Chapter 1

“Help!” I heard a voice scream from one of the rooms. A fire broke out, and ashes from the smoke entered into our nostrils. It engulfed the training room, the heat was intense to make my eyes water. The girls hurried out of the room, trying to run for their lives.

Our instructor, Jada, gave me a quick glance before running in the direction that the scream was heard.

“Sophia!” Some of the girls screamed. Sophia struggled hard to get out of the room, but it seemed impossible. Her dress was entangled with the wood.

“Help!” She screamed once again, her eyes watering as she found it hard to control the flames.

Jada paced around the corridors restlessly, trying hard to save one of her students.

“Quick! Call the guards!” Jada, who was the oldest among us, instructed a maid. The maid arrived a few minutes later with men following behind her. They splashed drums of water over the fire until it subsided.

Sophia rushed to Jada, hugging her tightly and sobbing.

“This was the first time. I couldn't control it.” Sophia said as she buried her head in Jada's arms.

The girls who were in a state of panic were now calm as the fire had been put off.

“It's okay. You got the fire skill, that's impressive.” Jada said to her with a soft smile on her face, making her look like a proud teacher. Of course, she was proud that one of her students had finally unlocked her ability.

I am Maria, a werewolf in the Veilwood pack. Our pack is known for the wearing of veils among the females of the pack. The rules were simple, don't go out without your veil. We believed that we were prey to some evil that lurked outside. Ever since the sudden disappearance of young females in the pack, the alpha established the rule. The rule was vague, but Jada told us that it was for our benefit.

Also, all females were believed to be blessed with a special ability by the moon goddess. Most of my mates unlocked theirs when they turned eighteen. Sophia had the fire skill and she found it just today. She's only 19 years old.

Unlike me, I'll be turning 21 in a few days, but despite my training, I lacked any special skill of my own. I only had my werewolf abilities and nothing else.

Alpha Reynolds, my father and alpha of the pack walked into the room. The chattering among the girls decreased, and Jada bowed her head slightly.

“My Alpha.” We all greeted with our heads slightly lowered. Most of us knew why he was here. The news of a pack member unlocking her skill must have gotten to him.

“I congratulate each and every one of you that have dedicated your time by training.” He said as he stood in the center of the room.

He turned to his guard who followed behind him and ordered him to bring in an item.

Sophia's face had a broad smile, her eyes glistened as she watched the alpha put the bead over her neck. It was a symbol of honour, given to any female who had unlocked her abilities.

“Thank you my alpha.” Sophia curtsied as her fingers played with the necklace.

“A proper ceremony would be held to celebrate those that have reached this level.” Reynolds announced. He turned towards Sophia before making the last announcement. “From now, you're free to join the rest of the pack in the hunt.”

Sophia jumped up excitedly, filled with happiness at the Alpha's announcement. My father exited the room after making the announcement. But before he left, his eyes locked with mine. I knew that look, it was his look of contempt towards me. Aside from being a late bloomer that had my wolf at 20, I had also not unlocked any special abilities.

I watched him leave, hoping that I could make him proud like the alpha's daughter that I was. I turned to Sophia, the younger girls surrounded her. I was the oldest in the room. All the girls that I started training with had unlocked their abilities, leaving me to my fate.

I felt a bit jealous as I stared at Sophia, wondering if I wasn't training hard enough. She has a rare ability. I tore my gaze away from her, trying not to become a villain from being jealous.

Suddenly, I felt a hand pulling the veil on my face.

“You should wear your veil properly.” She sneered, dragging the fabric off my face and throwing it on the floor.

“Sasha, leave me alone!” I bent down, trying to pick the fabric on the floor.

Before I could reach it, another girl kicked my hand, causing me to fall flat on the floor.

“Show some respect, weakling!” The girl who kicked me mocked. Even through her veil, I could see who she was. She was one of Sasha's minions. Sasha was my half-sister. Her parents were late and my parents adopted her. She never failed to make a jest of me.

I struggled to get up from the floor, wiping the dust off my dress. I clenched my fists at my sides. I was angry and in pain.

A circle formed around us. The girls were eager to watch us fight.

“I'm not going to fight with you.” I muttered as I picked my veil from the floor.

“How can you? You're just a weak thing!” She snickered, coming closer to me and pushing me to the wall. I knew what she was trying to do. She wanted to put up a fight with me so my parents could have a reason to discipline me for hitting my younger sister.

“Girls, stop it. Sasha, you should never try to insult your elder sister. Apologize immediately.” Jada said as she came to the scene. The crowd that gathered to watch us fight dispersed.

“Sorry.” Sasha snapped in a curt manner before walking away.

Tears pricked at the corner of my eyes. “I don't know what's wrong with me.” I lamented as I struggled to hold the tears back.

“It's okay. Some people are slow in getting their abilities.” Jada tried to comfort me. She was a young woman, probably in her thirties, but still agile enough to teach us.

“But my father thinks I'm a mess.”

“He doesn't. He just wants the best for you.” Jada said.

I sniffed in the tears. “I'm going to train harder, I can't let them keep making fun of me.”

“That's the spirit.” She said, patting my back gently.

I swore to myself that if I got the fire skill, I might just burn all the hair off Sasha's head.

Only I and Jada were in the room. I made up my mind to stay back and receive extra lessons.

“What's this predator that's taking females from the pack? This veil feels itchy. I'm sick of wearing it.” I complained, tugging at the veil on my face.

Jada looked at me without saying anything. This was the umpteenth time I had asked her the specific reason behind the rules, yet she offered no answer.

The doorknob twisted and my father and mother walked inside the room. His hand was clasped behind his back while my mother's hand was occupied with clothes.

“My alpha and Luna” She bowed her head as she saw my parents walk into the study room.

“Maria, I was wondering which of these fabrics you would prefer.” Laura, my mom lifted the clothings for me to see, ignoring Jada's greetings. One of them was a velvet material with gold embroidery. The other was green with a blue design.

My eyes widened in surprise. I turned to Jada, then to my parents, before returning my gaze to the fabrics.

“But these are marriage attire.” I said confused, wondering why my mother had decided to pick them instead of normal clothes.

“You're getting married.” My father announced, his expression was stoic as usual.