Alpha Marcus came closer. He sniffed the air near me. I knew what he was doing. Wolves could smell things about other wolves. She smelled like fear. And blood. And something else. His eyes narrowed. She shifted recently. Very recently.
Yes, Daniel said. She shifted for the first time tonight. While running from the traffickers.
First time? Luna Elena looked surprised. But you look eighteen. Maybe nineteen. Most wolves shift at thirteen or fourteen.
I kept looking at the floor. I was told I had no wolf. My pack said I was wolfless. They threw me out because of it.
Which pack? Alpha Marcus asked.
I hesitated. Silver Moon Pack.
Alpha Marcus and Luna Elena looked at each other. Something passed between them. A silent conversation.
Alpha Derek's pack, Alpha Marcus said slowly. I know him. He is not a kind Alpha. He believes only in strength and power.
My mother said I brought shame, I said quietly. So she told everyone I went abroad to study. But really, she sold me. To bad men. Men who locked up girls and sold them.
Luna Elena made a small sound. Like she was in pain. She pulled me into a hug. I was surprised. Nobody had hugged me like that. Like they cared. Like they really cared.
You are safe now, she whispered in my ear. Nobody will hurt you here.
Tears came to my eyes. I didn't want to cry in front of the Alpha. But I couldn't stop.
Alpha Marcus watched us. His face was hard to read. Finally, he spoke. What color is your wolf?
I looked up at him. White.
The room became very quiet. Everyone stared at me.
White? Luna Elena pulled back to look at my face. Are you sure?
Yes. When I shifted, my fur was white. The men said white wolves are rare. They wanted to catch me and sell me.
Alpha Marcus and Daniel looked at each other. Something serious passed between them.
A white wolf, Alpha Marcus said slowly. I have only heard stories. Legends. White wolves are blessed by the Moon Goddess herself. They are born once in a hundred years.
What does that mean? I asked. I was confused.
Luna Elena smiled. It means you are very special, dear. Very special indeed.
But I didn't feel special. I felt scared. Will people try to take me?
Not here, Alpha Marcus said firmly. In my pack, you are protected. Anyone who tries to harm you will answer to me. He looked at Daniel. She stays. Give her a room in the pack house. Make sure she has everything she needs.
Thank you, Alpha, Daniel said. He bowed his head.
Thank you, I whispered. New tears came. But these were different tears. Happy tears.
Luna Elena wiped my face gently. Come, child. Let me show you to your room. You must be very tired.
She took my hand and led me up the stairs. The stairs were wide. Clean. Pictures hung on the walls. Pictures of wolves. Of families. Of happy people.
We reached the second floor. Luna Elena opened a door. Inside was a bedroom. It was beautiful. A big bed with soft blankets. A window with curtains. A small table and chair. A door that led to a bathroom.
This is your room now, Luna Elena said. Tomorrow, we will get you clothes. Food. Whatever you need.
I walked inside slowly. I touched the bed. It was soft. So soft. I had not slept on a bed like that for a very long time.
Thank you, I said. My voice broke. Thank you so much.
Luna Elena smiled. Rest now. Tomorrow is a new day. A new beginning. She turned to leave, then stopped. Oh, one more thing. What is your name, dear?
Ariana. My name is Ariana.
Beautiful name. Goodnight, Ariana. Welcome to Dawn's Light Pack.
She closed the door gently. I was alone now. But not the bad alone. The good alone. The safe alone.
I walked to the window. I looked out at the pack. I saw small houses. Lights. Trees. The moon above everything.
My wolf stirred inside me. She was happy. Content.
We are home, she seemed to say.
Are we? I whispered. Can this really be home?
Only time would tell.
I climbed into the bed. The blankets were warm. Soft. They smelled clean. Like flowers.
For the first time in many days, I closed my eyes without fear. Without pain. I slept deep. I slept safe.
Someone knocked on my door. Soft knocks. Gentle.
Ariana? Are you awake?
It was Luna Elena's voice.
Yes, I said. I sat up in bed. Sunlight came through the window. It was morning already.
The door opened. Luna Elena came in. She carried clothes. A tray of food.
Good morning, dear. I brought you breakfast. And some clothes. They were mine, so they might be a little big. But later that day, we would go shopping for my own things.
She set the tray on the small table. Eggs. Bread. Juice. Fruit. So much food. My stomach made a sound. I was very hungry.
Eat first, Luna Elena said with a kind smile. Then get dressed. Some pack members wanted to meet me.
Meet me? Fear touched my heart. Why?
Because I was new. And because news traveled fast in a pack. Everyone heard about the white wolf girl. She saw my scared face. Don't worry. They were just curious. Not mean. She would be with me the whole time.
I nodded slowly. Okay.
Luna Elena left. I ate the food quickly. It was delicious. The best food I had tasted in so long. When I finished, I put on the clothes Luna gave me. A simple blue dress. It was a little big, but comfortable. Soft.
I looked in the mirror. I looked different. Cleaner. My hair was messy, but Luna Elena left a brush. I brushed it until it was smooth.
When I was ready, I went downstairs. Luna Elena was waiting. Daniel was there too. He smiled when he saw me.
You look better, he said. Did you sleep well?
Yes. Very well. Thank you.
Come, Luna Elena said. Let me show you around the pack.
We went outside. The sun was bright. Warm. I could see the pack clearly now. Many houses in rows. Children playing in the street. Women talking. Men working. Everyone looked happy. Peaceful.
Some people saw us and stopped. They stared at me. Whispered to each other. I felt nervous. Very nervous.
That was her, I heard someone say. The white wolf.
She was so young. So small.
I heard she was wolfless until yesterday.
How was that possible?
Luna Elena squeezed my hand. Ignore them. They were just curious.
We walked through the pack. Luna Elena showed me everything. The school. The training grounds where wolves practiced fighting. The medical clinic where Daniel worked. The market where people bought food and clothes.
Everyone watched me. Some smiled. Some just stared. Nobody was mean, but I felt like I didn't belong. Like I was different.