Chapter 2
The first time I saw Nyla Cruz was at the pack’s annual gathering, held in the grand hall of the Lycan Palace. As soon as the striking Omega stepped into the center of the room, I instinctively turned to look at Ignacio. Sure enough, his gaze was fixed on her, his usually sharp and aloof expression softened, his attention unwavering.
Nyla wore a crimson ceremonial dress, the color of her rank as an Omega, but she carried herself with a confidence that defied her station. The chatter around us buzzed with excitement, highlighted by waves of gasps and murmurs of admiration. The Beta of the pack, standing at the front, introduced her with a playful lilt in his voice. “Nyla Cruz? When I first saw the guest list, I thought this was a Lycan Prince’s name. Names can surprise you.”
Nyla smiled graciously, a hint of pride in her eyes as she addressed the crowd. “Who says Omegas can’t rise above their station? Like an eagle, I aim to reach the highest peaks.” Her words were met with another round of applause, though I noticed the narrowed eyes of some of the higher-ranking pack members.
“Nyla? So that’s Nyla Cruz?” Ignacio murmured beside me, seemingly unaware of anything else around him. His eyes were fixed on her, filled with admiration that made my chest tighten.
During the ceremonial segment, Nyla playfully pointed at Ignacio. “Now, let’s invite one of our pack’s finest warriors to join me for…” The Beta unfolded a piece of parchment and announced the chosen activity: “A wolf’s hunt!”
Ignacio stood up with confidence, his broad shoulders and muscular frame commanding attention even in a room full of warriors. His cheeks slightly flushed, he quickly made his way to the center of the room, amid laughter and cheers from the crowd. He was so focused on Nyla that he seemed to forget I was sitting right there next to him.
Nyla pretended to stumble slightly, placing a hand on Ignacio’s arm to steady herself. Then, with a boldness that made my stomach churn, she leaned in and planted a kiss on his left cheek. She glanced in my direction, her smile a clear challenge, as if she knew exactly what she was doing.
After that night, Nyla’s reputation as a flirt spread quickly through the pack. Aniyah, my best friend and a fellow Delta, was indignant. “Of all the wolves to choose, she picks someone else’s mate. I bet she did it on purpose. Everyone knows you and Ignacio are the perfect pair. The Moon Goddess herself blessed your bond.”
I tried to brush it off, but the memory of Ignacio’s gaze fixed on Nyla lingered in my mind. My wolf stirred uneasily in the back of my consciousness, a quiet growl of discomfort that I couldn’t ignore. I wanted to believe Ignacio’s attention was just a fleeting moment, but deep down, I feared it was something more.
The pack’s whispers didn’t help. “Did you see the way he looked at her?” one of the Omegas murmured as I passed by. “Like she was the Moon Goddess herself.”
I clenched my fists, trying to hold onto the belief that our bond was stronger than this. But as the days passed, Ignacio’s growing fascination with Nyla became harder to ignore. The perfect mate I thought I knew seemed to be slipping away, and I wasn’t sure how to hold on.
You may also like
