Chapter Two: The Omega's Burden

Aria stood outside the chamber, her heart hammering in her chest. She had been waiting for a few minutes now, rehearsing what she would say, trying to steady her breath. Her hands fidgeted with the edge of her apron, wringing it nervously. Finally, the door swung open, and Kiernan, the pack's Beta and commander, stepped out. He was tall and broad-shouldered, his dark hair tousled from the earlier confrontation, his expression thoughtful.

Aria immediately felt a blush creeping up her cheeks as she looked up at him, her voice barely above a whisper. "Thank you… for standing up for me," she said, forcing herself to meet his eyes.

Kiernan glanced at her, his gaze calm but distant. "It was nothing," he replied shortly, his tone polite but dismissive. "Just be more careful next time, Aria. You don’t want to be on the Alpha’s bad side."

Her heart sank a little at his response, but she nodded quickly, not wanting to seem ungrateful. "I will," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to cause trouble."

Kiernan gave a brief nod, already looking past her, his mind seemingly elsewhere. "Just take care of yourself," he murmured before moving past her, heading toward the training grounds.

Aria watched him walk away, a soft smile forming on her lips despite his cold response. Her heart fluttered as she imagined what it would be like to have him look at her with something other than pity. "He’s so strong, so brave," she thought, her cheeks flushing as she watched him disappear into the distance. "If only… if only things were different."

With a sigh, she turned away, knowing she had no place in his world.

Aria made her way back to her small house on the outskirts of the pack territory, where the scent of stew simmering on the stove greeted her. Her mother, Mira, stood over the pot, stirring slowly, her face lined with fatigue. Aria immediately noticed the pallor of her mother’s skin, the way her hands shook ever so slightly with each stir.

"Mama, let me help," Aria offered, stepping forward to take the spoon. "You should rest."

Mira smiled weakly, brushing off Aria’s concern. "I’m fine, dear. Just a little tired. Besides, you’ve had a long day too."

But as she spoke, her voice wavered, and her legs suddenly gave way. Aria rushed forward, catching her mother just as she began to collapse. "Mama!" she cried, panic flaring in her chest. "What’s happening? You’re burning up!"

Her mother’s breathing was shallow, her face twisted in pain. "I… I don’t know," Mira whispered, struggling to speak. "It’s… been like this for a while, but I didn’t want to worry you."

"We need to get you to the herbal doctor, now!" Aria insisted, her voice filled with urgency. She half-carried, half-dragged her mother out of the house, her mind racing with fear. "Please, hold on, Mama. Please…"

They arrived at the pack’s herbal doctor’s chamber, a small, dark room filled with the scent of herbs and potions. The old healer, Elda, looked up as they entered, her expression turning grave as she saw Mira’s condition.

"Lay her down here," Elda instructed, pointing to a cot. Aria gently placed her mother down, her hands trembling. "What’s wrong with her?" she asked, desperation seeping into her voice.

Elda examined Mira closely, her brows furrowing. After a few moments, she shook her head, her eyes sad. "Her condition is severe, Aria," she said softly. "Her lungs… they’re failing. At best, she has three months. Maybe less."

Aria felt the world tilt beneath her feet. "No… no, there must be something you can do," she pleaded, her voice breaking. "Something… anything!"

Elda sighed, her gaze sympathetic. "I’m sorry, child. There are treatments, but they can only ease her pain, not cure her."

Aria’s mind spun, her thoughts a blur of panic and grief. "Three months," she whispered, tears streaming down her face. "How… how am I supposed to…"

But before she could finish her thought, a loud commotion erupted outside. Raised voices, shouts, the unmistakable tension of conflict. Aria’s heart leapt in her chest, and she quickly turned to the door, her senses on high alert.

"What’s happening?" she asked, moving toward the entrance.

Elda looked alarmed, glancing toward the noise. "Stay here, Aria. It could be dangerous."

But Aria couldn’t stay put. She had to know. She pushed open the door and stepped outside, her eyes scanning the gathering crowd. At the center, she saw a figure—a tall, imposing man with a scarred face, his presence exuding menace. The air around him crackled with dark energy.

"Who… who is that?" Aria whispered to a nearby pack member.

"That’s the rogue Alpha," the pack member muttered, eyes wide with fear. "He’s here to challenge Alpha Caden for control of the pack."

Aria’s breath caught in her throat. The rogue Alpha. Stories of his brutality and ambition had spread like wildfire through the packs. She watched as he raised his hand, demanding silence.

"I’m here to claim what’s rightfully mine," he declared, his voice booming across the clearing. "Your Alpha is weak… unable to protect you. You need a real leader."

Caden stepped forward, his expression cold and defiant. "I won’t let you take what’s mine," he growled, his eyes blazing with fury. "This pack belongs to me."

The rogue Alpha smirked. "Then prove it," he challenged. "Mate, or lose your pack. Those are your choices, Caden."

Aria felt a wave of dizziness wash over her. She gripped the doorway to steady herself, but her vision blurred. Her body felt suddenly hot, like she was burning from the inside out. Her hands flew to her forehead, feeling the intense heat radiating from her skin.

"What’s happening to me?" she thought, panic rising in her chest. Her heartbeat quickened, her breath coming in short, sharp gasps. "Why… why do I feel like this?"

She glanced down and saw her hands beginning to tremble, her skin seeming to pulse with an energy she didn’t understand. Then, she saw it—her eyes reflected in a nearby window, turning a deep, unnatural blue.

"No… no, not now," she whispered, fear clawing at her throat. But she couldn’t stop it. The heat intensified, her vision darkening at the edges. She stumbled back, her mind swirling with confusion and dread.

As the rival Alpha continued to issue his challenge, Aria felt herself slipping, her body swaying, the world around her fading into darkness.

The hidden power within her stirred, waking up to the call of the unknown.