The Traumatic Past

Cleo's POV

"Cleo, leave. Go with your mother. They will kill you both."

My father yelled the words over the deafening roar of the pack war. His eyes were wide. They were filled with a raw, agonizing terror I had never seen before. He stared past me, fixated on the dark treeline at the edge of the forest.

"N-No," I mumbled. A hard sob ripped through my tiny chest. I was only five years old.

I looked down at him lying on the dirt. The sight made my stomach churn. Thick, dark blood coated his legs, slick and shining in the moonlight. His bones were crushed. The enemy fighters had ambushed him. They broke his legs before he could shift into his protective wolf form. Without his wolf, he was helpless.

"Little girl, always take care of your mother," he rasped. He struggled to push himself up on his elbows. His arms shook from the effort.

"Miriam, run away with Cleo. Don't waste time," he ordered my mother.

She kneeled in the dirt right beside him. Tears streamed down her face, leaving pale tracks on her dirt-smudged cheeks. She cried out in a tone so distressed it made my ears ring. "How can I leave you in this condition, Callum?"

Sickening crunching sounds echoed around us. The forest was a chaotic nightmare. Every wolf was tearing into another. Snarls, howls, and yelps filled the night air. The metallic scent of blood stung my nose.

"Leave. I can't shift to protect you two because of my wounds," my father demanded again. His voice cracked with desperation. "At least save our little child."

A pack of rogue wolves burst from the shadows. They sprinted straight toward us.

My mother scrambled to her feet. She snatched me up and secured me tightly in her arms. Without another word, she turned and sprinted in the opposite direction. Her breath came in ragged, panicked gasps. Her heartbeat hammered against my cheek.

"Don't look back," she whispered in my ear. Her voice broke with a heavy sob.

I wrapped my arms around her neck and buried my face in her shoulder. But the terrifying sounds behind us pulled at my mind. Childhood curiosity was too strong. I needed to see him one last time. I peeked over her shoulder.

Two massive, dark wolves pounced on my father. Their sharp claws dug into his chest. They tore into him without mercy.

My eyes stretched wide in pure horror. I squeezed my eyes shut and let out a piercing scream.

"DAD!"

I jolted awake. My chest heaved up and down. I sat up in my bed, grabbing the blanket with trembling hands. My bedroom was dark and quiet. I pressed my palm to my damp forehead.

"I was dreaming again," I muttered to the empty room.

My breath came in short, rapid pants. A cold sweat drenched my skin and soaked my nightgown.

It was not just a nightmare. It was a brutal memory. It was the tragic moment my father died, the moment my mother and I lost our home. We fled our territory that night. We wandered as refugees until the Alpha and Luna of the Obsidian Claw Pack showed us mercy. They allowed us to stay. We had lived as outsiders in their territory ever since.

"CLEO, YOU WILL BE LATE!"

My mother’s voice rang out from the kitchen downstairs, snapping me out of the lingering trauma.

"YES, MOM. I'M COMING," I shouted back.

I swung my legs over the edge of the bed and rushed to the bathroom. I took a fast shower, letting the warm water wash away the cold sweat of the memory. Today was just another day of my freshman year at university. I needed to stay off the professors' radar and avoid showing up late.

I stepped out of the bathroom and dressed quickly. I paused in front of the mirror to check my reflection. A loose-fitting, shapeless white dress hung past my knees. I pulled my dark hair back and tied it into a severe, low ponytail. I picked up my oversized, transparent glasses from the dresser and slid them onto my nose. They slipped down slightly, so I pushed them back up to cover my eyes.

My vision was perfect. I didn't need prescription lenses. I wore these massive glasses to hide my face. They were a physical barrier between me and the rest of the world. They helped me mask my expressions and conceal my emotions. I refused to wear a single drop of makeup. I stuck to plain, baggy clothes.

The disguise earned me a harsh nickname back in middle school. The other kids called me a "mouse." They mocked my plain clothes and my quiet nature. The bullying was tough, but I learned to accept the title. Being a mouse meant staying hidden. It meant surviving.

I walked downstairs and found my mother in the kitchen of our small house. I wrapped my arms around her waist and hugged her tight. We sat at the small table and ate our breakfast in comfortable silence. She was the only family I had left. My only goal was to study hard, keep my scholarship, and build a safe life for her.

"Cleo."

I looked up from my toast. "Yes, Mom?"

Deep lines of concern etched her forehead. "You turn eighteen next week. You will find your mate soon. Before that happens, I need you to stay out of trouble. Do not mess around with anyone."

She reached across the table and covered my hand with hers. "You know how we came to this pack. You are an omega. We do not have a male family member to protect you, my dear."

I stared at her worried eyes. The Obsidian Claw Pack was massive and dominated by strong, aggressive Alphas. We were vulnerable omegas living at the bottom of the hierarchy.

"Don't worry, Mom," I said softly. "You have my word. I won't mess with anyone. I'll stay out of trouble. I always keep my head down."

She squeezed my hand and forced a sad smile. "My child, I long for the day when you finally find your mate. He will accept you, and I will be able to die peacefully."

I shoved my chair back and rushed around the table to hug her again. "Mom, don't say that, please."

She had dedicated her entire life to raising me after my father died. I could not stand the thought of losing her.

I grabbed my bag, said my goodbyes, and hurried to the bus stop. The ride took twenty minutes. I stepped off the bus and stared up at the grand stone archway. Large, bold, italicized letters spelled out the name over the entrance: Obsidian Claw University.

I adjusted my heavy backpack and started walking toward the main department building. This was the most prestigious institution in our pack territory. It was designed for the wealthy, elite children of high-ranking wolves. I only made it in because I studied relentlessly and earned a full scholarship.

I kept my gaze fixed on the concrete path. I could feel the disgusted stares of the rich students burning into my skin.

A tall blonde girl walked past me. She rammed her shoulder hard against mine. The impact knocked me off balance.

"Bloody mouse," she muttered, rolling her eyes.

I swallowed the lump in my throat. I lowered my head further and rushed straight to my classroom. I did not fight back. Fighting back only brought more pain.

I slipped through the door and found my seat. My best friend, Delaney, sat next to me and waved. She was one of the three friends I had managed to make here. We shared the same schedule, which made the days easier to handle.

The professor walked in and started the lecture. I opened my notebook and tried to focus on the projector screen. But the girls sitting in the row behind us were whispering loudly.

"Have you seen Ryker today?" one girl asked in a hushed, eager tone.

"No, what have I missed?" her friend replied. "Don't tell me he took off his shirt to show off his hot abs and I missed it."

"I'm going to die just thinking about it. But no. I heard his friends talking about Declan's party tonight."

"Omg! I can't miss it then."

I stared at the glowing projector screen, but my mind drifted to their gossip. Ryker Maddox. Just hearing his name sent a strange jolt through my chest.

He was the most popular and feared boy on campus. He was the only son of our Head Alpha. But Ryker was nothing like his strict, rule-abiding father. He was a notorious troublemaker. He was a dangerous bad boy that all the guys feared, and a playboy that every girl desperately wanted.

"Ryker Maddox never dates. He only believes in one-night stands," Delaney leaned over and whispered from my left side.

I turned my head toward her. She smirked at me. "You innocent girl, don't listen to this gossip."

"I was just—" I started to defend myself.

"Babe, I know you really well," Delaney cut in. She leaned closer. "But let me tell you a secret. He is waiting for his mate. That's why he refuses to date anyone. Those are his own words."

I turned my attention away from her and faced the front of the room. I pretended to take notes. I forced myself to ignore her teasing.

But I could not lie to my own body. I had no idea why, but every single time I heard about that boy, my pulse raced. My breathing grew shallow. My heart pounded an erratic rhythm against my ribs.

The bell rang, signaling the end of class. Delaney and I packed our bags and started the long walk toward the locker rooms. My phone buzzed in my pocket. I pulled it out and read a quick text from Declan. He was my only male friend on campus. He treated me like a normal person and never once joined in on the bullying.

"Who texted you?" Delaney asked, peering over my shoulder.

"Declan," I replied. "He wants us to meet him at the basketball court."

Delaney checked her watch. "You go first. I need ten minutes to finish an assignment for my next class. I'll meet you there."

"Okay," I said, offering a small nod.

I stepped out of the heavy glass doors of the academic building. The warm afternoon sun beat down on my shoulders. The basketball court was on the far side of the massive campus. I tightened my grip on my backpack straps and started the long trek alone.

As I got closer to the outdoor courts, a large group of boys spilled out from the gates. They had just finished their practice. They were loud, sweaty, and full of aggressive alpha energy.

"Hey, Mousey," a tall boy called out. He let out a harsh laugh.

I ducked my chin to my chest. I tried to walk faster. A few other boys whistled. The shrill sound cut through the air, making my stomach twist in knots. It was a terrible mistake to walk over here by myself. There were plenty of other girls hanging around the bleachers, but these guys always singled me out. I was the easiest target.

I stared at the cracks in the pavement. My shoes hit the ground in a rapid rhythm. I just needed to get past them. I walked fast, keeping my eyes glued to the concrete.

Suddenly, I slammed hard into a solid wall of muscle.

The impact knocked the breath right out of my lungs. I stumbled backward, my hands flying out to catch my balance. A sharp, intoxicating scent of pine and something dark washed over me.

My gaze dropped to the person standing in my way. He wore simple black athletic shorts. The fabric strained against thick, powerful thighs. My eyes traveled slowly upward. He wore a dark tank top that clung to his muscular chest. Heavy, intricate tattoos wrapped down his strong arms. He possessed a flawless, intimidating physique.

I slowly raised my head. My breath hitched in my throat. My eyes locked onto his face and froze.

His dark hair was slick and wet from sweat. He had thick, sharp brows and deep, mysterious dark eyes. A silver piercing glinted in his left eyebrow. His jawline was rigid and perfectly defined.

Every single instinct in my body screamed danger.

It was Ryker.

I knew I should run. The rumors said he was unhinged, violent, and capable of destroying anyone who crossed his path. I needed to escape. I needed to get as far away from him as possible.

But my treacherous heart betrayed me. It hammered wildly against my ribs like a trapped bird. The blood rushed to my ears. I could not look away from his face. He was, without a doubt, the most fiercely handsome boy I had ever seen in my life.

A dark, menacing frown formed between his thick brows. His dark eyes locked onto mine with a terrifying intensity.

The fierce glare snapped me back to reality. A cold wave of panic crashed over me. I took a quick, clumsy step back, my legs trembling with raw fear. My throat felt tight.

I swallowed hard and opened my mouth, struggling to find my voice.

"I-I am sorry, Ryker."