I Was the Starter Mate

My time was running out. No reason to keep any of it.

I called the weakest Omegas and handed over everything Eric ever gave me—rare furs, gemstones, all of it.

"Luna... you're really giving this to me? This is prime silver fox fur. If Alpha finds out..."

The young Omega's voice shook. Her eyes didn't.

"Take it. You need it more."

I smiled while they carried off the gifts that used to mean honor. Used to mean love.

"Alpha treats you so well. He always saves the best for you."

I heard the envy. I didn't answer. Just glanced down at the pack feed on my phone.

Velda had posted:

[It's freezing out, but good thing I've got your warmth to keep me cozy.]

In the photo, she was wrapped in a flawless white bear pelt.

Eric hunted that bear up north last week.

I'd begged for it. Winter bedding. The cold cut deeper now.

What did he say?

"I'm slammed every day. Who has time for that? And you're so fat—how could you even be cold?"

So yeah. He wasn't busy.

He just had someone else to keep warm.

After the Omegas left, I went to see Daisy.

She's a warrior from a neighboring pack—Stormcrown Pack. My only real friend.

"I need you to take me to the wolves' graveyard."

She froze. That place is where we bury our own. Wolves only go there when they're picking their final spot.

"Zara, why would you ask me to take you somewhere like that?"

I didn't answer. I just pulled her inside.

The old wolf guarding the graves rolled his cloudy eyes and handed me a map.

I walked the grounds and picked a quiet place facing the sun.

Out of respect for Daisy, he accepted my deposit.

"It's for me. I'm choosing it for myself."

I wrote Zara on the registry.

Once the gold was put away, I dragged a shaken Daisy back to the car.

The second the door shut, she grabbed my shoulders.

"Zara, what is going on? Why are you picking a grave for yourself? Does Eric know?"

Fear was all over her face.

It made me think of him.

If he'd seen that back there, would he be scared of losing me?

I smiled, bitter.

He'd probably think I was being dramatic again.

"Daisy."

I cut her off and slowly untied my loose black robe.

The muscle I used to have was gone. In its place—shriveled, dark skin.

Over my heart, claw marks. Deep. Bone showing.

Black pus leaked from the wounds. The smell of rot filled the car.

"I was ambushed by a vampire. Silver poison. It's already in my bones." I looked out the window, voice light. "The healer said one month. Starting today, twenty-eight days left."

Daisy covered her mouth. Shock wrecked her face.

Tears spilled fast. Her hand shook as she reached for the wound—then stopped.

"How... how did this happen? You were the strongest Beta she-wolf."

"That was before."

I tied my robe back up, hiding the damage.

For some reason, seeing Daisy cry for me twisted something in my chest.

Almost happy.

See?

There was still someone in this world who cared whether I lived or died.