Sera's POV

I watch as ten years of my life spill across the floor as the bucket of soiled water topples over.

My hands are trembling. That's novel. I've been cleaning these floors for ten years without my hands trembling, without crying, and without experiencing any emotions. However, something breaks inside of me on this day, my 27th birthday.

Like every morning, I'm on my knees at four in the morning. There is silence in the pack house. While I tidy up their mess, everyone else is sleeping in cozy beds. My knees ached. I have back pain. Everything is painful.

My hands don't shake for that reason, though.

I can see him through the window. Despite the fact that the sun has not yet risen, Alpha Marcus Kane is training in the courtyard. He moves swiftly and powerfully, like water. Lovely.

My chest hurts. When I look at him, it always does.

Like a fish hook, the mate bond tugs at my heart. This invisible thread that ties me to him has been there since I was seventeen. My wolf should howl *mine, mine, mine* whenever he's around.

However, it's been ten years since my wolf last spoke.

Not since my mother's murderous night.

Even when I close my eyes, I can still see it. I have blood on my hands. My mom's eyes are becoming vacant. The silver blade slipping out of my grasp. I stood there, unable to comprehend what I had done, while everyone yelled "murderer."

After that, they made me omega. the lowest position. The quiet person who serves and cleans. The one that no one looks at.

For ten years, I have been invisible.

Marcus might not have noticed the bond because of this. Perhaps even fate gave up on me because I'm so broken.

I pick up the mop and begin wiping up the water that has spilled. I no longer shake my hands. Excellent. It's risky to feel things. Hope is risky. I discovered that a long time ago.

"Pathetic."

I go cold.

As flawless as ever, Elena Frost stands in the doorway. She looks like she's in a shampoo commercial as her blond hair catches the early morning light. Her workout attire is probably more expensive than the last meal I've had in a month.

She is also Marcus's partner of choice.

Not his destined partner. Only the one he chose. The one he desires.

Elena points to the floor with a single manicured nail and says, "You missed a spot." "That's right there. Wait, that's only you. I made a mistake.

I don't respond. Armour is silence. I discovered that early.

Elena takes a step forward. She has a victory and vanilla scent. "Today, I'm making an announcement. Are you able to guess what it is?

My stomach sinks, but my face remains expressionless. Don't respond. Avoid feeling. Avoid breaking.

Elena watches me like a cat watches a mouse and says, "Marcus and I are having our mating ceremony." "Next full moon. He's formally announcing it. At last.

My chest's fish hook yanks violently. I can't breathe for a moment.

Ten years. It took me a decade for him to sense the connection. I've hoped for ten years that one day he'll look at me and *see* me.

"You should feel honored," Elena adds. "After the ceremony, you will have the opportunity to tidy up. Isn't that fantastic? While I transform into Luna, you get to clean the floors.

She wants me to cry. to plead. to prove to her that she was victorious.

I give her a blank stare and say, "Congratulations."

Elena's smile wavers. She desired to cry. She received nothing.

She asks, "You're not even going to fight for him?"

I whisper, "He's not mine to fight for."

That's the reality. Marcus would have claimed me years ago if he sensed the connection. I was mistaken because he went with Elena. Perhaps it was all in my head. Perhaps I created a mate because I wanted one so badly.

I may be even more broken than I initially believed.

Elena gives a cold, piercing laugh. "At least you are aware of your position. Compared to most omegas, that is more. She starts to walk away but stops. "Oh, and Sera? Thank you. Marcus might have noticed you if you hadn't killed your mother and turned yourself into nothing. You were kind to me.

Her footsteps fade as she leaves down the hallway.

Grasping the mop handle so tightly that my knuckles turn white, I sit on the damp floor.

*Avoid feeling. Avoid feeling. Don't feel.

But I feel like something is breaking inside of me. That crack from before is growing larger. spreading like a frozen lake's ice breaking.

I haven't hoped for ten years. By taking my position. by thinking that perhaps I should have received this penalty for my actions.

However, as I sit here on my 27th birthday, I am going to witness the marriage of the man I love to someone else.

I am no longer able to do it.

I'm struck with the realization, "I don't want to die invisible."

I get to my feet. Even though my legs tremble, they support me.

This evening. Tonight, I'm going to run.

Instead of living another day as a ghost, I would rather die in the woods unharmed.

---

That night's pack meeting is agony.

Mothers with pups, hunters, and warriors all congregate in the main hall. Even the elders come, curious about the big announcement.

I shrink myself by sitting in the back corner. That's where I am. It has always been.

Elena is standing next to Marcus, who is in the front. He appears content. I'm proud. Like a man who's at last achieving all of his goals.

Even though my chest hurts, I ignore it. I won't have to experience this again after tonight.

The room falls silent as Marcus says, "I have an announcement."

It's this. The moment that will set me free at last. There is no hope left after he says it aloud. Don't wait any longer. I won't be left wondering "what if."

Marcus goes on, "Elena has agreed to be my mate." "Next full moon, the ceremony will take place. Everyone is welcome to join in the celebration.

The group bursts into applause and congrats.

Silently, I get up and move to the door. No one takes notice. They never do.

Marcus's voice then breaks through the cacophony, saying, "Oh, and one more thing."

My hand is on the door handle as I freeze.

Marcus states, "We'll be hunting down the rogue who's been spotted near our borders." "The individual who entered our area last night."

My blood freezes.

"Apparently," Marcus adds, his tone becoming oddly tense and irate, "this rogue was sniffing around the pack house." Particularly in the *omega* quarters."

For the first time in a decade, he gives me a direct look.

Additionally, his eyes are *glowing.*

"So, if anyone is aware of a strange wolf attempting to take something that isn't his..." Marcus growls, "...speak now."

The mate bond between us ignites like a match in a pitch-black room.

He senses it.

*He senses it.*

And he's known all along, judging by the anger in his eyes.