Teru’s mom and sister ogled 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.

“No, absolutely not,” Mom said. She went back to her sculpting by using a sharp stone. Her job was to shape rocks and old pieces of metal into small bullets for the rifles and smaller guns. Since Teru’s role was a hunter, and a really good one, she was always making bullets during her free time just for him. 

“Mom, I already volunteered. I can’t just back out.”

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

“I want to go, though. Lucas will co—”

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 a good boy who listened and did as he was told, so he was rarely shouted at. When Hina, in her teens, had been found fooling around with a neighbor boy, she’d only been given a stern talking to about the risks of pregnancy and being careful. Even when their father went missing, Mom’s grief had been silent.

Teru tried again. “I really, really need this. Just this once. You saw what happened today during Nolan’s announcement. I didn’t consent!”

“Perhaps it’s for the best that he is claiming you,” she said quietly. 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. Your father protected you growing up, but he isn’t with us. That’s all I want for you, to be safe. It is why I’ve been uneasy about you and Lucas lately. It’s obvious that boy has intentions.”

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.”

“Still, Teru. I can’t let you go tomorrow. Please understand. Your heat cycle could come any day now. 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. “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, which had a straw bed and 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. It had a flying crane crest etched on the top. He usually kept it on a necklace. 

Teru took it off earlier that day before bathing to avoid losing it in the lake. He returned it around his neck and clutched the ring for comfort.

The other possession was a stuffed wolf toy that 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. He loved it anyway. 

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

This was the first time he voiced his opinion, adamantly against a decision made on his behalf. It was no wonder his tantrum had surprised 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 or smiling 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 stand 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 cracked his mask some more, slowly. He was not perfect by any means, but he was scared to reveal just how broken he actually was. The mask could never break.

The omega cried until his eyes were swollen shut.

Sometime later, Hina came to give him his favorite snack. A handful of raspberries plopped beside him. They were probably the last ones of the season since they hadn’t grown well from 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 a pet. “For the record, I don’t agree with Mom. You’re of age. You should do what you think is best for you.”

“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. He tried, but his mind raced.

Eventually, Teru heard the creaks of his ladder. Someone was coming. He flipped over so his back faced the cubby hole’s entrance. His eyes closed, pretending 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. Tomorrow, let’s have a picnic when you come back from hunting, okay? You’ve always liked those. I already 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, waiting for a response. She knew he was fake-sleeping. When Teru didn’t move, she sighed. 

“I love you.” 

He heard her retreat to her own cubby.

His personality wanted to say sorry, that he was acting like a pup who wasn’t getting what he wanted. Teru forced himself not to do it. This time, he’d follow his own decisions.

And that decision was to secretly leave at dawn.