Shifting fates

Chapter Seven: Behave

I drag myself along the edge of the tree line, each step deliberate and careful as I try to stay out of view. The quiet of the forest feels different now, the usual comfort of it lost under the weight in my chest, that gnawing emptiness that eats away at me. The pain isn’t just in my body—it’s deep, sharp, like something inside me has broken, and no amount of walking can make it stop.

I’m not afraid of being alone in these woods. Wolves aren’t. But this—this isn’t the same. There’s no fear of the trees, no danger lurking in the shadows. Just that feeling of something missing, a hole I can’t fill no matter how far I go.

I round a bend, pushing through a thick cluster of bushes, when I feel it—that sudden pull. A hand wraps around my wrist, yanking me backward. A startled gasp escapes me, and before I know it, I’m dragged into the shadows.

“Hold still, darling,” the witch’s voice rings out—warm, mischievous as always, but touched with a frantic edge. “I’m not going to hurt you. Just need to have a word.”

I barely have the strength to lift my head as she steps out from the darkness, the dim moonlight catching the long braids woven into her hair. Her skin is deep and smooth, her eyes bright and alert as they study me, filled with more concern than I’ve ever seen on her face in all the brief times we’ve crossed paths.

“I’m sorry,” she begins, her voice low and sincere, and somehow heavier than before. “I didn’t want to hurt you. But... I didn’t have a choice. You have to believe me.”

I stay silent, the cold weight pressing down on me leaving no room for words. I’m not angry. Anger feels far away. I’m just tired. Bone-deep tired. Too tired to care about her reasoning, or the why of it all.

She sighs and glances around, checking to make sure we’re alone. Then, without another word, she presses something into my hand. I look down. A small vial. The liquid inside shimmers faintly in the moonlight.

“This should ease the pain a little,” she says, urgency curling around her words. “It won’t make things right. I know that. But it might give you time. Time to heal. To rest. It’s all I can offer right now.”

She meets my gaze, and this time, there’s no mischief in her expression. No riddles or smirks. Just honesty. A quiet kind of desperation. She isn’t the eccentric, chaotic figure I thought I knew. Right now, she’s just someone who wants to help.

“I’m not promising your wolf will return. I don’t know if it will. But you have to try,” she adds softly, barely louder than the breeze. “It’s all we can do for now.”

I don’t speak. I don’t need to. Her words settle in me like something heavy but steady. I uncork the vial without protest, though my hands shake, my fingers barely holding on. I drink it slowly. The taste is bitter, strange, and cold as it slips down my throat.

For the first time in what feels like days, I let myself close my eyes. Just for a moment. The stillness around me presses in, and maybe—just maybe—there’s the smallest flicker of something that isn’t pain.

The witch steps back, watching me with eyes full of something softer—compassion, maybe. Or hope. Hope that whatever she’s given me might be enough.

“Get some rest, Ray,” she says gently. “And whatever happens... I’ll be here. Whenever you need me.”

It’s the first time anyone’s said that to me. And somehow, despite everything, despite the ache still lodged inside me, her words settle somewhere deep, making the hollow inside feel just a little less empty.

I don’t reply.

I don’t need to.

Feeling stronger than I have in days, I take a deep breath and straighten my spine as I step out from the trees to join the others. I don’t get far before a voice cuts through the air.

“Raine!” Betta Talon bellows, pushing through the crowd toward me, turning more than a few heads. “Alpha Ryker would like a little chat before the ceremony.”

Well, this just got interesting.

In my sixteen years, not once has this Alpha—or the one before him—spoken to me. There are barely a hundred people in this pack, and I’ve perfected the art of being invisible. Who knew that stripping off in front of the entire pack to shift into a rare omega—the only ones able to mate with an Alpha—would suddenly make me worth noticing? And, of course, this Alpha is supposed to be my one mate. The mate my sister stole from me. Ha. This should be good.

I drag my feet behind Betta Talon, knowing Ryker won’t like to be kept waiting, but doing it anyway. The Pack house looms ahead, massive compared to the others. It’s still a wood cabin like the rest, but three stories tall and about four times the size of the next biggest house. Inside live Alpha Ryker and Betta Talon’s households, and soon, it’ll include my sister—as tradition demands—dragging the rest of us along with her. I’m not looking forward to it.

Ryker sits behind his desk, scotch in hand, his eyes sweeping over me as I stand awkwardly in the doorway, unsure of what to do with myself.

I’m dressed in my kimono this time. No need to strip down in front of the whole pack again. It’s dark blue with a silver floral pattern and a navy sash—beautiful, delicate, the one thing I can wear without feeling like I’m in direct competition with my sister. She, of course, picked a silk lilac gown.

Ryker’s gaze lingers on me. His eyebrow lifts slightly, unimpressed.

“Alpha. You summoned me?” I smirk, unable to help myself. He’s just an Alpha, not royalty, but here he is, sitting behind a desk like some kind of king, getting Betta Talon to run around like a glorified butler. Ridiculous.

“Raine,” he says, taking a slow sip from his glass, eyes still locked on mine. “I thought it was time we had a little chat. Your mother and sister were kind enough to fill me in on a few things this afternoon. Seems they’re not thrilled about you moving into the Pack house. And after hearing their reasoning, I can’t say I am either.”

Of course they did. My family’s lies are a constant background noise at this point. But for once, I’m not mad. This works in my favor—I really don’t want to live here. I’d rather smear myself in honey and nap under a beehive. I’d rather fill my pockets with rocks and wade into the sea. I’d rather sit through a Disney princess marathon with every pack kid… again.

“Oh no… really?” I do my best to sound surprised, but sarcasm seeps through anyway.

Ryker’s eyebrow twitches. Then he slams his glass onto the desk. The scotch sloshes over the rim.

“You will behave from now on, Omega Raine. You will do as you’re told. No complaints. No disruptions. Are we clear?”

He’s on his feet now, coming around the desk to stand in front of me. His fists clench at his sides.

“Yes, Alpha. I’ll be a good little slave.” The words leave my mouth just before his hand strikes my cheek.

The crack echoes in the room. My skin flares with heat, a sting shooting through my jaw as blood drips from the split in my lip.

“Leave!” he barks.

My feet move before my mind catches up, carrying me back into the night air where Lucian waits.

He sees me the moment I step out, his eyes locking onto my face. He’s at my side in seconds, worry etched across his features.

“Tissue! Quick, Lucian! I don’t want blood on my kimono!” I dig through his suit pockets, hunting for something to blot my face with, but find nothing.

“Hold still,” he says gently, lifting his sleeve and carefully dabbing at the blood. His brow furrows as he works. When he finishes, he cups my cheek in his palm, thumb brushing over the skin that’s already turning red. The darkness helps hide the worst of it.

“Why are you always getting hurt?”

“Accident-prone these days, I guess.” I try to shrug, but it’s a weak attempt.

“Are you going to tell me what the Alpha wanted?” he asks as we start walking toward the ceremony, his arm linking through mine.

“He just wanted to let me know there’s no need to move my stuff. Also told me to be good.” I laugh and lean into him, resting my head on his shoulder.

“I’m not moving either. I already told Mum.”

“Bet that went over well,” I mutter, not needing to ask to know the answer.

“Not really. But she knows. Two Alphas can’t be in the same place.”

Lucian is an Alpha, too. Only eighteen, but still. Ryker may only be twenty-one, but he took over young when his father died of a heart attack three years ago. With no other Alphas available to challenge him, the title passed straight to him.

I smile a little wider, just knowing Lucian’s still by my side.

For now, that’s enough.