I limp to Arome’s clinic as fast as my throbbing knee would allow me. It’s about a kilometre ahead from the fields. The school is out for break and children run around hither and tither. I see Jacko and his friends who wave at me, then point to my blood-stained leg. I wave back smiling, shaking my head.

I am attracting quite an attention. The road is busy with soldiers from many packs. They look at me curiously, probably wondering why I am strutting along with an injured leg. Any normal wolf would have healed themselves before displaying such an apparent lack of ability.

Keeping my head down, I walk on. I have just about reached Arome’s cottage when someone approaches me.

It’s a young man of roughly my age with dirty blonde hair and a narrow, pinched face. On his right arm, he wears a RedPaws armband, but the rest of him tells me he is not much of a soldier.

“So you are the troublemaker.”

“What?”

“You are the one who brought this on us.” He grinds his teeth. “The rogues are gone berserk and now we must risk our lives to protect you. I don’t understand why the Silver Shadows not just hand you over. You are nothing like I expected.”

I straighten my back, planting my injured foot firmly down on the ground. “And what did you expect, if I may ask?”

“Someone worth the fucking trouble.” He smirks, his eyes running down me, to my leg. Behind him, his friends snigger. “I expected someone who can at least fix herself before parading brazenly in front of us. Tell me, are you even a wolf? Why are you even here? And why should we risk our necks to protect you?”

I stare speechless, not knowing how to answer. He is right. Every soldier here must be thinking the same. We brought trouble with us and now their lives are turned upside down. They have to leave their homes and families and for what? For a pair of humans who probably don’t even belong here.

“Well? Answer me. What’s so special about you?”

“Enough, Sean.” A familiar deep voice calls from behind the man. I raise my eyes to see Gabe approaching. His smooth face is grave. His dark green gaze quickly scans me from top to toe before turning to Sean.

“You know you are forbidden to consort with the locals while on duty. Get back to the fields now before I report you to your commander.”

Sean scoffs but retreats to his group, who mutter among themselves before walking on. My face flushes with embarrassment as I hear the words ‘fucking useless’, ‘witch.’

“Don’t pay them attention.” Gabe turns to me. “Some of them are not much of fighters. They are only here because their elders commanded them.”

I nod, looking at him. It’s nice to have Gabe back on talking terms, but the waters between us are still muddy. I need to clear them before too late. I miss our talks. I miss being friends with him.

“Gabe, I…”

“Go see Olivia first.” He jerks his head to Arome’s cottage. “I’m here if you need me.”

I sigh and limp up the stair to Arome’s. I see Phyllis there. And John. And a curious looking Arome.

I do not like his expression.

“How is Olly? What’s wrong with her?”

“She is fine.” He says, his eyes cutting to my leg, then to the others in some silent communication. “It’s just her arm. The rogue bite infected it, which caused fever, and she fainted. She is okay now. You can go see her, but before that, let me patch you up.”

*****

I sit in a treatment chair as Arome ‘patches’ me up. My legging is cut above my knee to free up the space. It’s a small but deep cut. With his left hand, Arome applies a green paste while with his right hand is poised above, as if sucking any malevolent substance from it. His eyes focus as he murmurs some words in an ancient language. I watch fascinated as the skin starts sealing itself. A couple of dried grass strands that had lodged themselves in the wound float out as if pulled by a magnet.

If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

“That’s it. All done.” Arome says removing his hands. I watch in surprise. The wound is gone. There is but a faint trace of the graze, but that too is hidden under the green paste. My pain too is gone and all I feel is the itch from the dried-up blood. Dina bustles in with a pot of warm water and clean towels to wipe that up. Five minutes later my leg looks as if new.

“How…how can you do it so quick?” I ask, my eyes lighting in wonder.

“It’s a skill,” Arome smirks. “And some magic, of course. You’d be able to do it yourself when you turn.”

My face falls. “But’s it’s not I who’s been bitten, Arome. It’s Olly. And if she has not turned so far, I have no chance.”

“You’ve got the wolf’s paw.” Arome gives me a look. “It’s as good as a bite. You just need to wait until it happens.”

“And if it doesn’t? What if we don’t turn? Why is Olly not turned yet, Arome?” My voice steadily raises as my worries pour out. “The full moon came and went, but nothing happened. Her wound is worse and I… ” I close my eyes. I do not even know what’s wrong with me. The dreams…the restlessness, the heartache. All I have gotten into is some kind of weird mess. It’s so uncharacteristic. Before coming here, I used to live in acceptance. It was a limited life, yet I never resented it. Now…I feel like I am tied down in shackles. I have to stand still and watch as life passes by me.

I hate it. I hate myself for it.

“What if I cannot turn? What does that make of me?”

Arome sighs, giving me a poignant look. “That makes you an Omega.”

“Omega?”

“Yes. The lowest of the low of a wolf pack, but as close to ordinary humans as possible. In case you don’t turn, Danny, even after the wolf’s paw, we must conclude that you do not have enough of wolf in you. In which case, you can choose your own path.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, there are cases. Every now and then, we find wolves who cannot shift. The Moon Goddess has overlooked them in her blessings. It’s up to them then what to make of themselves. They can choose to stay here as helpers and workers. Many think it’s best to leave and try their luck in the wider world. We help them prepare, like you are helping Tina.”

“Tina?” I blurt, flabbergasted.

“Yes, Danny.” Arome looks surprised. “I thought you knew. Tina is an Omega. Why do you think she studies so hard? No proper wolf cares about such things. Tina does because she plans to leave one day. It’s her only chance at a decent life unless she is prepared to live here as an Omega.”

My brain is numb, my tongue cannot find words to say. I slouch back into the chair as if someone is coming to wrench me out. Omega…the word bounces around in my head mocking me.

Could I be…? Could it be that I…??

My poor heat shudders. I do not know just how much more it can take.

“No Danny. You do not have to worry. As I said, there is plenty to say you and your sister are not omegas. We must wait and watch, there is no need to rush to conclusions. And in the meanwhile, you can tell me why you are not taking my potions.”

“…”

I give him a stupid look. He purses his lips.

“Your skin is pallid and there are dark circles under your eyes. You have lost weight. It’s evident you are not sleeping well. Had you been taking the potion, it would not be the case.”

“I… I just forget sometimes. There is a lot on my mind.”

“And that is exactly what we are trying to address, Danny. We need to clear your mind. You need to take the potions regularly and leave the rest to the Goddess. Just know that you have your grandfather in you. There is very little chance that you would be Omegas.”

*****

I hope so. I really really hope so!!

Ten minutes later, I enter Olly’s room with my fingers crossed. It’s the same room of Arome’s cottage that he treated me, just partitioned by a thin wall. Olly is sitting up in her bed, looking out of the window. It’s a view of the main road, to the soldiers walking by and people bustling about. She gazes at it wistfully, her lank hair falling over her thin shoulders.

“Olly…”

Her head turns to me and I suck a breath. She looks pale. Her skin is pallid, and there are dark circles around her eyes. I stare as Arome’s words make rounds in my mind.

“Olly, how are you feeling?“

She ignores my question completely.

“I heard what Arome said. The wall is quite thin here.”

My brows bunch. Did she hear everything?

“He was just talking in general, Olly. He didn’t mean we would be Omegas...”

“I don’t care what he meant, Danny. I just want to tell you that I won’t be an Omega. I feel it in my bones, my blood. It tells me I am a wolf and I’ll prove it to be true.”

Good for you! I smile faintly, marvelling at her confidence. I wish I had about a quarter of it.

“Well, that’s what I am saying, Olly. We don’t need to worry…”

“I don’t need to worry, Danny. You do. Because you have nothing to count on.”

My smile falters. She gives me a sharp look.

“I had told you before as well not to forget yourself. You will only make a fool of yourself. Now see what happened. Adam does not want you and neither does Gabe. You are suffering like a pathetic mutt no one wants. How does that feel?”

I do not know what I have taken a step forward. My fists are rolled, and my chest rises and falls as if full of steam. My face heats as if a furnace is lit within.

“Then why are you suffering, Olly? At this moment, you look just like me, or even worse. Why is that, Olly, if you are not an unwanted mutt like me?”

She turns her head in anger, but does not answer.

"I know Gabe does not want you, Jeff you cannot have, and Billy you would not want because you do not like leftovers. Adam would not look at you twice and that leaves you exactly where I am. So come down your high horse and smell the coffee, Olly. You are just as pathetic as me. "

I storm out, fuming. My limp is gone and I can walk without pain, but I hardly realize it. My vision is so clouded with rage that I rush out, straight into Gabe.

My face smashes into his chest like onto a hard rock. For a moment I only see stars, when I hear his chuckle.

“Well. One would say we are back to square one. Now, where do you think we should go from here?”

***** *****