Chapter 2

Zach: But why? If a wolf is pitiful enough to take an interest in a poor, hideous little thing like you, why wouldn't you want that?

Amelia: Why?!? There is no way I’m going to let myself be belittled, humiliated, and hurt by a wolf the way you’ve been doing for years.

Without another word, I left the kitchen, leaving them laughing at my exit.

Alex: If you leave now, don’t ever set foot in the pack again. We’re being named Alphas tonight, and we don’t want you here anymore. Enjoy your last day here, you hideous freak!

So, I headed to school—stomach empty, soul battered, and a red mark circling my mangled neck. When I arrived, an unpleasant surprise was waiting for me: Amy-Lea, the head of the twins' fan club.

Amy-Lea: Hey, you hideous freak—come here.

I tried to walk straight past her, but a wave of dizziness hit me, forcing me to stop. She seized the moment to shove me down. I landed on my knees and had to stifle a groan of pain. I would never give her that satisfaction. And I certainly wouldn't let her see my tears, which I bravely held back.

Amy-Lea: Are you deaf, you dirty slut? You think I don’t know what you’re up to? Well, I’m onto you!

Amelia: What are you talking about?

Amy-Lea: I know you spread your legs for them. You think I don’t know? Think again. That won’t make you their mate—just the pack’s slut.

Amelia: You’re wrong, Amy-Lea. I…

She wound up and slapped me. Students had gathered around us to watch the altercation. They cheered and chanted in unison:

Students: "The ugly one’s a whore, the ugly one’s a whore."

I stood up and glared at them, but I held my tongue. Tomorrow I would be able to turn into a wolf; tomorrow I could run away.

I headed to class. That morning, I started with math—my favorite subject. The teacher had planned a surprise test. It didn’t worry me; for me, calculations were as easy as breathing. In fact, I got the highest grade in the class, which drew fresh mockery from the other students.

Students: "Hey, Ugly, do you spread your legs for the teacher too?"

Or even:

Students: "Hey, Ugly, you’ve got white cream on the corner of your lips."

But I was used to being treated this way. The twins, on their own, were worse than the entire school put together. Besides, why would the other students respect me when the twins—Alpha Logan and Luna Anne—didn't?

The next class was cooking. I was looking forward to it because I’d finally be able to get a bite to eat. Today, we were learning to make butter chicken. The recipe was simple: sauté the chicken in butter with vegetables and spices, add cream, and serve. I noticed the other students stealing glances at me, waiting for something to happen. I took a bite and immediately spat it out. They had loaded my dish with salt while my back was turned. So, I couldn't eat.

In the afternoon, I had a class on pack history and beliefs. It was a long session that lasted the entire afternoon. After school, I returned to the Alpha’s estate; I had to hurry to cook dinner, then do my homework and try to get some sleep before heading into the woods for my first transformation. My stomach was twisting with hunger, but since I wasn't alone in the kitchen while preparing the meal, I couldn't sneak a bite.

Dinner was a pot roast with potatoes and vegetables; once everything was in the oven, I’d be able to go to my room. I doubted I’d actually sleep, but I set an alarm just in case. The last thing I needed was to transform inside the house and smash everything in my path.

When the alarm finally went off, I was surprised to find I’d actually managed to sleep. I got up, feeling jittery, and quietly slipped out of my room. I was used to moving silently; my room was sandwiched between the twins', and I didn't want to wake them and give them another reason to torment me.

I stepped out of the house and headed toward the woods behind the property, where I knew there was a clearing. The night air felt cool against my burning skin, and I shivered involuntarily. It was May, and nights could still be chilly, but once I reached the clearing, I stripped off my clothes to keep them safe. Just as I finished, a sudden wave of pain hit me, forcing me to my knees. I barely stifled a scream as my bones snapped all at once, and I felt my limbs lengthening and reshaping. My breathing came in ragged gasps, but I held on. Then, a strange warmth swelled within me; my vision sharpened, as if I could now focus my gaze on a single point. My sense of smell grew keener, too; I could now detect the scent of the earth and the surrounding forest. I could also hear the surrounding animals—from the tiny mouse to the curious deer that had come to witness my transformation.

I looked down at the ground and saw my paws; I had transformed. I took a hesitant step on my new legs and fell onto my side. I picked myself up and tried again—successfully this time—moving slowly at first, then faster and faster until I was running. The sense of freedom I felt was so immense that I howled with joy. I headed toward the lake, wanting to see myself. I glanced into the dark water and discovered that my fur was a brilliant, pure white.

I had never heard of a white wolf; I would have to look into that—if I could manage to get my hands on a book while on the run. But it didn't matter; the transition was complete. I returned to the clearing to shift back into human form and get dressed.

Once I had transformed back, I was surprised to find that my senses remained heightened. Living among all those wolves and their scents would likely be trying; I would have to get used to it. They would surely notice that my own scent had changed now that I had made the shift, but that didn't matter. The twins wanted to banish me anyway, so why worry about it?

I headed toward my room and froze in front of the door. Good heavens—that powerful, intoxicating scent wafting from the twins' rooms... it was calling to me even more strongly than usual. I could feel my wolf clawing at me from within, begging me to go and nuzzle into that intoxicating, sweet, soft, velvety, fruity scent.

Amelia: Oh no, Moon Goddess. Why do they smell even better?