Chapter 13: The Mark of an Outsider

I lowered my gaze while walking through the busy village square of Redwater, keeping my hood pulled down to obscure much of my face. The aroma of freshly baked bread and roasted meat wafted through the air, yet the weight of tension upon me rendered it impossible to savour. 

The assault last night had put the pack on full alert. Patrols were increased, soldiers roamed the streets, and the atmosphere buzzed with an unspoken consensus that conflict was unavoidable. Jared dispatched spies to eliminate Derek, indicating he wouldn’t relent until I returned to his grasp. 

I sensed the weight of the pack's gazes as I walked by. The villagers murmured behind their palms, their looks keen and suspicious. A couple of fighters I recognized from the previous night acknowledged me with a nod, but the others… viewed me as a challenge. 

An unknown person. A danger. 

A betrayer. 

I could hear the whispers despite my efforts to overlook them. 

"She arrived, and all of a sudden, we’re being attacked?" 

"Jared labelled her a traitor… could it be that she truly is?" 

"She is a fragile Omega." "Why would an Alpha dispatch warrior after her unless she committed an unforgivable act?" 

My hands balled into fists within my cloak. I didn't raise my gaze. I did not respond. I wasn't able to afford it. 

As soon as I entered the security of my designated quarters, I let out a sharp breath, leaning my back against the wooden door. It shouldn't trouble me. I anticipated this. 

Yet it continued to sting. 

A rap on the door pulled me back from my reflections. I paused before opening it. Marla remained in place, her arms folded, wearing a familiar look on her face. 

“They won’t start trusting you right away,” she remarked, entering without waiting for an invite. "Particularly not following the events that took place." 

I gulped. "I'm aware." 

She lifted an eyebrow. "Do you?" 

I remained quiet, observing her sink into the chair near the fire, extending her legs. Marla had been among the rare wolves in Redwater who hadn’t regarded me as an outsider from the beginning. Perhaps it was due to her being Derek's Beta. Perhaps it was due to having witnessed my battle with them. 

Or perhaps it was because she simply wasn't interested in pack politics like the others were. 

She examined me for a moment before speaking once more. “Derek took a chance by bringing you to this place, Claire." He battled on your behalf last night. The minimum you can do is attempt to demonstrate to the group that you’re not a hindrance. 

I scowled. “How am I meant to do that, precisely?” 

Marla smiled slyly. "Go ahead and tell me." 

I breathed out, brushing my fingers through my hair. "I’m not sure… perhaps I ought to just keep my distance." 

She let out a snort. "Yeah, since that's been beneficial for you up to now." 

I gave her a fierce look, yet she wasn’t incorrect. 

Staying away from everyone wouldn’t result in their trust in me. If anything, it would only provide them with more justification to think I was concealing something. 

I had to take action. 

The training facilities were more crowded than normal. Warriors engaged in combat, their actions exact and fierce. Several younger wolves observed from the sidelines, some fidgeting restlessly as if eager to participate. 

Initially, I maintained my distance while watching. 

After that, I saw Derek. 

He was without a shirt, his upper body covered in new bandages from the injury he sustained the previous night. It was restorative, yet not quick enough. Lucas’s sword was coated in silver. 

He shifted rigidly while showing a takedown technique, yet his face stayed inscrutable as if he felt no pain. The fighters around him mirrored his example, all of them intent and orderly. 

This was a distinct world compared to what I had experienced in Midnight Moon. 

Redwater was not governed by fear. Their strength came from their willingness to fight for one another. 

I didn’t fit in here. 

However… I wished to. 

Before I had a chance to doubt myself, I moved ahead. As soon as I did, several warriors spotted me. Discussions hushed. Their facial expressions varied from inquisitiveness to outright antagonism. 

Derek pivoted, his eyes connecting with mine. He remained silent, anticipating. 

“I wish to train,” I stated, my tone unwavering. 

A wave of laughter spread among the assembled fighters. A couple grinned slyly. Some mocked. 

“An Omega?” one of them whispered. "Is she for real?" 

"She won't survive five minutes." 

Marla, positioned to the side, smiled. “This ought to be intriguing.” 

Derek's face stayed inscrutable as he advanced toward me. "Do you want to train?" 

I gave a nod. 

A glimmer of something flashed in his eyes. Authorization? Entertainment? It vanished before I could understand it. 

"Then demonstrate it to me." 

He faced the audience. "Who is eager to test her?" 

A lanky, broad-shouldered fighter advanced, popping his knuckles. "I'll take care of it." 

The rest moved aside, allowing us room. My heart raced. 

Derek’s gaze sharpened. “No shifting. No claws. Just hand-to-hand combat.”

The fighter grinned. "I won't even exert all my power." 

An error. 

He charged at me quickly, intending for an easy catch—entirely underestimating me. 

I crouched beneath his arm, turned, and drove my elbow into his side. He let out a grunt, stepping backwards, more taken aback than injured. 

Whispers flowed through the crowd. 

He bounced back swiftly and charged at me once more. This time, he wasn’t restrained. I managed to block his initial attack but failed to defend against the second—his punch hitting my side. I inhaled sharply, the impact forcing the air from my chest, yet I remained on my feet. 

I leveraged his momentum, twisting his arm and throwing him to the ground. 

Quiet. 

The fighter coughed, grimacing, before glancing at me with reluctant admiration. 

Derek folded his arms. “Once more.” 

When training was over, my muscles throbbed, and my body was sore, but I felt more upright than I had in weeks. 

I was no longer merely the outsider. 

I was demonstrating my abilities. 

However, when I exited the training area, I noticed a silhouette observing from the darkness. 

A presence whose fragrance sent shivers down my spine. 

A spy of Jared's. 

I clenched my fists. They were still here.

Still watching.

I wasn’t safe.

And neither was Redwater.