Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Ayla’s POV

The air in the room went still as I stared at my father’s lifeless body, an unreadable expression on my face. I refused to cry. I refused to give the pack the satisfaction of seeing me vulnerable—like they had always called me.

Worthless. Weak. Disgrace.

“He is gone my lady. My condolences.” The pack’s healer, Kira, said. I shut my eyes, trying to fight off every emotion coming into play. I am all alone now. No family, no one.

“Ayla” I turned around to see my best friend, Elena entering the room.

“Lena,” I murmured, sighing deeply.

“I am sorry. I am so sorry for your loss, am here for you.” She said, patting my back. The pack hated me because I was wolfless, they called me weak, a disgrace. They only tolerated me because I was the late Alpha’s daughter.

“My lady, the council elder requests your presence in the grand hall” a maid announced.

“Let me come with you, okay?” Elena said, smiling at me.

“Never mind Lena. I’ll go alone.” I responded and lifted myself from the seat. Taking one last look at my father’s lifeless body, I walked out of the room, heading to the grand hall. The council elder was already there waiting, his expression shifting to a stern one the moment I entered the hall.

“Lady Ayla, now that such fate has befallen us, we have to accept it. But we cannot be without a leader.” His voice boomed in the hall.

My brows shot up in surprise, “my father already named me heir, do you intend to forfeit that?”

“You are wolfless. You cannot lead the pack” he snapped, “I am not trying to take your throne from you, but there is a way.”

“What way?” I asked, my chest burning with rage.

“Find your mate. Or forfeit your birthright.” The words felt heavy like rocks.

I let out a light scoff. Find my mate? Without a wolf, I couldn’t scent him. “You know pretty much that I am wolfless. So how do I find my mate?” I asked.

“He will find you my lady.” He responded, a smile playing on his lips. I clenched my fists by my side. Now my parents are gone, they are trying to make things difficult for me. I walked out of the hall, hands gripping my grey silk gown.

“Ayla, are you okay?” I was surprised to see Elena outside the hall waiting, I clearly told her not to come.

“I’m fine, Lena. You can go back now, I need some time alone” I smiled at her.

“Alright, I’ll check on you later.” She squeezed my shoulders lightly and smiled back. I nodded and walked away, completely blind to the sharp, cruel twist of her lips as she watched me walk away. I returned to my room, slammed the heavy doors shut, dragged my feet to my bed, throwing myself on it. The Knot in my chest getting tighter.

With a numb sigh, I closed my eyes, falling asleep.

When I woke up, it was already morning. I slowly rose from the bed and walked into the bathroom. I stayed in the shower for a while then wrapped a towel around my body and walked back to my room. Staring at my reflection in the mirror, I gave a weak smile. The person staring back at me looked different. I pray the moon goddess gives me a good mate. Someone who will love and care for me. I changed into a plain dress and walked to the dining room. The mansion was eerily quiet.

Getting to the dining room, the table was empty. This has never happened before, I turned around and walked to the kitchen, pushed the door open and walked in. The servants paused the moment I stepped in, a look of disgust and hatred filled their faces.

“Loosing both parents in six months, she’s definitely cursed.” One murmured.

“To think she doesn’t have a wolf, yet she wants to lead us. How pathetic.” Another murmured.

“I pray she doesn’t find her mate, so she gets kicked out of this pack. Her presence alone irritates me.”

I stood rooted to the spot as I listened to them. My hands gripped my gown, squeezing softly. I cleared my throat and walked deeper into the kitchen, “I noticed there’s no food on the table” I said to them.

Silence. Nobody responded. I walked deeper into the kitchen, my shoes clinking sharply against the tile floor. I asked again, “why is the table empty?”

“We are still preparing breakfast, Lady Ayla. It will take a while” one of them explained. I scoffed. knowing pretty well they were doing this on purpose. But I won’t starve because of them, this is my house. I walked over, taking out plates, a tray and spoon. I served myself some food and walked away. The sound of their laughter rumbling behind me echoed in the hallway as I walked farther away from the kitchen.

I wanted to be alone so I went back to my room and ate breakfast. Afterwards, I waited for the tutor to come. He did few moments later, I opened the door and let him in.

“Ayla. How have you been? I’m so sorry for your loss. I know how sad you must feel.” He said, his face filled with emotions.

“Thank you, Victor. I’m fine” I responded giving him a weak smile.

“How about we skip teachings for now? Give you some time to grieve.” He suggested but I insisted,

“No. I’ll be leader once I find my mate, I still have a lot to learn. I know one day I’ll get my wolf, I just don’t know when.” I responded.

“It’s fine. Just don’t force anything. The goddess sees everything and she is aware of your situation now. Do not worry, everything will fall into place soon.” He assured me.

The lesson went surprisingly well; he made a few funny jokes that actually managed to make me laugh before he left. But the moment he walked out, I was alone again. Feeling restless, I got up from my bed and decided to go for a walk in the woods. Stepping out of the mansion, I could feel eyes on me, like I was being watched. But I had no interest in whatever it was.

When I reached the woods, I sat down in front of a rushing stream. Kicking off my shoes, I dipped my feet into the water. It was freezing but just exactly what I needed. I looked up, the ice cold water not registering to my skin because my mind is so disturbed. Then I lay back on the grass, letting my thoughts take over.

I stayed in the woods until it was getting dark. When I finally returned to the mansion, I found Elena pacing in front of my room door. “Lena? What’s wrong?” I asked the moment I got closer.

“Ayla I’m sorry, but it’s best if you hear it yourself.” she said softly. “Elder Vagner requests to see you.”

I blinked. What could possibly be the problem? I followed her down the grand hall, where he was already waiting.

“Elder Vagner, you asked to see me.” I said, my voice firm and unwavering.

He turned around, his hands crossed firmly behind him, face void of emotions. “Lady Ayla, I’ve come to tell you that preparations for your father’s Returning have been concluded. It will take place tomorrow.”

I blinked rapidly, trying to process what I’d just heard. “what do you mean, Elder? The Returning should be held three months from now, why would you schedule it just two days after the death of my father?” I asked. Anger surging through me.

“I am sorry, Lady Ayla. But the earlier we get through with it, the better” He stated plainly. I stared at him as my brows shot up in disbelief.

“Ayla, just let them do it, okay? I’d advise you don’t go against the elder until you have ascended as Alpha. For now, just endure.” Elena said, patting my shoulder.

As much as I hate to admit it, I feel she is right. I have no power yet, I just have to wait until I find my mate. “Fine. I’ll go and prepare, Elder Vagner” I turned on my heels and stomped out of the hall, ignoring the calls from Elena.

I decided to take a walk in the hallway, calm the rage pooling in my mind. This has never happened before in the history of the shadow blade pack. They even made preparations for it without my consent, what happened to the rules?

I walked for a while but stopped dead in my tracks when I noticed something looming ahead—a shadow with a knife in its grasp, taking slow, foggy steps toward me.

“Who are you?”

My breath caught in my throat as I backed away, my spine hitting the cold stone wall. The blade gleamed in the dim light as the shadow lunged forward.