From Omega to Silver Wolf

The old lodge-turned-school auditorium smelled of pine and anticipation as the first rays of dawn filtered through dusty windows. I stood at the back of the room, clutching my notebook with the detailed schedule I'd spent half the night perfecting. My eyes never left Jake Collins as he commanded the attention of everyone present, his broad shoulders squared with the natural authority of a future Alpha.

"The Coming of Age ceremony begins at sunset," Jake announced, his deep voice resonating through the room. "Everyone needs to be in position by four. No exceptions."

I scribbled additional notes, though I'd already memorized every detail. This was what I did—anticipated his needs before he voiced them. For three years, I'd orbited Jake like a forgotten moon, desperate for even the smallest acknowledgment from my sun.

"The altar needs fresh forest flowers," Summer Walsh's voice cut through my thoughts as she sauntered to Jake's side, her manicured hand possessively curling around his bicep. "Not those dried arrangements the elders suggested."

Jake's expression softened as he looked at his chosen mate. Summer tossed her golden hair over one shoulder, her wolf-blessed beauty making my chest ache with inadequacy. I unconsciously touched my neck, bare of any mate mark, and felt the familiar shame of being wolfless at eighteen.

"The forest edge has lupines blooming," I heard myself saying, stepping forward before I could stop myself. "I could gather them before the ceremony."

Jake's eyes flicked to me, then away just as quickly, as if the sight of me was unremarkable. "Fine. Do that."

Three words. That was all I got for volunteering to trek alone to the forest edge—a task beneath anyone with rank. But I nodded eagerly, pathetically grateful for the assignment.

The morning sun had burned away the mist by the time I reached the forest. Dew soaked through my sneakers as I waded through the underbrush, filling my basket with pale purple lupines. Their delicate scent reminded me of my mother, who had died before seeing me shift. Maybe that was why my wolf never came—grief had buried her too deep.

I hummed softly, lost in the rhythm of gathering flowers, unaware that I was being watched. Had I been more attentive, perhaps I would have noticed Summer's scent lingering on a nearby pine, or heard the subtle crunch of leaves as she slipped away, back toward the lodge. Back toward Jake.

The clearing was peaceful, dappled sunlight playing across the forest floor. I straightened, stretching my back after bending for so long, when the first growl froze me in place.

Three wolves emerged from the shadows—ragged, wild-eyed rogues with matted fur and bared teeth. Their growls rumbled like distant thunder as they circled me, cutting off my escape routes one by one.

"Help!" My scream echoed against mossy rocks as I backed toward the cliff edge, lupines scattering from my overturned basket. "Someone help me!"

The largest rogue, a mangy gray beast, lunged forward, snapping at my leg. I screamed