Chapter2

Layla's POV

On Selena's second day in the main house, I couldn't even open my eyes from the acrid smell.

"These herbs strengthen the body and awaken the wild nature." She stood at the center of the pup training grounds, her voice saccharine sweet.

Several servants were scattering fistfuls of the pungent herbal and spice powder mixture she'd brought—so strong it burned the nose—all over the sand I'd kept clean for ten years.

This was where I taught pups to first sense the moon and calm the restlessness within.

The pups were frightened by this strange, aggressive scent, huddling in the corner whimpering, anxiously scratching the ground with their claws, growling at each other. Their sense of smell was completely disrupted.

"What do you think, Layla?" Selena turned to me, her blue eyes glinting with feigned innocence. "Kael said this place needs an atmosphere more suitable for cultivating future warriors."

I clenched the training leash in my hand.

"Pups need to familiarize themselves with their guide's scent to build trust and awaken peacefully. This smell is too strong, they..."

"They'll adapt."

Kael's voice came from behind me. He walked over, naturally draping his arm around Selena's shoulders, his gaze sweeping over the anxious pups without a single furrow of his brow.

"Selena comes from the Ironclaw Clan. This is how they cultivate the most resilient warriors. Layla, you need to learn. You need to adapt to the new Luna's ways."

Adapt. I watched him protect Selena, my throat tightening.

At that evening's welcome feast, I wore the plainest gray dress, standing where a servant should stand.

Kael led the resplendent Selena to the head table.

He seated her at his right hand—the position that had been mine at every clan gathering, every celebration.

The elders and core warriors around the long table exchanged subtle glances.

Kael raised his cup, his voice booming: "Let us welcome Blackrock Clan's future, Selena Ironclaw!"

Applause erupted. He paused, his gaze seeming to search, then landing on me in the corner.

"Oh, Layla is here too. Everyone, Layla is our clan's most attentive servant. From now on, she'll be responsible for attending to Selena's needs."

The air went quiet for a moment. Most attentive servant.

Elder Ruhl, the old man who'd personally watched me calm his frenzied son, hesitated before speaking: "Kael, Layla has done much for teaching the pups all these years. Many youngsters' awakenings went smoothly. This..."

"Elder Ruhl," Kael interrupted, his tone gentle but carrying undeniable rejection, "teaching pups is work any patient Omega can handle. Patience is their nature." He turned to Selena, his voice instantly warming: "But what Selena brings is Ironclaw Clan's forging techniques and superior weapons. That is true power, the power to make Blackrock rise and our enemies tremble!"

His words were like a cold chisel, shattering everything I'd built up over ten years, piece by piece, that I'd thought was unbreakable.

I stood in the shadows, watching Selena smile modestly, watching the undisguised admiration in Kael's eyes, watching my workplace being usurped, my contributions defined as "work any Omega could do."

I felt that last bit of warmth in my chest, that remaining foolish hope for him, for this place, completely solidify, then shatter into ice.

The feast continued, noisy with clinking cups. I quietly retreated, turning to leave the hall.

The corridor's stone walls were ice-cold. I raised my hand, looking at my palm.

Warm light once flowed there, smoothing over countless pains.

Now, only coldness remained.

Selena wanted to cover everything here with her scent. She'd soon understand that some things, once removed, can never be replaced.