Pmsingtiger

Good insight. He definitely isn’t 😌

Chapter 12 - Destined Omega Einar I sat in our den thinking about what had happened earlier today. Zaran rested on the furs beside me but I could see his eyes staring into the flames. The blank expression he’d had for the last few hours had not left his face. After Shasta had told him his fate he’s retreated into himself and had been quiet since. I’d felt it through our bond, his sadness and desperation, yet without words I had no way of changing the inner turmoil inside of him. Rune sat playing in front of the fire, making a new dream catcher that Shasta had taught her to make. She hummed happily as she worked her eyes focused intensely on her project. She had taken well to the pack, already she had friends and was becoming more confident in herself. That in itself was something I had never expected for either of us. At least I didn’t have to worry about her adjusting to the pack on top of what was happening with Zaran. “Do you like it?” She asked lifting the colorful craft. It wasn’t perfect but the strings were tight and it was obvious she’d worked hard on it. I nodded smiling at her wishing I could tell her how beautiful it was. “He thinks it’s beautiful,” Zaran said softly. Rune frowned and lowered the trinket, her eye brows furrowed. “C-can you hear him?” I shook my head no even as my mate who’d been silent for the entire day spoke again. “No, but I can feel what he wants to say,” his hand linked with mine but he didn’t look at me. Feel what I want to say? Was he just sensing my emotions? Or was he— “Oh! Well I’m glad you love it Ein,” Rune smiled and looked down at her little project. “I made it for you, so your bad dreams will go away. Seer Shasta said that all of the bad dreams will get caught in the web and that’s why it has to be super strong so they can’t slip past.” I rumbled deep in my chest, happy that she’d made me something. The bad dreams, she didn’t know I had nightmares about the night I’d lost my voice, but she knew about the other dreams. The ones where I was young and stumbling lost through the woods unsure of where and who I was. There was a hard voice that rumbled, but the words were always lost in the fog. I’d had them for as long as I could remember, but sometimes they were worse than others. Zaran lifted his head, looking at me from where I sat on the furs beside him, his grey eyes intense. “What dreams, Rune?” “The bad ones that make Ein toss and turn, the ones where he is lost and cannot find his way home,” she says a hint of sadness in her voice. Zaran frowned his eyes searching mine for some meaning behind these dreams I’ve always had. I had no explanation for them just like I had no explanation for his abilities and why they were so powerful. Although, since coming to this pack and mating with both Arik and Zaran I hadn’t had those dreams. “I didn’t know you had dreams about your past,” Zaran said, his grey eyes filled with more emotion than I’d seen since we’d left the clearing. “I wish I knew more about your past,” he said softly. I shrugged and signed, “No more.” Zaran nodded and looked down at his hands pensively. I looked at Rune who was watching us with a curious expression, mouthing the words as I signed “thank you” to her for the gift. She grinned excitedly and popped up, “I’m going to go show Finn!” She exclaimed as she ran towards the door. Don’t be late, I wanted to tell her and unconsciously I tried but a strangled hiss came out instead. Frustrated I grumbled trying to cover up the strange awkward sound as Rune stopped at the door to look back at me. Would I ever get used to being mute? Somehow I didn’t think I would. “Don’t be out late,” Zaran said gently. “If you stay in one of the other dens you must let us know.” She nodded smiling brightly, “Ok!” quickly she skipped out and shut the door behind her leaving me and Zaran alone in the den. Slowly he lay back down, his eyes following the flames again. There was a long stretch of silence between us, the sound of the fire crackling filling the den. I could tell he was deep in thought but what about I wasn’t sure. “I could have killed him today,” he said suddenly. “I don’t understand any of this, but I know that I could have killed Kodine.” He slammed his hand down on the wood floor an angry sound escaping him. “I didn’t ask for this! I never wanted these abilities. I don’t even know what they are! Why would the gods be so cruel to give me such happiness but condemn everyone I love?” Gently I touched his tense back, his skin warmed by the fire. Through the bond I could feel it, his aching need to keep us safe, to keep everyone safe. I’d battled my entire life to find a place in our last pack, but I’d never found any happiness or acceptance. I would do anything to keep us here and to keep him safe. He’d done so much for me and I wanted to do the same for him, because I lo— “Shasta’s right, I can’t control it! I don’t even understand it!” He shouted as he jerked away getting to his feet in such a quick motion I hadn’t expected it. He stood his grey eyes determined as he looked down at me. “But I’m going to figure out how, I won’t let this be my fate.” Our fate, I wanted to say because his fate was also mine. We were in this together and so was Arik. This was our destiny and we would prevail against it. I would not let either of them falter. Standing I walked over to him and with a tug, I pulled him forward into my chest and wrapped my arms around him. For a moment his body was stiff, the strength I felt in his compact form boiling just under the surface like a wild beast ready to explode. It will be okay, I wanted to say. Instead, I wrapped my arms tighter waiting for the moment when his body gave in melting into me. “Einar, I’m so sorry for what happened to you, for all of this. I made this your fate — I should have fought harder against the muting. I should have—” Capturing his chin I covered his mouth with mine, silencing his words with my kiss. Zaran hummed against my lips, his hands grasping my face holding me in place so I couldn’t retreat. Growling low and deep I licked and nipped at his lips, his gasps my reward. I couldn’t tell him what I wanted to say, but I could show him. My fate was with him and Arik. Losing my voice was worth what I’d gained, he never needed to apologize for that. I pulled away my thumb stroking over his flushed cheek, his grey eyes dazed as they looked up at me. Together, I mouthed the word as I signed with my free hand. Zaran nodded a smile taking over his face. “Together,” he said. Arik “He is too dangerous!” “That is not for you to decide,” I growled at the seer as he paced his den while four other elders sat at the round table watching us with serious eyes. Shasta spun on me, his green eyes fierce. “You are letting your emotions cloud your judgment! I’ve seen what he can do!” “It is your emotions that cloud your judgment. You cannot see past your own abilities. Zaran will not destroy this pack.” I snarled, feeling the first bite of true anger unfurl in my gut. “How can you know that!” Shasta shouted. “If I may alpha,” Ciena spoke up, his soft voice a balm in the tense room. I nodded, “Speak freely Ciena.” From his seat, the elder omega lifted his palm out offering an apology towards Shasta, his ability to calm settling over the room as he spoke. “Seer, I know you are fearful of this premonition, but I believe that fate has set this course and it is one we must journey on. There is no way to deny the future is unknown, but we cannot fear what we do not understand. Zaran is undeniably powerful, he can be our salvation as easily as our demise, but I trust the gods and the mate they’ve chosen for our alpha.” Domin nodded, the elder alpha’s short grey hair twisted into tight braids. “I agree with Ciena. You cannot evade a premonition, and if the gods are determined for us to be on this path we cannot avoid it. You of all wolves should know this Shasta, Atlas taught you this.” Shasta shook his head, “Do not bring Atlas into this!” “Then should it not be mentioned that your opposition of the new alpha mate comes off as personal,” Syder said evenly his pale blue eyes looking up from where he sat next to Domin barely visible because of his small stature and pale blonde hair. “It is not!” Shasta growled. “This has nothing to do with mating, this is about the pack! Don’t you understand? His power is to amplify emotions, and omegas emotions are directly linked to their abilities, the more he emphasizes them the more their abilities will fuel his own. He won’t be able to control the power he will generate. With nothing to ground him the power will overflow until it and all the emotions consume him. Don’t you understand that he cannot control this, not here among all these omegas. Look what happened to Kodine in only a few moments!” He was right, and I didn’t want to admit that there was any validity to any of this. Zaran was my mate, and Einar, I could not let either of them go, but the pack had to come first. Three lives were not worth more than the entire population of the constellations. “What would you have me do Shasta? I am bound to them both and they are bound to each other. I cannot let either of them go,” I let that question hang in the air, the answer obvious to him, but unacceptable to me. Shasta turned away, his long black hair whipping around him as he did, “the pack always comes first. I know this, and so do you. What our hearts want is not always on the same path.” He moved towards the door, tearing his trousers off as he did. “I must think, I need to run,” he said as he pulled open the door and jumped out already letting his body morph into the small black wolf before his paws hit the ground. “He would not fight this if he did not have a reason to. This vision, it has scared him to his very core.” Ciena said gently looking out the open door to the woods. Domin nodded, “Before the first snow he said,” he also turned his gaze out to the forest. “It won’t be long now.” No, it wouldn’t be long. The snows would be here in only a few months. “I think that Shasta is right to be cautious of the omega’s power. We have always trusted his wisdom implicitly, we should do so now,” Kegan, the youngest of the four elders said from where he sat at the other end of the table. He’d remained silent this entire time, but I was not surprised the second alpha elder hadn’t said anything up to this point. Syder shook his head, “To trust blindly is to walk into a thorn bush knowingly. Every wolf should think for themselves and weigh the options. That is our part as the elders of this pack,” he implored. Domin nodded. “Syder is right. We have never had reason to question Shasta’s judgment, but in this, he does have personal stakes that could be affecting his decisions.” Although I didn’t agree with Shasta’s view, I knew he would never make his decision based on my rejections to be his mate. Shasta was not a selfish wolf, he was without falter the most selfless being in this pack. “No, Shasta is right, I am blinded by my affections for my mates, but it does not negate the premonition and what it means. I have sent Dara and Jarok back to Tomic’s pack to find answers to questions long buried. I believe there is more to Zaran’s abilities than anyone knows, but there is something being hidden by his parents. It may reveal truths that can aid us.” Kagan nodded his burly head, his braided bear bobbing as he did. “Echon had told me Dara was gone on a voyage to seek information. When should we anticipate their return? We do not have much time until the snows begin.” “I’ve given them a few weeks time to retrieve what they must and return. They will return during the crescent moon.” I said. “Until then there is a neighboring pack that has a bidding for an omega with an ability that will be very important to us. I will take my mates with me to retrieve the newest pack member.” “That is wise, it will give Zaran some distance from all the omegas in the pack, and if what Shasta says is true not being around them will give him back some of his control,” Domin said in agreement. The others nodded in agreement and Ciena stood, his long white hair swaying with his slow movements. “I will find Shasta and speak to him—” “No,” I said quickly, “this is something I must do, but thank you Ciena.” The elder nodded, “Ahh, that is probably for the best. It is due time you explained yourself to him and why you’ve left his hand empty for so many winters.” Inwardly I sighed thinking about what I had avoided for so long. It hadn’t needed to be spoken, I had always assumed that Shasta knew why I never taken his hand, but now after watching Zaran dance I could imagine the devastation when someone bared their soul and no one appreciated it. As the alpha, I should have given Shasta an explanation. The other elders left and I walked out of Shastas den into the cool evening air. The weight of the future seemed much heavier than it had ever been before. I was tore between my duty as the pack alpha and my role as a mate. Why had I chosen to take them as mine? It had been such a blind decision but one I had felt was right the moment I’d saw them standing in that room. Could fate really be denied? Was being with them my fate? Shoving off my mantle I pulled off my pants and shifted. The sharp tingle of my fur sprouting and spine lengthening a welcome distraction for my running thoughts. With massive paws I ran, tracking the smaller set of prints that Shasta had left behind. I ran through the large trees, their shadows blanketing the forest floor along with their fallen leaves. The crunch of autumn beneath my paws only reminded me of the foreboding winter that would soon arrive. The premonition was one that caused Shasta great distress, but I could only wonder why the gods had withheld the vision until after I’d retrieved Zaran. Was there some deeper meaning to this message — As a mortal I could only speculate. With so many paths laid out before me I had to choose the one that would keep the pack and my mates alive. Down through the massive pines I followed the wolfs scent. It wasn’t long before I found him I found him. He sat in a clearing filled with the only light breaking through the trees branches from above. He was naked, back in his skin with his long black hair flowing around him like a halo. From where I stood I didn’t need my omegas abilities to sense the sadness that welled deep within the seer. A sadness that I had been apart in making, something I had willfully ignored for far too long. Walking into the clearing I approached Shasta, seeing him for once not as the pack seer but as the omega he was. His shoulders tensed but he did not turn to look at me when he spoke, “Why did you follow me?” His voice was raw, a sign of the struggle he was currently warring within himself. “I am your alpha, it is my responsibility to find a resolution for you,” My voice echoed harsh even in my own mind. My words lingered heavy in the silence, his back a cold view of someone I was usually so open with. “There is not a simple resolution, Arik!” He bit out, green eyes flashing as he turned to face me. I stood still, pensive as I watched him. “Is your anger because of Zaran’s abilities, or is this about what we have left unsaid?” “There is nothing left unsaid — You do not want me as your mate, and no other will take me because of my role as seer.” There was resignation in his words, one that spoke of a long term wound that was only scabbed over but constantly being reopened. His tense shoulders curled in, his head bowed in submission and pain. “Was it something I did? Was I not strong enough for you to ever see me as your equal?” Shifting in a fluid motion I stood staring down at the omega before me, the one I had denied so many times. I had done him an injustice by not speaking freely with him. I could see now that it had not been something so simple to him. I had not been looking for a mate, I had never intended to take one. My role as the pack alpha had always been above any desire I’d had as an individual. I’d been blinded by that selfish need, and ignored how I’d hurt one of the wolves closet to me. “Shasta, I will only say this once so listen with a clear mind—” His eyes widened as I knelt down before him so that our eyes were at equal heights and our faces close enough for breathes to mingle. “My intent was not to harm you, I had never wanted to take a mate. This torn state I find myself in now is why I had thought I would only ever live to serve the pack.” His eyes narrowed spitting green fire, “Yet you return with two wolves with every intention of mating them both the moment you anchored home. You cannot see past them and the devastation that awaits, yet you could ignore my hand at every solstice for the last five seasons?” He snarled eyes wide with pain and anger. “You misunderstand, I am not making an excuse. I had no obligation to accept your mating offer but I had no intention of taking any wolf’s offer until I’d met Zaran. I owe you no apology for that, I only owe you an explanation for why you cannot be the one I choose.” I stood looking down a him. Looking down at the ground I could smell the salty hint of tears before I could see them trek down his beautiful face. “Why? Why am I not good enough? Have I not proven myself?” Shasta asked his voice cracking only slightly as he spoke. “You have always been more than enough, but I am not your fate and you are not mine. We both have a path to walk down and it will not be denied. Do not settle for less than what you are worth. We were never meant to be mated, but I should have never left you without an explanation. You are more than worthy to be the alpha mate Shasta, but that is not what is meant to be.” Dipping his head I couldn’t see his expression, “I know,” he said weakly. “I’ve always known. There were visions I had years ago of you playing with your pups and their hair was white as snow with beautiful carmel skin. I knew then I was never going to be your mate, but I still attended the solstice hoping that someone would take my hand.” White hair and carmel skin, I couldn’t help the smile that lifted the corner of my mouth. The thought of seeing Zaran’s pups brought a joy to me that I hadn’t experienced very often in my life. That small inkling of hope was a light amidst this dark premonition that we were currently under. “You see many peoples fates, bits and pieces of their future but never your own. Do not wait for your hand to be grabbed, take hold of your own fate. Together we will weather this vision you have had and find the wolf worthy of being by your side.” Reaching my hand out I offered to him the one thing I could, “Take my hand Shasta, help me find the right path.” His green eyes stared at my offering silently observing. Slowly he reached out and clasped my hand letting me pull him up to his feet with a gentle tug. “Together we will make this pack the strongest and keep our promise to Atlas and his vision.” Shasta nodded. “Yes, together we will make this pack the strongest.” We would make the constellation pack the strongest, and if the feeling in my gut was anything to go by we were running out of time.

What?? 😀

Hey you got it. 😂

True, Zaran has never had any reason to let himself feel everything around him. In his case he's always kept a tight hold on his abilities because in some unconscious way he can feel that they are stronger but doesn't understand them enough. Also not many would want to feel emotions all around you from various people that you cannot see. Kodine has learned how to harness more of his power through methods and thus more control and the thought that he could help do the same for Zaran, but shoes don't always fit different feet the same. A big battle is possible, but the question is with who?? Zaran's powers will definitely play a huge role in the upcoming confrontations, but they will also be a huge hinderance. Shasta has a hard situation. He is a respected pack member with immense power of his own and that puts him as an omega too strong for most alphas. So he either takes his fate as a lone seer or finds a new pack where a stronger alpha resides. Or wait for tiger to write a cool plot twist for him >:D A good alpha will always find a way to balance the pack with anything that is thrown their way. Arik will have to find that balance and that is something he's never had to do before. He is a great alpha but he's never had to be a mate before. Thank you for the awesome comment, I had fun reading it

Yes the void of emotion is definitely the part that would change everything. The lack of knowledge they have about Zaran’s abilities is also a huge hinderance. The next chapter will explain how an omegas powers are linked to their emotions and how that is what makes this pack a huge fuel to Zarans abilities

Oh it will be 😁

Zaran has to face his abilities and what they are. There will be an external force that will come into play later and I can’t wait to reveal it. 😁 Arik is in a difficult situation. He will have to balance the pack with his mate.

Well seeing the future isn’t always a clear cut thing. 😉 I cant wait to show you guys 😋

Zaran The sun washed over my skin as I took a deep breath letting the cool morning air ease into my lungs as I walked with my alpha. The pack was alive with activity some wolves running between dens, while others talked with easy smiles. Many eyes tracked us with curious glances and some called out a greeting. Here, in this pack, I felt a sense of freedom I hadn’t known I was lacking before. “You’re sure you wish to start today?” Arik asked his yellow eyes pensive as he looked down at me, the gold paint still visible on his skin the morning after the solstice. I smiled and nodded quickly. “Yes, I’m ready to start learning, and I need to have a purpose, I can’t just be your mate,” I said seriously, thinking about the . After my dance many had come to congratulate the alpha and he did the same for any who had found a bond mate. There was food and laughter through the night. I’d never been part of a celebration like that one. It was unlike anything I’d ever conceived in my own mind. In my birth pack the hierarchy was separate from the rest of the pack. I’d known little to nothing about the wolves that lived below the alpha house, and now after being part of Arik’s pack I was ashamed that I hadn’t tried harder to understand them. Arik nodded, “You will find your place in time,” “Still, I’d I want to learn to control my abilities. I need to,” I said with conviction. I couldn’t live in the dark anymore lying about my constant struggle to control the growing power inside of me. Since I’d come here, it had become stronger filling my veins like a living essence. I stopped my head snapping up in surprise as someones emotion pierced me without warning. It was an intense warm embrace that flashed through my entire body and squeezed at my beating heart. It was gone just as suddenly as it rocketed through me making a startled gasp escape me. Arik stopped a curious expression in his eyes, “Zaran?” “I’m fine, I just—” I paused unsure what I’d just experienced. What had that been? It was a forgien emotion, one I’d never felt before and somehow I was almost positive it had come from my alpha, the one wolf who I was unable to capture emotions from. I rubbed my hand unconsciously over my chest, the warm sensation gone as quickly as it had happened. “It’s nothing,” I said as I stepped back inline with him so we could resume walking. “Zaran,” Arik said firmly. I stopped just as I passed him, his strong gaze penetrating my back. “Look at me.” I turned at his command and look into his eyes without hesitation. As an omega I shouldn’t have the urge to look up into his unwavering stare, and I wouldn’t want to for any other wolf besides Einar. “You are not alone anymore,” he said as he approached me his large hand cupping my chin. “Do not keep secrets, asha.” A shiver raced down my spine, the command one only an alpha could give. I doubted any lesser alpha could make me obey, my fadir hadn’t. “I won’t Arik, I promise,” I said as I laid my hand over his wrist. “Good,” he let go of my chin forcing my hand to release his wrist. “We are here,” he nodded to someone over my shoulder and I turned to face the approaching figure. “Zaran this is Kodine, he will be giving you guidance with your abilities,” Arik said introducing me to the brunette omega with freckles across the bridge of his nose and along his shoulders just like all the other wolves in this pack. Arik had told me that these were the mark of the constellation wolves and either tattooed on or by birth, every wolf would have the mark as one of the pack. When I was accepted fully into the pack I would also receive the tattoos. Einar and Arik already had the mark of the constellation being a wolf born to the pack, but I was an outsider who would have to earn the markings. “Welcome to the pack Zaran,” Kodine bowed his head in welcome, his long hair held together in a large intracat braid filled with colorful green beads. Breaking my trance I nodded in return. “It’s nice to finally meet you. I was unable to introduce myself before during the solstice” I said. “It is always a hectic night, not the best for introductions,” Kodine nodded slightly. Like me he wore trousers and a pelt wrap around his hips, his fur boots similar to my own. “My mate Forza has all of my attention during the solstice, don’t worry.” Arik hummed in agreement. “Be well, asha. I must go and see to the pack,” he brushed a possessive but gentle hand over my hip. The action maked my skin prickle and heart skip a beat. He didn’t wait for me to respond before he walked away, the thick fur of his mantle the last thing I saw before he disappeared into the tree line. “I never thought I would see the alpha court an omega,” Kodine said softly, his blue eyes watching where Arik had walked off. My brows furrowed in confusion, the omegas surprise flowing gently through me “Why is it so inconceivable?” Kodine smiled, “The alpha holds himself responsible for all in our pack, and I personally believe he’s never allowed another close enough to form a bond. He has brought many omegas back yet he brought you and your beta home and already the pack knows a mating is inevitable,” he said with a soft smile. “No omega has tried to court him?” I asked knowing already that one specific omega had. Kodine shook his head, “No, only Shasta but Arik has never accepted his dance during the solstice. It is a hard position they are in, the alpha who leads us all and Shasta who guides us. It was believed by many that Arik would someday accept his dance, but we know now that he was destined to find another.” I nodded unsure what to say. I pitied Shasta and I wished I knew how to help his broken soul. To be in his situation must be an immense burden that I couldn’t begin to understand. “I thought he had come to take me as his mate from the very beginning, the bidding is for an alpha to find a mate.” Kodine shook his head, “Not in the constellation, Alpha Arik brings omegas from all over the vast to strengthen the packs blood. Our seer Shasta sees them in his visions and they are brought back to be mated with the unmated alphas of the pack, but never with Alpha Arik.” A breath escaped me as that knowledge settled in. Arik had no intention of mating me before the bidding, I was merely a way to strengthen the pack, be mated to another. What had changed his mind? “Let’s speak more later. Let’s begin practicing? What is your ability?” He asked as he turned to walk into the bright clearing amidst the huge pines. “I’m empathic,” I said simply as I followed him into the warm sunlight. Kodine stopped his eyes wide and the zap of his shock zipped through me like an electric bolt, sending goose bumps up my arms. “An empath? You sense emotions?” I nodded, “I can but sometimes there is more. I can amplify, and transfer but I don’t know how to control it,” and I didn’t want to admit that I wasn’t sure what else I could do. My abilities were something that had been bottled inside of me since they’d begin to manifest a few years ago. I had been so upset when I’d started to feel the ugly sensation of everyone's true feelings around me. “What is your ability?” I asked, trying to ignore the prickling sensation of his shock. “Healing,” he said. With a graceful motion he leaned down and grabbed a dying flower from the ground and held up the small plant in front of us. In the bright sunlight I watched as the dead flower rose slowly, green life slowly running up the stem and towards the petals where the color flashed bright pink as it became whole again. Breathless I watched, feeling the power trickle through him, a honey light touch that soothed me from the inside as I watched. I could feel it, the healing touch of his ability, just like the emotions I could feel this too. Like a gentle wave it soaked into me. This was the first time another omega had used their power near me and I was entranced by the beauty. Kodine smiled and handed me the flower and I smiled in return as I took the beautiful thing. The moment it left the omegas hand the beautiful petals withered and fell to dust the whole thing disintegrating in my hand. My smile fell as I watched the ash blow away into the gentle breeze. “I’m unable to maintain the ability past my own life force, a worthless ability to have,” he said without any inflection but I could feel the intense disappointment burning from deep in his soul. A betrayal of fate to have such a gift but not be able to do more with it. “I know you can feel it, my emotions. It’s strange to have a complete stranger know my deepest emotions, but I can’t be angry for what the gods have given you,” he smiled, but the soft expression did not reach his eyes, a sadness lurked there. “Let us begin the lesson for today, I will teach you to meditate and focus so that you can better control your abilities.” He knelt down in the clearing his palms across his knees. “Through meditation I have been able to extend my healing power as long as I am directly touching what I am healing, compared to only being able to heal something for a few seconds. With time I believe this will help you steady your abilities as well.” Listening to him I knelt down without a word and mimicked his position. “I’ve never had any formal training. My modir’s abilities were not very strong and there were no other omegas to give me guidance.” Kodine nodded, “We will start now, close your eyes and open up your senses. Feel the world around you, let everything flow through you like a river,” he said his voice soft and hypnotic. I closed my eyes and for the first time I let the barrier I subconsciously held fall with a long exhale of breath. Slowly the tide trickled in, a gentle wave of the earth and its pulse, the steady calm of the pines around me. It was a peaceful warmth that radiated through my limbs and around my heart, steady and strong. More sensations flowed in slowly the thrum morphing into a beating drum as the trickle started to flood in. The animals emotions were stark, their hungry desperation to live. The deep sensation of their empty bellies as they constantly searched for food and the full contentedness of them eating their fill. The earths warmth turned to a pounding need to consume beneath me like the roots of the trees around me anchoring me to the soil beneath me. Warmth morphed into an intense burn in my gut, the black behind my eyes turning into a blinding light. I could feel them, the packs emotions soaking in without any control to the flow. My hands dug into my thighs as the pack dug in, each wolfs emotions slamming into me so intensely I could feel my body vibrate as my mind began to run away. There was nothing, only the overwhelming sensations pounding through me and the light, the bright light that blinded me. Like a drug I consumed it all, not wanting to shut it out, the toxic burn a euphoria no mortal should ever be denied. I could feel them all as if it were my own body — their pain, happiness, grief, anxiety, wonder, sadness, jealousy, rage, need, want, and power… so much power it consumed my entire soul like the sun. So much power I needed it… I needed to have it all— “STOP!” My eyes sprang open, a strangled gasp escaped me. The clearing came into focus and the Kodine kneeling in front of me, his hands now on the ground holding himself up. His face was pale, body shaking as he breathed in hard pants. Around us the clearing that once had only a low level of grass was filled with vibrant flora, the pink flowers of spring now rising to life around us, vines climbing up the pine trunks in a wild tangle. “What did you do?” Kodine gasped, blood trickled from his nose as he pulled his hands feebly from the tangle of vines running up his forearms to the ground. I shook my head, “I don’t—” Wolves howls broke me off, many came running into the clearing around us. A large grey wolf surged through the wild flowers to stop in front of Kodine, his large nose pressing into the smaller omegas throat with profound worry. This was Kodine’s mate, I could feel their bond even through my the pounding headache forming behind my eyes. More wolves circled around us, but none dare get close to me. What had happened? My eyes darted around frantically trying to understand. The shadow of what had just happened loomed over me like a storm, brewing just beneath my skin. There had been so much power, and a feeling that I couldn’t describe. I hadn’t wanted it to stop and that scared me more than anything else. A growl rumbled out of Kodine’s mate, his dark eyes landing on me as his mate tried to stand on weak legs. His anger was hot and white as he took a threatening step towards me. “I’m sorry I didn’t—” my words were cut off by a vicious growl behind me. A black wolf bigger than I’d ever seen before brushed beside me, yellow eyes bright with a warning to the other alpha. Arik, this wolf was my alpha mate, I realized with a clouded mind, relief making my muscles shake as my hands sank into his thick black fur. Another warm presence pressed close to my other side, blonde fur mixed with dark specks sprinkled throughout. Beautiful pale green eyes looked pensively at me. Einar, I thought as his cold nose pushed along my throat looking for any injury. The grey wolf whined, his his ears pinned back as he took a step back in deference to the pack alpha. “Forza please, he—” Kodine wobbled and without another word crumbled to the soft forest floor unconscious. Forza barked out in panic, his fur receding, body morphing in seconds to reveal a large man with grey hair and tan skin. “Someone get Shasta!” He yelled as he cradled his mate. My hands shook as I clenched them against my thighs. What had I done? How was this possible? My breathing raced as panic began to make me shake even harder. What was happening to me? I could feel something untold morphing inside of me growing along with my fear. I was losing control, but of what I couldn’t say only that the wild flood was pushing in on me and I didn’t know if I could escape the flood. Wolves howled for the seer as Einar and Arik shifted seamlessly beside me his strong arms wrapping around me as I shook. I wrapped my arms around his waist letting his calm determination flow through me and wipe away the stain of everyone else’s frantic emotions. He pulled back, green eyes looking over me, trying to find any wounds on me. There were none. My body felt strong, and filled with a sensation of energy I hadn’t had before. “I’m fine,” I said gently, but I knew something inside of me was changing and I didn’t know if I could stop it. Arik didn’t say anything, his silence tense as he walked past me and Einar to go to Kodine and his mate. I didn’t have to sense his emotions to know that he was angry, and somehow disappointed in me. Arik I took in the clearing, shifting to view it with complete clarity and color. It was no longer what it had been only a while ago when I’d left Zaran here with Kodine. The flora was now a wild tangle licking up the sides of every tree, pink flowers sprouted in abandon all around. Kodine lay unconscious amongst the bright petals, his face pale as blood slipped from his nose. Forza called urgently calling for Shasta while I walked closer. Einar clutched Zaran, looking for any injuries to our mate. I wanted to coddle him, to see if he was injured, but I could not choose him over the duty of being the alpha nor could I ignore the intense anger and disappointment in myself. This was my doing. I’d chose to ignore Shasta’s warning, but also the signs that Zaran was becoming stronger. I had chose to ignore this out come because he was my mate. My duty to the pack should always come first, it had to for the sake of everyone. Walking through the thick foliage I looked down at the small omega and his mate. Gently I touched his throat, his mate knowing better than to threaten me for the action. Kodine’s pulse beat strong beneath my fingers, blood already rushing to his cheeks chasing away the pale parlor. He would live, and I was certain there was no extensive injury to him, and somehow he felt different. “Alpha is he,” Forza pressed. “Listen to your bond,” I said evenly, “Do not let emotions cloud your judgments. Your mate is not injured.” I stood as Shasta came into view, escorted by the wolves who had run to retrieve him. The seers eyes looked between Zaran and Kodine, before taking in the unexplained growth around us. “What happened?” He asked as he knelt down beside Kodine checking over him with detail. His question was the most obvious one, but the answer wasn’t as apparent. The sizzle of power still hung in the air, like a lightning bolt after it had split a tree in half. There was no explanation for the sensation or how Zaran was connected to it, but there was no doubt in my mind that my mate was responsible for what had happened here. “Take Kodine to his den,” I commanded Forza. “He needs rest and a familiar place to wake up.” Murmurs broke out among the gathering wolves as Forza gently lifted his sleeping mate and without question began walking toward their den. “Return to your tasks,” I commanded to the remaining wolves, my voice broaching no argument. Omegas looked at Zaran, their fear almost as poignant as their curiosity. They didn’t linger, the last of them leaving to return to their dens some distance from the area. “Alpha,” Shasta, the only remaining wolf other than my mates looked at me with knowing eyes. “Not now, seer,” I said firmly. The last thing I wanted was to speak of the foreboding future this pointed to. Zaran’s powers were not only an unknown, but amplifying in a way we could not understand or possibly control. How could I protect them form a vision that I could not decipher? “Kodine is able to heal the earth, but not to this extent and never beyond his own touch. He could have killed him!” Shasta hissed, eyes wide. Zaran gasped, his grey eyes wide. “I didn’t, I couldn’t—” “You can’t control your abilities!” Shasta growled, “You are a star that is destine to burst apart, killing us all when you do!” “Enough, Shasta!” I barked watching as my omegas shoulders hunched and his head hung. Einar held him close even as worry made his face tense. I thought there would be more time. Shasta, lifted his chin defiantly, “You have always trusted my word, and I would not warn against anything unless I believed it with my entire being. If he can amplify not only emotions but also the power around him, the omegas here will feed his abilities and only make them stronger. You cannot protect him by leaving him in the dark!” “Arik?” Zaran asked with worry filled eyes. “There is only darkness, we cannot begin to understand what any of this means,” I countered defending my own choice to shelter my mate. He was not to blame for what he was. I would not hold him accountable for things that were not within his power to control. Shasta narrowed his eyes, defiance written in his features. “Zaran, a vision of your destruction has been seen, before the first snow under the bleakest sky you will destroy everything in your path, void of all emotion.” The seers voice echoed in the clearing as Zaran’s face paled even further, his grey eyes wide a single tear slipped down his cheek. “You’re fate is inevitable,” he finished with a grave finality.

The piercing sadness I felt when I wrote that.

The solstice is so magical in my head. I hope I conveyed what was in my head. Shasta has a hard lot. ☹️

The other chapter is already written 😁 so that one will be up soon too. I saw so many upset with Shasta before and I was so sad knowing that Shasta is overall a good character with a sad lot. He has no chance with any other alphas mostly because he is mated to the pack and his abilities make other alphas feel unworthy of taking his hand. I have every intention of giving him his own chance at love but this story is just getting started 😁

Native American and Norse customs is what I’m pulling from for a lot of my ideas.

Ranvir is one character I’m super excited to start writing more about. He doesn’t do anything without a purpose.