Strength protects the pack. Weakness has no place among wolves. That’s what Arlene Terry’s father had growled at her every day of her miserable life. But Arlene would learn that in a world where power meant everything, being powerless didn’t mean you were weak. It meant you were prey.

 The night five frozen wolves appeared at her door, begging an omega to save them. Arlene discovered that the crulest lies weren’t told by enemies. They were whispered by the people who were supposed to love you. And the truth she’d uncover would shatter everything she thought she knew about strength, weakness, and the ancient magic that bound their kind together.

 But first, she had to survive the coldest winter in a century. And the wolves at her door weren’t asking for shelter. They were asking for something far more dangerous. Chapter 1. The Omega’s Burden. The wind screamed through the cracks in the cabin walls like a dying animal, and Arlene Terry pressed her thin blanket closer to her shivering body.

 Outside, the blizzard had been raging for 3 days straight. Inside, the temperature had dropped so low she could see her breath forming ghostly clouds in the darkness. She should have been in the main lodge with the rest of the pack. She should have been warm, fed, and safe. But Omegas didn’t get those luxuries. Not in the Shadow Pine pack.

 Not when your father was the alpha and your sister was his perfect powerful heir. Pathetic, Arlene whispered to herself, her lips cracked and bleeding from the cold. Even her own voice sounded weak. The cabin, if you could even call it that, was barely more than a shack at the edge of packed territory. One room, rotting floorboards, a fireplace that hadn’t worked in years, and a door that didn’t quite close all the way.

 It had been her home for the past 3 years. Ever since her first shift had revealed the truth everyone had suspected. Arlene Terry, daughter of Alpha Vincent Shields, was an omega. The lowest rank, the weakest link, the family embarrassment, her stomach cramped with hunger. When was the last time someone had brought her food? Two days ago? Three.

 Time blurred together when you were slowly freezing to death. The pack was supposed to care for all its members, even Omegas. But her father had made it clear. If Arlene wanted to eat, she had to prove she was worth feeding. And how could an Omega prove worth in a pack that valued nothing but strength? She’d tried.

 In the beginning, she’d offered to help with the children, to cook, to clean, to do anything that might earn her a place among them. But her sister Elellanor had poisoned every opportunity. “Don’t let the Omega near the pups,” Eleanor had said, her voice dripping with false concern. What if her weakness is contagious? What if she teaches them to be soft? Eleanor shields.

 Beautiful, powerful, destined to be alpha when their father stepped down. Everything Arlene wasn’t. Everything Arlene could never be. The worst part. They looked almost identical. Same dark hair, same sharp features, same green eyes. But where Elellanar’s eyes glowed with golden wolf light, Arlene’s remained dull and human. where Elellanar’s presence commanded respect. Arlene’s inspired only pity and contempt.

 A sharp crack from outside startled Arlene from her bitter memories. She sat up, her body protesting every movement. The wind, a falling branch. No, there it was again. A sound that made her wolf stir uneasily in her chest, scratching at her door. Arlene’s heart began to race. Nothing should be out in this storm.

 The temperature had dropped to deadly levels, and even the strongest wolves knew better than to venture far from the lodge. Unless, “Please,” the word was so faint she almost missed it. A voice, rasping and desperate, carried on the howling wind. “Please, help!” Arlene stumbled to the door, her numb fingers struggling with the rope she used to keep it closed. She shouldn’t open it.

 Opening it would let in the cold, and she had so little warmth left to lose. But that voice, there was something in it that bypassed all rational thought and went straight to the omega core of her being. Omegas were meant to nurture, to heal, to protect the vulnerable. Even when no one protected them, she yanked the door open, and the blizzard slammed into her like a physical blow.

 Snow and ice stung her face, and the wind nearly tore the door from her hands. She squinted into the white out, seeing nothing but swirling chaos. Then she looked down. Five wolves lay collapsed on her doorstep. Their bodies covered in snow and ice. They weren’t moving. They weren’t breathing.

 Or if they were, their breath was so shallow she couldn’t see it in the storm. Their fur was matted with frost. Their paws bloody from what must have been a desperate journey through the blizzard. And they were huge, easily twice the size of the largest shadow pine wolf. Their coloring was wrong, too. Silver and white and palest blue, like they’d been carved from the winter itself.

 These weren’t her pack. These weren’t even normal wolves. No. Arlene breathed, recognition hitting her like a punch to the gut. No, you can’t be. One of the wolves cracked open an eye. It was the color of arctic ice, and it fixed on her with desperate intensity.

 Omega, the wolf rasped, the words somehow forming despite the animal mouth. Help us, please. Then the eye closed, and the wolf went completely still. Arlene stood frozen, her mind unable to process what she was seeing. These wolves were alphas. She could feel it in her bones, in the instinctive part of her that recognized pack hierarchy.

 Powerful, dominant alphas, each one radiating strength even in their dying state. And they were begging her for help. An Omega, the weakest of the weak. This had to be a trick, some cruel game Eleanor had devised. Any second now, her sister would appear with the other pack members, laughing at how pathetic Arlene looked, standing in her threadbear night gown while five strange wolves died on her doorstep.

 But the minutes passed and no one came. There was only the wind, the snow, and five massive wolves who were very definitely dying. Arlene looked back at her cabin. It was barely large enough for her. There was no way she could fit five giant wolves inside. And even if she could, what then? She had no food, no medicine, no way to help them. She could barely keep herself alive.

 The smart thing would be to close the door, to let nature take its course. These wolves weren’t her responsibility. They weren’t even her pack. But as she started to push the door closed, her eyes landed on the nearest wolf’s face. even unconscious, even frozen. There was something almost peaceful in its expression.

 Like it had been running for a very long time and finally found a place to rest. Arlene knew that feeling. She lived it every day. “Damn it,” she muttered, then louder, angry at herself. “Damn it, she couldn’t do it. She couldn’t leave them to die, even knowing it would probably kill her, too. Because if she did, if she closed that door and let them freeze, she’d be no better than the pack that had left her out here to suffer alone.

 She’d be just like her father, just like Eleanor, and she’d rather die than become that. Arlene grabbed the nearest wolf by its front legs, and pulled. It was like trying to move a boulder. The creature must have weighed 300 lb, all of its solid muscle and thick winter fur. She pulled harder, her muscles screaming, her hands burning from the cold and the effort.

 Inch by agonizing inch, she dragged the first wolf inside. Then the second, then the third, fourth, and fifth. By the time she got the last one through the door and managed to push it closed against the wind, Arlene was shaking so hard she could barely stand. Her cabin, already cramped, was now completely packed with massive wolf bodies.

 She had to step over them to reach her pathetic pile of belongings in the corner. Five alpha wolves in her cabin, dying. What have I done? Arlene whispered. But there was no time for regrets. She could see their sides barely rising and falling. They were in the final stages of hypothermia. Without heat, they’d be dead within the hour. Heat. She needed heat.

 Arlene looked at her broken fireplace. At the small pile of wood she’d been hoarding for emergencies, at the flint and steel that had never quite managed to catch. She’d tried a hundred times to start a fire in this cursed cabin and failed every single time.

 The chimney was blocked, or the wood was too wet, or she was just too weak and useless to do even this one simple thing. But she had to try. She knelt by the fireplace, her numb fingers fumbling with the wood. She arranged it the way she’d seen the packs fire tenders do its small kindling at the bottom, larger pieces on top, leaving space for air to flow.

 She struck the flint against the steel once, twice, three times. Sparks flew, but nothing caught. “Please,” Arlene begged, striking again. “Please, please, please.” Her voice cracked on the last word, and she felt hot tears spilling down her frozen cheeks. “Behind her!” One of the wolves whimpered a sound so small and pitiful from such a massive creature that it broke something inside her. She struck the flint harder, faster, desperately.

 Sparks showered the kindling, and for one beautiful moment, she saw a tiny flame spring to life. Then it flickered and died, leaving only a wisp of smoke. “No!” Arlene slammed her fist into the floor, feeling something crack. She wasn’t sure if it was the wood or her hand. I can’t do this. I can’t. I’m too weak. I’m too warmth. It started in her chest.

 A small spark of heat that had nothing to do with fire or wood or flint and steel. It spread through her body like liquid gold, filling her veins, pushing back the cold that had been killing her inch by inch. And with the warmth came something else. A presence. Five presences actually, pressing against her consciousness like someone knocking on a door inside her mind.

 “Let us in,” they whispered in unison. “Let us in, Omega. Let us show you what you really are. Arlene gasped, her eyes flying open. The five wolves were glowing, actually glowing, with a soft silver light that pulsed in time with her own heartbeat. The light was coming from them, but it was also coming from her, flowing out of her chest in shimmering threads that connected her to each wolf.

 “What?” she started to say. Then the threads pulled tight, and the world exploded into light. Chapter 2. The bond awakens. The light wasn’t painful. It should have been blazing that bright in the darkness. But instead, it felt like coming home after a lifetime of wandering. Arlene gasped as the threads of silver energy tightened.

 And suddenly, she wasn’t alone in her own head anymore. Five consciousnesses slammed into her mind like a tidal wave. Omega. Finally, we found you. So cold. So much cold. But she’s warm. She’s the bond. It’s real after all this time. It’s real. Don’t overwhelm her gently. We have to be gentle or will. No time for gentle. We’re dying. She’s our only chance.

 The voices overlapped and tangled together. None of them quite making sense. Arlene tried to push them away to force them out of her head, but they clung to her consciousness like drowning men clinging to driftwood. “Get out!” she screamed, clutching her head. Instantly, the voices went silent. The light dimmed but didn’t disappear completely.

 In the sudden quiet, Arlene could hear her own ragged breathing and the howling of the blizzard outside. Slowly, carefully, one voice separated itself from the others. It was deeper than the rest with an edge of command that made her Omega instincts snap to attention even as her human mind rebelled against it. “Forgive us,” the voice said.

 And despite its power, there was genuine remorse in it. We didn’t mean to frighten you. We’re not in control right now. The cold has us half mad. Arlene forced herself to open her eyes. The five wolves were still glowing, but fainter now, and she could see that the light was coming from the threads connecting them to her chest.

 They pulsed like luminous veins, carrying warmth from her body to theirs. “What did you do to me?” Arlene demanded, her voice shaking. “What is this? We didn’t do anything.” Another voice answered. This one lighter, almost musical despite its weakness. You did when you brought us inside. When you tried to save us, you activated the bond.

 What bond? I don’t I don’t understand any of this. A third voice, rougher and more impatient than the others. The omega bond, the ancient magic. Haven’t you felt it your whole life? That emptiness inside you, like something was missing. Arlene froze. Yes. Yes. She had felt that a hollow ache in her chest that never went away.

 No matter how hard she tried to fill it, she’d thought it was just loneliness, just the natural result of being rejected by her pack. But this voice was suggesting it was something else, something more. I don’t have any magic, Arlene said flatly. I’m an omega. We’re the weakest lies. The fourth voice was furious, making her flinch. Lies told by ignorant fools who don’t understand what omegas really are. Brother, calm yourself.

 The first voice the commanding one said firmly. She’s been taught wrong her whole life. We need to show her, not shout at her. I don’t want to be shown anything, Arlene said, backing away until her shoulders hit the cabin wall. I want you out of my head. I want you out of my cabin. I want. She stopped because she’d just realized something horrifying. The wolves weren’t glowing anymore.

 The threads connecting them to her had faded to barely visible wisps, and the warmth in her chest was rapidly cooling. The moment she tried to push them away, to break whatever connection had formed, the magic had started to die. And without the magic, without that impossible warmth flowing between them, the wolves were freezing again.

 “No,” Arlene whispered. She could see frost forming on their fur, could see their breathing becoming shallow and labored once more. “No, no, no. It’s all right,” the first voice said. And despite everything, it sounded gentle, understanding. “You don’t know us. You have no reason to trust us. If this is where our journey ends, at least we found you.

 At least we know the bond is real. Stop talking like that.” Arlene snapped, then caught herself. Why did she care? These were strangers, powerful alphas who would probably just reject her like everyone else once they were healthy enough to realize what she was. But even as she thought it, she knew it was a lie. Because in those brief moments when their minds had touched hers, she’d felt something she’d never felt before. Acceptance.

 Complete and total acceptance. They’d looked into her soul and seen an omega, and they’d been relieved. The bond, Arlene said slowly. If I If I let it work, if I stop fighting it, you’ll live perhaps, the musical voice answered. We’ve lost so much heat.

 We’ve been running for so long, but with you, yes, with you, we have a chance. And what do you get? Arlene asked suspiciously. Why would five alphas need an omega? What could I possibly give you that you don’t already have? Silence. the kind of silence that said she’d asked the right question and they weren’t sure how to answer it.

 Finally, the commanding voice spoke again. Everything. You could give us everything, but that’s a conversation for when we’re not actively dying. Right now, we’re asking you to trust us. Just for tonight, just long enough to survive this storm. Trust. What a strange thing to ask from someone who’d been given every reason not to trust anyone.

 Arlene looked at the five massive wolves crammed into her tiny cabin. They should have been terrifying. They should have triggered every submissive instinct she had, made her cower and gravel like omegas were supposed to do in the presence of alphas. Instead, she felt drawn to them like they were puzzle pieces that had been missing from her life. And now that they were here, she could finally see the complete picture.

If you hurt me, Arlene said quietly. If this is some trick, some cruel game, I won’t survive it. I’m barely surviving as it is. So, I need you to promise me. Promise me this is real. Five voices answered as one. And the sound reverberated through her bones. We swear on the ancient magic. On the bond itself, “We will never hurt you, Omega.

You are precious beyond measure.” The words hit her like a physical blow. Precious. No one had ever called her precious. No one had ever called her anything but weak, useless, pathetic. Arlene felt something crack inside her chest, not breaking, but opening. Like a door that had been locked for so long, she’d forgotten it was even there. Okay, she whispered. Okay, tell me what to do.

Stop fighting, the commanding voice said. Lower your walls. Let the bond flow. I don’t know how to. You do. You’ve been holding it back your whole life. That power inside you, your pack taught you to suppress it, to make yourself smaller. But you can’t be small anymore. Not if you want to save us. Not if you want to save yourself. Arlene closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She could feel it now.

 That wall inside herself that she’d built brick by brick over years of rejection and isolation. The wall that kept her power locked away where it couldn’t be mocked or exploited. She’d built it to protect herself. But now it was killing them all. I’m scared, Arlene admitted. We know, the musical voice said gently. We’re scared, too. But we’re here. You’re not alone anymore. Not alone.

When was the last time she hadn’t been alone? Arlene reached for that wall inside herself and pushed. It resisted at first, solid and immovable, but she pushed harder, remembering the feeling of dragging five massive wolves through her doorway.

 remembering that moment of desperate determination when she’d refused to let them die. The wall cracked. Light poured out of her like water from a broken dam. The silver threads connecting her to the wolves blazed bright. And suddenly the cabin was warm, actually genuinely warm for the first time in 3 years. The frost melted from the walls. Her breath stopped fogging the air.

 And the five wolves began to glow like fallen stars. Yes, they breathed in unison. Yes, Omega. That’s it. That’s the bond. Power flooded through Arlene’s body, but it wasn’t hers alone. It was flowing in a circuit from her to them and back again, growing stronger with each cycle. She could feel their strength pouring into her.

 Even as her warmth poured into them, for the first time in her life, she felt strong. No, not just strong, she felt complete. The wolves breathing deepened and steadied. The ice in their fur melted away, revealing coats that shimmerred like moonlight on snow. Their massive bodies relaxed, no longer rigid with cold and pain.

 They were going to live. “Thank you,” the commanding voice whispered in her mind. “Thank you, brave Omega. You saved us. I don’t understand any of this,” Arlene said. But she was smiling, actually smiling for the first time in years. I don’t know who you are or why you’re here or what this bond thing means, but you’re welcome. Sleep now, the musical voice urged.

 You’ve given us so much. You need to rest. I can’t sleep. Arlene protested weakly. You’re taking up all the floor space, and I don’t have a She didn’t finish the sentence because the nearest wolf, the one with the commanding voice, shifted its position slightly, creating a hollow between its body and the next wolf over.

It was lined with thick, warm fur and looked impossibly comfortable. “Sleep, Omega,” all five voices said together. “We’ll keep you safe.” Arlene knew she should resist. Should maintain some dignity, some distance, but she was so tired, so cold for so long, and that space between the wolves looked like the warmest, safest place in the entire world.

 She crawled over and curled up in the hollow, and immediately five massive bodies shifted to surround her completely. She was cocooned in warmth and fur, and the steady rhythm of five heartbeats that somehow matched her own. For the first time since she’d been exiled to this cabin, Arlene Terry fell asleep without crying. She didn’t see the five wolves open their eyes in the darkness.

 She didn’t see the look that passed between them. Relief mixed with something fiercer, more possessive. She didn’t hear the commanding voice whisper to his brothers, “She’s ours.” Finally, after all this searching, we found her and we’re never letting her go. The storm raged on outside, but inside the tiny cabin, an Omega and five alphas slept in a warmth that had nothing to do with fire and everything to do with magic that should have been forgotten centuries ago.

 And in the main lodge, miles away, Elellanar Shields woke from a nightmare with a scream caught in her throat. She dreamed of silver light and her sister’s face. She dreamed of power that made her own strength look like a candle next to the sun. It’s not possible. Eleanor whispered to the darkness. Arlene’s just an omega. She’s nothing.

 She’s But even as she said it, she knew something had changed. Something fundamental had shifted in the world, and it had her sister’s name written all over it. Elellanar threw off her warm blankets and stalked to the window. Outside, the blizzard was beginning to clear. By morning, the pack would be able to venture out again. And the first thing Eleanor planned to do was check on her pathetic sister.

 Just to make sure the Omega hadn’t frozen to death, just to make sure Arlene was still exactly where Elellanar wanted her weak, broken, and completely under control. Elellanar smiled at her reflection in the window. She had no idea that by morning everything she thought she knew about her sister would be shattered beyond repair.

 The bond had awakened and Omega’s true power was something no Alpha, no matter how strong, could ever hope to control. Chapter 3. The morning after Arlene woke to silence. Not the oppressive, lonely silence she’d grown accustomed to, but a peaceful quiet broken only by the soft sound of breathing that wasn’t her own.

 For a moment, she kept her eyes closed, savoring the warmth that surrounded her like a blanket. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d woken up warm. Then, memory crashed back, and her eyes flew open. Five wolves, the bond, the magic. She sat up quickly or tried to.

 A massive silver paw was draped across her waist, pinning her gently but firmly in place. Arlene looked down at herself and realized she was still nestled in the hollow created by five enormous wolf bodies, all of them breathing steadily in sleep. The storm had passed. Weak morning sunlight filtered through the gaps in her cabin walls, illuminating dust moes that danced in the air. Everything looked the same as it always did.

 the broken fireplace, the rotting floorboards, the pitiful pile of her belongings in the corner. Except for the five massive glowing wolves currently using her cabin as a sleeping den. This is real, Arlene whispered to herself. This actually happened. Good morning, Omega. The voice in her head was softer now, less desperate than last night. The commanding one, she was starting to think of him as the leader, though she had no idea if that was accurate.

 You’re awake, Arlene said, then felt foolish. Of course, he was awake if he was talking to her. Have been for a while, the voice admitted. Watching over you, making sure the bond stayed stable through the night. The bond. Arlene looked down at her chest, half expecting to see those silver threads still glowing there.

 She couldn’t see them, but she could feel them. Five distinct connections humming just beneath her skin. It’s still there. It will always be there now, the musical voice said, and Arlene realized a second wolf had woken. Once an Omega bond forms. It’s permanent. We’re connected, you and us. For life.

 For life. Arlene’s voice rose in pitch. I didn’t agree to I mean, I was just trying to save you. I didn’t know it was permanent. Would you have let us die if you’d known? The rough, impatient voice asked. A third wolf was awake now. Its ice blue eyes fixed on her with uncomfortable intensity. Arlene opened her mouth to answer, then closed it.

Because no, no. Even knowing the bond was permanent, she wouldn’t have let them freeze. She’d made her choice the moment she’d opened that door. “Peace, brother,” the commanding voice said. “She has every right to be upset. We should have explained before we asked her to lower her walls. Could you have?” Arlene asked. “Explained, I mean.

 You were dying? No, the voice admitted. We would have died before finishing the explanation, which is why we’re grateful you acted on instinct instead of logic. The wolf with the paw on her waist stirred, and Arlene felt a fourth presence bloom in her mind. This one was quieter than the others, steadier.

 The Omega is uncomfortable, it observed. She needs space. Immediately, all five wolves began to shift, carefully untangling themselves and moving back to give her room. Arlene scrambled to her feet, suddenly aware of how disheveled she must look. Her night gown was torn and stained. Her hair was a tangled mess, and she probably smelled like she hadn’t bathed in days, because she hadn’t.

 There was no hot water in the cabin, and heating snow over a fire she couldn’t make had proven impossible. “You smell perfect,” the fifth voice said, speaking for the first time. It was the smoothest of the five, almost hypnotic, like home. “Stop that,” Arlene said, wrapping her arms around herself. “Stop reading my thoughts or whatever you’re doing. We’re not reading your thoughts,” the commanding voice said.

“We can only hear what you project to us through the bond. But your emotions are louder than you realize. You’re broadcasting discomfort and embarrassment quite clearly.” Wonderful. Arlene muttered. So, not only am I bonded to five strangers for life, but they can feel everything I’m feeling. This just gets better and better. We can teach you to shield, the steady voice offered.

 To control what you share through the bond. It takes practice. But who are you? Arlene interrupted, backing away until she hit the cabin wall. Now that the crisis had passed, now that they weren’t dying, reality was setting in. You’re not from my pack. You’re not from any pack I’ve ever heard of. Those markings on your fur.

 She gestured at the intricate silver patterns that swirled through their coats. I’ve never seen anything like them. And this bond, this magic. What are you? The five wolves looked at each other. Something passing between them that Arlene couldn’t quite read. Finally, the one with the commanding voice stood.

 He was the largest of the five, easily four feet tall at the shoulder, with a coat that seemed to shimmer between silver and white depending on how the light hit it. “We are the Frostborn,” he said. “And there was weight to the words like they carried history and power, the last of the northern packs, and we’ve been searching for you for a very long time. For me?” Arlene shook her head.

 “That’s impossible. I’m nobody. I’m just an omega from a backwater pack who you’re not just anything. The rough voice interrupted. Its owner stepped forward. A wolf with pale blue fur and scars criss-crossing its muzzle. You’re a true Omega. One of the last. Maybe the last. I don’t know what that means.

 It means, the musical voice said, its owner moving to flank the scarred wolf. That you have a power most wolves have forgotten even existed. The power to bond with alphas. to create a pack that’s stronger than the sum of its parts. Two. A sharp knock on the cabin door cut off whatever the wolf was about to say.

 All five wolves went instantly still, their hackles rising, their lips pulling back from teeth that were far too large to be natural. Arlene, a voice called from outside, sweet and concerned with just the slightest edge of condescension. Arlene, are you alive in there? We were so worried about you during the storm. Elellanar. Of course it was Elellanar, your sister,” the commanding voice said, and it wasn’t a question.

 He could feel the spike of anxiety and resentment that shot through the bond at the sound of that voice. “Yes,” Arlene whispered. “She’s she’s going to see you. She’s going to tell the pack, and my father will hide us,” the steady voice said calmly. “Order us to hide, and we will order you.

” Arlene stared at the five massive alphas, each one radiating power that made her instincts scream at her to submit. I can’t order you to do anything. You’re alphas. I’m ours. All five voices said in unison, and the word resonated through the bond with a finality that took her breath away. You’re ours, Omega. And we obey our Omega’s commands always. Another knock harder this time. Arlene, open the door. I’m coming in.

 Panic surged through Arlene. If Elellanar saw the wolves if she reported back to their father that Arlene had somehow bonded with five strange alphas, she didn’t know what would happen, but it wouldn’t be good. Her father already despised her. This would give him an excuse to do something worse than exile her to a cabin.

 “Hide,” Arlene whispered urgently. please. Under the I don’t know, there’s nowhere. The five wolves didn’t argue. They simply shimmerred. Their forms blurred and compressed. And suddenly, where there had been five massive wolves, there were five regular-sized dogs that could almost pass for large sled dogs if you didn’t look too closely at their eyes, or the silver patterns in their fur.

They wedged themselves under Arlene’s cot and behind her pitiful pile of belongings, becoming nearly invisible in the cabin’s shadows. It happened so fast that Arlene barely had time to process it before the door swung open. Elellanar Shields stood in the doorway, backlit by morning sun that made her look like she was glowing.

 She was dressed in fine furs and leather, her dark hair braided perfectly, her golden eyes bright and alert. Everything about her screamed power and health and belonging. Everything that Arlene wasn’t. Oh good, you’re alive, Elellaner said, her voice dripping with false relief. When the storm finally cleared, I just had to come check on my poor little sister.

Make sure you hadn’t frozen to death in this charming Havvel. She stepped inside, wrinkling her nose at the state of the cabin. Her eyes swept the room, passing over the shadows where the wolves hid without seeming to notice anything unusual. “It’s warm in here,” Elellanar said slowly, her gaze sharpening. “How is it warm? Your fireplace is broken. I I fixed it.

Arlene lied quickly. Last night I finally got it working. Elellanar walked over to the fireplace, examining it with the thoroughess of someone looking for a flaw. There was no fire burning now. No evidence of one having burned recently. No ash, no charm marks, nothing. You fixed it, Elellanor repeated flatly.

 You, who couldn’t start a fire to save your life, literally suddenly fixed a broken fireplace in the middle of the worst blizzard in a century. “I got lucky,” Arlene said, hating how defensive she sounded. “Luck.” Elellanar turned to face her sister, and there was something cold in her expression. “Something calculating. You know what I think, Arlene? I think something happened here last night. Something you’re not telling me.

” “She knows,” the smooth voice whispered in Arlene’s mind. Not what, but she senses the change in you. Arlene forced herself to meet Eleanor’s eyes. Nothing happened. I survived the storm. That’s all, is it? Eleanor took a step closer, and Arlene had to fight the urge to back away because you look different. You’re standing differently.

 Your scent is different. And most interesting of all, she leaned in, her voice dropping to a whisper. You didn’t immediately cower when I walked in. You always cower, little Omega. So, what changed? The bond thr’s chest, and she could feel the five wolves tensing in their hiding places. They were ready to leap to her defense at the slightest provocation. All she had to do was call for them.

 But if she did that, if she revealed them, everything would spiral out of control. Her father would demand answers. The pack would want to know where these strange wolves came from. And the bond, this precious, impossible bond that made her feel complete for the first time in her life, would be examined and judged and probably declared dangerous.

 They’d try to break it or worse, they’d try to control it. I’m just tired of being afraid, Arlene said quietly. That’s all. The storm made me realize that if I’m going to die anyway, I might as well die on my feet instead of my knees. For a long moment, Ellaner just stared at her. Then she laughed. A sharp, brittle sound with no humor in it. Brave words from someone who can barely feed herself.

 But fine, keep your little secrets, sister. It won’t matter in the end. Father is calling a pack meeting tonight. He has an announcement to make. Something about my upcoming ascension to Alpha. Elellanar’s smile was cruel. He wants the whole pack there, even the Omega. So, clean yourself up and try not to embarrass us more than usual. She turned to leave, then paused in the doorway.

Oh, and Arlene, whatever you think changed last night. It didn’t. You’re still an Omega. Still weak. Still nothing. Don’t forget that. The door slammed shut behind her, and Arlene stood frozen until she heard Elellanor’s footsteps crunching through the snow, growing distant.

 Only then did she allow herself to collapse against the wall, her legs shaking so badly they could barely hold her weight. The five wolves emerged from their hiding places, returning to their full size in a shimmer of magic. They surrounded her immediately, pressing close, offering comfort through the bond. She hurt you? The rough voice growled. She hurt you with words alone. I want to hurt her back. “No,” Arlene said firmly, then was surprised at her own certainty. “No violence.

 That’s an order.” The wolves settled, though she could feel their frustration through the bond. She’s not wrong about one thing,” the commanding voice said reluctantly. “Something has changed. You have changed, Omega. The bond has awakened power in you that your pack never allowed you to access. But you’re untrained, unprotected.

 If your father discovers what happened, then we don’t let him discover it.” Arlene interrupted. She pushed away from the wall, standing straighter. “You said you can teach me to shield, to control what I share through the bond. So teach me before tonight’s meeting.

 That’s not enough time to then we’ll make it enough time because I am not going to cower anymore. I am not going to let my father or Elellanor or anyone else make me feel small. She looked at each of the five wolves in turn, meeting their ice blue eyes without flinching. You said I’m yours. Well, that means you’re mine, too, and I protect what’s mine.

 The five wolves stared at her, and Arlene could feel something shift through the bond. surprise, approval, pride. Yes, the commanding voice said, and there was something fierce in it now. Something that matched the determination burning in Arlene’s chest. Yes, Omega. That’s exactly right. We’re yours, and you’re ours, and together, we’re going to show this pack what real power looks like.

The five wolves began to shift, their forms blurring and changing. Arlene watched in amazement as fur receded and bones restructured until five men stood before her where wolves had been moments ago. They were all tall, powerfully built, with the same silver and white hair and iceb blue eyes that had marked their wolf forms.

 Each one was devastatingly handsome in a way that made Arleene’s breath catch. The commanding one, the leader, stepped forward and extended his hand. “My name is Byron Newman,” he said, his voice as deep and powerful in human form as it had been in her mind. and we have much to teach you before nightfall.

 Omega, if you’re willing to learn. Arlene looked at his hand, then at the four men standing behind him. The musical one, the rough, scarred one, the quiet, steady one, the smooth, hypnotic one, her pack, her bond, her future. She took Byron’s hand. “Teach me,” she said. “Teach me everything.

” And as the sun climbed higher in the sky, Arlene Terry began to discover what it really meant to be an Omega. Not the weak, pathetic creature her father’s pack had convinced her she was, but something ancient, something powerful, something that even the strongest alphas would kneel before. Chapter 4. Lessons in power. Byron Newman’s hand was warm and calloused, his grip firm but gentle.

 The moment Arleene’s fingers touched his, she felt the bond flare bright and hot between them. And suddenly she could feel everything he was feeling. Pride mixed with fierce protectiveness. Determination laced with something deeper. Something that made her cheeks flush. First lesson, Byron said, not releasing her hand. The bond works both ways. Right now you’re feeling what I’m feeling.

 Which means I’m feeling what you’re feeling. That embarrassment. I can taste it like honey on my tongue. Arlene yked her hand back mortified. That’s you can’t just I didn’t give you permission to which is why the first thing we need to teach you is how to shield. The musical voiced one interrupted. Stepping forward with a gentle smile.

 He was slightly shorter than Byron with features that were almost too beautiful to be real. I’m Jake Wyatt. And before you panic about us invading your privacy, know that we’re just as exposed to you right now as you are to us. Every emotion, every thought we project, you can feel it all. I can.

 Arlene focused inward, following the threads of the bond. And yes, there it was. Five distinct presences, each with their own emotional signature. Byron’s fierce determination, Jake’s gentle concern. The scarred ones barely contained anger. The steady one’s calm watchfulness. The smooth ones calculating interest. This is overwhelming, Arlene whispered.

 It gets easier, the steady one said. He was the second largest after Byron with broader shoulders and a face that looked like it had been carved from stone. I’m Marvin Coffee and you’re right to be overwhelmed. Most omegas who form bonds are trained from childhood how to manage them.

 You’re learning in a matter of hours what should take years. Most omegas. Arlene latched onto that phrase. You said I might be the last true Omega. So which is it? Are there others or not? The scarred one, the rough, impatient one made a disgusted sound. There are plenty who call themselves omegas. Weak, submissive wolves who’ve been brainwashed into thinking that’s what an omega is supposed to be.

 But a true omega, one with the power to form pack bonds. You’re the first we found in 50 years of searching. 50 years? Arlene’s eyes widened. How old are you? Old enough, Byron said, a hint of amusement in his voice. The Frostborn age differently than regular wolves. We’re not immortal, but we live longer, much longer.

 Which is why we’ve had time to search across the entire northern continent for an Omega who could bond with us. I’m Floyd Lawson, the scarred one said abruptly. And we’re wasting time. The pack meeting is tonight. She needs to learn how to shield, how to hide the bond, and how to survive whatever trap her bastard father is planning. We can do the getting to know you nonsense later. Floyd’s right.

 The fifth man said, speaking for the first time in his human form. His voice was smooth as silk, and there was something almost dangerous in his eyes, a sharpness that suggested he saw more than he let on. Though he could be less of an ass about it. I’m Don Buyers, and if I’m reading this situation correctly, tonight’s pack meeting isn’t just about announcing Elellanar’s ascension.

 It’s about cementing Arlene’s place at the bottom of the hierarchy or removing her from it entirely. Jake added quietly. Omega or not, she’s still the alpha’s daughter, a potential rival to Eleanor. Some packs would see that as a problem that needs solving. Ice flooded Arleene’s veins.

 You think my father would kill me? I think, Byron said carefully, that your father has already shown he’s willing to let you die slowly. The question is whether he’ll choose to speed up the process now that Eleanor is ready to take his place. Arlene wanted to argue to defend the man who’d sired her. But she couldn’t because Byron was right. Her father had exiled her to this cabin 3 years ago.

 Knowing she couldn’t hunt, couldn’t build proper fires, couldn’t survive on her own. He’d counted on winter or starvation or simple despair to take care of his omega problem. The only reason she was still alive was spite. Pure stubborn spite. Teach me to shield,” Arlene said, pushing the dark thoughts away. “If I’m going to that meeting, I need to hide what I am, what we are.

 Sit,” Marvin instructed, gesturing to her cot, and focus on the bond, really feel it. Each thread connecting you to one of us. Arlene sat and closed her eyes, reaching for that humming warmth in her chest. There are five threads of silver light, each one pulsing with life and power. She could feel emotions flowing along them like water through streams.

 Byron’s determination, Jake’s warmth, Floyd’s anger, Marvin’s patience, Don’s sharp curiosity. Now imagine a wall, Marvin continued. Not a wall of stone or wood, but something more flexible. A curtain maybe, or a filter, something that lets you choose what passes through and what stays private.

 I already have a wall, Arlene said, remembering the barrier she’d torn down last night. I built it years ago to keep my power locked away. That’s different, Jake said. That wall was suppressing your entire nature. What you need now is selective permeability. You want the bond to function. You need it to function, but you don’t want to broadcast every feeling to us. and you don’t want us overwhelming you with ours.” Arlene tried to imagine it.

 A curtain between her and the five threads, something light and flexible that she could open or close at will, but every time she tried to construct it, the threads would pulse brighter, as if rejecting the barrier. “It’s not working,” she said, frustration bleeding through the bond. “Because you’re trying to hide from us,” Byron said.

 “The bond doesn’t like that. We’re pack now, Omega. Pack doesn’t hide from Pac. Then what am I supposed to do? Just let you feel everything all the time. No, Don said, crouching beside the cot so he was at eye level with her. You’re thinking about it wrong. You’re not trying to hide from us. You’re trying to maintain your sense of self. The bond wants to merge us all into one consciousness.

That’s its nature. But we’re still individuals. We need boundaries, not walls. I don’t understand the difference. A wall says stay out, Jake explained. A boundary says knock first. You’re not shutting us out completely. You’re just asking us to respect your privacy unless you invite us in.

 Arlene tried again, this time imagining not a wall, but a door, something she could open or close, something with a threshold that could be crossed with permission. The bond hummed approvingly, and she felt the threads settle into a new configuration, still connected, still alive, but not quite so overwhelming. Better, Marvin said. Now try pushing an emotion to just one of us. Choose one thread and send something along it. Anything.

 Happiness, sadness, whatever you’re feeling. Arlene focused on Byron’s thread and thought about the moment this morning when she’d woken up warm for the first time in years. the grateful joy she’d felt, the simple pleasure of not being cold. Byron’s eyes widened and something fierce and possessive flashed across his face. “Yes,” he said roughly. “Like that.

” “Perfect. My turn,” Floyd demanded. “Send something to me,” Arlene hesitated, then focused on Floyd’s thread. “What did she feel toward him?” He was abrasive, impatient, sometimes cruel in his bluntness. But underneath that, she could sense something else through the bond.

 A bone deep fear that they wouldn’t be strong enough to protect her, that they’d searched for 50 years only to lose her to the same forces that had destroyed other omegas. She sent that feeling back to him. I see you. I understand. You’re not as hard as you pretend to be. Floyd jerked like she’d slapped him, his scarred face flushing. Damn it, Omega.

 You don’t get to That’s not He stopped, taking a deep breath. Fine. You’re better at this than you have any right to be. Natural talent, Jake said, grinning. Or maybe just desperation. Fear is an excellent motivator. Speaking of fear, Don said, his voice turning serious. We need to talk about tonight. Your father is going to try something.

 We don’t know what, but men like him don’t call mandatory pack meetings just to make announcements. He’s planning something that requires witnesses. He’s going to formally disinherit me, Arlene said. The words hurt less than they should have. Maybe she’d already mourned the loss of her father’s love years ago. Make it official that I have no claim to the pack. No rights, nothing.

 He’ll give everything to Elellanor and make sure everyone knows I’m disposable, which creates a problem, Byron said. Because if you’re formally declared packless, you become a rogue. Fair game for any wolf who wants to challenge you or claim you or kill you,” Floyd added bluntly.

 “But if she’s bonded to us,” Jake said slowly. “Then she’s not packless. She’s part of the Frostorn pack. Which means which means we’d have to reveal the bond,” Marvin finished. “And that opens up a whole different set of problems.” Arlene’s mind raced. “What kind of problems? The political kind,” Don said. Five strange alphas showing up with a bond claim to the former alpha’s daughter.

 Your father would see that as a threat, an attempt to steal his bloodline or create a rival pack or any number of things that would give him an excuse to attack us. Could he win? Arlene asked. If it came to a fight, the five men looked at each other and Arlene felt a surge of grim confidence through the bond. No, Byron said simply.

 Even without the bond, the five of us are more than a match for any pack south of the ice wastess. With the bond, with you amplifying our strength, we could tear through your father’s pack like a summer storm through wheat. But that would make you murderers, Arlene said. And me complicit in killing my own pack.

 See, this is why we needed her, Jake said to the others. We were ready to just fight our way through every problem. She actually thinks about consequences. So, what do we do? Arlene asked. I can’t reveal the bond. I can’t let my father declare me packless. How do I navigate this without starting a war? You negotiate, Don said.

 You go to that meeting, you listen to whatever announcement your father makes, and you negotiate terms. You’re not powerless, Arlene. Not anymore. You have five alphas willing to back any claim you make. That’s leverage. But I have to hide that leverage, Arlene said. which means I have to face him alone, acting like I’m still just a weak omega. You’ll be shielding, Marvin said.

 Which means he won’t be able to sense the bond. As far as he knows, you’re exactly what you’ve always been. Can I do that? Arlene looked at Byron. Fool and Alpha. My father’s not stupid. He’s cruel, but he’s not stupid. You can if you trust yourself, Byron said. The bond is strong now. stable.

 As long as you maintain your shields and we stay hidden nearby, he’ll never know we exist. Nearby? Arlene seized on that word. You’re coming with me? Did you think we’d let you face him alone? Floyd growled. We’re pack Omega. Where you go, we go? Well stay out of sight. Stay down wind so they can’t sent us. But if things go wrong, if your father tries anything, you’ll reveal yourselves. Arlene finished.

 And start the war we’re trying to avoid. Better a war than losing you, Byron said. And the absolute conviction in his voice made her chest tight. She’d never had anyone willing to fight for her before. Never had anyone look at her like she was worth protecting, worth risking everything for. It was overwhelming and terrifying and wonderful all at once. There’s one more thing we need to prepare you for, Jake said quietly.

 Your sister Eleanor is going to be there and she already suspects something changed. If she pushes you, if she tries to provoke you in front of the pack, I don’t react, Arlene said. I stay calm. I stay small. I give her no reason to dig deeper. Can you do that? Don asked. After everything she’s done to you, after a lifetime of her cruelty, could she? Arlene thought about all the times Elellanar had humiliated her, diminished her, stolen every scrap of happiness she’d managed to find. The answer should have been no. She should have wanted revenge. Wanted

to make Elellanor feel even a fraction of the pain she’d inflicted. But instead, what Arleene felt was pity. Because Elellanor, for all her power and beauty and father’s favor, had never experienced what Arleene had felt last night. that sense of completion, of belonging, of being seen and valued for exactly what you were.

 Eleanor was strong, but she was alone and she always would be. Because she’d never learned that true strength came from connection, not dominance. Yes, Arlene said, “I can do that because she’s not my enemy anymore. She’s just sad and I don’t need to hurt sad people to feel strong.

” The five men stared at her, and through the bond, Arlene felt a wave of emotion so powerful it nearly knocked her over. Awe, wonder, something deeper that she didn’t have a name for yet. This, Byron said, his voice rough with feeling. Is why we searched for 50 years. This is why true omegas are precious beyond measure. Not because you’re weak or submissive, but because you have the strength to choose mercy even when vengeance would be justified.

 We don’t deserve you, Jake added softly. Probably not, Arlene said, surprising herself with a small smile. But you’re stuck with me anyway, Bonds permanent. Remember? Best trap we ever walked into, Floyd muttered. But there was no heat in it. Then let’s make sure I survive tonight, Arlene said standing up. How much time do we have? A few hours, Marvin said, glancing at the sun through the cabin’s cracks. Enough to practice your shielding.

 Go over what you’ll say and prepare for various scenarios. And eat, Jake added. When’s the last time you had a real meal? Arlene’s stomach chose that moment to growl loudly, answering the question. She couldn’t remember. Days at least. We brought supplies, Don said, moving to the corner where they’d apparently stashed packs during the night.

 Dried meat, bread, cheese. Not fancy, but it’ll keep your strength up.” He handed her a portion that was easily twice what she normally ate in a day. Arlene took it with shaking hands, suddenly aware of just how weak she’d become, how close to the edge of starvation. “Eat slowly,” Byron instructed. “Your body’s not used to proper food anymore. We don’t want you getting sick before the meeting.

” Arlene forced herself to take small bites, even though every instinct screamed at her to devour the food as fast as possible. The bread was fresh, the cheese sharp and creamy, the meat seasoned with herbs she didn’t recognize. It was the best meal she’d had in 3 years. “Thank you,” she whispered.

 “Pack takes care of Pack,” Marvin said simply. “Get used to it, Arlene. You’re never going to be alone or hungry again. Not while we’re here.” And as the five frostborn alphas gathered around her, preparing her for the battle ahead, Arlene Terry felt something she hadn’t felt in years. Hope. Tonight she would face her father. Tonight she would hear whatever cruel announcement he’d prepared.

 Tonight she would look her sister in the eyes and refuse to cower. And she would do it all with five deadly predators hiding in the shadows, ready to tear apart anyone who dared to hurt their omega. The pack meeting couldn’t come soon enough. Chapter 5. The Pack Meeting. The main lodge loomed against the twilight sky like a beast ready to devour her.

 Arlene stood at the edge of the clearing, her breath misting in the cold evening air, and tried to remember everything Byron had taught her about shielding. “We’re here,” his voice whispered through the bond. “20 yards behind you, downwind. They can’t sense us, but we can reach you in seconds if needed.

 You’re not alone, Jake added, his warmth flowing through their connection like sunlight. Break his nose if he touches you, Floyd growled. I’ll back you up, Floyd. That’s literally the opposite of staying hidden, Don said dryly. Focus, brothers. Marvin’s steady presence said. Arlene needs our support, not our bickering. Despite her fear, Arlene felt her lips twitch into an almost smile.

 They’d been connected for less than a day, and already the five Frostborn alphas bickered like they’d known each other for centuries, which she supposed they had. She pulled her shields tighter around herself, imagining that door in her mind closing until only the thinnest thread of connection remained. Instantly, the voices faded to a distant hum.

 She could still feel the bond, still draw on its strength if needed, but to anyone looking at her, she would appear to be exactly what she’d always been, a powerless omega, alone and afraid. The irony wasn’t lost on her. Arlene forced her feet to move, crossing the clearing toward the lodge.

 Pack members were already gathering, their voices carrying on the wind. She recognized most of them wolves she’d grown up with. Wolves who’d watched her exile without protest. Wolves who’d sometimes brought her scraps of food out of pity more than kindness. No one greeted her as she approached. A few glanced her way, their expressions ranging from uncomfortable pity to outright contempt.

 Most simply ignored her as if she were already a ghost. The lodge doors stood open, warm fire light spilling out into the darkness. Arlene climbed the steps on legs that wanted to run in the opposite direction. At the threshold, she paused, her hand on the doorframe. This was it. Whatever happened next would determine her future and possibly her life.

 Courage, Omega, Byron whispered through the bond. Show them the strength we already see in you. Arlene took a breath and stepped inside. The lodge was massive. Its ceiling supported by ancient timber beams. Its walls lined with trophies from successful hunts. A great fire burned in the central hearth, and pack members filled the space in loose clusters, their conversations dying as Arlene entered.

 Every eye turned to her, judging, calculating, dismissing. At the far end of the lodge, on a raised platform that served as the alpha’s seat, sat Vincent Shields, her father. He was a huge man, even in human form, with silver streaked dark hair and eyes that glowed with barely contained wolf power.

 His presence dominated the room, a constant pressure that made submission instincts kick in for every wolf present. Except Arlene barely felt it anymore. The bond had changed something fundamental in her. Her father’s power still registered, but it felt distant, muted, like she was viewing it through thick glass. Beside Vincent sat Ellaner, dressed in ceremonial leathers that marked her as the air.

 She looked radiant, powerful, every inch the alpha in waiting. When her eyes found Arlene, her lips curved into a smile that held no warmth. Arlene. Vincent’s voice boomed across the lodge. How kind of you to join us. We were beginning to think you’d frozen to death in that cabin. Scattered laughter rippled through the pack. Arlene kept her expression neutral, her posture submissive. Let them laugh.

 Let them think she was still broken. I wouldn’t miss your announcement, father, Arlene said quietly. Father, Vincent repeated, and something cold flashed in his eyes. You still call me that after everything. How touching? He stood, his massive frame casting shadows across the lodge. The pack fell silent. All attention riveted on their alpha.

 I’ve called this meeting for several reasons, Vincent announced. First, to formally recognize my daughter Eleanor as my heir and successor. In one month’s time, on the winter solstice, she will undergo the ascension right and become alpha of the shadow pine pack. Cheers erupted. Pack members howled their approval, their joy at Elanor’s ascension genuine.

 She was strong, capable, everything an alpha should be, and she’d earned their loyalty through years of proving herself. Elellanar stood and bowed to the pack, accepting their acclaim with practiced grace. When the cheers finally died down, Vincent raised his hand for silence. “The second reason,” he continued, his voice dropping to something darker.

 Is to address a problem that has plagued this pack for 3 years. A weakness, a stain on our bloodline, Arlene’s stomach clenched. Here it came. My younger daughter, Arlene, was born Omega. A cruel twist of fate that I initially hoped could be overcome through training and discipline.

 But despite every opportunity given to her, she has proven herself incapable of contributing to this pack’s strength. “Lies,” Floyd snarled through the bond. “You were never given opportunities. You were given exile and starvation.” “Shield, Arlene,” Byron warned. “Don’t let your anger leak through. They’ll sense it.” Arlene breathed carefully, maintaining her calm exterior, even as rage burned in her chest.

 Vincent was rewriting history, making it sound like she’d been given chances to prove herself, like her exile was a consequence of her failures rather than his cruelty. An Omega has value in some packs, Vincent continued. They can nurture, can help with child rearing, can provide other services. His tone made it clear what services he meant. And Arlene felt sick. But Arlene has shown no aptitude even for these basic functions.

 She is quite simply useless. More laughter. Arlene caught sight of some pack members looking uncomfortable, but none spoke up in her defense. Therefore, Vincent said, and Arlene heard the trap closing. I am formally severing Arlene from the Shadowpine Pack. As of this moment, she has no claim to our bloodline, no rights to our territory, no protection under pack law. She is declared rogue. The words hit like physical blows.

 Rogue, the worst thing a wolf could be. Packless, unprotected, fair game for anyone who wanted to claim or kill you. Through the bond, Arlene felt the five Frostborn alphas surge with rage. Byron was barely holding them back from storming the lodge. Not yet, Arlene sent desperately along the bond.

 Please, not yet. Let me try. However, Vincent continued, and Arlene’s attention snapped back to him. I am not completely without mercy. Arlene is still blood, even if she’s unworthy of the shield’s name. So, I will give her one chance to avoid the rogu’s fate. This was it, the real trap.

 Arlene could feel it in the way Eleanor leaned forward, in the way certain pack members, larger, cruer males, watched her with anticipation. “Blake, Todd,” Vincent called out, and a massive wolf stepped forward from the crowd. He was one of the packs enforcers, known for his brutality and his appetite for violence. You’ve expressed interest in claiming an omega. Here’s your opportunity. If Arlene agrees to bond with you, to become your mate and bear your pups, she may remain in pack territory as your property.

Property? Not pack member? Not even really a person, just property. Blake’s smile was predatory as he approached, his eyes raking over Arlene in a way that made her skin crawl. “I accept the alpha’s generous offer,” he said. “The Omega will suit my needs well enough. She’s not much to look at, but she’ll breed true, and I can train obedience into her.

” The lodge erupted in approving howls and laughter. This was entertainment for them. Watching the weak Omega get claimed by a brutal enforcer. Watching her father literally give her away like damaged goods. That’s it. Floyd snarled. I’m going to rip his throat out. We all are. Jake agreed. His musical voice gone cold and deadly. This ends now. Wait.

 Arlene sent through the bond. Trust me, please. She stepped forward and the laughter died as pack members realized the Omega was actually going to speak. No, Arlene said clearly. Her voice didn’t shake. Didn’t waver. I decline. Silence. Complete. Stunned. Silence. Blake’s smile vanished. You decline? You don’t have the right to decline, Omega. Your alpha has given you to me.

 My alpha, Arlene said, putting careful emphasis on the words. Just declared me rogue. Which means he’s not my alpha anymore. Which means he has no authority to give me to anyone. Vincent’s eyes narrowed dangerously. Careful, girl. You’re balanced on a knife’s edge right now. Refuse, Blake, and you walk out of here with nothing. No pack, no protection, no claim to even the clothes on your back.

 I understand, Arlene said. And I refuse anyway. Then you’re a fool, Ellanar said, standing. Blake is offering you a chance to survive. Without a pack, without a mate, you’ll be dead within a week. Rogues don’t last long, especially weak omegas who can barely feed themselves. Maybe, Arlene acknowledged. But I’d rather die free than live as property.

 I’d rather take my chances in the wild than let someone like Blake train obedience into me. She met her father’s eyes, and for the first time in 3 years, she didn’t look away first. You wanted to get rid of me, Arlene said. Fine, I’m gone. But I’m going on my terms, not yours. I’m not your pawn anymore, father.

 I’m not your mistake to correct or your problem to solve. I’m just done. Vincent stood slowly, his power rolling through the lodge like thunder. You dare defy me? In front of the entire pack. I’m not defying you, Arlene said. I’m just exercising the rights of a rogue. You declared me packless. That means I’m not subject to pack law anymore.

 I can leave whenever I want. So, I’m leaving. She turned toward the door, her heart pounding so hard she thought it might break her ribs. This was the moment. Either her father would let her go. Or, Blake, Vincent said coldly. Stop her by force if necessary. If she won’t accept the bond willingly, well do it the old way.

 Blake lunged forward and Arlene’s shields dropped as she sent a desperate surge through the bond. Now the lodge doors exploded inward. Five massive wolves burst through the opening. Their coats shimmering with silver light, their eyes blazing ice blue. They moved with supernatural speed and coordination, placing themselves between Arlene and Blake before anyone could even process what was happening.

 Byron shifted midstride, his wolf form blurring into his human shape and his voice carried the weight of absolute authority. Touch her and die. The lodge descended into chaos. Wolves shifted, snarling and snapping as they tried to process the threat. Vincent’s power flared, trying to dominate the five strangers, but it slid off them like water off stone. because they weren’t from his pack.

 They weren’t subject to his power, and they were so much stronger than he’d ever imagined possible. “Who?” Vincent growled, his own wolf beginning to emerge. “Are you? We are the Frostborn,” Byron said, and his four brothers flanked him, their combined presence making even the strongest shadow pine wolves take involuntary steps backward. “The last of the northern packs, and we are this Omega’s bonded pack.” Elellanar’s face went white.

Bonded. That’s impossible. She’s just an omega. She can’t. There’s no way. Show them, Byron said to Arlene. Arlene dropped her shields completely, and the bond blazed to life. Silver threads of light became visible, connecting her to each of the five Frostborn wolves. Power radiated from the connections.

 Power that made every wolf in the lodge instinctively recognize what they were witnessing. A true omega bond. the ancient magic that made five alphas stronger than a hundred ordinary wolves. “No,” Vincent whispered. “No, this can’t be real. It’s very real,” Don said, shifting into his human form. “Your daughter isn’t useless, Alpha Shields. She’s never been useless. She’s a true Omega, one of the last in existence.

 The only reason she seemed weak was because you spent years suppressing her nature, starving her power, teaching her to hate what she was. If she’d been valued, Jake added, also shifting. If she’d been trained and protected the way true omegas should be, she would have formed a pack bond years ago.

 But you were too ignorant to recognize what you had. So, we found her instead. Found her? Eleanor demanded. You mean you stole her? You came into our territory, seduced a vulnerable Omega, and claimed her for yourselves. We saved her, Floyd snarled, his scars stark in the fire light. We found her dying in a shack. You left her to rot in.

 “We were the ones who kept her warm through the blizzard while you sat here in your comfortable lodge, not caring if she lived or died.” “The Omega bond cannot be forced,” Marvin said, his calm voice somehow more intimidating than Floyd’s anger. “It forms only when an Omega chooses to save alphas who are worthy of saving.” “Arlene could have left us to freeze.

 Instead, she dragged our bodies inside and nearly killed herself trying to keep us alive. That’s why the bond formed, because she has more strength and compassion in her weakest moment than this entire pack has ever shown her. Vincent’s face was red with rage. You dare come into my territory. Steal my daughter. I’m not your daughter anymore.

 Arlene interrupted, surprised by the steadiness of her own voice. You disowned me, remember? Made me rogue, which means I’m free to bond with whoever I choose. And I choose them. She moved to stand between the five Frostborn, and they closed ranks around her protectively. The bond pulsed with warmth and fierce pride.

 “This is an act of war,” Vincent said. “You’ve stolen from the Shadow Pine pack. We’ve stolen nothing.” Byron cut him off. Arlene was declared rogue before we revealed ourselves. She had no pack, no protection, no claim to anything here. We offered her what you refused to give her a place to belong. If you have a problem with that alpha shields, then by all means, challenge us.

 Let’s see how well your pack fares against the Frostborn. The threat hung in the air. Every wolf in the lodge could feel the power radiating from the five strangers. Could sense that these weren’t ordinary alphas. These were something older, something deadlier, something that could tear through the shadow pine pack like a winter storm through autumn leaves.

 Vincent’s jaw worked as he calculated odds, considered consequences. Finally, he forced himself to speak. Take her, then. The Omega is yours. But know this, if any of you set foot on Shadowpine territory again, we will consider it an invasion, and we will respond accordingly. Fair enough, Byron said. We have no interest in your territory, Alpha Shields. We have what we came for.

 He turned to Arlene, his expression softening. Ready to go home, Omega? Home? The word hit her with unexpected force. She’d never had a real home, just a cabin that was barely better than a coffin. But looking at the five Frostborn alphas, feeling the warmth of the bond connecting them, Arlene realized something profound.

 Home wasn’t a place. It was the people who would drag you in from the cold, who would starve before letting you go hungry, who would start a war before letting anyone hurt you. “Yes,” Arlene said, smiling through sudden tears. “I’m ready.” As they walked toward the door, Elellanar’s voice rang out. You’ll regret this, Arlene.

 Without pack, without territory, you’re nothing. You’ll come crawling back within a month, begging father to take you in. Arlene paused at the threshold and looked back at her sister. There was no anger in her gaze. No bitterness, just a kind of sad understanding. I was already nothing here, Elellanar, Arlene said quietly. But with them, I’m everything.

I hope someday you understand the difference. Then she walked out of the lodge, flanked by five Frostborn alphas, and didn’t look back. Behind her, the shadow pine pack stood in stunned silence, trying to process what had just happened.

 Trying to understand how the weakest omega in pack history had somehow bonded with five of the most powerful alphas they’d ever encountered. Elellanar sank back into her seat, her hands shaking because she’d felt it. In that moment, when Arlene had dropped her shields, Elellaner had felt the sheer power of that bond, and she’d realized with cold certainty that her little sister, the pathetic, useless Omega, had just become more powerful than Eleanor could ever hope to be.

 Vincent sat heavily on his throne, staring at the open door. He’d made a mistake, a catastrophic, irrevocable mistake, and he’d only just begun to understand the consequences. Chapter 6. the frostborn territory. They traveled through the night, moving north through snow-covered forests that grew denser and wilder with each mile.

 Arlene had shifted into her wolf form, smaller and planer than the five Frostborn, but the bond made her faster, stronger, more sure-footed than she’d ever been before. “How are you holding up?” Byron asked through their connection, he ran beside her. his massive silver form, a constant, reassuring presence. Better than I expected, Arlene admitted.

 I thought I’d be exhausted by now, but I feel energized, like I could run forever. That’s the bond, Jake explained from her other side. We’re sharing our strength with you. You’re also sharing yours with us, though you don’t realize it yet. My strength? Arlene would have laughed if she’d been in human form. What strength? I’m an omega.

 You keep saying that like it’s a limitation. Floyd growled from behind them. It’s not. Stop thinking like your bastard father taught you to think. Floyd’s right. Though he could be gentler about it, Marvin added. Your strength isn’t physical dominance, Arlene. It’s something more fundamental. You anchor us, balance us.

 Without you, we’re just five powerful alphas working together. With you, we’re a true pack. I don’t understand the difference. You will, Don said. Give it time. The bond is still new, still settling. In a few days, you’ll start to really feel what you bring to us. They ran for hours, and Arlene lost track of time and the rhythm of paws on snow, breath misting in cold air, the steady pulse of the bond connecting her to five extraordinary wolves.

 When Byron finally called for a stop, they’d reached a valley she’d never seen before. It was beautiful in a stark, primal way. Snow-covered pines climbed steep slopes on either side, and a frozen river cut through the center like a ribbon of silver glass. At the far end of the valley, partially hidden by trees, Arlene could make out structures not crude cabins like her exile had been, but proper buildings made of stone and timber.

 “Welcome to Frostborn territory,” Byron said, and there was pride in his mental voice. “Welcome home, home.” There was that word again hitting her right in the chest. They shifted back to human form as they approached the buildings, and Arlene was struck again by how devastatingly handsome the five men were. Byron with his commanding presence, Jake with his almost two beautiful features, Floyd with his scarred intensity, Marvin with his solid strength, Dawn with his sharp knowing eyes. And they were all looking at her like she was precious, like she was

something worth protecting. The main hall is this way, Byron said, gesturing toward the largest building. We’ve got rooms prepared. We’ve been hoping to find you for so long that we built spaces ready for an Omega years ago. Years? Arlene stumbled slightly, and Jake caught her elbow. You built rooms for me years ago, but you didn’t even know I existed.

 We knew someone like you existed, Jake said gently. Somewhere. We had to believe that or we would have given up searching decades ago. They led her into the main hall and Arlene gasped. It was nothing like the Shadow Pine Lodge with its aggressive displays of dominance and trophy kills. This space was warm, welcoming, with comfortable furniture arranged around a massive stone fireplace.

 Tapestries hung on the walls depicting wolves running under northern lights and windows led in moonlight that made everything seem to glow. “The Omega suite is upstairs,” Marvin said. Three rooms, bedroom, bathing room, and a private sitting room. We wanted you to have space that was entirely yours. Bathing room? Arlene repeated faintly. She hadn’t had a proper bath in 3 years. With hot water, Don added, grinning at her expression.

We have a heating system that runs through the whole complex. No freezing pipes here. I’ll show you, Jake offered, taking her hand and leading her toward a staircase. As they climbed, Arlene became aware of other presences in the building. Not wolves, the sense were wrong.

 But definitely living creatures watching from shadows and doorways. We’re not alone, she sent nervously through the bond. The pack has associates, Byron said carefully. Other beings who’ve allied with the Frostorn over the centuries. They’re harmless. Curious about you, but harmless. Jake pushed open a door at the end of the upstairs hallway, and Arlene stepped into a room that took her breath away.

It was easily four times the size of her entire cabin with a massive bed covered in furs and blankets, a fireplace already burning cheerfully, and windows that looked out over the moonlit valley. This is mine, Arlene whispered. This is yours, Jake confirmed.

 The bathing room is through there, the sitting room through that door, and if you need anything, anything at all, just reach through the bond. One of us will come immediately. He started to leave to give her privacy, but Arlene caught his arm. Jake, why? Why did you search for 50 years? Why does the Frostborn pack need an Omega so badly? Jake’s expression grew complicated. Part sadness, part hope.

 Because we’re dying, he said simply. Not physically, but our power, our purpose, our very existence as a pack, it’s all slowly fading. Without an Omega to anchor us, to complete the bond that makes us truly Frostborn. We’re just five lone wolves pretending to be something more. You said the bond makes you stronger. It does, but it’s more than that.

 Jake sat on the edge of her bed, gesturing for her to join him. The Frostborn were created centuries ago by ancient magic. Five alpha bloodlines bound to one Omega bloodline, creating a pack that could survive in the harshest northern territories where no other wolves could live. But as time passed, fewer and fewer true omegas were born. The bloodlines thinned.

 Pax forgot what omegas were really for. Started treating them as weak instead of essential. Like my father did, Arlene said bitterly. Like your father did, Jake agreed. And as true omegas disappeared, the Frostborn packs began to fail. Some disbanded, some went rogue, some went mad from the emptiness of an incomplete bond.

 We’re the last Arlene, the last five Frostborn alphas. And we’ve been searching for the last true Omega. But there must be others, Arlene protested. Other packs with omegas, other wolves who There are wolves with omega designations, Jake interrupted. Wolves who are submissive and gentle and fit the stereotype your father believed in but true omega’s wolves with the power to form pack bonds to amplify alpha strength to anchor multiple souls into one cohesive hole. Those are vanishingly rare. We’ve searched the entire northern continent tested dozens of wolves who

seemed promising and found nothing until you. Arleene processed this her mind reeling. So I’m not just important to you. I’m necessary for your survival. Yes, Jake said honestly, but that doesn’t mean we see you as a tool or a resource. You’re our pack, Arlene. You’re as much a part of us as we are of each other.

 And if you decided tomorrow that you wanted to break the bond and leave, can I do that? Break the bond? Jake’s smile was sad. Theoretically, yes. An Omega can sever pack bonds if she chooses. It would hurt for all of us, but it’s possible. And if you wanted to do that, if you decided we weren’t what you wanted, we’d let you go. Because an Omega’s choice is sacred.

 A bond formed under coercion or obligation isn’t a true bond. It’s slavery. And we won’t do that to you. Arlene looked at this beautiful, deadly alpha, who was offering her freedom, even knowing it might destroy him. who was being honest about his packs need even as he gave her the power to walk away. He means it. Byron sent through the bond.

 We all mean it. You’re free, Arlene. As free as you’ve ever been. The bond doesn’t chain you to us. It connects us. But connections can be broken if that’s what you truly want. What if Arlene said slowly, “What I truly want is to understand what I am, what I’m capable of, what this bond really means.” Jake’s face lit up like sunrise. Then we teach you everything.

 No secrets, no hidden costs. You deserve to know what you are, Arlene. What you’ve always been under all those lies your father told you. Starting with a bath, Arlene said firmly. Because I smell like fear and sweat and three years of barely surviving. And I can’t think straight knowing I’m this filthy. Jake laughed a warm, genuine sound that made the bond hum with happiness. Fair enough.

 I’ll leave you to it. Call if you need anything. And Arlene, welcome home. For real this time, he left, closing the door gently behind him. Arlene stood in the center of her new room, her room. With a real bed and actual heat and privacy she hadn’t experienced in years, and felt tears start to fall. But they weren’t tears of sadness or fear.

 They were tears of relief, of overwhelming gratitude, of emotions too big to name. She made her way to the bathing room and stopped dead in the doorway. There was a tub, an actual tub large enough to fully submerge in, already filled with steaming water. Bottles of what looked like soap and oils lined a shelf along with soft towels and a clean robe.

Arlene stripped off her filthy clothes and sank into the water with a groan of pure pleasure. The heat soaked into her muscles, washing away 3 years of cold and pain and loneliness. She scrubbed her skin until it was pink and clean. Washed her hair until it no longer felt like matted straw and just breathed.

 For the first time in as long as she could remember, she felt safe. Actually, genuinely safe. You are safe, Byron sent through the bond. This I swear to you, Arlene. Nothing will ever hurt you again. Not while we breathe. dramatic much. Floyd’s voice cut in. But there was affection underlying the gruffness.

But he’s right. You’re Pack now. We protect Pack even from themselves. Marvin added, which means you need to eat and then sleep. You’ve been running on fear and adrenaline for too long. Your body needs rest. Foods waiting in your sitting room, Don said. And before you ask, yes, it’s a lot. Yes, you need to eat all of it.

 Your body’s been starved for years. We’re going to fix that. Bossy, Arlene sent back. But she was smiling. You have no idea. Jake replied cheerfully. Wait until Floyd starts trying to design your training regimen. Then you’ll see bossy. I’m not bossy, Floyd protested. I’m efficient. You’re both, Don said. It’s part of your charm. Listening to them bicker through the bond.

 Arlene felt something warm and bright growing in her chest. This was what Pack was supposed to feel like. Not the oppressive hierarchy of her father’s rule, but this easy camaraderie, this sense of belonging. She climbed out of the tub, eventually dried herself with towels that were soft as clouds, and put on the robe.

 It was too large, clearly meant for one of the men, but it was clean and warm and smelled like pine and winter air. The sitting room held a small table laden with food. Fresh bread, roasted meat, vegetables, and rich gravy, cheese, fruit, and something that might have been pie. It was more food than she’d seen in months.

 Don’t try to eat it all tonight, Marvin warned gently. Your stomach shrunk. “Eat what you can comfortably manage. Save the rest for morning.” Arlene ate slowly, savoring every bite. The food was excellent, clearly prepared by someone who knew what they were doing.

 When she was comfortably full, which took less food than she’d expected, Marvin had been right about her stomach, she carried her plate back to the table and returned to the bedroom. The bed looked impossibly inviting. Clean sheets, warm furs, pillows that actually had stuffing in them. Arlene crawled under the covers and sank into softness she’d forgotten existed.

 “Sleep well, Omega.” Byron’s voice was a warm rumble through the bond. We’ll be here when you wake. We’ll always be here. Arlene wanted to answer to say something profound about gratitude or hope or new beginnings. But exhaustion pulled her under before she could form words. She dreamed of running through snow with five silver wolves, of northern lights painting the sky, of a bond that glowed like starlight connecting her to something larger and more powerful than she’d ever imagined possible.

 And for the first time in 3 years, she slept through the entire night without waking once. Miles to the south in the Shadowpine Lodge, Elellanar Shields sat in her room and stared at her hands. They were shaking. They’d been shaking since Arlene walked out with those five terrifying alphas. A knock at her door.

 “Come in,” Elellaner called, forcing her voice to steadiness. Her father entered, his face a thundercloud. “We need to talk about your sister. She’s not my sister anymore, Elanor said automatically. You disowned her. I made a mistake, Vincent said. And the admission cost him. Those wolves, those Frostborn, they’re not normal alphas. The power they radiated, the way they moved as one unit. That bond, it’s not possible.

Elellanar insisted, even though she’d felt it herself. True Omega bonds are myths. Stories we tell pups. They don’t actually exist. They do exist and your sister has one. Vincent sat heavily in Eleanor’s chair which makes her dangerous. Dangerous, Arlene. Elellanar laughed, but it sounded hollow even to her own ears. She’s pathetic. Weak.

Always has been. She was pathetic when she was alone. Vincent corrected. Now she has five ancient alphas willing to start a war for her. Now she has a bond that makes those alphas stronger than anything we can field. That changes everything. Elellanar’s hands clenched into fists. So what do we do? Vincent’s eyes glinted with cold calculation.

We prepare. Because sooner or later, your sister is going to realize what she’s become. And when she does, she’s going to come back. Not to beg, but to take. To claim what she thinks should have been hers all along. You think she’ll challenge us? I think Vincent said slowly that we just created an enemy more powerful than the Shadow Pine Pack can handle.

 And we’re going to need allies if we want to survive what’s coming. He stood and moved to the door, pausing at the threshold. Get some rest, Eleanor. Tomorrow we start reaching out to the other packs. We’re going to need all the help we can get. After he left, Elellanor sat in silence, her mind racing. Arlene. Weak, pathetic, useless.

Arlene, bonded to five Frostborn alphas, wielding power that made Elellanar’s own strength look like a candle next to the sun. It wasn’t fair. Elellanar had worked for everything, had trained until her muscles screamed, had proven herself a hundred times over, had earned her place as heir through blood and sweat and unwavering dedication. and Arlene.

Arlene had done nothing. Had been born with a gift she didn’t even know she had. Had stumbled into power she didn’t deserve. “It’s not fair,” Elellanar whispered to the darkness. “But fair or not, the truth remained.” Arlene was dangerous now. And if Vincent was right, if her sister did come back seeking vengeance, Eleanor would need to be ready, would need to be stronger, faster, more ruthless than she’d ever been before.

 because she’d seen the look in Arlene’s eyes as she’d walked out of the lodge. Not anger, not hatred, but pity. And somehow that was more terrifying than any threat could have been. Chapter 7. The Awakening. Arlene woke to sunlight streaming through windows that didn’t have cracks in them, wrapped in blankets that actually provided warmth in a room that smelled like pine and safety instead of rot and despair.

 For a moment, she thought she was dreaming, that she’d wake up any second in her frozen cabin, alone and starving. Then the bond pulsed warm in her chest. And she felt five distinct presences, some close, some farther away, but all connected to her through threads of silver light. Good morning. Byron’s voice came through, rich with satisfaction. You slept 14 hours.

 We were starting to worry. 14 hours? Arlene sat up, shocked. I haven’t slept that long since I can’t even remember. Your body needed it, Marvin said. 3 years of survival mode takes a toll. Now that you’re safe, your body is finally allowing itself to rest properly. There’s breakfast waiting in your sitting room, Jake added. And clothes.

 We had to guess at sizes, but they should fit reasonably well. Arlene found the clothes laid out on a chair, soft leather pants, a warm tunic, thick socks, and boots that actually looked like they’d been made for someone her size. She dressed quickly, marveling at how good it felt to wear clothing that wasn’t threadbear and torn.

 The breakfast was as elaborate as last night’s dinner had been. Fresh eggs, bacon, bread still warm from the oven, fruit, cheese, and something that smelled like coffee. Real coffee, not the bitter bark tea she’d occasionally managed to brew. She ate slowly, savoring each bite, and reached through the bond. “Where are you all?” “Training yard,” Floyd answered immediately.

 “When you’re done eating, come down. Time to start your education.” “Education? You’re a true omega with zero training,” Don said. “That’s like being handed a sword when you don’t know which end to hold. We need to teach you control, power management, bond manipulation, all the skills your father should have been teaching you since you first shifted. Bond manipulation.

 Arlene sat down her coffee. That sounds ominous. It’s not. Jake assured her. It’s just learning how to use the bond intentionally instead of instinctively. Right now, you’re like a musician who can play by ear, but doesn’t know how to read music. We’re going to teach you the theory behind what you’re already doing naturally.

 Intrigued despite her nervousness, Arlene finished her breakfast and made her way downstairs. The main hall was empty, but she could feel the bond pulling her toward the back of the building. She followed the sensation through a doorway and found herself in a large courtyard surrounded by high stone walls. The five Frostborn were there along with several other creatures Arlene couldn’t quite identify.

 Some looked almost human, but with features that were too sharp, too angular. Others were clearly not human at all. Furred beings that walked upright, something that might have been made of living ice. a figure whose edges seem to blur and shift like smoke. Our associates, Byron explained, noting her surprise.

 The Frostborn have always welcomed those who don’t fit elsewhere. As long as they follow pack law and contribute to the community, they’re under our protection. One of the almost human figures approached a woman with silver hair and eyes that reflected light like a cats.

 “So, this is the Omega everyone’s been waiting for,” she said, her voice carrying an accent Arlene didn’t recognize. She’s smaller than I expected. Size isn’t what matters with Omegas, Jake said. Arlene, this is Katie Yuing. She’s been managing the territo’s logistics for the past 30 years. 30 years. Arlene looked at Katie more closely. The woman didn’t look older than 25. Fay.

 Katie said with a slight smile. We age differently. It’s good to finally meet you, Omega. The boys have been insufferable with their searching and moping. Maybe now they’ll actually focus on running this territory properly instead of ranging across the continent looking for mythical bonds. Not so mythical now, is it? Floyd said smuggly.

Katie rolled her eyes but didn’t argue. She bowed slightly to Arlene, a gesture of respect that made Arlene uncomfortable and returned to whatever she’d been doing before. “Everyone here knows about the bond,” Arlene asked quietly. Everyone here has been hoping for the bond. Marvin corrected. The Frostorn aren’t just a pack, Arlene.

We’re a community. Everyone who lives in this territory benefits from a stable, powerful pack at its center. Which means they’ve all been invested in finding you. No pressure, Arlene muttered. Deep breath, Byron said privately. I know this is overwhelming, but you don’t have to be perfect. You don’t have to prove anything to anyone here.

 Just be yourself and let us teach you how to harness what you already have. Arlene nodded and moved to the center of the courtyard where the five alphas were gathering. First lesson, Byron began, his voice taking on that commanding tone that made her Omega instincts snap to attention.

 Understanding what the bond actually is. Don, you’re best at theory. Explain it. Don stepped forward and suddenly his sharp knowing eyes made sense. This was a teacher, someone who understood things at a fundamental level. The Omega Bond is a form of pack magic that predates modern wolf packs by thousands of years.

 Don said in the ancient times before territories became fixed and hierarchies became rigid, wolves ran in smaller, tighter groups, usually five to seven alphas led by a single omega. Not led in the sense of giving orders, but led in the sense of providing direction, purpose, cohesion, like a rudder on a ship, Jake added.

 The alphas provide the power and speed. But the Omega steers exactly, Dawn continued. But over time, as wolf populations grew and territories became contested, the old pack structures fell apart. Large packs formed with single alpha hierarchies, and the role of omegas got confused with submission and weakness. Omegas who didn’t fit that mold were seen as defective.

 Like me, Arlene said quietly. Like you, Don agreed. But you’re not defective, Arlene. You’re what Omegas were always meant to be. The problem is without training, without understanding, your power is raw and uncontrolled. Which brings us to today’s lesson. Learning to consciously direct the bond. I thought I was already doing that, Arlene said.

 I can feel you all send emotions, shield my thoughts. That’s passive use. Floyd interrupted. Instinctive. What we’re going to teach you is active use, intentional manipulation of the bond for specific purposes such as power sharing. Byron said, “Right now, power flows naturally through the bond. We give you strength. You give us cohesion. Everything balances automatically.

But in combat or crisis situations, you need to be able to direct that flow intentionally. Send all the power to one alpha who needs it. Or pull power back to protect yourself or distribute it unevenly based on tactical needs. That sounds complicated. It is, Marvin said. Which is why we’re starting simple.

Byron shift. Byron’s form blurred and suddenly a massive silver wolf stood where the man had been. His ice blue eyes fixed on Arlene with an intensity that would have been frightening if not for the warmth flowing through their bond. Now, Marvin instructed, “Reach through the bond to Byron. Feel the thread connecting you to him.

 Notice how power flows both ways from him to you, from you to him. Got it?” Arlene focused, following Byron’s thread until she could sense the power moving along it like water in a stream. “Yes, I feel it. Good. Now, try to increase the flow from you to him. Consciously push more of your energy through the bond. Don’t force it.

 guide it like opening a valve wider. Arlene concentrated, imagining the flow of power increasing. At first, nothing happened. Then she felt something shift. And suddenly, energy was rushing from her chest to Byron in a torrent. Byron’s wolf form began to glow, actually glow with silver light that made him look like he was carved from moonlight.

 He grew larger, his muscles more defined, his presence more overwhelming. The other beings in the courtyard took involuntary steps backward. Holy Arlene breathed. “That’s Omega amplification,” Don said, his voice filled with awe despite clearly having seen this before. “That’s what you can do, Arlene. You can take an already powerful alpha and make him unstoppable.

 Now pull the power back,” Marvin instructed. Slowly close the valve, redirect the energy back to yourself. Arlene tried, but it was like trying to stop a river with her hands. The power kept flowing, and Byron kept glowing brighter. And suddenly, she was feeling light-headed, like she was giving away too much.

 Easy, Byron sent through the bond, his mental voice steady despite his physical transformation. You’re not in danger. The bond won’t let you drain yourself completely. Trust it. Trust yourself. Arlene took a breath and stopped fighting. Instead of forcing the power to stop flowing, she simply asked it to gently suggested that it was time to return to balance. The torrent slowed to a stream, then to the normal steady flow.

 Byron’s glow faded, and he shrank back to his usual still massive size. Better, Marvin said approvingly. You’re learning to work with the bond instead of against it. That’s the key to everything, Arlene. The bond isn’t a tool you force to obey. It’s a living connection that responds to intention and respect.

 Byron shifted back to human form, his face flushed and his eyes bright. That was incredible, he said slightly breathless. I felt like I could tear down mountains. Is that what it’s always like? Only when an Omega consciously amplifies, Jake said. Usually the power boost from the bond is subtler.

 But in combat or when we need a massive show of force, you can do what Arleene just did. Make any one of us temporarily unstoppable or all of us simultaneously, Don added. Though that would drain you significantly, it’s not something you’d want to do often unless you had no choice, Floyd said darkly. Which is why we need to train her to handle sustained amplification.

 If Shadow Pine comes for us, they won’t, Byron said firmly. Vincent Shields is cruel, but he’s not stupid. He felt our power last night. He knows challenging us would be suicide. He’s also proud, Marvin countered. And pride makes people do stupid things. We should be prepared for the possibility that he’ll try to reclaim Arlene or eliminate her as a threat. Let him try, Floyd growled.

Well paint the snow red with enough, Byron said. his alpha authority making even Floyd stop mid-sentence. We’re not starting a war unless we have no choice. Our priority is training Arleene, teaching her control, and establishing ourselves as a legitimate pack that other territories will respect. Actually, Arlene said quietly, and five pairs of eyes turned to her.

 I have a question. You keep talking about other territories, other packs. Are there many of them? And do they all treat Omegas the way Shadow Pine did? The silence that followed was answer enough. Some are better, Jake said finally. Some are worse. The problem is systemic, Arlene. It’s been generations since anyone’s seen a true Omega bond in action.

 Most packs don’t even believe they exist anymore. They’ve built their entire social structures around the idea that omegas are weak, submissive, meant to be protected or controlled. Which means, Don continued, “When word spreads that the Frostborn have bonded with a true Omega, when other packs see what you can do, it’s going to challenge everything they believe.

 Some will be curious, some will be hostile, and some,” his expression darkened, will want to steal you. Steal me. Omega bonds are supposed to be permanent, Byron explained. But there are methods. dark magic, blood rituals, things that can theoretically break an existing bond and force a new one. It’s never been successfully done as far as we know, but that won’t stop some alphas from trying. Ice flooded Arleene’s veins.

 She’d just escaped one prison, and now she was learning she’d painted a target on her back. So, I’m in danger, constant danger, for the rest of my life. You’re in our protection, Floyd corrected fiercely. Which means anyone who wants to hurt you has to go through five Frostborn alphas first. And that’s a fight they won’t win.

 But I can’t live in fear forever. Arlene said, “I can’t hide here and never interact with the wider wolf world. That’s just another kind of exile.” You’re right, Byron said. Which is why we’re not going to hide. We’re going to do the opposite. In 2 weeks, the Northern Territory summit takes place.

 It’s a gathering where all the major packs send representatives to discuss boundaries, trade, conflicts, basically wolf politics. We’re going to attend and we’re going to introduce you. Introduce me?” Arlene’s voice rose in pitch. To every major pack in the north? Are you insane? Possibly, Don said with a slight smile. But Byron’s right. The best defense is making you too publicly visible to disappear.

 If everyone knows you exist, knows you’re bonded to the Frostborn, knows we’ll go to war to protect you, then attacking you becomes politically costly. Stealth operations are one thing. Open warfare is another. Plus, Jake added, it sends a message. The Frostborn aren’t hiding anymore. We’re not a dying pack clinging to the past.

 We’re a bonded pack with a true omega, and we’re demanding the respect that comes with that. Arlene looked at each of them, these five deadly alphas who wanted to parade her in front of the most powerful wolves in the north. It was terrifying. It was reckless. It was also brilliant. 2 weeks, she said slowly. That’s not much time to prepare. Then we’d better make the most of it. Marvin said, “Training starts now.

 By the time we walk into that summit, you’re going to be able to amplify any of us at will. Shield against hostile alphas trying to dominate you and project enough confidence that no one will dare treat you like the weak omega your father thought you were. No pressure, Arlene muttered again.

 Byron moved to stand directly in front of her, his hand cupping her cheek. The touch sent warmth cascading through the bond. You can do this, he said quietly. You survived 3 years of slow starvation and isolation. You dragged five dying alphas into your cabin and saved us when it would have been easier to let us die. You stood up to your father and walked away from the only life you’d ever known.

 Training for a summit? That’s nothing compared to what you’ve already overcome. Arlene wanted to believe him. Looking into his iceb blue eyes, feeling the absolute faith flowing through their bond, she almost did. All right, she said, straightening her shoulders. Teach me everything. I want to be ready. The five Frostborn alphas smiled and the bond blazed bright with pride and determination.

 Then let’s begin, Byron said. And for the next two weeks, Arlene learned what it truly meant to be an Omega. Not the broken, powerless creature her father had tried to make her, but something ancient and powerful and utterly irreplaceable. By the time the Northern Territory summit arrived, she would be ready to show the world what a true Omega could do, and the North would never be the same. Chapter 8. The Summit.

 The journey to the Northern Territories summit took 3 days of hard travel through increasingly harsh terrain. Arlene had expected to struggle 3 years of near starvation had left her weaker than she wanted to admit, but the bond made everything easier. When her legs grew tired, strength flowed from Marvin. When the cold bit too deep, warmth came from Jake.

 When doubt crept in, confidence poured from Byron. They weren’t just traveling together. They were moving as one organism. Each member supporting the others in an intricate dance of shared power. This is what pack is supposed to feel like, Arlene sent through the bond on their second night, watching the five alphas set up camp with practiced efficiency.

 This is what your pack feels like, Don corrected. Most packs don’t have this level of connection. They have hierarchy and duty. We have something closer to symbiosis. That’s the omega bond,” Jake added, handing her a bowl of hot stew. “You make us better than we are alone. And we make you stronger than you could be without us.

 It’s reciprocal in a way most wolves have forgotten is possible.” The summit was being held in neutral territory, an ancient meeting ground called the stone circle that predated modern pack boundaries. According to Byron, it had been used for gatherings like this for centuries, maybe longer.

 The magic in the ground itself prevented violence, making it the perfect place for packs to negotiate without fear of ambush. “How many packs will be there?” Arlene asked as they drew closer to their destination. “Eight to 10 major packs send representatives,” Marvin said. plus various minor packs, lone wolves seeking admission to territories, and occasionally non-wolf species who want to negotiate with the northern packs. Like Katie, Arlene said, “Exactly.

 The Fay, the ice wraiths, the deep forest clans, anyone who shares borders with wolf territory has a stake in these meetings. It’s not just wolf politics, though wolves dominate the proceedings. and everyone’s going to be watching us,” Arlene said, anxiety creeping through the bond despite her attempts to shield it. “Let them watch,” Floyd sent fiercely.

 “Let them see what they’ve been missing. Let them understand what they lost when they started treating Omegas like furniture instead of pack.” “Floyd’s sentiment is correct, even if his delivery is aggressive,” Byron said with a hint of amusement. “We want attention, Arlene.

 We want every pack there to understand that the Frostorn are no longer a failing remnant of the old ways. We’re a complete bonded pack. That changes our political position considerably. What about Shadowpine? Arlene asked. Will my father be there? Almost certainly, Don said. Vincent Shields attends most summits.

 He likes to maintain the appearance of being a major player in northern politics, even though Shadow Pine is a mid-tier pack at best. and Eleanor probably not. Heirs don’t usually attend until they’ve officially taken the alpha position, but Vincent might bring her to start establishing her presence. Either way, you’ll likely see at least one member of your former pack. Former pack. The words should have hurt more than they did.

 But Arlene found she’d already let go of any attachment to Shadow Pine. Whatever grief she’d felt for losing her birth pack had been overwhelmed by the joy of finding her true one. They crested a ridge on the third day, and Arlene caught her first glimpse of the stone circle.

 It was aptly named a massive ring of standing stones that thrust from the earth like giants fingers, each one carved with symbols that seemed to shift and writhe when she looked at them directly. Within the circle, dozens of camps had been established, banners and flags marking different pack territories. “Stay close,” Byron instructed as they descended toward the gathering.

 The neutrality magic prevents direct violence, but it doesn’t stop verbal challenges or dominance displays. Some alphas will try to intimidate you just to test your resolve. Let them try, Arlene said, surprised by the steel in her own voice. Two weeks of intensive training had given her more than just control over the bond.

 It had given her confidence. She knew what she was now, knew what she could do, and she was done cowering before alphas who thought dominance and cruelty were the same thing. “That’s our omega,” Jake sent proudly. They entered the stone circle, and immediately Arlene felt dozens of eyes turning toward them.

 Conversation died in waves as Pack after Pack noticed the new arrivals. She could practically hear the thoughts racing through their heads. “Who are these wolves? Why do they move like that? What’s wrong with that female? She’s too small to be alpha, too confident to be Omega.

 What is she? A massive wolf stepped forward from the nearest camp, shifting into human form as he approached. He was easily as large as Byron with cold black hair and eyes that glowed amber, his presence radiated power and authority. Frostborn, he said, his voice carrying across the sudden silence. I didn’t expect to see your pack here.

 Last I heard, you were down to five wolves and fading fast. Alpha Roberto Goldstein. Byron greeted him coolly. Still leading the Ironwood pack, I see, and still making assumptions without gathering facts. Roberto’s eyes narrowed, then slid to Arlene. His expression shifted from curious to shocked. Is that No, it can’t be. True Omega bonds are extinct. Clearly not, Don said.

 Since we’re all standing here very much bonded, impossible. Another voice rang out. A woman emerged from a different camp, tall and lean with silver blonde hair. I’ve searched for 20 years for any sign of a true Omega. There are none left. This is some trick, some. She stopped mid-sentence as Arlene dropped her shields and let the bond blaze visible.

 Silver threads of light appeared, connecting her to each of the five Frostborn alphas. The threads pulsed with power and the air itself seemed to hum with energy. The woman’s face went pale. By the ancient laws, she whispered. It is real. Alpha Tania Tanner of the Riverben Pack, Byron said formally.

 Allow me to introduce Arlene Terry, true Omega and heart of the Frostborn Pack. More wolves were gathering now, drawn by the commotion. Arlene could feel their stares, their skepticism, their hunger. Some looked at her with wonder, others with calculation, a few with barely concealed hostility. And then, pushing through the crowd, came a face she recognized.

 Vincent Shields, her father, followed closely by Eleanor. Arlene’s breath caught, but she forced herself to remain steady, forced herself to meet her father’s shocked gaze without flinching. Arlene, Vincent said, and there was something complicated in his voice. Surprise, anger, and maybe, just maybe, a hint of fear. So, the rumors are true.

You’ve somehow bonded with the Frostborn. Not somehow, Father, Arlene said, keeping her voice level. I saved their lives. The bond formed naturally, the way it’s supposed to, the way it would have formed years ago if you’d bothered to teach me what I was instead of convincing me I was worthless.

 Elellanar stepped forward, her golden eyes fixed on the visible bond threads. “This is impossible,” she said. “But there was uncertainty beneath her words. You’re just an omega. You can’t possibly have this kind of power. I’m not just anything,” Arlene replied. “I’m exactly what I was always meant to be. You were just too ignorant to recognize it.

 Watch your tongue, girl.” Vincent growled, his alpha power flaring. You may have found yourself some new pets, but that doesn’t give you the right to. He stopped because Byron, Floyd, Marvin, Jake, and Don had all moved simultaneously, placing themselves between Vincent and Arlene.

 Their combined presence was overwhelming. A wall of power that made Vincent’s display look like a candle next to a bonfire. “You will speak to our Omega with respect,” Byron said, his voice deadly quiet. “Or you will not speak to her at all.” “Your Omega!” Vincent’s face flushed red. She’s my daughter. My You downed her. Marvin interrupted.

 Declared her rogue in front of your entire pack. You have no claim to her. You have no authority over her. She is Frostborn now. And if you continue this line of conversation, you will force us to formally challenge Shadow Pine standing in the Northern Territories. The threat hung in the air.

 Challenging a pack’s standing could lead to territory disputes, trade embargos, even coordinated attacks from multiple packs. It was political warfare of the worst kind. Vincent’s jaw worked as he calculated odds, considered consequences. Finally, he took a step back. This isn’t over, he said quietly. A true omega bond, if that’s truly what this is, has implications far beyond your little pack dispute.

 Agreed, Roberto Goldstein said, his amber eyes thoughtful. Which is why I’m calling for a formal recognition ceremony. Let the assembled packs witness this bond and judge its authenticity. If it’s real, the Frostborn deserve to be acknowledged as a complete bonded pack with all the rights and protections that entails.

 And if it’s fake, someone called from the crowd. Then they’ll be exposed as frauds and driven from the territories, Roberto replied. But something tells me this is very real indeed. Tanya Tanner stepped forward. I support Roberto’s proposal. A recognition ceremony at sunset. That gives us time to prepare the proper rituals and gather the necessary witnesses.

 One by one, the other pack representatives voiced their agreement. Some enthusiastically, others reluctantly, but the consensus was clear. The northern packs wanted proof that the Frostborn had truly bonded with an Omega, and Arlene was about to give them that proof. “Are you ready for this?” Byron asked through the bond. “A recognition ceremony is intense. You’ll have to demonstrate control over the bond in front of everyone.

 Show that you can amplify each of us individually and collectively. Prove that the bond is real and stable.” “I’m ready,” Arlene sent back. And she meant it. Let’s show them what a true Omega can do. The sun was setting, painting the sky in shades of gold and crimson when the assembled packs gathered within the stone circle for the recognition ceremony.

 Arlene stood at the center with her five alphas arranged in a circle around her, each one positioned at an equal distance. The other packs formed an outer ring, hundreds of wolves bearing witness to something most of them had believed was extinct. Roberto Goldstein stepped forward, acting as the ceremony’s officient.

 his voice carried through the circle, amplified by the ancient magic in the stones themselves. We gather under the old laws to witness a bond, he ined the assembled packs of the Northern Territories call upon the Frostborn to prove their claim, to demonstrate that they are not five lone alphas and an Omega pretending to be pack, but a true bonded pack united by ancient magic. He turned to Arlene.

Omega of the Frostborn, show us the threads that bind you. Arlene dropped her shields completely. The bond blazed into visibility. Silver threads stretching from her chest to each of the five alphas. But she didn’t stop there. She’d learned in her training how to make the bond more visible, how to amplify its presence.

 She poured energy into the threads, making them glow brighter and brighter until they were brilliant as lightning until the entire stone circle was lit by their radiance. Gasps rippled through the crowd. Even the skeptics couldn’t deny what they were seeing. Show us amplification, Roberto commanded. Grant power to your alphas. Prove the bond functions as the ancient texts describe.

 This was the test, the part where she could fail, where any weakness would be exposed. Arlene took a breath and reached through the bond. She started with Byron, sending power flowing through their connection. His form began to glow as it had in training, growing larger, stronger, radiating dominance that made every wolf in the circle instinctively submit.

 She held the amplification for 10 heartbeats, then shifted. Jake next. His glow was different, brighter, more beautiful, like captured moonlight. Then Floyd, whose amplified presence became terrifying in its scarred intensity. Then Marvin, solid and immovable as a mountain.

 Then dawn, sharp and brilliant as winter stars, she cycled through them again and again, faster each time, demonstrating not just that she could amplify, but that she had complete control, that she could direct the bond with precision and purpose. Now all of us, Byron sent, show them what we can really do. Arlene had never tried to amplify all five simultaneously for more than a few seconds.

 It was exhausting, draining, potentially dangerous. But this was the moment that mattered. This was the proof that would cement their place in northern politics. She opened herself completely to the bond and sent power flowing to all five alphas at once. The effect was staggering. All five Frostborn began to glow, their combined presence so overwhelming that wolves in the outer circle actually retreated.

 The ancient stones hummed with resonance, reacting to power they hadn’t felt in centuries. The very air crackled with energy. Arlene held it 10 seconds, 20, 30. Pushing herself to the limit, feeling the bond pull at her reserves, but refusing to stop. She needed them to see this, needed them to understand.

 The Frostborn weren’t just a pack. They were a force of nature. At 40 seconds, she finally released the amplification, pulling the power back to normal levels. She swayed slightly, exhausted, but four hands immediately reached out to steady her. Byron in front, Jake and Floyd on the sides, Marvin behind, supporting her, proving what the bond really meant.

 Pack takes care of Pack. The Stone Circle was silent. Even Vincent Shields looked stunned, his face pale as he stared at what his daughter has rejected. useless Omega daughter had just accomplished. Roberto Goldstein’s voice broke the silence. I have seen enough. By the authority granted to me as witness and officient. I declare the Frostborn bond authentic.

 Let it be recorded that a true Omega walks among us once more and that the Frostborn pack is recognized as complete and bonded under the ancient laws. Seconded, Tania Tanner called out. Agreed. Another alpha said, “One by one, the pack representatives voiced their acceptance. Even Vincent, though his agreement came grudgingly and through clenched teeth, it was done.

 The Frostborn were officially recognized, and Arlene was no longer just a rejected Omega from a backwater pack. She was the heart of something powerful, something that would change the balance of power in the north.” As the assembled packs began to disperse, Roberto approached them again. His expression was thoughtful, calculating. “That was impressive,” he said. “But it’s also going to make you targets.

 There are wolves and worse things who will see that display and decide they need to control or eliminate you. Let them try,” Floyd growled. “They will,” Roberto said. which is why I’m offering the Frostorn an alliance. Ironwood and Frostorn, united in trade and mutual defense. We protect each other’s territories, support each other’s interests.

 What do you say, Byron Newman? Byron glanced at his pack at Arlene. Through the bond, she felt the question he was really asking. What do you think, Omega? Should we trust him? Arlene studied Roberto Goldstein. He was powerful, ambitious, calculating, but she didn’t sense cruelty in him. Didn’t sense the kind of casual disregard for those weaker than himself that she’d lived with in her father’s pack.

 “I think he’s offering because he’s smart enough to want us as allies instead of rivals,” she sent. “And I think we need allies.” “Agreed,” Byron sent to all of them through the bond. “We accept,” Byron said aloud. Ironwood and Frostborn allied in peace and war. Roberto smiled and extended his hand.

 Byron shook it and Arlene felt something shift in the political landscape around them. They’d just gone from being a curiosity to being a recognized power. And in the crowd, watching with narrowed eyes, Ellaner Shields realized that her sister had just become more dangerous than she’d ever imagined possible. Chapter nine. The challenge. The celebration that followed the recognition ceremony was unlike anything Arlene had ever experienced.

The various packs set up elaborate feasts, sharing food and drink and stories. As the night grew deeper, music played drums and flutes and voices raised in songs that spoke of ancient hunts and legendary battles. For the first time in her life, Arlene was treated not as an outcast, but as someone important, someone worthy of respect. It should have felt good.

 It did feel good in moments, but there was an undercurrent of tension she couldn’t shake. “You feel it, too,” Byron sent privately as they sat around the Ironwood packs fire, sharing a meal with Roberto in his inner circle. “Something’s coming.” Vincent won’t let this go, Arlene replied. “He spent 3 years convincing everyone I was worthless.

 Now I’ve proven I’m more powerful than anyone in his pack. That’s not just embarrassing for him, it’s dangerous. It undermines his authority. Let him sulk.” Floyd growled through the bond. What’s he going to do? The neutrality magic prevents violence. By tomorrow, we’ll be gone back to our own territory. He’ll have to live with the humiliation. But Arlene wasn’t so sure.

She’d grown up watching her father maneuver and manipulate. Vincent Shields didn’t accept defeat gracefully. He found ways to turn losses into victories, even if it meant bending rules or exploiting loopholes. She scanned the gathering, searching for her father or Eleanor in the crowd.

 She couldn’t see either of them, which only increased her unease. “You’re worried about Shadow Pine,” Roberto observed, noting her distraction. “He’d proven to be surprisingly perceptive over the course of the evening.” “Understandable, given your history. But Vincent would be a fool to move against you now.

 You have the Frostborn, you have Ironwoods Alliance, and you have the recognition of the assembled packs. Attacking you would be political suicide, unless he found a way to make it look justified,” Don said quietly. He’d been silent most of the evening, his sharp eyes constantly scanning the gathering. “A challenge, perhaps, something that falls within the bounds of Packlaw.” “What kind of challenge?” Arlene asked.

 “There are old traditions,” Roberto said reluctantly. ways for an alpha to reclaim a pack member they believe was stolen or coerced into leaving. It would require the challenger to prove either that the departure was forced or that the new pack is unfit to properly care for the wolf in question. But I wasn’t forced, Arlene protested.

 Vincent declared me rogue. I left freely. True, Roberto agreed. But if he claims you were coerced by the Frostorn after being declared rogue, if he argues that you were vulnerable and manipulated into a bond you didn’t truly consent to, he could demand a trial by challenge. Ice flooded Arlene’s veins.

 What does that mean? Trial by challenge combat, Floyd said flatly. Oneon-one alpha versus alpha. If Vincent wins, he can reclaim you. If the Frostorn win, you’re confirmed as permanently separated from Shadow Pine. But I don’t want to be reclaimed. Arlene’s voice rose, drawing attention from nearby packs. She lowered it quickly. I made my choice.

 Why isn’t that enough? Because pack law was written by alphas who believed omegas were property, Jake said bitterly. They built in provisions to rescue omegas from situations those alphas deemed inappropriate. It’s archaic and wrong, but it’s still technically valid under the old laws. So if Vincent challenges, what happens? Byron fights him.

 Not exactly. Roberto said Vincent can’t challenge directly. He disowned you, which means he gave up his rights as your alpha, but he can appoint a champion to challenge on Shadow Pine’s behalf. Someone who argues they would be a more suitable alpha for you than the Frostborn. Understanding dawned cold and terrible, Blake Todd. Most likely, Roberto confirmed.

 He was the one offered you as a mate. He could argue that you refusing him and bonding with the Frosborn instead was done under duress that you were frightened and vulnerable and the Frosborn took advantage. That’s a lie. Of course it is, Byron said. But that doesn’t mean Vincent won’t try it. The question is whether the assembled packs would support such a challenge, Roberto.

 If Vincent approached the Council of Alphas with this, would they allow it? Roberto was quiet for a long moment, his expression troubled. Honestly, I don’t know. You’ve proven the bond is real, which should be the end of it. But there are alphas here who are uncomfortable with what they saw tonight. Uncomfortable with the idea of an omega having that much power.

 They might see a trial by challenge as a way to put you back in your place without having to admit that’s what they’re doing. So, even though I proved everything, even though the bond was recognized, I’m still not safe. You’re safer than you were, Marvin said. But no, not entirely safe. Not yet. Not until the old prejudices die out and Pax remember what Omegas were really meant to be, which could take generations.

Don added silently through the bond. A commotion near the edge of the gathering drew their attention. Vincent Shields was striding toward the central fire. Blake Todd at his side. Behind them came Eleanor and several other shadow pine wolves.

 Vincent’s face was set in determined lines, and Blake wore an expression of barely concealed triumph. “Here we go,” Floyd muttered. Vincent stopped in the open space before the central fire, his voice carrying across the suddenly silent gathering. “I call upon the assembled packs to hear a challenge under the old laws.” The drums stopped, the conversations died. Every eye turned to Vincent.

 Roberto stood, his expression carefully neutral despite the warning glances he shot toward Byron. Alpha Vincent shields of Shadow Pine. State your challenge. My daughter Arlene was declared rogue due to her inability to contribute to pack strength.

 Vincent began and Arlene felt fury spike through her at the sanitized version of events. In her vulnerable state, she was approached by five unknown alphas who claimed to have bonded with her. While I acknowledge the recognition ceremony showed evidence of a bond, I question whether that bond was formed freely or through coercion of a desperate, starving Omega who had no other options. That’s not what happened.

Arlene started to stand, but Byron’s hand on her shoulder stopped her. Let him speak, Byron sent. We need to hear the full challenge before we respond. Know your enemy’s argument before you counter it, Vincent continued. Blake Todd of my pack had offered to mate with Arlene to provide for her and protect her. She refused.

 Days later, five strange alphas appear and suddenly she’s bonded to all of them. I submit that no omega in her right mind would refuse a respectable offer from her own pack only to immediately bond with complete strangers unless those strangers use their power to manipulate and coersse her. You declared her rogue.

 Byron’s voice cut across the gathering like a blade. You gave her to Blake like property. And when she refused, you stripped her of pack protection. She was within her rights to bond with whoever she chose after that. Was she? Vincent’s smile was cold. Or was she too traumatized, too desperate, too starved, and broken to make a rational choice.

 The Frostorborn found her in that state, a state I admit I allowed. Though I didn’t realize how bad it had gotten, and they exploited her vulnerability. That’s not a true bond. That’s manipulation. This is insane, Jake said. We didn’t manipulate anyone. The omega bond cannot be forced. Everyone knows that. Normally, yes, Vincent agreed. But in cases where an omega is severely compromised, mentally or physically, the bond might form out of desperation rather than true connection. Which is why I’m calling for a trial by challenge. If the Frostorn truly have

Arlene’s best interests at heart, if the bond is genuine and strong, they should have no problem proving it. Proving it how? Arlene demanded, finally finding her voice. I already proved the bond is real. You proved power exists, Vincent said. Not that the bond was formed freely. Blake Todd challenges the Frostborns right to their omega bond.

 He claims that given a fair choice, with time to recover from her ordeal, Arlene would choose a mate from her own kind rather than these northern strangers. He challenges for the right to break your bond and establish a new one. The gathered packs erupted in murmurss and arguments. Some looked horrified at the suggestion.

 Others looked intrigued, and a few too many looked like they thought Vincent might have a point. Roberto raised his hand for silence. This is highly irregular, Vincent. The Omega bond has been recognized. Attempting to break it through combat is allowed under the old laws, Vincent interrupted.

 Laws that you yourself acknowledged are still valid when you officiated tonight’s ceremony. Blake challenges Byron Newman, alpha of the Frostborn, for the right to claim Arlene. If Blake wins, the bond is proven false, and she returns to Shadow Pine. If Byron wins, we accept the separation permanently. “No,” Arlene said, her voice shaking with rage.

 “No, I don’t accept this. I’m not property to be won or lost in combat. I made my choice. That should be enough. It would be,” Tanya Tanner said, stepping forward. If you had made that choice from a position of strength, but Vincent raises a valid concern. You were starving, Omega. You were desperate. The Frostorn may have saved your life, but that doesn’t mean the bond formed for the right reasons.

 You can’t be serious, Don said incredulously. You saw the ceremony. You felt the power. That’s not manipulation. That’s the ancient magic working exactly as it should. Nevertheless, Tanya said, though she looked uncomfortable. A challenge has been issued under valid laws. The council must vote on whether to allow it. Then let’s vote now, Roberto said. All in favor of allowing Blake Todd’s challenge. Hands rose.

 Arlene’s heart sank as she counted them. Five alphas voted in favor, five voted against, and three abstained, including Tania. The vote is tied, Roberto announced. Which means according to tradition, the challenged party has the right to accept or decline. Byron Newman, do you accept Blake Todd’s challenge? Every eye turned to Byron.

Through the bond, Arlene felt the fury radiating from all five Frostorn. They wanted to refuse to tell Vincent and Blake and everyone who supported this farce exactly where they could put their challenge. But she also felt the calculation.

 If they refused, it would look like they had something to hide, like they weren’t confident in their bond. And in the political landscape of the Northern Territories, perception mattered as much as reality. What do I do? Byron sent to the pack. If I fight and lose, you won’t lose, Floyd said with absolute certainty. Blake Todd is nothing, a bully and a brute. You’ll tear him apart.

 But if by some miracle he does win, Jake said quietly. The bond would be broken. Arlene would be forced back to Shadowpine. We have to consider that risk. No, Arlene sent her mental voice so fierce it made all five alphas pause. No, we don’t consider that risk because it’s not happening. Byron will win.

 And when he does, I want to make sure Vincent and everyone who supported this insulting challenge understands exactly what they’ve done. She stood, pulling away from Byron’s steadying hand, and walked to the center of the gathering. Walked until she stood directly in front of her father, close enough to see the calculation in his eyes.

 “You want a challenge?” Arlene said, her voice carrying across the silent crowd. “Fine, let Blake fight Byron. Let him try to prove I was manipulated. But know this, father. When Byron wins, when your champion is defeated and humiliated in front of every pack in the north, I will make sure everyone knows the truth. Not your sanitized version where you didn’t realize how bad it had gotten.

 The truth about how you deliberately starved me. How you exiled me to a broken cabin knowing I couldn’t survive. How you spent 3 years hoping I’d just conveniently die so you wouldn’t have to deal with your omega problem. Vincent’s face flushed red. You dare, I dare. Arlene, cut him off because I’m not your powerless daughter anymore. I’m a bonded omega.

 I have five alphas who would burn the world for me. And when this farce of a challenge is over, when Blake is bleeding in the snow and your plan has failed, you’re going to have to live with the knowledge that you threw away something precious, something you were too ignorant and cruel to value. She turned to address the assembled packs.

 I was not coerced. I was not manipulated. I made a choice to save five dying alphas. Because letting them freeze would have made me as heartless as my father. The bond formed because I have something Vincent Shields never taught me. Compassion. The ability to see value in others even when they can’t offer me anything in return. That’s what omegas are supposed to do.

 That’s what the ancient magic responds to. Not weakness, not desperation, but the strength to care even when the world has given you every reason not to. silence. Then from somewhere in the ironwood section, someone began to howl. Not a challenge or a threat, but a song of acknowledgement, of respect. Others joined in until the stone circle echoed with voices. Not everyone.

 Vincent’s supporters remained silent, but enough wolves were singing that Arlene knew she’d reached them, knew she’d made them understand. Byron moved to stand beside her, his hand finding hers. I accept Blake Todd’s challenge, he announced. Tomorrow at dawn, and when I win, Shadow Pine will acknowledge that they have no claim to Arlene Terry. She is Frostborn now and forever.

 Blake stepped forward, his face twisted in something between rage and anticipation. When I win, the Omega comes back where she belongs. And I’ll make sure she never forgets her place again. The threat was clear, and Arlene felt the five Frostborns surge with murderous intent through the bond. Easy, she sent to them. Save it for tomorrow.

 Blake just guaranteed his own destruction. You heard the threat. Everyone heard it. When Byron wins, we use that. We make sure every pack here understands what kind of wolf Blake really is. Clever Omega, Don sent with approval, using their own cruelty against them. Roberto stepped forward, raising his hands.

 The challenge is set. Tomorrow at dawn, Blake Todd of Shadow Pine will face Byron Newman of Frostborn. The victor claims the Omega Bond or confirms it as the case may be. Until then, both parties are under the neutrality magic’s protection. No violence, no interference. Tomorrow, we settle this the old way.

The gathering began to disperse. Pax returning to their camps to discuss what they’d just witnessed. Arlene turned to head back to the Frostborn camp but found Eleanor blocking her path. This is your fault. Elellanar hissed quietly. So only Arlene could hear. If you just accepted Blake when father offered him, none of this would be happening.

 You could have had peace, security, a place in the pack. But you had to be difficult. You had to run off and bond with strangers and come back here flaunting power you don’t deserve. Arlene looked at her sister, this beautiful, powerful alpha who had everything and understood nothing and felt only sadness.

 “I didn’t deserve to be starved,” Arlene said quietly. “I didn’t deserve to be treated like garbage for 3 years. I didn’t deserve to be offered as property to a brute who wanted to train obedience into me. And if you think I did, Eleanor, then you’re more broken than I ever was.

” She walked past her sister, the five Frostborn falling into step around her, and didn’t look back. Tomorrow, Byron would fight. Tomorrow, they would prove once and for all that the bond was real and true and unbreakable. And tomorrow, Vincent Shields would learn what it costs to underestimate an Omega. Chapter 10. The final bond.

 Dawn broke cold and clear over the stone circle, painting the ancient stones in shades of pink and gold. Arlene stood at the edge of the Frostborn camp, watching the sun rise and tried to calm the storm of emotions churning through the bond. He’s going to win. She sent for the hundth time, trying to convince herself as much as the others. Byron is stronger, faster, more experienced. Blake doesn’t stand a chance.

 Blake doesn’t stand a chance, Floyd agreed. But that doesn’t mean Vincent doesn’t have other tricks planned. Watch for interference. Watch for someone trying to disrupt the neutrality magic or distract Byron at a critical moment. The stones won’t allow it, Marvin said, though his steady presence carried an edge of concern.

 Direct interference will trigger a backlash from the ancient magic. Vincent would have to be desperate or stupid to risk that. He’s both, Arlene said. That’s what worries me. Byron emerged from the camp, already dressed for combat in minimal clothing that would shift easily with his wolf form. He looked calm, focused every inch the deadly predator he was.

 But through the bond, Arlene could feel his worry. Not about the fight itself, he was confident he could defeat Blake, but about what came after. About the political ramifications, about keeping Arlene safe, about navigating the complex web of alliances and enmities that governed the Northern Pacts.

 “Stop overthinking,” Arlene said aloud, moving to stand in front of him. You’re the strongest alpha I’ve ever met. This is just one fight. You’ve survived centuries. You’ll survive this. Byron’s hand cupped her cheek, his thumb brushing across her skin. It’s not surviving I’m worried about.

 It’s making sure that when this is over, you never have to fear anyone trying to take you from us again. Then win decisively, Don said, joining them. Don’t just defeat Blake. Humiliate him. Make it so clear that he was never in your league that no one will question the outcome. and watch for Vincent,” Jake added, his beautiful face unusually serious. “He didn’t come this far just to watch his champion lose fairly.

 “He be!” A horn sounded from the center of the stone circle, calling the packs to witness. It was time. The assembled packs formed a ring around the largest open space within the circle. Hundreds of wolves bearing witness to a challenge that would determine the fate of the last true Omega Bond.

 Roberto Goldstein stood at the center, his presence commanding attention. Under the old laws, we gather to witness a trial by challenge, he announced. Blake Todd of Shadow Pine Pack challenges Byron Newman of Frostborn Pack for the right to claim or confirm the Omega bond with Arlene Terry. The rules are simple.

 Combat continues until one fighter yields, is incapacitated, or dies. The neutrality magic prevents outside interference. The victor’s claim to the Omega is absolute and cannot be challenged again for a period of 10 years. 10 years? Arlene whispered to Jake. That’s not permanent. Nothing in pack law is truly permanent, Jake whispered back. But 10 years is long enough to establish the bond beyond any doubt.

 By then, any attempt to challenge it would be seen as absurd. Byron stepped into the circle, and Blake followed from the Shadowpine section. Up close, Blake looked even more brutish than Arlene remembered. He was massive, heavily muscled, with scars that spoke of a lifetime of violence. His eyes when they found Arlene were hungry and possessive like she was a prize he’d already won.

 Last chance to save yourself the humiliation. Blake called to Byron. Yield now and I’ll make sure the Omega is treated well enough. The only one facing humiliation is you. Byron replied calmly. And when this is over, Arlene will never have to see your face again. Blake’s expression darkened. Well see about that. Roberto raised his hand. Begin.

 Both fighters shifted immediately, their human forms blurring into massive wolves. Blake was huge, his dark fur matted with old blood and scars. But Byron was larger, his silver coat gleaming like moonlight, his presence radiating power that made Blake’s brutish strength look clumsy by comparison. They circled each other, both looking for an opening. Blake struck first, lunging with his jaws aimed at Byron’s throat.

 It was aggressive move meant to end the fight quickly through sheer force. Byron sidstepped with fluid grace, his claws raking across Blake’s flank as the larger wolf’s momentum carried him past. First blood to the Frostborn. Blake snarled and spun. More cautious now. He’d underestimated Byron’s speed. Made the mistake of thinking size alone would win the fight. He’s strong but undisiplined.

 Floyd observed through the bond. Byron will take him apart piece by piece. The fight continued and it quickly became clear that Floyd was right. Byron was faster, more skilled, more controlled. Every attack he made drew blood. Every move Blake tried, Byron anticipated, and countered. It was less a fight and more a lesson in the difference between a brawler and a warrior.

 Within 5 minutes, Blake was bleeding from a dozen wounds. His movements were slowing, his breathing labored. Byron barely looked winded. Yield. Byron’s mental voice projected so everyone could hear one of the tricks truly powerful alphas could perform. You can’t win this, Blake. Save yourself the pain and yield. Never.

 Blake snarled, launching another desperate attack. This time, Byron didn’t just dodge. He met the attack headon, his jaws closing around Blake’s throat. Not biting down, not yet just holding, demonstrating that he could end the fight whenever he chose. Blake froze, trapped. Through the bond, Arlene felt Byron’s control, his restraint. He could kill Blake right now.

 One bite, one flex of his powerful jaws, and the challenge would be over. But he was showing mercy, giving Blake one more chance to yield with his life intact. That’s when Arlene saw the movement in the crowd. Vincent, his hand raised in some kind of signal.

 And near the edge of the circle, one of the shadow pine wolves was doing something to the stones, touching them, whispering something, his hands glowing with a sickly green light. No. Arlene sent desperately through the bond. Byron, the stones, their tampering with the neutrality magic, but it was too late. The sickly green light spread from the touched stone, racing through the circle’s ancient network, and suddenly the air itself changed.

 The protective magic warping into something else, something dark. Blake, who’d been trapped and defeated, suddenly convulsed. His form began to change, but not into human shape, into something else. Something wrong. His body swelled with unnatural strength. His eyes turned black and foam flecked his jaws. Blood rage. Roberto’s voice rang out in horror.

 Vincent, what have you done? Blood rage is forbidden magic. But Vincent was already moving. His pack forming around him, preparing to flee. He’d known this would happen. Had planned it. If Blake couldn’t win fairly, Vincent had ensured he’d win by any means necessary, even if it meant unleashing dark magic that could kill everyone in the circle.

 A wolf in blood rage was unstoppable. Immune to pain, driven only by the instinct to kill. They would fight until either they or everything around them was dead. And the corrupted neutrality magic wasn’t protecting anyone anymore. It was containing them all with the monster Vincent had created.

 Blake’s jaws released Byron’s throat, not out of strategy, but because the blood rage made him forget tactics entirely. He lunged again, but this time with the craze strength of dark magic. His attacks wild and impossibly powerful. Byron dodged, but one of Blake’s claws caught him across the shoulder, tearing deep through the bond. Arlene felt Byron’s pain spike. “Pull back.

” Marvin sent. “Byron, you can’t fight blood rage headon. You need to. I know what I need.” Byron interrupted. And through the bond, Arlene felt what he was asking for. Not just strength, not just speed, but everything. The full power of the Omega bond amplified beyond anything she’d done in training.

 It could kill you, Jake sent desperately. That much power sustained that long, your body might not be able to handle it. Then it kills me, Byron replied. But I will not let that creature touch our omega. Arlene, please trust me. Give me everything. Arlene didn’t hesitate. She dropped every shield, opened every channel, and poured power through the bond to Byron with everything she had.

Byron’s form exploded with silver light. Not just glowing, blazing like a star, so bright that wolves had to look away. His body grew larger, his muscles more defined, his presence so overwhelming that even Blake’s blood rage made him hesitate for one crucial second.

 Byron moved like lightning, too fast to follow. His claws found Blake’s legs, hamstringing him. His jaws found Blake’s spine, not to kill, but to paralyze. And all the while, that impossible power burned through him. The Omega bond making him more than any single wolf had a right to be. Blake went down, still conscious, but unable to move.

 Still snarling and snapping, but no longer a threat. The blood rage would kill him eventually. That was what happened to wolves who were forced into it. But the fight was over. Byron shifted to human form, his body still glowing with the Omega Bonds power. He looked at Vincent, who stood at the edge of the circle with his pack ready to run.

 “You used forbidden magic,” Byron said, his voice carrying to every corner of the gathering. “You tried to murder me, your own daughter, and every wolf in this circle just to avoid losing a challenge.” “That’s not strength,” Vincent Shields. “That’s cowardice. The bond made you too strong. Vincent shouted back. That’s not natural. That much power in the hands of one wolf of an omega. It’s dangerous. So you tried to kill everyone.

 Tanya Tanner’s voice rang out. Fury evident. The blood rage doesn’t discriminate. Vincent. Blake would have torn through us all once Byron fell. You would have murdered every alpha here to reclaim one Omega. The assembled packs were turning now, their expressions shifting from shock to rage.

 Vincent had broken the most sacred law. He’d corrupted the neutrality magic. Endangered everyone all for pride and control. Seize him, Roberto commanded. Vincent shields. You are hereby stripped of your alpha status and marked rogue for the use of forbidden magic and attempted mass murder. Shadow Pine Pack is dissolved, its territory forfeit. Vincent’s face went white. You can’t. I’m an alpha.

 You can’t just You’re nothing, Byron interrupted. And your pack is nothing. Guards, take him and take whoever helped him corrupt the stones. They’ll all answer for this. Wolves from multiple packs surged forward, surrounding Vincent and the shadow pine wolves who’d helped him. Vincent tried to resist, but he was alone. His power nothing compared to the combined might of the northern packs.

 Arlene watched her father being dragged away, his protests fading into the distance, and felt nothing. No satisfaction, no grief, no sense of vindication, just a quiet relief that it was finally over. “You can let go now,” Byron sent gently through the bond. “You’ve been holding that amplification for 5 minutes. You need to rest.” Arlene realized he was right.

 She’d been pouring power into Byron for so long, she’d forgotten she was doing it. She pulled the energy back slowly, carefully, and immediately felt exhaustion crash over her. Strong arms caught her before she could fall. All five Frostborn were there suddenly, supporting her, their concern flooding the bond.

 “I’m okay,” Arlene said weakly. “Just tired. Did we win?” “We won,” Jake said. And there was wonder in his voice. “You amplified Byron for five straight minutes. Do you understand how impossible that is? Most omegas can barely maintain amplification for 30 seconds because most omegas are trained to think small.

 Don said Arlene never learned those limitations. She just did what needed to be done. Roberto approached his expression a mixture of awe and concern. That was the most extraordinary display of omega power I’ve witnessed in my entire life. And I’m 200 years old. Is Blake? Arlene asked. Dying? Roberto said bluntly.

 The blood rage will burn through him in another hour or so. There’s no cure once it takes hold. I’m sorry, Arlene. I know he was your packmate once. He stopped being my packmate when he tried to claim me as property. Arlene said, I don’t mourn him. I mourn what he could have been if someone had taught him that strength doesn’t mean cruelty.

 Roberto nodded slowly. Wise words. You’re going to make an interesting addition to northern politics. Omega, the Frostborn pack is officially recognized. The bond is confirmed beyond any doubt, and you’ve just made it clear that anyone who threatens you will face something more powerful than they can imagine. Good, Floyd said. Let them fear. Let them understand that our omega is not to be touched.

 What about Eleanor? Arlene asked suddenly. And the rest of Shadow Pine. You said the pack is dissolved. The pack is dissolved, Roberto confirmed. Its members will be absorbed into other packs or declared rogue depending on their level of involvement in Vincent’s scheme. Your sister, that will be her choice. If she was complicit, she faces consequences.

 If she was ignorant of her father’s plans, she can petition for admission to another pack. Arlene thought about Eleanor, about the sister who’d made her life miserable for years. Part of her wanted Eleanor to suffer, to face the same rejection and isolation Arlene had endured, but another part, the part that had saved five dying wolves when it would have been easier to let them freeze, couldn’t quite wish that fate on anyone.

 If Elellanar wasn’t involved in the blood rage, Arlene said slowly. “If she didn’t know what Vincent was planning, then I won’t oppose her finding a new pack. But she’s not welcome in Frostorn territory. Some wounds are too deep to forgive.” “Fair enough,” Roberto said. I’ll make sure the council knows your position.

 And now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to help coordinate the investigation into who helped Vincent with the forbidden magic. This is going to be a mess to untangle. He left and the Frostborn pack was finally alone, or as alone as they could be in a gathering of hundreds. “Can we go home now?” Arlene asked. “I just want to go home.

” “Yes,” Byron said, pulling her close. “We can go home. The challenge is won. The bond is confirmed and you never have to face these people again if you don’t want to. Until the next summit, Don reminded them. Then we’ll deal with that when it comes, Marvin said. For now, our Omega has earned rest and peace and the comfort of her own territory. They gathered their belongings and prepared to leave.

 But before they could depart, a small figure approached from the Shadowpine section. Eleanor, her face pale, her eyes red from crying. Arlene,” she said, her voice small in a way Arlene had never heard before. “Can I can I talk to you just for a moment?” The five Frostborn tensed, ready to intervene, but Arlene raised her hand. “It’s all right.

 Let her speak.” Elellanar stepped closer, and Arlene could see her sister was shaking. “I didn’t know,” Elellanar said. About the blood rage about father’s plan. I swear, Arlene. I didn’t know. He told me it was just going to be a fair challenge that Blake would win because he was stronger and you’d come back to Shadow Pine where you belonged.

 I didn’t know he was planning to to do what he did, would it have mattered? Arlene asked quietly. “If you had known, would you have stopped him? Or would you have let it happen because you thought I deserved it?” Elellanar flinched like she’d been struck. I I don’t know. And that’s what’s killing me, Arlene. I don’t know if I would have stopped him.

 I spent so long being jealous of you, being angry that you existed, that even when I saw how badly father was treating you, I told myself you deserved it, that you were weak and useless, and her voice broke. And I was wrong. You were never weak. I was just too blind and cruel to see it. Tears were streaming down Elellanar’s face now.

 And despite everything, Arlene felt something in her chest soften. Just a little. I was a terrible sister, Elanor continued. I made your life hell because I was scared. Scared that even though I had all the power and all the strength and all the attention, somehow you would still end up mattering more than me. And now, look, you’ve bonded with five legendary alphas. You’ve displayed power I can’t even imagine possessing.

 And you’ve made me look like exactly what I am. Small, petty, broken. Eleanor. No, let me finish. Elellanar interrupted. I don’t expect your forgiveness. I don’t deserve it. But I need you to know that I’m sorry for all of it. For every cruel word, every humiliation, every time I stood by while father treated you like garbage.

 I’m sorry, Arlene, and I’m going to spend the rest of my life trying to be better than the person I was. Arlene looked at her sister, this powerful alpha who’d had everything and lost it all in one night, and made a choice. I can’t forgive you, Arlene said honestly. Not yet. Maybe not ever.

 What you did, what you let happen, that’s not something that goes away just because you’re sorry now. Ellaner nodded, accepting the judgment. But Arlene continued, “I don’t hate you either. And if you really do want to be better, if you really do want to learn what it means to use strength without cruelty, then maybe someday we can talk again.” Not as sisters. We’ll never be that again.

 But maybe as two wolves who learned hard lessons about what matters. Eleanor’s eyes widened with something that might have been hope. You mean that? I mean it. But Elellanar, you need to understand that the world you’re walking into now, the world where you’re not the powerful alpha princess anymore. It’s going to be hard. Really hard.

 And you’re going to be tempted to become bitter, to blame others for your fall. Don’t do that. Own what you did wrong. Learn from it. Become someone who makes amends rather than excuses. I will, Elellanar whispered. I promise. Arlene. I will. Arlene nodded, then turned away. She’d said what needed to be said. What Elellanar did with it was her choice.

 The Frostborn pack left the stone circle as the sun climbed higher, leaving behind the chaos of dissolved packs and political upheaval. They traveled for 3 days. The journey easier now that Arlene wasn’t running from anything, just running toward home. 3 months later, Arlene stood on the balcony of the main hall, looking out over Frostborn territory.

 Spring was beginning to touch the northern lands, melting snow revealing the first hints of green beneath. The territory had grown in the months since the summit. Other wolves seeking admission, beings from various species asking for sanctuary. Families who’d heard of the bonded pack and wanted to be part of something stable. The Frostborn were no longer dying.

 They were thriving. Penny for your thoughts, Byron sent, joining her on the balcony. His presence was warm and solid, the bond between them stronger than ever. Just thinking about how much has changed, Arlene replied. 3 months ago, I was alone in a freezing cabin, convinced I’d die there.

 Now I’m standing in my home, surrounded by pack, watching our territory grow. It doesn’t feel real. Sometimes it’s real, Byron said, wrapping his arms around her from behind. And it’s only going to get better. We received word from Roberto this morning. Tanya Tanner wants to discuss an alliance. Three other packs have sent inquiries about trade agreements. The North is finally starting to remember what it means to have a true Omega bond in their midst.

Is that good or bad? Good, mostly, though. It means more politics, more negotiations, more summits to attend. Arlene groaned and Byron’s laughter rumbled through the bond. Don’t worry, we’ll handle the boring parts. You just have to show up, be yourself, and remind everyone why challenging the Frostborn would be a terrible idea. No pressure.

 None at all, Byron said, his tone suggesting exactly the opposite. The other four Frostborn joined them on the balcony, drawn by the conversation through the bond. This was what they did. Now gathered together in comfortable silence, sharing thoughts and feelings and the simple joy of being pack. Katie says we need to expand the main hall.

 Jake announced too many new residents. We’re going to need more sleeping quarters, a larger dining area, maybe a proper training facility already designed, Floyd said, pulling out a rolled parchment. Been working on it for weeks. Figured we’d need the space eventually. Look at you planning ahead. Don teased.

 What happened to will deal with problems when they arise. I’m learning. Floyd grumbled. Arlene’s been teaching me about patience. It’s annoying. Arlene laughed. The sound carrying across the territory. It was a sound she made often now real laughter, not the bitter mockery of her exile days. Joy came easily when you were surrounded by wolves who would die for you, who celebrated your strengths instead of punishing them.

 I have something to tell you all. Arlene sent through the bond, her mental voice suddenly serious. Five pairs of ice blue eyes turned to her immediately, concern flooding the connection. “What’s wrong?” Byron asked aloud. “Nothing’s wrong,” Arlene said. And she was smiling. “It’s just I’ve been feeling something through the bond for the past week.

 Something new, and I finally figured out what it is.” “What?” Jake asked, moving closer. The bond is deepening, evolving. I think she paused, making sure she had the words right. I think it’s becoming permanent in a way it wasn’t before. Like those first three months were a trial period.

 And now that we’ve proven we work together, the magic is settling in for good. The five alphas exchanged glances, something passing between them that Arlene couldn’t quite read. We felt it, too, Marvin said quietly. We just weren’t sure if you had. It’s called the true binding. It happens when an omega bond proves itself strong enough, tested enough to become unbreakable.

Not even death can sever it completely after a true binding. Not even death. Arlene repeated. The magic binds souls, not just bodies, Don explained. If the bond reaches true binding and one of us dies, the connection remains weaker but present like an echo.

 It means we’ll always be able to find each other even across the veil between life and death. That’s intense. It is. Byron agreed. Which is why we wanted to make sure you were ready. True binding can’t be undone. Once it completes your Frostborn forever, not just in pack affiliation, but in your very essence. Your soul becomes intertwined with ours.

 Are you asking for my permission? Arlene asked. Or is this happening whether I want it or not? both. Jake said, “The magic is already moving toward true binding, but you can stop it if you choose. Fight it, refuse it, and the bond will remain at its current strength, but never deepen further. You have a choice, Arlene. You’ve always had a choice.

” Arlene looked at each of them. Byron with his fierce protectiveness. Jake with his gentle wisdom. Floyd with his scarred strength. Marvin with his steady patience. Dawn with his sharp insight. These five alphas who’d searched 50 years to find her, who’d faced blood, rage, and politics, and the prejudices of the entire north just to keep her safe. The choice wasn’t difficult at all. Let it happen, Arlene said.

 I’m ready. I want the true binding. I want to be Frostborn forever. The relief and joy that flooded through the bond was overwhelming. All five alphas pulled her into an embrace. And Arlene felt the magic surge. Felt those silver threads that connected them begin to glow brighter, stronger, more permanent.

 It didn’t hurt. It felt like coming home after a long journey. Like finding the missing piece of a puzzle you’d been trying to solve your entire life. Welcome home, Omega. The five alphas sent as one. Welcome to forever.

 And as the sun set over Frostborn territory, as the true binding completed and sealed six souls together in an unbreakable connection, Arlene Terry once the rejected Omega of Shadowpine, now the heart of the Frostborn smiled. She’d survived starvation, exile, and a father who’d tried to break her. She’d bonded with five legendary alphas, proven herself before the Northern Pacts, and changed the political landscape of an entire region.

 But more than any of that, she’d learned the most important lesson of all. Strength wasn’t about dominance or cruelty or power over others. Real strength was about connection, about choosing compassion, even when the world gave you every reason to be cruel, about building something beautiful out of broken pieces. And she was the strongest wolf she knew.

 Not despite being an omega, but because of it. Epilogue. Two years later. The Northern Territory summit had changed. Where once it had been a gathering of suspicious packs barely tolerating each other’s presence, it had become something closer to a true alliance. The Frostborn bonded pack had sparked a revolution.

 Packs across the north were seeking out their own omegas, trying to understand the ancient magic, working to build connections rather than just hierarchies. It would take generations to undo centuries of damage. But they’d made a start. Arlene walked through the stone circle, now greeted with bows and respectful acknowledgements from every alpha present.

 The Omega, who’d been declared worthless, was now one of the most respected figures in northern politics. Arlene Terry. A familiar voice called out, and Arlene turned to see Elellanar approaching. Her sister looked different, leaner, harder, with scars that spoke of recent battles. She’d joined the Riverbend Pack after Shadow Pine dissolved.

 And from what Arlene heard, she’d been working to prove herself through service rather than dominance. Elellaner. Arlene greeted her. You look well. I look like I’ve been sleeping in the mud and eating scraps. Elellanar corrected with a ry smile. But I suppose that’s better than I deserve. How are you? How’s the pack thriving? Arlene said honestly.

 We’ve expanded our territory, established trade routes with six other packs, and were considering opening a training facility for newly discovered omegas. Turns out there are more true omegas out there than anyone realized they were just too scared or suppressed to show their power. That’s incredible, Elellanar said. And there was genuine admiration in her voice. You’re changing the world, little sister.

 Making it better than it was trying to. Arlene said, “What about you? I heard you turn down an alpha position in Riverbend. I did, Eleanor confirmed. Tania offered to make me her second, but I refused. I don’t trust myself with power yet. Maybe someday when I’ve proven I can use strength without cruelty, but not now.

 Now I’m just learning, trying to be better. Arlene studied her sister and saw something she’d never expected to see. Genuine change. Real growth. Elellanar wasn’t the same cruel alpha princess anymore. She was becoming someone who understood that power was responsibility, not privilege. “I’m proud of you,” Arlene said quietly for doing the hard work of becoming better. Elellanar’s eyes widened, then filled with tears, she blinked away quickly.

“Thank you. That that means more than you know.” They talked for a while longer, not as the sisters they’d been, but as two wolves who’d survived their own separate hells and come out stronger. When they parted, Arlene felt a sense of closure she hadn’t expected. Eleanor would never be her family again. But maybe someday they could be friends.

The Frostborn gathered around their Omega as the summit continued. Five deadly predators who’d found their purpose in protecting and supporting the wolf who’d saved them. Together, they were writing a new chapter in northern pack history, and it was only the beginning.

 Thank you for joining us in Arlene’s journey from rejected Omega to the heart of a legendary bonded pack. Her story reminds us that true strength lies not in dominance, but in the courage to choose compassion, even when the world has given us every reason to be cruel. Please don’t forget to like this