The heavy pot slipped from Aria's hands, falling to the floor. Hot stew splashed everywhere, soaking her shoes and the kitchen floor. The noise made everyone in the busy pack kitchen turn and stare.
"I'm sorry!" Aria dropped to her knees, grabbing a cloth to clean the mess. Her face burned with shame. "I didn't mean to—"
"Get out of the way, omega!" The head cook shooed her away with a flick of her dish towel. "This is why we keep you on vegetable duty. Go back to peeling potatoes where you can't ruin anything important."
Aria ducked her head and hurried back to her corner. This was how it always went at pack parties. The important wolves did the real work while she stayed hidden in the background.
Through the kitchen window, she could see the main area where pack members laughed and danced. Today marked the Spring Moon Festival, one of the biggest events of the year. Everyone was having fun—everyone except Aria.
Her eyes found Talia instantly. The Beta's daughter stood in the center of attention, her golden hair catching the sunshine. Three young male dogs hung on her every word, clearly trying to impress her. Talia's laugh rang out, making heads turn.
"That will be the future Luna right there," whispered one of the kitchen helpers, pointing toward Talia. "She's perfect for one of the Alpha's sons."
Another helper nodded. "I heard they're coming home next week. The triplets have finished their special Alpha training."
Aria kept her head down, peeling potatoes faster. The Alpha triplets were all anyone talked about lately. Kade, Lucian, and Jaxon—three boys born on the same day, all with Alpha blood. Everyone assumed Talia would mate with one of them and become Luna, the female leader of the pack.
"You! Skinny girl! Take these drinks out to the tables," called the head cook, pointing at a tray of fruit punch.
Aria wiped her hands and carefully lifted the heavy box. This was her chance to step outside, even for a moment. She balanced the tray carefully, determined not to make another mistake.
The bright sunlight hit her face as she stepped out of the kitchen. Music and laughter filled the air. No one noticed her as she moved between groups of pack members. That was normal—omegas like her were barely seen. They were the lowest rank in wolf society, below Alphas and Betas.
As she set down the last cup, a small child crashed into her legs. The boy looked up with wide eyes.
"Sorry!" He was about to run off when he paused. "Hey, why are your eyes that color? They look like... like silver!"
Aria blinked in surprise. No one ever noticed her eyes. "They're just gray," she said quickly.
"No, they're shiny! Like—"
"Tommy! Get away from her." A woman rushed over, pulling the boy back. She gave Aria a suspicious look. "Don't bother the servers, Tommy. Come on, your father is looking for you."
As they walked away, Aria heard the woman say, "Don't talk to that one. There's something strange about her."
Aria's chest tightened. She was used to being overlooked, but the fear in the woman's voice was different. What was wrong with her eyes? She'd never thought they were unusual.
"There you are." Mira's voice came from behind her. Aria's adopted mother stood with arms crossed, her face serious as always. "You need to get back to the kitchen."
Aria sighed. "Can't I stay out here for a little while? Just to watch the dancing?"
Mira's face softened for a moment, then hardened again. "No. It's safer for you inside." She dropped her voice. "You know the rules. Stay quiet, stay hidden."
"But why? I'm eighteen now, almost old enough for the Moon Ceremony. Can't I at least—"
"Aria." Mira's tone left no room for debate. "There are wolves here from other packs. The less anyone notices you, the better."
Before Aria could reply, a commotion broke out near the center of the clearing. Talia stood face-to-face with a female guest from another pack. Their voices grew louder until everyone could hear them.
"How dare you speak to me that way?" Talia's eyes flashed gold with anger. "Do you know who I am?"
The other girl, tall with dark red hair, didn't back down. "I don't care if your father is the Beta. In my pack, we respect strength, not fancy titles."
"Then let me show you strength." Talia's hands curled into fists.
Aria couldn't look away. Part of her appreciated how Talia stood up for herself. No one would ever dare treat Talia like she was invisible.
Suddenly, Talia's gaze moved, locking with Aria's across the clearing. A strange look passed over her face—surprise, then doubt.
"You," Talia called out, pointing at Aria. "Come here."
Aria froze. No one ever called her out in public. Mira's hand gripped her arm tightly.
"Don't," Mira whispered. "Just go back inside."
But Aria couldn't move. Everyone was turning to look at her now. The quiet felt heavy.
"I said come here, omega." Talia's voice carried an order that made Aria's feet move forward despite herself.
As Aria approached, the visiting girl stared at her with wide eyes. "Silver," she whispered, so quietly only Aria could hear.
Talia grabbed Aria's hand, pulling her closer. "This omega works for my family," she stated to the visitor. "Tell her what happens to wolves who disrespect the Beta's daughter."
Aria's heart beat. She'd never been used as part of Talia's power games before. Everyone was watching now, waiting to see what the unseen omega would do.
"I..." Aria started, not knowing what to say.
"Your eyes," the visiting girl interrupted, still staring at Aria. "They're just like the stories. The silver wolf..."
A hush fell over the crowd. Talia's grip tightened painfully on Aria's wrist.
"What nonsense are you talking about?" Talia snapped.
The girl backed away, suddenly looking afraid. "Nothing. It's nothing." She turned and hurried back to her pack members, whispering quickly.
Talia released Aria's hand with a shove. "Go back to where you belong," she hissed. "And stay away from our visitors."
Aria stumbled back toward the kitchen, feeling everyone's eyes following her. Mira grabbed her arm and pulled her around the corner of a building, out of sight.
"What was that about?" Aria asked, rubbing her wrist. "Why did she call me over just to send me away?"
Mira's face was pale with fear. "Listen to me carefully, Aria. Tonight, after the festival, we need to prepare special herbs for you to take."
"Herbs? Why?"
"Your eyes," Mira said, looking around to make sure no one could hear them. "They're changing earlier than they should. The silver is showing."
"What does that mean?" Aria asked, confused and scared by her mother's response.
Mira took a deep breath. "It means danger. The triplets return in a week, and your Moon Ceremony will follow. If anyone notices your eyes before then..." She shook her head. "We can't let that happen."
"But why? What's wrong with my eyes?"
Before Mira could answer, a howl cut through the air. Not a celebration howl—a warning. The pack's limits had been breached.
"Rogues!" someone yelled. Chaos erupted as fighters ran toward the forest edge.
Mira pulled Aria close, whispering furiously in her ear. "No matter what happens, stay hidden. If they see you—if they recognize what you are—they'll take you."
"Take me? Who?" Aria's heart pounded with fear.
Mira's eyes filled with tears. "The ones who've been hunting you since the day you were born."