The Mate He Couldn't Claim

~ Elena’s POV~ The first time I saw Alpha Kael Draven, I knew I should look away. But I didn't, neither did he. It was only for a few seconds, across the crowded pack grounds, but something about the way he looked at me made the noise around us fade. I had never seen him before. At least, not in person. Everyone in Silvermoon had been talking about him for weeks. The new Alpha of Blackthorn Pack. Young, powerful, and ruthless when necessary. The kind of wolf people lowered their voices around. I didn't understand why he was staring at me. Then someone shoved my shoulder. "Move, omega." I stumbled forward, catching myself before I fell. A few girls nearby laughed. I swallowed my embarrassment and continued carrying the basket of clothes toward the laundry house. That was how life usually went for me. Keep your head down, do your work, don't give anyone a reason to notice you. Especially not someone like Alpha Kael, I cautioned myself. I reached the laundry house and dropped the basket onto the wooden table. "You were supposed to be here ten minutes ago." Mrs. Hale stood in the doorway with her arms crossed. "I'm sorry. The kitchen needed help." "I don't care what the kitchen needs." She pointed at the pile of clothes. "Get started." I nodded. "Yes, ma'am." She left. I sighed and rolled up my sleeves. My wolf stirred quietly inside me. Something is wrong. I frowned. "What?" She didn't answer. Instead, she pushed against my chest again, restless. I had always thought there was something strange about my wolf. Other wolves talked about hearing theirs clearly, especially when they were excited or angry. Mine was different, quiet, almost afraid. The only time she ever became restless was when something or someone made her uneasy. Like now. I glanced toward the window. Alpha Kael was still there. Except he wasn't looking at me anymore. He was speaking to one of the elders. I released a breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding. Ridiculous, he was an Alpha, I was an omega. There was no reason for him to care about me. I turned back to the clothes. By sunset, my hands were sore. I left the laundry house with my small bag hanging over my shoulder and headed home. Home. I almost laughed at the word. The little room I shared with an old woman who had taken me in as a child wasn't exactly home, but it was the closest thing I had. I had no parents, no family name anyone respected, no idea where I came from. Whenever I asked about my parents, I was told the same thing. "They're gone." Nothing more. I had stopped asking years ago. As I walked through the village, whispers followed me. "That's her." "The omega?" "Yes." "Apparently Alpha Kael noticed her." I kept walking. People loved stories. Especially stories that weren't theirs to tell. When I reached my door, I noticed something strange. There was a small silver pendant lying on the ground. I bent down and picked it up. My fingers froze. I knew this pendant. Or at least, I thought I did. I'd seen it once before. Years ago. In an old photograph that belonged to the woman who raised me. I turned it over. There was a tiny symbol carved into the back. A crescent moon surrounded by three sharp lines. My heart began beating faster. "Where did you come from?" The pendant felt strangely warm against my palm. My wolf suddenly woke. “Hide it.” I stared at the pendant. Why? She didn't answer. A sound came from behind me. Footsteps. I quickly closed my fingers around the pendant and turned. No one was there. The street was empty. But I could have sworn someone had been standing there watching. I hurried inside and locked the door. For several minutes, I stood with my back against it, breathing heavily. Then I looked at the pendant again. Something told me I shouldn't have found it. Something told me someone had wanted me to. I had no idea why Alpha Kael had been watching me. I didn't know what the silver pendant meant, or why finding it had made my wolf so uneasy. All I knew was that something about that man felt strangely familiar. And as I lay awake that night, staring at the pendant beneath my pillow, one thought refused to leave my mind. Why did Alpha Kael look at me like he already knew me?