.”
Her words were smooth, but they cut deeply.
“I’ll replace it,” Irene said quickly. “I promise. I can—”
Carris crouched down in front of her, close enough that Irene could smell her sharp, confident scent. “That cup was special.”
“I know,” Irene whispered.
Carris’s eyes flicked over her, taking her in, her lowered gaze, her trembling hands, her quiet fear.
Something like satisfaction crossed her face.
“You should be more careful,” Carris said. “Some things can’t be replaced.”
Irene nodded, shame burning in her chest. “I understand.”
Other wolves had begun to gather now, drawn by the sound of breaking glass. Whispers moved through the room. Curious glances followed Carris’s movements.
Carris straightened slowly, clearly aware of the attention.
“I expect better from you,” she said coolly. “Being an omega doesn’t excuse carelessness.”
“I’m sorry,” Irene repeated, her voice barely audible.
Carris’s lips parted, as if she was about to say more.
“Irene.”
Sebastian’s voice cut through the tension.
He stepped into the room, his eyes immediately taking in the scene the broken cup, Irene kneeling on the floor, Carris standing over her.
“What’s going on?” he asked.
Carris turned toward him, her expression shifting instantly. The sharpness softened, replaced by something smoother, more controlled.
“She broke my cup,” Carris said. “A careless mistake.”
Sebastian frowned. “It was an accident.”
Carris lifted a brow. “Accidents still have consequences.”
Sebastian moved closer to Irene, offering her his hand. “You alright?”
She nodded quickly and took his hand, rising to her feet. Her knees felt weak.
“Irene already said she’s sorry,” Sebastian continued. “She’ll replace it.”
Carris studied him carefully. “You’re very quick to defend her.”
Something passed between them.
It was brief. Almost invisible.
But Irene felt it.
A tightening in the air. A pause that lingered just a second too long.
Carris smiled again. “I suppose there’s no need to make a scene.”
She looked back at Irene. “Just be more careful next time.”
With that, she turned and walked away, her head held high.
The room slowly returned to normal. Wolves drifted back to their conversations. The whispers faded.
Sebastian turned to Irene. “Hey. It’s okay.”
“I really am sorry,” she said. “I didn’t mean to cause trouble.”
“You didn’t,” he replied firmly. “She overreacted.”
Irene let out a shaky breath. “She’s… intense.”
Sebastian gave a small laugh. “That’s one word for it.”
She hesitated. “You and Carris… you seemed tense.”
The moment stretched.
Sebastian looked away briefly, then shrugged. “We just don’t always see eye to eye.”
Irene nodded, accepting the answer easily.
Of course that was it.
Carris was a beta. Sebastian was respected. Strong personalities were bound to clash.
The tight feeling in Irene’s chest eased.
She told herself she was just shaken from the accident. That fear had made her imagine things that weren’t there.
Sebastian rested a hand on her shoulder. “Don’t let it get to you.”
“I won’t,” she said.
And she meant it.
As the day went on, Irene found herself thinking about Carris more than she wanted to.
The way she carried herself. The confidence in her voice. The respect others gave her without question.
Carris was admired.
And she knew it.
Irene, on the other hand, faded easily into the background. She had learned to be quiet, to avoid conflict, to make herself small when needed.
Still, she didn’t resent Carris.
She told herself there was no reason to.
Later that afternoon, she passed Carris speaking with a small group of wolves. They laughed at something she said, clearly hanging on her every word.
Sebastian stood nearby, listening.
For just a moment, Carris reached out and touched his arm as she spoke.
Sebastian didn’t pull away.
Irene’s steps slowed.
That same tight feeling returned.
She shook her head and forced herself to keep walking.
You’re being foolish, she told herself. You’re just nervous.
Two days. That was all.
Everything would make sense soon.
That evening, Sebastian found her again.
“You’ve been quiet,” he said.
“I’m just tired,” she replied.
He smiled. “Get some rest.”
She nodded.
As she lay in bed that night, Irene thought about the broken cup, Carris’s sharp eyes, Sebastian’s quick defense.
She pushed the thoughts aside.
She trusted Sebastian.
And she trusted her belief that love, real love did not need suspicion to survive.
- Writer
