The remnants of the past

As Lily Dawson laboured diligently over a wounded warrior's arm, the tiny, poorly lit infirmary was filled with the aroma of herbs and antiseptic.

A rogue's claw tore open the deep gash, and even though the bleeding had stopped, infection was still present beneath the skin.

Even though she was exhausted, she worked quickly with her fingers, making a fine paste out of fresh echinacea and rosemary.

She had not slept for two nights now. Lily was relieved to be exhausted. She did not have time to think when she was busy.

did not have time to recall the sarcastic remarks, the disdainful glances, and the sympathy of those who believed she lacked the strength to endure in their world. She was an Omega.

The lowest of all the lows. Nobody gave a damn about a wolf unless they were in need. Her own partner had deserted her. rejected before they could even form a bond.

She should have been broken by it. And perhaps it had, in certain respects. But even when others would not do the same for her, Lily had learnt to push the pain deep inside and concentrate on healing and helping others instead.

She had put in more effort than anyone else to become an expert in the use of human medicine, herbs, and potions to heal, earning her position as the pack's healer.

She had hoped that perhaps, just possibly, her rank would not define her value. She had been mistaken. She was reminded of her position as soon as she left the infirmary.

A voice that was familiar sneered, "Are you still playing doctor, Omega?" Lily gritted her teeth and spun around to confront Beta Eric and two of the Alpha's best guards.

His muscular frame was tense with contempt as he towered over her. She stated calmly, "I do not play." "I cure." Eric grinned. "Perhaps. However, when you are the one in need of saving, nobody will give a damn.

Lily did not flinch as he moved closer, encroaching on her personal space. She had long since discovered that displaying fear only made matters worse.

Refusing to give in, she maintained eye contact. After a moment, Eric said, "Alpha Damien has summoned you," in a tone that was tinged with something she could not quite make out. "You should avoid keeping him waiting." Lily felt a knot in her stomach.

She was only ever called upon by Alpha Damien to remind her of her position. Nevertheless, she became aware of a change as she followed Eric around the packhouse.

With warriors lining the hallways, their shoulders squared and their faces tense, the entire place was tense. Something was going on.

Lily hardly had time to process the scene when they arrived at the main hall before her knees almost gave out. Here was the Alpha King. All the wolves bowed their heads in submission, and the room fell into a deadly silence. All the wolves minus her.

She was not sure whether shock or defiance held her firmly in place. Standing in the middle of the room, the Alpha King's presence was overwhelming.

He was taller than she had anticipated, with broad shoulders and dark clothes that only added to his air of authority.

Her wolf stirred uneasily as his golden eyes pierced her, evaluating her with such intensity.

He was the type of Alpha described in legends. The sort who, with one look, could control a whole room. He was also looking directly at her. Lily felt her heart race.

She had been disregarded, disregarded, and ignored all of her life. But here he was, the strongest wolf on the planet, observing her as though she were the only thing in the room.

Damien, Alpha, cleared his throat. "You have been selected as the Alpha King's mate, Lily Dawson." The words struck her like a blow to the body.

Lily blinked. The room swayed a little, and she briefly believed she had misheard.

However, all of the wolves in the room were now looking at her with a mix of surprise, jealousy, and indignation on their faces. Her partner? Was she mate with the Alpha King? No. This is not possible.

It had been a long time since she had believed in mates. She had already experienced rejection, humiliation, and being abandoned as if she were nothing.

A weak Omega like her was not wanted. So why-why was she being claimed by the Alpha King? Lily started to say something, but the air's smell changed before she could.

They were surrounded by a subtle, flowery scent that was potent and enticing. The Alpha King's golden eyes narrowed in perplexity as he tensed up.

Lily turned slowly, her stomach churning with fear. Amelia. She was, or had been, her best friend. Amelia was now standing next to her, her head lowered, her face unreadable.

However, she smelt stronger than she should have. Too powerful. Lily's blood froze. Her aroma.

Her scent had been taken by Amelia.

The Alpha King's face darkened with uncertainty as his eyes darted between them.

Then he turned to Amelia before Lily could say another word. Like she was his partner.

A heavy silence descended upon the great hall. Lily felt as if the floor had been torn out from under her, plunging her into a pit of incredulity and rage.

The burning intensity that had sent chills down her spine moments before had vanished, but she could still feel the Alpha King's eyes on her. No. Now, with the bewilderment and irresistible pull of the mate bond, his golden eyes were fixed on Amelia.

Lily's bond with her mate. The realisation that Amelia had stolen her scent hit her like a wrecking ball, causing her stomach to knot. It was not feasible. It was not meant to be feasible.

Nevertheless, Lily knew there was no error as she stood there and saw the Alpha King's eyes soften as he took a deep breath.

Desperate to right the injustice that was being revealed to them, her inner wolf howled and scratched at the edges of her awareness. However, what was she able to do? She had no evidence. Nobody would take her seriously.

Her pulse thundered in her ears as she forced herself to stay motionless and took a slow breath. Alpha Damien moved forward, grinning artificially while clearing his throat.

"My King, this is Amelia, one of our most talented she-wolves and the best warrior in our pack." Lily thought she was about to get sick.

Amelia kept her head down and was silent. The faint smirk at the corner of her lips, however, was visible to Lily.

The twitching of her fingers, as though she were just about to reach for the Alpha King. Lily's fists clenched. Her tongue tasted bitter from the betrayal. Once, Amelia had been her best friend.

When the world had turned against them, they had confided in one another, trained together, and grown up together. She had been trusted by Lily. Nevertheless, here she was, taking Lily's place. stealing her property.

The Alpha King narrowed his eyes as he studied Amelia. "You are my partner?" His voice was smooth and deep, but it was tinged with an unintelligible quality.

After a brief moment of hesitation, Amelia looked up into his eyes. "Yes, Alpha." Lily took a sharp breath and held it.

It was a falsehood. A cruel, egregious lie. Lily noticed the Alpha King's hands clenching at his sides, but his face remained unchanged. For a second, she hoped-thought-that he felt something was off.

That perhaps, just possibly, he would discover the lie. However, he nodded and let out a slow exhale. "After that, you will accompany me to the capital." Lily's knees grew weaker.

Like that? No hesitancy? Not a second thought? He did not even question the fact that her partner had been taken from her? Murmurs broke out in the room as elite wolves and warriors exchanged excited and envious glances. The Silverfang Pack had never experienced such an honour.

The Luna Queen would be their own Amelia. It was suffocating to Lily. She needed to leave that place.

As she was about to turn around, Alpha Damien's voice interrupted her. "Where do you think you are going, Lily?" Her heart slammed against her ribs as she froze.

She slowly turned back to face the Alpha's intense gaze. "Pardon me?" she said in a steady tone. Damien tilted his head slightly and grinned.

"There is a reason you were picked to be here. Avoid being impolite.

Her nails were digging into her palms as her fingers shook at her sides.

Inconsiderate? After all she would just been through? She raised her chin a bit. "I guess I am not needed here, Alpha, with all due respect." A few wolves chuckled, but as Damien's face darkened, the laughter soon subsided. With a tone of subdued authority, he declared, "You belong to this pack, Omega." "You will stay where instructed." It served as a reminder.

A caution. Here, she was nothing. Nothing. Nevertheless, Lily came to the realisation that she no longer cared as she stood there with the world collapsing around her.

She was finished. She is finished waiting for the pack to recognise her value.

I am done wishing that one day she would be seen as more than a weak Omega. Her voice was steady as she looked directly into Damien's eyes.

"I will not be a problem." After examining her for a considerable amount of time, he waved his hand dismissively and nodded slightly. After turning, Lily left the hallway.

Every stride was a triumph. She had herself even though she had lost her partner. And she would not allow anyone to take that away from her.

Lily did not go back to the hospital. Rather, she travelled to the boundary of the pack's domain, where the forest extended for miles in all directions.

A brief relief from the oppressive weight in her chest was provided by the tall trees, which greeted her with the aroma of pine and moist earth.

She had to think. to take a breath. However, a deep voice interrupted her before she could move forward.

"You will not stand up for him?" Lily's pulse spiked as she whirled around.

A man's dark eyes gleamed in the moonlight as he stood at the edge of the shadows. Tall and wearing a leather jacket over his broad shoulders, he exuded authority but also seemed oddly... familiar.

Her wolf shifted uncomfortably. She narrowed her eyes and said, "Who are you?" The man took a step closer, grinning.

"Someone who understands the pain of losing something that was rightfully mine." Lily scowled as she looked at him more intently. Her pack did not include him.

That much was obvious. However, there was something else that chilled her, something about the way he moved, something about the acerbic look in his eyes. He was a threat. Nevertheless, he did not seem dangerous.

With caution, she enquired, "What do you want?" Something sombre took the place of his smirk. "I can assist you in regaining your partner."

Lily took a deep breath. She ought to have left. She ought to have told him she did not give a damn. However, her wolf growled in agreement deep within, beneath the layers of pain and betrayal.

Because despite her best efforts to persuade herself otherwise... Some things weren't meant to be stolen. And she was ready to take back what was hers.

Lily's breath caught when the stranger spoke. "I can assist you in regaining your partner." Like a thousand invisible voices, the wind rustled through the trees, warning her to be cautious.

She had a gut feeling that she should turn away and turn down this man's offer. However, she didn't.

Because she still had a fire burning inside of her, beneath the hurt and betrayal. She still harboured a desire for what had been taken from her. Lily inhaled slowly and deliberately, her fingers clenching into fists.

"Who are you?" Grinning, the man moved deeper into the moonlight. She could see him clearly now, and she was struck by how dangerously attractive he was.

Dark, piercing eyes that seemed to hold secrets, a sharp jawline, and an air of confidence that was both fascinating and unnerving.

"I go by a lot of names," he said in a humorous tone. "But you can call me Kieran for the time being." His name flowed from his mouth like a blade across silk, smooth but unmistakably sharp.

Lily had no faith in him. Not for a moment. She was still curious about what he had to say, though.

She folded her arms. "Kieran, why would you want to assist me?" His grin remained unwavering.

"Because we share an adversary." Lily scowled. Do you mean Amelia? "No." Kieran's smirk turned into something more solemn as his face darkened a little.

"The Alpha King." Lily felt a shiver go down her back. Kieran stepped forward once more, his voice becoming softer.

He once took something from me. He is going to do the same to you now. Lily took a deep breath. "Amelia was not taken by him. My scent was stolen by her. Kieran laughed softly and without humour.

"You do not understand, do you?" His eyes pierced hers. "Your mate, Lily, was always going to be the Alpha King.

But he will not turn around now that someone else has replaced you. Alphas operate in this manner.

They act on instinct rather than reason. Lily's jaw tightened. She detested the sting of his words. Because she knew in her heart that he was correct.

Amelia's claim to be his mate had hardly caused the Alpha King to pause. He did not ask any questions.

did not question the bond. And more than anything, that realisation was painful. "So, what are you hoping to get out of me?" Lily asked, maintaining a steady tone.

Kieran studied her with a slight tilt of his head. "I would like to strike a deal." Lily's eyebrow went up. "What is the deal?" A slow, knowing smile curved his lips.

"One that will secure your rightful position alongside the Alpha King-exactly what you desire." She paused.

This did not sound good to her. The fire within her, however, would not go out. She had lost everything to Amelia. Lily had had enough of people stepping all over her.

She questioned, "What is the catch?" Kieran grinned broadly. "Wise girl." His voice lowered to a near whisper as he leaned slightly closer. "In exchange, I help you regain your scent and your rightful bond."

His dark eyes glowed as he paused. "You assist me in taking something from the Alpha King when the time comes."

Lily's eyes narrowed. "What would that be, then?" Kieran's smile remained unwavering. "I should be aware of that." A chilly uneasiness took root in her abdomen.

This was risky. But letting Amelia take her future was just as bad. With her heart thumping against her ribs, Lily inhaled slowly. She had two options:

Leave her alone and accept her destiny. Or risk everything and fight for what was hers. There was not much of a choice. She raised her chin and fixed Kieran's gaze with a resolute look. "All right," she said.

"I will negotiate." Kieran did not waste time. As soon as Lily accepted his offer, he took her hand and dragged her farther into the woods.

"Where are we going?" she enquired, finding it difficult to keep up with his rapid speed. Without slowing down, Kieran answered smoothly, "To get what was stolen from you." Uncertainty was eating at Lily as she bit her lip.

She was still sceptical of him. But he was the only one who was willing to assist her at the moment. They arrived at a remote clearing after what seemed like miles of walking.

Encircled by glowing blue symbols carved into the ground, a tiny stone cottage stood in the middle.

Ancient and potent magic permeated the air here. At the edge of the clearing, Lily paused. With an unreadable expression, Kieran turned to face her. "This is the starting point." She took a deep breath.

"What am I supposed to do?" Kieran gestured towards the clearing's middle. "Remain motionless." Lily paused, then moved forward, her heart pounding.

The air around her changed as soon as she stepped into the circle.

She felt a weird warmth that tingled against her skin. Reaching into his jacket, Kieran produced a small dagger and raised it. "We must reverse what has been done in order to restore your scent."

Lily's heart was racing. "Is it meaning?" Kieran took a step forward, his voice steady. "Dark magic was used to steal your scent.

The only way to restore it is by using blood. Lily tensed. "My blood?" Kieran gave a nod. "A tiny wound. One or two drops.

That is all that is required. Lily looked closely at him. She was still unsure if she trusted him. However, what options did she have? She inhaled deeply and extended her hand.

Before he gently took her wrist and pressed the blade against her palm, Kieran's eyes briefly flashed with something unreadable.

Before a single drop of blood hit the floor, the sharp sting had hardly registered. It had an instant impact.

The blue symbols flared brighter as a gust of wind roared through the clearing. Lily gasped as an unexpected warmth-both familiar and unfamiliar-spread through her chest.

Her aroma. It was coming back. She sensed it. Kieran took a step back and observed with silent satisfaction. "It is finished.

"Lily took a deep breath, the honey and lavender aroma returning to the air.

Her wolf gave a triumphant howl. They had re-established the bond. And now... The truth would be known by the Alpha King.