Cursed By Her Own Blood

The morning sun shines on my face, warm and golden, and I think this is what happiness feels like. I stretch on my bed, the soft furs brushing against my skin, and my wolf hums quietly inside me. Life is perfect—or at least, it feels that way.

“Lyra!” My mother’s voice rings from downstairs, cheerful and full of life. “Wake up, lazybones. The Alpha’s son is coming for training today. Don’t you want to see him?”

I laugh into my pillow, my cheeks heating. Of course, I want to see him. I always want to see him. Kael, the Alpha’s heir. Strong, proud, always standing taller than everyone else in training. And me? I’m just an Omega. But my heart refuses to listen to reason.

“I’m coming, Mother!” I shout back, leaping out of bed.

I pull on my simple dress, braid my long hair quickly, and rush down the stairs. The smell of warm bread and honey fills the air. My mother stands at the table, slicing fruits with her usual grace. Her long auburn hair shines in the light, and her green eyes sparkle as they find me.

“There you are,” she teases. “Always the last to rise, even when the world is waiting for you.”

I roll my eyes, grinning. “The world can wait. Bread can’t.”

She laughs, the sound like music. “You’re just like me when I was your age. Always thinking with your stomach.”

I sit at the table, grabbing a piece of bread. “And what’s wrong with that? Look at me. I turned out fine.”

Her smile softens as she watches me eat. “You turned out more than fine. You’re kind, brave, and beautiful. Never forget that, Lyra.”

I blink at her, warmth flooding my chest. She always says things like that, but today, it feels heavier. Like a secret hidden beneath her words.

Before I can ask, my younger brother, Elias, bursts into the room. “Mother! Lyra stole my boots again!”

I choke on my bread. “What? I did not!”

Elias points at my feet. “Those are mine!”

I glance down. Oh. They are his boots.

Mother laughs, shaking her head. “You two will never change. Elias, let your sister borrow them for today. She’ll return them.”

“But she never returns anything!” Elias protests.

I smirk. “Because your things look better on me.”

He glares but sits down anyway, stealing a piece of my bread.

We eat together, laughter filling the air. For a moment, I believe life will always be this way—simple, warm, safe.

*

Later, I walk through the village. Everyone waves at me, smiling. The baker hands me a sweet bun, saying, “For the prettiest Omega in the pack.”

I giggle, cheeks pink. “You’re too kind.”

Children run past me, shouting my name. “Lyra, come play with us later!”

“Maybe after training,” I call back.

The truth is, I love my pack. They are my family. Even if I am an Omega, the lowest rank, I feel loved and protected here. My father serves as a warrior, my mother as a healer. We’re not rich, not powerful, but we’re happy.

As I approach the training grounds, I hear loud voices, the clang of weapons, the thud of fists meeting flesh. My heart skips. Kael is here.

I spot him immediately. Tall, broad shoulders, dark hair that falls into his eyes as he moves with precise strength. He swings his sword, knocking his opponent to the ground effortlessly. The crowd cheers.

“Kael! Kael!”

I swallow hard, my palms sweating. I shouldn’t look at him this way. Omegas aren’t meant for Alphas. But my wolf stirs inside me, restless and eager.

“Lyra!” My best friend, Mira, rushes to my side, grinning. “Did you see that move? He’s incredible.”

I nod, unable to look away from him. “He always is.”

Mira nudges me. “You’re staring again.”

“I am not!” I hiss, though my cheeks burn.

She smirks. “If only he’d look at you the way you look at him.”

I sigh. “That’ll never happen. He’s destined for someone strong, someone worthy. Not me.”

“Don’t say that,” Mira says firmly. “You’re more than worthy. You just don’t see it yet.”

Her words echo my mother’s earlier ones, and for a second, I wonder if everyone sees something in me that I can’t.

*

After training, Kael actually approaches us. My breath catches.

“Lyra,” he says smoothly, his voice deep and commanding. “Your mother healed my shoulder last week. Tell her I’m grateful.”

I nod quickly. “I will. She’ll be glad to hear it.”

His eyes linger on me a little too long, and my wolf leaps with joy. But then he’s gone, walking away with other warriors, leaving me dazed.

Mira squeals beside me. “He looked at you, Lyra. I swear, he did.”

I shake my head, smiling faintly. “Stop dreaming for me.”

But deep inside, I can’t stop dreaming either.

*

That evening, I sit with my mother in the garden. The air smells of roses, and the stars begin to peek through the sky.

“Mother,” I say softly, “do you think… Omegas can ever be loved? Truly loved?”

She looks at me, surprise flickering in her eyes. Then she takes my hand. “Of course. Love doesn’t care for rank. When the bond comes, it comes. And when it does, you’ll know. It will roar in your heart, louder than anything else.”

I chew my lip. “What if it never comes for me?”

Her eyes soften with sadness. “Then you’ll make your own path. You’re stronger than you think, Lyra.”

I lean against her shoulder, comforted by her warmth. I believe her. I have to.

*

Night falls. I go to bed smiling, my wolf curled around my heart, purring with contentment.

But the next morning, everything shatters.

I wake to screams. Loud, piercing, echoing through the pack house. My heart pounds as I rush downstairs.

The sight before me freezes my blood.

My mother lies on the floor, blood pooling around her chest. A dagger sticks out from her heart. Her green eyes stare lifelessly at the ceiling.

“No,” I whisper, my knees giving way. “No, no, no!”

I crawl to her, shaking her shoulders. “Mother! Please, wake up!”

“Lyra,” a voice growls behind me.

I turn. Warriors stand in the doorway. Their faces are hard, accusing.

My father is among them, his expression unreadable.

“What… what happened?” I choke out.

The leader steps forward, his eyes filled with fury. “The dagger in her chest is yours, Lyra. Your scent is all over it.”

I freeze, my blood turning to ice. “What? No! I didn’t—I would never—”

He snarls, cutting me off. “You killed your own mother.”

The words crash over me like thunder. My heart shatters.

Around me, whispers rise.

“The Omega killed her mother.”

“She’s cursed.”

“She’s a monster.”

I scream, shaking my head, tears blinding me. “No! I didn’t! I swear, I didn’t!”

But no one listens.

In one moment, everything I love—my pack, my family, my life—is ripped away.

And I realize, with cold horror, that nothing will ever be the same again.