Threads and Shadows
1348 Words
Iva made one decision with absolute clarity: she would use the school library computers to the maximum.
She could not—would not—risk using the one at home.
Her father was too connected, too respected, too feared. If she so much as typed a suspicious sentence, and especially after her escape, she was certain he would ask the pack’s IT division to track her searches, to comb through erased histories, cached data, anything that could betray her intentions.
Better safe than sorry.
Yet safety, she quickly learned, was becoming harder to find.
Ella and her group had grown bolder, sharper, more vicious with every passing hour. Whispered insults followed Iva through the halls. Laughter erupted too loudly when she passed. A shoulder “accidentally” slammed into hers between classes. A crude comment murmured just loud enough to hear.
They wanted to break her.
She kept her head down and walked on.
Nick, of course, watched it all with that same infuriating smirk, his confidence untouched, his cruelty effortless. And as if the emotional torment was not enough, the red thread between them still burned in her vision—a thin, glowing line stretching from her chest straight to his.
She hated it.
She hated that her heart still reacted, that the bond did not care about lies or humiliation or betrayal.
But today, something new happened.
As she sat in class, staring blankly at the board, her breath caught.
Another thread.
Red.
It stretched from one student’s chest to another, both sitting just a few rows apart, oblivious to the invisible truth binding them together.
“Oh Goddess…” Iva whispered internally.
“You see it too now,” Avalon said quietly, her tone calm but charged with significance. “Your awareness is expanding.”
“So… I’ll be able to see all of them?” Iva asked, her heart pounding. “All the fated ones?”
“Yes,” Avalon replied. “And in time, more than that. You will sense them. Feel their presence. Even across distance.”
Iva swallowed. “That’s… terrifying.”
“It is power,” Avalon corrected gently. “But power must be controlled. Or it will overwhelm you.”
Iva leaned back in her chair, stunned. She was changing faster than she had ever imagined.
During lunch, she found Lori nearly vibrating with happiness.
“I still can’t believe it,” Lori gushed, gripping Iva’s hands. “Lycan Academy! Medical track! I swear I’ve reread the acceptance letter twenty times already.”
Iva smiled, genuine warmth breaking through her tension. “You deserve it. Every second of it.”
They celebrated quietly, sharing snacks and whispered dreams, and for a moment—just a moment—Iva felt normal. Around them, seniors filled the cafeteria with raw emotion. Some laughed loudly, others cried openly, clutching phones and letters. Futures were being handed out like fate cards.
Almost everyone had an answer.
Except her.
Her inbox remained empty.
Tomorrow, she told herself. Hopefully tomorrow.
Then, unexpectedly, an announcement came: the final class of the day was cancelled. Students erupted in cheers as they were released early.
Iva dragged her feet home, exhaustion seeping into her bones. When she opened the front door, the silence hit her immediately.
No voices.
No footsteps.
No tension thickening the air.
She was alone.
“Finally,” she breathed.
Relief loosened her chest. This was her chance.
She moved quickly, quietly, heading straight for the pantry. She grabbed a few non-perishable items, slipping them into her bag with practiced speed. Dried meat. Protein bars. Water purification tablets…
Then—
She froze.
Her wolf senses flared violently.
Someone was in the house.
Her heart slammed against her ribs.
Damn it, she cursed internally. They’ll catch me with the provisions.
Her hands trembled as fear crept up her spine.
“Stay calm,” Avalon said suddenly, her voice firm. “Leave it to me. I will mask our presence.”
Before Iva could question her, the world seemed to shift. The familiar scent of fear, sweat, and food faded, wrapped instead in something muted, neutral, almost… empty.
“I didn’t know you could do that,” Iva whispered.
“Few wolves can,” Avalon replied. “Even fewer master it. Plus I did it before in the evening when you listen to your parents and find out their plan… you are living in a house with werewolves… it was not luck that kept you hidden, but our ability.”
Iva barely had time to process that revelation when voices reached her ears.
Two of them.
One unmistakably her father’s.
The other—
The Alpha.
She pressed herself closer to the wall, breath shallow, as their words drifted toward her.
And to her shock—
They weren’t talking about pack matters.
They were talking about her.
--
Rhys’ voice came first, low and tense, carrying the weight of shame and anger.
“She is grounded,” he said harshly. “Confined to her room after school. After the stunt she pulled, I will not allow her to accumulate even more humiliation on this family. We are lucky that Nick came forward.”
There was a short pause. Then the Alpha hummed in approval.
“That is for the best,” the Alpha replied calmly. “It gives us the perfect opportunity to keep a tighter control on her with low suspicion until the northern delegation arrives.”
A violent shiver ran through Iva’s body where she stood frozen behind the wall, her breath catching painfully in her throat.
Rhys exhaled sharply. “They accepted, then?”
“Yes,” the Alpha answered without hesitation. “They agreed to the terms.”
Iva’s knees almost buckled.
“They will give us five warriors in exchange,” the Alpha continued, his tone measured, almost pleased. “Strong males. Trained. Loyal. With our numbers dropping, it is a generous offer.”
Rhys frowned. “Five warriors… for a weak she-wolf?” he muttered. “It is strange. Too generous.”
The Alpha let out a low, humorless chuckle.
“Like it or not, Rhys, she is still Gamma blood. That lineage still carries value.”
Iva pressed a hand to her mouth, bile rising in her throat.
“And,” the Alpha added coldly, “the northern packs are desperate for new blood. Their lines are thinning. They see her as… suitable breeding stock.”
Rhys was silent for a moment. Then, bitterly, “At least she will be of use somewhere.”
Iva felt something inside her crack.
“Their only condition to receive all five warriors,” the Alpha continued, voice sharpening, “is that she must be pure. If not, we will get only two.”
Rhys scoffed. “After last days, I had my doubts.”
“She will be examined,” the Alpha said flatly. “If she lied, the deal is changed—and the punishment will be… severe.”
Iva’s stomach twisted violently. She swallowed hard, fighting the urge to retch.
“And once mated,” the Alpha went on, “they expect an heir immediately. No delays. No excuses.”
Rhys clenched his fists. “She will comply.”
“She will,” the Alpha agreed. “Whether she wants to or not.”
A heavy silence followed, thick and suffocating.
Then the Alpha spoke again, slower now, more dangerous.
“Still… there is one complication.”
Rhys stiffened. “What complication?”
The Alpha’s next words sent ice straight through Iva’s veins.
“I have been sensing something… off about your daughter when she shifted. If…”
He stopped mid-sentence.
“If what?” Rhys demanded.
The Alpha lowered his voice.
“I am not sure… maybe I am becoming paranoid. Anyhow… keep a tight grip on her till the exchange takes place. I hope Rana came to her senses about this.”
“Not that much, but in the end it is her duty to support her mate. She will do what is asked… she has no other choice…”
- Writer
