Moonblessing Stolen The Omega Who Broke the Bond

During the Moonbite Feast, I bit down on a silver token hidden in my portion.

The entire den erupted in cheers.

Last year, my mate's sister found the token and the pack matriarch gifted her a territory stake worth ten resource shares.

The year before, my mate's nephew won and received a full set of hunting gear and scrying crystals.

Full of anticipation, I watched as Morwenna Duskthorn smiled warmly and made her announcement.

"This year, the rite has changed. The one who finds the token must bestow five resource shares upon each of the twenty pack members present."

I froze.

Was this a blessing turned into a punishment?

Most importantly, by no coincidence, I actually possessed exactly one hundred resource shares—the Moonblessing payout I'd received just days ago.

——

Morwenna cleared her throat.

"Let us all congratulate Lyra on earning the 'Pack Contribution Honor.'"

She began the applause, and everyone joined in thunderously.

Pack Contribution Honor?

Was I expected to empty my stores for the entire pack's benefit?

What a mocking title.

Vesper Stormhart was the first to react.

"Mother, how much does that come to?"

"One hundred resource shares."

Morwenna gazed at me with calm authority.

"Lyra has been blessed with such fortune."

A chill crept down my spine.

Three days ago, I had received a rare Moonblessing payout—one hundred resource shares after the pack tithe was taken. I had told only one person about this windfall: my mate, Kael Stormhart.

I never imagined he would reveal it to his mother, and that the matriarch would simply claim the right to decide its fate.

"I refuse."

I set down my eating utensils, my voice steady.

Morwenna's smile turned rigid.

"What did you say?"

"I said I refuse this rite."

I looked at every face around the feast table.

"Last year it was a reward. The year before, a reward. Why is it that when my turn comes, I'm the one giving everything away?"

"The rite changes each year."

Kael tugged at my sleeve beneath the table, whispering his plea.

"Mother's word is law."

"Why should her word be law?"

I shook off his grip.

"Why do others receive blessings when they win, while I must surrender everything? Is this how you treat an Omega of this pack?"

"Watch your tongue, pup!"

Draven Duskthorn, the matriarch's mate, slammed his fist against the table.

"You bring ill omens to the Moonbite Feast!"

"Am I the one bringing ill omens?"

I let out a bitter laugh.

"Or is it the one who changed the rite specifically for me?"

Morwenna's face turned ashen with fury.

Vesper rolled her eyes with a sneer.

"Sister-by-mating, are you really so attached to your hoard? We're pack. There's no need to be so possessive."

"If you're not possessive, then you pay it!"

I rose to my feet.

"I reject this honor. Give it to whoever wants it."

"Stay where you are!"

Morwenna stood as well.

"Once the rite is declared, it cannot be undone! The Moonbite Feast token is a tradition passed down through generations of our bloodline. Do you dare break pack law?"

"Did our ancestors decree that a junior pack member must surrender one hundred resource shares to the entire family?"

I gathered my five-year-old pup, Liri, into my arms.

"Those ancestors certainly knew how to run a profitable pack."

Morwenna stood with her hands on her hips, seething, then turned to her son.

"Kael, are you going to control your mate or not!"

Kael hurried to stand and pull me back.

"Lyra, stop making a scene. It's the sacred feast night..."

"Am I the one making a scene?"

I stared into his eyes.

"I told only you about the Moonblessing. No one else."

His gaze shifted away, unable to meet mine.

In that moment, everything became clear.

"Your shares are just sitting there anyway."

Kael lowered his voice.

"Sharing with the pack lets everyone partake in your good fortune."

I glared at him.

"Did you ever consider that we might face a wasting sickness, or some urgent need? That we should keep reserves for protection?"

Morwenna immediately spat twice in superstitious dismissal.

"Speaking of such dark things during the sacred feast—how dare you."

"The truth is, you're simply selfish!"

"Yes, I'm selfish."

I nodded.

"And selfish wolves don't deserve to share a feast with your pack. I'm leaving."