Savage Sector, One - Mila Young Page 0,1

more confidence than I feel. Mother told us the basics after we each experienced our first wolf transformation. Let the man take control as he mounts you. It will hurt, she said, but that will pass.

Kaira comes around to face me, pulling long strands of my dark hair over one of my shoulders, where it tumbles down to my stomach. Like Jae, she has shorter hair, the color of acorns, with a slight wave in it. She keeps it always tucked behind her ears, showcasing her face covered in freckles. She is beautiful, and even at sixteen years old—three years younger than me—she’s already caught the eye of so many Alphas in this pack. The top Alpha who runs the Storm Wolves’ pack is the only thing that has stopped the wolves from claiming us until now.

I lick my dry lips and try to push aside the thought of what’s coming tonight. I’ll deal with it when it happens.

“Done.” Jae rushes over to help Kaira pin the flower arrangements through my hair.

A heavy knock comes from our front door.

“He is ready for you,” a male’s voice calls out from outside our hut, and suddenly I’m sweating and forget how to stay calm.

I’m on my feet, and my long, deep blue dress falls to my ankles. It’s a simple garment, cinched at my waist with elastic, the sweeping V-neck decorated with dried flowers my sisters helped me create. The dress once belonged to my mother, and wearing it makes me feel like she’s still with me.

I shift my weight from one foot to another, trying my hardest not to overthink this. Just go and smile. He will mount me, then show proof to the top Alpha that I bled to confirm my virginity.

I physically curl in on myself at the thought. Do I just lie there and let the others watch? Sweat trickles down my spine as a tremor shakes me.

There’s no way I can do this.

“Take deep breaths. You look beautiful,” Kaira says quickly, eyeing me from head to toe. “Now go, don’t keep him waiting.”

Jae just hugs me, and I embrace her back, holding her tight, wishing to stay with them instead.

“That’s enough, or you’ll have Narah changing her mind,” Kaira interrupts. “It’s just us tonight, so how about we play some games?”

The bang at the door comes again, and I flinch in my own skin, missing what Jae says.

“I’m coming,” I call out.

With quick steps, I head to the door, fiddling with the ends of my hair, curling it around my finger, not sure I’m ready to do this. With it, a faint spark of golden energy leaps across my knuckles. It always happens when I’m nervous or scared, though it’s not like I can do anything else with it. Mother never taught us how.

Kaira slaps my hand. “Don’t show him your magic,” she whispers angrily. “Do you want to be found out? First bond with him, and once he’s smitten, then maybe he’ll accept you as a Cursed.”

Cursed.

I hate the word they used for half-breeds like us. Half-wolf, half-witch. Mother warned us as children, told us she had hidden her cursed side her whole life and we had to do the same to belong with the wolves. No side would accept you, she’d say. You’re neither a pure witch nor pure wolf. So you must pretend to be one to not become an outcast. Let the wolves believe you are one of them.

I nod to my sister and hug her. “I know, and I’ll be fine.” Wolves aren’t meant to possess magic, but Kaira and I do. Jae was fortunate enough to be spared.

Being an Omega is a disadvantage already in this ravaged world, but to be a Cursed is a death sentence.

“Go now.” Kaira ushers me with a small nudge at my back.

I open the door and the cool breeze sweeps over me, but it does nothing to take away the fire swallowing me.

A guard with short-trimmed hair and tiny eyes greets me with a wry grin. His gaze slides down my body, leaving my skin itching. “Took your time, Omega,” he snarls as he swings away from me.

I exchange glances with Kaira, who waves for me to follow him.

Wasting no time, I take quick steps after him over the broken stones that lead from our hut and down the middle of our pack village. Small huts dot the land covered in grass, smoke curling from their chimneys. Our pack territory is enclosed by barbed wire