“You sure?” Muzo asked, his brow furrowed in concern.
I nodded. “I’m sure.”
Taylor and Muzo sat flanking me on the couch. The tiger omega gave me a long, hard look, gauging my true feelings. But it really was how I felt.
I met Taylor’s gaze with enough determination that he sighed and conceded.
“All right,” he said. “We’re listening, Poppy. But if you need to stop, or take a break—”
“Or need a snack, or something,” Muzo interjected.
“Or another drink,” Alaric added, raising his mug.
“—then we’ll drop everything to get it for you. Deal?” Taylor finished.
Their compassion warmed my soul. None of them had to sit here listening to my tale drag on and on. They could’ve been with their mates and children, or having fun with a hobby, or even relaxing on the beach beneath the sun. Instead, they chose to be here with me. I didn’t take that for granted.
“Thank you,” I murmured. I took a sip of my hot chocolate, a sweet reminder that I was safe here in the present, then closed my eyes. “Ah. Where was I...”
We returnedto the clan right on time. Konrad was pleased enough by Sorrel’s offering that he didn’t remark on the fact thatwe were nearly late. But that didn’t make me feel any better. If anything, Konrad’s shower of praise on my brother only twisted the dull knife into my stomach harder.
I spent the night mired in my own thoughts, their directions torn into two. Half of me was deeply concerned about Sorrel, but the other half couldn’t stop thinking about Violet. An alpha dragon... He was so novel and fascinating, a man unlike anybody I’d ever met before. He almost didn’t feel real. But he was. I’d touched him with my nose and memorized his scent. He was tangible. A real person.
That night I lay in my cramped cot, restless and unable to fall asleep. Viol’s offer to fly us away repeated in my mind. Was he joking, or did he truly mean it? I spent all night bouncing the possibilities back and forth—the highest of hopes versus gut-wrenching despair.
My mind wasn’t any clearer the following morning. The lack of sleep jumbled my thoughts further and I plodded through my daily routine in a daze.
“Poppy.”
Konrad’s voice hit me like a slap. I hadn’t realized how unfocused I was until he stood right next to me, blocking the morning sun with his massive body.
“Y-yes?” I said, standing to attention.
“It’s time.”
That was all he said. He let the words sink in, then strode purposefully away.
My knees weakened, but I forced myself to stay upright. I wouldn’t buckle. I would accept my purpose and position, my fate in the tundra clan.
And yet, even now, I couldn’t stop thinking about Violet. I wished he was here. The idea of him secretly watching gave me a pathetic morsel of hope. It was embarrassing, but I clung to it like a mouse dangling over a chasm. The fantasy was all I had.
Konrad summoned the clan. It was time for my duty assignment.
Sorrel bounced beside me, his tail wagging non-stop. “This is so exciting! What d’you think you’re gonna be assigned? No, wait, don’t tell me. I want it to be a surprise.”
The list of options for omegas wasn’t long. In order of importance and rank, it went: chore worker, guard, hunter, fighter, and finally, the greatest honor: child-bearer.
My fatigue was quickly stripped away by my frayed nerves. I nearly jumped out of my skin as a polar bear sauntered close and sat beside me, but I relaxed when I recognized Rorik.
“Good luck,” Rorik said to me, a loose smile playing on his lips.
“You, too,” I murmured.
As Konrad took his place in the center, a silent hush fell around the gathered shifters. Everybody hung on his next breath.
“Today, three young omegas will receive their assignments,” Konrad announced.
Me and Rorik were givens, I assumed. We were adults now, and ready to contribute. Aside from the two of us, there were a couple omegas around our age. Across the crowd, I saw Charon, another polar bear omega. He sat up straighter, eager to receive his assignment. Although Charon was older than Sorrel, the two were friends who often spent their free time together. At least, they used to before Sorrel took an interest in Konrad...
