Chapter 1 A win-win

EDWIN'S POV

I was so close to perfecting the shielding charm, when a familiar voice distracted me.

"Edwin."

The voice cut through my concentration like a blade through silk. I startled, nearly knocking over the precious vial of dew, and spun toward the door that I knew I had locked. My heart hammered against my ribs, the omega in me screaming to submit, to lower my gaze. But I was more than that now. I was more than the trembling boy I had been thirteen years ago.

Alpha Joshua stood in my doorway, his massive frame filling the space with an authority that made the very air seem to bow. His dark hair was streaked with silver at the temples, evidence of the years that had passed since he'd found me bleeding in the forest. His eyes, the color of storm clouds, swept across my cottage with the practiced assessment of a man who had conquered nations.

I dropped to one knee, pressing my fist to my chest in the formal gesture of fealty. "Alpha. I was not expecting you."

He stepped inside and walked toward my worktable, studying the arrangement of my spell components with an expression I couldn't quite read. "Your craftsmanship has only improved."

The compliment warmed something in my chest, though I kept my eyes down. "Thank you, Alpha."

"Your contribution to the defeat of the Ironclaw Pack was noted," he continued, circling my table with deliberate slowness. "The barrier you erected around our troops saved countless lives. I received word from the front lines that the enemy's best mages couldn't find a single crack in your work."

I allowed myself a small smile. "They weren't looking in the right places."

Joshua stopped beside me, close enough that I could smell the pine and leather that clung to his clothes. The scent of power. The scent of the man who had given me a second chance at life.

Thirteen years ago, when the Hybrid clans were wiped out, 7 year old me was the only one who managed to survive. I was injured and bleeding in the forest for days until Alpha Joshua found me.

He wanted to kill me immediately when he found out I was a Hybrid, a mixture of a wizard and an Omega wolf. Hybrid and pure wolves have never been on good terms, so it was understandable.

I had to beg for my life and vowed to use my abilities to serve him for the rest of my life. Since then I had been hiding in that cottage, practicing my spells with his people protecting me.

“You have been doing a great job so far but now I need your help for the most important mission,” He continued, “If this mission is successful, I will set you free, so you can find the people who wiped out your clan.”

Freedom? Was that really something I would ever have? What mission could be worth him letting me go?

I lifted my gaze to meet his. It was a bold move for an omega, especially in the presence of an Alpha of his standing, but Joshua had never punished me for my occasional impertinence.

"The Darkwood Pack," he said, and the name hung in the air like poison.

The Darkwood Pack. The most powerful pack on the continent, their territory vast and fortified by magic that had been woven over centuries.

The twin Alphas, Devon and Desmond, were born with a legendary bond so strong that it built a protective shield around their lands that had repelled every attack, every infiltration attempt, every diplomatic maneuver that had tried to weaken them.

They were the Shadow Moon Pack's greatest rival.

I swallowed hard. “The method I used with the other packs won't work on the Darkwood pack. My ability can't break through the shield that the twins' bond has created. It's not just magic; it's a fundamental connection between two souls. The shield is a reflection of their unity."

“I know that.” Joshua's jaw tightened. "That's why I want to suggest another way.”

“What way?"

"The twins' bond is their greatest strength. It's also their greatest weakness. If they were to hate each other truly, deeply hate each other, the bond would shatter. And without the bond to reinforce the shield, the Darkwood Pack's defenses would crumble."

I raised my eyebrows in confusion. "Are you thinking about turning the brothers against each other? That's impossible. They're legendary for their loyalty to one another."

"It's not impossible, just difficult, " He smirked at me. “But it won't be so difficult for an Omega that is beautiful and alluring.”

“What are you insinuating?” I blinked.

He grabbed my hands and lifted me up. “Did you think your wizard power was the only reason I saved you?” He leaned closer and whispered into my ears. “I have never seen an Omega who is so beautiful and smells this amazing. You are definitely one of a kind and I knew it would come in handy one day.”

My fist clenched beside me. “You want me to go to the Darkwood Pack, seduce the twins and turn them against each other?”

“Exactly.” He stepped back and smiled at me. “I can't think of anybody better for the job. You can also use your wizard skills to protect yourself.”

I shook my head in fear. “What if I get caught? The Alpha Twins won't hesitate to kill me and hang my head on the border. As much as I want my freedom, I'm not going to risk going against the Alpha twins for it.”

‘Getting our freedom would be worth it, don't you think?’ Dave, my wolf said in my head but I shut him out.

He had always wanted to break free from Alpha Joshua and live a normal life. But I knew our lives would never be normal as the only Hybrid alive

Alpha Joshua gave me a bored look as he shoved his head in his pocket. “I didn't want to tell you this before because I wanted you to figure it out yourself.”

I raised my eyebrows at him.

“The Darkwood Pack have always been after the Hybrid pack and have been threatening them to submit to them out of fear that they would grow stronger and out of control,” he continued.

“Are you trying to say…”

“Darkwood Pack might be responsible for your clan massacre.”

I froze.

“This is an opportunity to get your revenge and get your freedom at the same time.” He smirked. “It's a win-win for both of us.”