“And I’ll be leaving at dawn tomorrow. Won’t it be exciting to see the world outside of the Valley Pack territory?” Teru finished explaining.

Teru’s mom and sister gaped at him when he told them about his volunteering. Hina was older by a year. She was a carbon copy of their mother with mousy brown straight hair, gray eyes, and countless freckles. At first, the two laughed when he spilled the beans about Josy giving permission. They didn’t believe him at first. But once he provided details that were too descriptive to be made up, they realized he wasn’t joking.

And the reaction was exactly how Lucas predicted.

“No, absolutely not. I won’t allow it,” His mom said in a strict tone.

She returned to her sculpting, using a sharp stone and other tools collected over the years. Her pack job was to shape rocks and old pieces of metal into bullets for rifles and smaller guns. Since it had been her duty since her teenage years, her hands were worn, callused, and rough. Because Teru’s role was a hunter and a really good one at that, she was constantly making them during her free time just for him.

“Mom, I already volunteered. I can’t just back out. That would make me look bad and unreliable.”

“Then I’ll talk to Josy. Don’t worry about it and just sleep in tomorrow. They’ll understand.”

“I want to go, though. And I won’t be alone. Lucas will co—”

BAM. She smacked the stone against the cave floor. It echoed in their living space which was a giant hole in the cave wall. Her hands trembled. “I said no!”

Her outburst made him jump. The two young adults had never seen their mom react like this.

Teru was always good. He behaved well to avoid causing trouble. He listened and did as he was told, so he was rarely shouted at. When Hina was younger, she’d been found fooling around with a neighbor boy. Her only punishment was a stern talking to about the risks of pregnancy and being careful. Even when their father went missing, their mom’s grief had been silent, so this was very abnormal.

Teru tried again. He couldn’t give up! “I really, really need this. Just this once. Please. You saw what happened today during Nolan’s announcement. I didn’t consent to that!”

“Perhaps it’s for the best that he is claiming you,” she said quietly. Her voice was barely audible. Mom stared at the bullets beside her feet, not meeting his wide-eyed expression as if ashamed of her own words.

“What do you mean? You know how I feel about him.”

“But Nolan is a dominant alpha. His claim on you will offer protection even from other packs. Not even the Styx Pack has an alpha like that. Your father protected you while you were growing up but he isn’t with us now.”

“Exactly! Especially after everything Dad did to protect me. You’re just going to give up his efforts so easily?”

“I’m not giving up, Teru! All I want for you is to be safe. The pack’s numbers are dwindling. More are getting sick or dying every year. I’m terrified of what would happen if I’m next to go and you’re still a bachelor. I’ve been uneasy about you and Lucas lately. It’s obvious he has intentions and I just feel he isn’t right for you.”

This again? The thought of him and Lucas together like that was absurd. “We’re just friends, Mom! Nothing more. He watches out for me as I do for him. And Nolan… you’ve seen how he treated Laney. Even me. Don’t you remember?”

“I know but… Still, Teru. I can’t let you go tomorrow. Please understand. Your heat cycle could come. Haven’t you been saying you don’t feel well, lately? You shouldn’t risk going out for extended periods. Once you return from hunting, we can discuss Nolan further. He was here earlier today to talk to me about becoming a pair with you.”

People doing things behind his back was a slap to the face. “I’d rather die.”

Mom gasped. She was going to say something but Teru stopped her. He brushed his hands through his hair in frustration. “No, really! I would seriously rather die than be with him. I always did what you and Dad told me to—followed your orders, practiced shooting all day to learn how to protect myself, and stayed hidden away in this depressing place for weeks during each alpha’s rut while you all enjoyed being outside! I’m done! I wish… I wish Dad were here. He would do a hell of a better job listening to me than you.”

Teru immediately felt guilty for saying that last part. Hurt flashed across her face. But he couldn’t apologize. It would cancel out everything he had just said to make a point.

He climbed up the ladder to his cubby hole. It had a straw bed and a few precious belongings.

One of the items was a silver ring given to him by his parents when he was old enough to understand not to eat it. They never told him where it came from, saying it was a secret and that they’d tell him when he was older. It had a flying crane crest etched on the top. He usually kept it on a necklace. Teru had taken it off earlier that day before bathing to avoid losing it in the lake. He returned it to around his neck and clutched the ring for comfort.

The other possession was a stuffed wolf toy that his dad had found while scavenging. It was the size of his hand. Its gray fur was matted from years of cuddling. The yellow eyes were heavily scratched. Despite its beaten condition, he loved it anyway.

He held the little wolf close to his chest, feeling an ache in his heart.

This was the first time he had voiced an opinion adamantly against a decision made on his behalf. It was no wonder his tantrum had surprised his mom. Teru always wore an invisible, outer mask to show he was the perfect son, the best hunter, and the stereotypical omega. He pretended the unwarranted words and actions by alphas hadn’t affected him, laughing it off.

But in reality, they’d hurt him each time. He cried on the inside. It lowered his confidence to almost nothing, constantly questioning if this was truly an omega’s destiny. Harassment. Being looked down on. A thing to possess.

Teru didn’t know how to be an omega, how to be confident, and how to be consistent in standing up for himself. Being the only omega around was a heavy burden that no one could understand.

There has to be more than this. I just… sense it.

These negative thoughts slowly cracked his mask some more. He was not perfect by any means but he was scared to reveal just how broken he actually was. The mask could never fall. It just couldn’t.

The omega cried until his eyes were swollen shut. Sometime later, Hina came to give him his favorite snack. A handful of raspberries she plopped beside him. They were probably the last ones of the season since they hadn’t grown well because of the drought.

She patted his head. “Here’s the last of my stash, dork.”

He tried to smile at her out-of-character friendly gesture towards her younger brother, but it was hard.

Hina continued petting his head like he was a cat. “For the record, I don’t agree with Mom. You’re of age. Heck, only a year younger than me and I had more freedom than that. You should do what you think is best for yourself.”

“Thanks,” he whispered.

“Besides, I think Lucas is cute.” She winked and climbed down out of sight.

“C-cute”? What is up with people thinking this way? Friends! Just Friends!

The cave grew quiet. Everyone slept. Teru tried but his mind just raced. Eventually, Teru heard the creaks of his ladder. Someone was coming. He flipped over so his back faced the entrance. His eyes closed and pretended to sleep.

The creaking stopped.

“Teru,” his mom whispered. She stroked his hair gently. “I can’t lose you, too. I won’t force you to be Nolan’s mate but I hope you consider it. Let’s have a picnic when you come back from hunting tomorrow. Okay? You like those. I prepared some jerky and raspberry jelly. While we eat, I have a very important gift for you. I’ve been waiting to give it to you since the day you were born.”

Mom stopped touching his hair. She waited for a response from him. She knew he was fake sleeping. When Teru didn’t respond, she sighed in defeat.

“I love you.”

He heard her retreat to her cubby spot next to his. Teru wanted to say sorry, that he was acting like a pup who wasn’t getting what he wanted. But he forced himself not to do it. This time, he’d follow his own decisions.

And that decision was to secretly leave at dawn. With or without her permission.