War is never a good thing. Each clash of battle, each roar of rage, only deepens the wounds that will not easily heal.
The land, once fertile and peaceful, is now stained with blood. The once refreshing air trembles with desperate cries. Every footstep no longer leaves a trace of life, but instead marks the terrible footprints of death.
Amidst the din of the ongoing battle, some tried to close their mouths tightly to prevent any sound from escaping. They created silence, hoping that their lives would be spared in the silence.
Their minds spun in circles, filled with growing fear. They realized that the critical situation was far from over. The battle continued, even though the warriors of the Frostholm Pack had managed to push back the warriors of the Nimbria Pack. They braced themselves for the worst, expecting the war to erupt even more violently than before.
Time seemed to move so slowly. Each passing second felt like a game of death. In their minds, the image of death became more real, drawing closer.
The world they once knew was slowly disappearing, replaced by an endless horror that ruled every corner. Those who survived could only pray and hope that it would all end soon.
For there was nothing they could do. They couldn’t join the fight. They could only hide within the limits they possessed.
They were the Omegas, the werewolves born into misfortune. They were at the bottom of the pack’s hierarchy, limited by weaknesses that couldn’t be compared to the other werewolves. They relied on others to survive; they needed protection, but that didn’t mean they were completely useless.
Most Omegas would dedicate their lives to the palace. They would be given work and their lives would be fully guaranteed. The pack would protect them without seeing them as a burden.
On the contrary, the Omegas ensured that their existence remained valuable. They might be weak, lacking the strength to fight, but they would dedicate their lives and deaths to the pack with unwavering loyalty.
When war broke out, it was time for the Omegas to do their part. They might not be on the battlefield, but they would make sure the warriors stayed in peak condition. They would work behind the scenes, making sure that every need was met, from preparing food to tending to the wounded. Their lack of physical strength did not diminish their spirit; instead, it forged in them a mental toughness and an unwavering dedication to supporting the pack.
They tended to the warriors with great care, cleaning their wounds and making sure they got enough rest. Every little thing they did, from preparing healing potions to distributing food, was a valuable contribution to the survival of the pack.
One of the Omegas kept busy in the quiet was Mariah. She fought with all her limitations to make sure no warrior was neglected. Her movements were swift, her hands deft. She worked with precision and calm, though her eyes could not hide the truth.
From time to time, Mariah glanced at the door of the shelter barracks. She waited, but the one she was waiting for never came. As a result, her face showed concern, and she couldn’t resist the urge to ask.
Mariah approached one of the guards on duty. “I haven’t seen Ayla. Do you know where she is?”
The guard looked at Mariah for a moment before shaking his head. “No.”
Mariah knew that the guard was lying. But she couldn’t push any further. She couldn’t ask any more questions and decided to move on.
Mariah’s thoughts turned to Usher. The reason was that she hadn’t found Usher when she went to Jemma’s room last night. Usher wasn’t there, and neither was Ayla. So, she was sure that Usher was with Ayla.
Mariah seemed increasingly restless. She wrung her hands as she looked around. Then her eyes caught sight of Bruce, who was acting unusually. She paused for a moment, her instincts urging her to follow Bruce discreetly.
Mariah’s hope was clear. She wanted to find even the smallest clue that might lead her to Usher and Ayla.
Mariah stepped cautiously, keeping her distance so as not to draw Bruce’s attention. Confusion set in when she saw Bruce continue walking, pushing through a thicket and entering a secluded passageway she hadn’t known about before.
The air gathered in her chest. Mariah steeled herself as she realized that Bruce had moved away from the hustle and bustle of the pack. She decided to follow him into the long, dark hallway.
It was narrow and cold. The corridor had damp stone walls that gave off a musty smell that reminded Mariah of places that had not seen sunlight for a long time. Worse, she couldn’t predict where the corridor would lead, as if it had no end, as if it would drag her into impenetrable darkness.
Suddenly, Bruce’s figure disappeared around the bend in the corridor. Mariah’s eyes widened. Instinctively, she quickened her pace to catch up, but was stopped abruptly by a voice.
“What are you doing here?”
Mariah’s footsteps immediately stopped. Her body froze. Her lips trembled as she realized that Bruce knew she had been following him.
Mariah swallowed hard. “I-I don’t mean any harm. I-I just want to find…”
“Mariah?”
A voice cut Mariah off. She and Bruce both turned toward the source, where they found Ayla holding Usher.
“Ayla,” Mariah cried in relief. In the darkness of the hallway, she tried to focus on Ayla. “Oh, thank God, I found you. I was so worried.”
Bruce remained silent. His eyes held a suspicious glint in Mariah’s direction. He didn’t let his guard down; instead, he continued to press Mariah. “Tell me, what are you doing here?”
Mariah took a deep breath and tried to calm herself. “I-I-”
“She must be worried about Usher, Bruce,” Ayla interrupted, coming closer. She approached Mariah and showed her the sleeping Usher in her arms. “She’s been the one caring for and watching over Usher all this time.”
Mariah nodded quickly. “You’re right, Ayla. I couldn’t rest when I saw that Usher wasn’t in Luna’s room last night. I was afraid that something bad had happened to him.”
“I know.” Ayla exhaled deeply, then continued, “But your place isn’t here, Mariah. You should be…”
“Please, Ayla. Let me stay with you and Usher,” Mariah said quickly. She grabbed Ayla’s free hand and pleaded, “Let me take care of Usher.”
Ayla fell silent. Mariah’s plea softened her heart. In the end, she couldn’t refuse and nodded in response.
*