Tied by Blood And moonlight

When the plate of glass broke on the kitchen floor, I jumped backward. I couldn't even hold a simple dish because my hands were shaking so badly. It wasn't even noon yet, but this was the third thing I broke today.

My best friend Maya looked at the broken bits and asked, "Sera, what's wrong with you?" "You've been acting weird all morning."

It was hard for me to tell her that things felt different. It was too hot on my skin. My heart was beating so fast. I felt like tiny lightning bolts were dancing under my skin, and my whole body tingled in a strange way.

"I'm fine," I told myself as I bent down to pick up the broken glass. But when I stood up, Maya's face had gone totally white.

"Oh no," she whispered, taking a step back from me. "Sera, your scent..."

My blood turned to ice. "What about my scent?"

Before Maya could answer, the kitchen door burst open. Mrs. Henderson from next door ran in, her eyes wild with fear.

"Where is she?" Mrs. Henderson shouted, looking around frantically. "Where's the omega whose scent just matured?"

My knees almost gave out. No. This couldn't be happening. Not today. Not like this.

Maya pointed at me with a shaking finger. "It's Sera. Her smell changed."

Mrs. Henderson's face went from worried to terrified. She grabbed my shoulders so hard it hurt. "Child, you need to hide. Right now. Do you understand me?"

"I don't understand anything!" I cried, pushing her hands away. "What's happening to me?"

The front door slammed open, and my mother rushed in. Her face was pale and scared, which made my stomach twist into knots. Mom was never scared.

"Everyone out!" Mom yelled at Maya and Mrs. Henderson. "Get out of my house right now!"

"But Mrs. Hale," Maya started to say.

"NOW!" Mom screamed.

Maya and Mrs. Henderson ran out so fast they almost knocked each other over. Mom slammed the door behind them and turned to face me. Her hands were shaking just like mine.

"Mom, what's wrong with everyone?" I asked, my words coming out small and scared. "Why is everyone acting like I have some terrible disease?"

Mom walked over and pulled me into a tight hug. I could feel her heart beating fast against my chest.

"Baby girl," she whispered into my hair, "your scent has fully developed. You're officially an adult omega now."

I pulled back to look at her face. "That's good, right? That means I can find my mate now."

Mom's eyes filled with tears. "Sera, your smell... it's not normal. It's too strong. Too clean. Every

unmated male wolf for miles is going to smell it and want you."

My stomach dropped. "What do you mean want me?"

"They're going to come here," Mom said, grabbing my hands. "Alphas, Betas, even other omegas' mates. Your smell is going to drive them crazy. Some of them might try to take you by