The Hidden Omega

"You’re lying." Harsh, direct and self-assured, the voice cuts sharply through the cold morning breeze. I became paralyzed. As I pivot, my fingers clench the handles of my gym bag, forcing my expression to stay calm and puzzled. Rylan stands a step behind me, arms crossed, and his golden eyes locked onto me as though scrutinizing a rival. I force a smile. "What about it?" He doesn't avert his gaze. "Every detail." Despite feeling scared, I maintain my composure. I cannot show my worries. Not, to him. Not the mighty Alpha of Moonfang Academy. He steps forward before I get a chance to reply. Uncomfortably close. His scent— pine and tempest breeze—grazes my nostrils as the airflow shifts. It is intense. All-consuming. Unrestrained. I try to pass by him. "Go ahead. I'm late for training." He blocks my way with one arm. "You always come early. Today you're the one who's late." Why? My heart pounds. "Maybe I overslept." Another untruth. Another disguise. I keep acting like someone I'm not. Rylan squints. "I have no faith in you." I still hasten along the stone walkway that goes to the training field, brushing past him. Every fiber in my body is tense with expectation—listening—, for the sound of footsteps trailing me as I maintain my stride. Nothing. No footsteps. Not a breath. Absence. Excellent. Perhaps he ultimately surrendered. I sprint toward the hill, letting the chilly wind take away the warmth from my face. Since encountering Rylan Darkclaw my instincts have deceived me despite wolves being meant to rely on them. Whenever he is close to me, my heart feels like it’s going to explode from my chest and my breath catches. Like birds, my thoughts scatter in all directions. He's too insightful. Too aware. Too close to the truth. Upon arriving at the training ground, I halt under the towering iron barrier. Several wolves have arrived ahead of time, warming up, chatting quietly and practicing combat. Nobody pays attention to me. Ideal. My only goal is to fit in. Remain modest. Remain unseen. Breathe out gradually then slip your hand beneath my shirt to feel the pouch. I carry a scent blocker. It’s the thing that sustains me. Liora, stay calm. Remain—Snap. Somewhere behind me, a branch cracks. My heart skips a beat. I refuse to look. I pretend I don't notice it. I behave as if everything remains steady, usual and flawless. Yet I feel a shiver, down the nape of my neck. Someone is here. Watching me. Follow me. I restrain my legs from running as I proceed slowly. Running shows fear. Running reveals guilt. Running is an adventure of discovery. I arrive at the edge of the clearing, where the grass touches the contour formed by the forest. The trees, tall and gloomy, seem as though they quietly stand in anticipation. I act as if I’m fastening my boots while kneeling and letting my bag fall to the floor. Then I focus. Breeze. Rustling leaves. Faint voices away.. Footsteps. Soft, careful steps. He is here. He appears quiet to Rylan. He is mistaken. I abruptly. Whirl around the old tree, behind me acting quickly and powerfully. Empty. Nothing. The forest gazes silently at me with quiet eyes. My throat tightens. Did I just imagine that? Are the shadows perceived as predators because of my fear? I step deeper among the trees. I murmur, "I know you're here." Quiet. I advance more by swallowing hard. "You can leave now." Nothing. The wind. I need to leave. I need to return to the field. I must— Above a branch stirs. I lift my gaze. Rylan touches down before me, descending from the tree as though he belonged to the night sky. The soft landing of his boots on the earth startles me. My breath halts in my throat as I jump backward. He stays motionless. Don't blink. He just gazes at me like he’s been expecting me to be trapped. My voice falters. "Why are you trailing me?" His face remains unchanged. "Because you have something to conceal." I retreat more. "I'm not." He steps nearer. "You are." My back leans against a tree. The rough bark grazes my skin. I hold my breath. Rylan looks down at me, his eyes glowing gently in the morning glow. "You lack the fragrance of others.” My chest tightens. "Maybe I ought to shower often." His lips tremble momentarily as though he intends to grin. The solemnity quickly comes back before the smile forms. You excel beyond Alphas in quickness. Nevertheless, it is less strong. He leans forward. "Your heartbeat is irregular. Your scent is off. You are incorrect. My breath stutters. The scent barrier remains. Is it vanishing again? No, I examined it. I am sure I did. I am— He gestures with his hand. Slowly. Be careful. I pull back. He refuses to retreat. "Why respond that way?" "Honestly, I’m not sure what you’re referring to." My voice trembles. I despise that it does. "You do." His tone lowers. Gentler. Nearly gentle. "Liora, be honest with me." He utters my name like it holds a secret. Like it’s a prayer. Like it belongs on his lips. I swiftly shook my head. "There is nothing like truth. I'm merely—an Alpha?" He cuts me off. "Do you really expect me to buy that?" The words burn in my throat. "I couldn't care less about your opinion." He shelters me beneath the shadow of his arm as he sets one hand on the tree behind me. I do." My heart pounding, I avert my gaze. "Why?" "Because you confuse me." The words struck me more deeply than any strike could. Confuse him? Me? I take a risk. Meet his gaze. His jaw is tight. He’s examining every detail of my face as though attempting to discover an answer I don’t possess. He whispers, "Your steps seem like you're prepared to flee." "You battle as though you're hiding something.. Whenever I get close... His eyes dropped to my neck. "You seem scared." A blush creeps over my cheeks. "I never get scared." "You're nervous now." I swallow sharply. "I'm okay." "You're lying again. "I'm not—” Without warning, he springs forward, causing me to flinch sharply this time. His hand freezes before reaching me. His eyes open a bit wider. He whispers, "That’s not typical of an Alpha’s response." I’m certain he can perceive how loudly my heart is beating. He gently and carefully brings his hand down, handling me as if I’m fragile. "Liora, what are you?” I exhaled slowly. "Nothing." "That's false." He tilts his head. "You are one of a kind." My hands ball into fists. "Leave me alone." For the time a pained expression shows on his face. Someone else will find out if I leave you. Someone else refuses to inquire. Someone else who withholds the opportunity for you to clarify. I caught a chill. Magnus. Magnus is his intent. Rylan steps back slightly to make space for me. "Liora... I do not wish to hurt you. What I require is the truth. There is a gentleness in his voice. A softness that frightens me more than his anger. I part my lips to utter a falsehood, run off or push him aside again. Before a word escapes, a sharp scream echoes from the heart of the woods. Not a typical wail. A wail of warning. A yell of hunting. Rylan swivels his head toward the source of the sound. "Someone is coming." A chill runs through me. That voice feels known. That cry. I’ve encountered it before. The night my parents died. Rylan grasps my wrist. "We have to move, Liora. Immediately." I can't move. The howl returns, now nearer and clearer. I perceived the concealed words, in this instant. "I sense an Omega aroma." Rylan's eyes widened in astonishment. He gazes at me attentively and deliberately. "Liora," he murmurs, his voice shaking for the first time. "Why are they calling you?"