Romilda walked the decorated courtyard, heart pounding with nervous excitement.
Tonight was the Full Moon Awakening for the Blackthorn Pack, the night every sixteen-year-old finally showed their wolf to their pack.
She kept her head lowered, hoping to blend into the shimmering sea of silk and jewels around her. Her faded hand-me-down dress felt like a mistake here.
Suddenly.
Thud.
She collided with a solid chest. Her breath hitched as she looked up.
Martin.
The future Alpha. The one who always gave her… a reason to breathe.
"Oh...I'm sorry!" she rushed out.
He smiled softly, warm brown eyes gentle.
"It's alright, Romilda. Really."
Her heart fluttered madly.
Martin gave her one last lingering look then turned and walked away.
Her moment of warmth vanished with him.
"Look at her," Lisa sneered as she approached with her pack of shadows behind her. "Still chasing after Alpha blood like a stray dog."
Romilda flinched.
"And that dress…" Lisa laughed cruelly. "Your wolf will probably be as ugly and worthless as you."
Priscilla, Romilda's mother, intervened immediately. "That's enough, Lisa."
Lisa smirked. "Like mother, like daughter. Weakness runs in the family."
The girls strutted away, laughter trailing like poison.
Romilda's throat ached, why did words always hurt worse than claws?
Priscilla cupped her face gently.
"You are stronger than you know. The Moon Goddess does not create mistakes. Your wolf will come. And she will be powerful."
Romilda's chest swelled with relief. A smile, fragile but real, broke through her tears.
"Thank you, Mom," she whispered, voice trembling.
Priscilla squeezed her hand, warmth grounding her.
"Hold onto that hope and show them tonight, Romilda."
The moon climbed higher.
Wolves howled in celebration as the first transformation began.
Male werewolves went first, and then it was Martin's turn he was a dark furred werewolf, massive, powerful and glorious, Wolves bowed to him out of instinct.
And then it was time for the girls, who revealed their beautiful wolf including Lisa, she was a red furred wolf gleaming under moonlight.
Cheers.
Romilda swallowed the lump forming in her throat.
Her turn.
She stepped into the sacred circle, trying hard to breathed.
She waited.
The wind grew cold.
Minutes passed… then more.
Whispers sharpened into laughter.
"No wolf?"
"She's broken!"
"Cursed!"
Romilda's knees shook. Tears blurred her vision. The humiliation drowned her like icy water.
She ran as fast as she could.
Before they could see her shatter completely.
Martin took two urgent steps toward the forest, heart pounding with panic and instinct.
He needed her.
His wolf clawed inside his chest, screaming her name, but a strong hand slammed around his arm, yanking him still, it was his father.
"Why," Alpha Luther growled, "are you running after that pathetic Omega?"
Martin tried to pull free, breath shaking.
"Because..." he swallowed hard, "Romilda is my mate."
The Alpha's eyes widened for a fraction of a second and then hardened to steel.
"No."
His voice cracked like a whip.
"You are the future Alpha. You will NOT bond yourself to dead weight."
"But I..."
"You will reject her," Luther growled into his ear. "Choose her, and you lose the Alpha crown."
Without waiting for a response, he strode off.
Martin's entire body trembled.
His wolf howled in agony.
His heart ripped in two.
He looked at the trees where Romilda disappeared and then at his father.
The choice wasn't a choice at all and Martin knew that whatever he decided next would destroy one of them.
Deep in the forest, Romilda collapsed to her knees, sobbing into the dirt.
"What is wrong with me?"
Her chest cracked open with a silent scream.
Light burst through her skin,it was wild, furious and unstoppable.
The ground shook.
Trees bent.
The moon dimmed.
Before darkness swallowed her, a pair of glowing red eyes stared from the trees… watching.
A girl stood before her, tall, confident, and braver than Romilda had ever felt. Her features mirrored Romilda's, yet her posture, her gaze, radiated strength and fearlessness.
Romilda's voice trembled. "Who… who are you?"
The girl's lips curved into a knowing smile.
"I am the part of you you never knew," she said softly. "The part you buried in fear… the splash of courage you didn't know existed."
Romilda reached out instinctively. But before she could touch her, a splash of cold water rained down on her head, jolting her upright.
She gasped, coughing. The dream melted away. The forest around her solidified and the dirt under her knees, the trees swaying gently, it was daytime already.
Her heart pounded as memories of the night came flooding back, the humiliating ceremony, the pack's laughter, her surge of magic. She pressed her palms to the ground, grounding herself.
Somehow… she felt different. Stronger. The girl's words echoed in her mind: the part of you you never knew.
Romilda lifted her head, her chest still heaving, and whispered to herself,
"I will find her… that part of me… and I won't be afraid anymore."
Romilda trudged home under the pale morning sun, her heart still pounding from the night's humiliation. Her mind replayed every cruel laugh, every mocking whisper. She just wanted space.
As soon as she entered the house, Priscilla's eyes found her immediately, wide with concern.
"Romilda! Where have you been? I was starting to worry," her mother exclaimed, hurrying toward her.
"I… I just needed some space, Mom," Romilda muttered, lowering her gaze.
Priscilla cupped her daughter's face gently, her thumb brushing away a tear. "I'm so sorry about last night. I don't care what anyone else thinks. I know you have a wolf, Romilda… no matter what they say."
Romilda blinked, a fragile smile breaking through her sorrow. "Thank you, Mom," she whispered. The words warmed her like sunlight.
Her mother smiled softly, standing and brushing hair from Romilda's cheeks. "Come, I made your favorite. Eat something, regain your strength."
Romilda followed her to the kitchen, where a tray of warm cinnamon-glazed pastries awaited her. The aroma filled the room, and she felt a small flicker of relief. She took a bite, savoring the sweetness as a balm to her raw nerves.
"Thank you, Mom," she murmured again, letting herself be comforted.
Priscilla nodded, sitting beside her. "I worry about you, but you're strong. And whatever happens, remember: your wolf will come. I know it."
Suddenly, footsteps echoed from the street outside. Before they could react, two of the Alpha's guards appeared in the doorway, faces serious.
"Romilda Nightshade," one said, bowing slightly. "Alpha Martin requests your presence."
"Why.." Romilda inquired curiously.
"He did not provide a reason but insists it is urgent."
Romilda froze, fork in hand. Her mother's eyes widened with concern.
"Martin…?" she whispered, a mixture of dread and anticipation tightening her chest.
"Yes," Priscilla said softly, standing. "We'll go together,"
"It's only Romilda he requested to see,"
"Don't worry mom, I'll come just on time, don't forget to save my pastries, " Romilda said following the Guardsto the Alpha's house in curiosity.
Whatever awaited her, she hope that her life is not about to shift again.