Chapter 1: The Invisible Girl
Lily Carter POV
I ducked as the snowball flew past my head and smashed against the nursery wall.
"Sorry, omega!" a young wolf pup called out, not sounding sorry at all. His friends laughed as they ran off to play elsewhere, already forgetting I existed.
That’s how it always was in Silver Peak Pack. As an omega – the lowest rank – I was either invisible or a subject for jokes. Never anything in between.
I sighed and picked up the fallen basket of supplies I’d been bringing to the nursery. Another day, another chance to be ignored by everyone who counted.
My name is Lily Carter, and today is my eighteenth birthday. Not that anyone remembered. Oh, and it’s also the first day of the Winter Moon Festival – the biggest party of the year when wolves find their true mates under the special winter moon.
"Careful with those blankets, Lily!" Mrs. Reed called from inside the nursery. "We need them clean for the pups’ nap time."
"Yes, ma’am," I answered, brushing off the snow and running inside.
The nursery was warm and smelled like wood and milk. Five wolf pups were playing on the floor, their little faces lighting up when they saw me.
"Lily!" the smallest one named Max ran over and hugged my legs. "Will you tell us a story?"
At least someone was happy to see me. I smiled and ruffled his hair. "After you’ve had your lunch, I promise."