Chapter 0005

"Please help me," I begged,  sending my desperate plea out into the pack link. "Someone, anyone, help me."

But there was no reply, no sudden rescue, no last-minute miracle. Just the sterile walls of the operating room, the unnerving hum of the overhead lights, and the feeling of impending doom settling deep within my bones.

This was it. They were going to separate us. They were going to take my wolf from me.

I thrashed against my invisible bonds, bile and fury rising in my throat, but it was useless. I could only lie there, frozen in place, and watch in horror as they approached, tools glinting, ready to rip my wolf from my soul.

“Goodbye Kailani,” my wolf whispered. 

The agony was unimaginable as if I were being torn apart from the inside out. A silent scream rang through my mind, full of anguish and despair. My wolf. They were taking my wolf.

The pain was nothing like I had ever felt better. It felt as if my entire body was on fire. I couldn't breathe, couldn't think, and was lost in a haze of torment as my wolf shrieked and struggled against the invasive grasp clawing at our bond.

And then, abruptly, the pain vanished. The fire gutted me out, leaving me limp and gasping. An icy numbness flooded my senses, and I barely had the strength to breathe.

I felt empty, as if my insides had been ripped out of my body.

Again, I pleaded for anyone to have pity on me and help me, but no words came out, and the darkness consumed me again.

I awoke with a pounding headache, uncertainty lingering about how long I had been unconscious. I desperately called for my wolf but there was only silence. They had succeeded in taking my wolf. I lay haphazardly on my bed as if someone has carried me to my room and thrown me onto the bed. 

There was a knock on the door and Margaret entered. She quickly closed door the behind her and rushed to me. “Miss Kailani, what happened to you?” Margaret asked. She held me in her arms as I finally cried. I sobbed and unleashed all of the pent up pain that my family had caused me over the years until there was nothing left.

Margaret used a handkerchief to wipe her face. She looked guilty and said, “I heard you screaming but Alpha and Luna ordered everyone to not respond. I will stay with you today and take care of you.” 

“No,” I said, “I have to go to the announcement.” Today marked the impending announcement of Kim taking the place as alpha. I had to be there, but I could not be happy for her.

Margaret looked at me with pity, but said nothing. She helped me bathe and get dressed. On shaky legs, I stumbled toward the source of my father's laughter down the hall. Pausing outside the living room door, I steadied myself before pushing it open. My parents chatted animatedly with a stranger, their joy dissipating the moment they caught sight of me.

"Why are you here?" my father demanded sharply. “Go back to your room now!”

I flinched, arms hugging tightly around myself. Stripped of my wolf, I felt small and exposed beneath my parents' scrutinizing glares. Attempting to explain, I opened my mouth, but no words came out.

The stranger regarded me coldly. "It's time for you to go," he declared, gripping my arm firmly. His voice sounded familiar, but I didn’t know who he was. My parents gave him approving looks as he guided me out of the room.

Silently, I stumbled along, grief welling up in me.

As the man led me down the hall, Kim emerged from her room in an elegant gown, exuding radiance and beauty. My breath caught at the familiar scent clinging to my sister, now underscored with something new but familiar.

Kim's eyes met mine coldly as she swept past without a word. My heart constricted; my wolf was gone, yet her scent lingered on Kim's skin.

The man tightened his grip on my arm, noticing the exchange between us. "Don't even think about it," he growled. "I know what you did to her before. I won't let you hurt Kim again."

I finally recognized this man. He was Kim’s secret admirer Terry. I had not seen him in a while.

“Get your hands off me,” I managed to growl, but my voice trembled. 

Terry looked at me with an odd expression. I tried to protest again, but he cut me off. "We're not finished here," he declared, his smile cruel. "I'll make you pay for what you've done."

With that, he released my arm and strode after Kim, leaving me standing alone, clutching my bruised arm. I watched him depart, a solitary tear falling down my face.

Taking a deep, shuddering breath, I watched Terry disappear down the hall.

"His words can't hurt me anymore," I thought, squaring my shoulders. "He's always been Kim's protector, even when we were young. The pranks, the teasing - it was all for her. She allowed all of it."

Angry, I wiped the tear from my cheek. "I won't let him see my pain today."

I followed the others into the grand hall, slipping quietly into the back row of seats. The pack had gathered to celebrate Kim's inheritance ceremony.

At the front of the room, my parents stood proudly with Kim between them. My father's eyes shone with pride as he gazed at his favorite daughter.

"Today we celebrate an important milestone," he proclaimed, his voice resonating over the murmuring crowd. "My daughter Kim has perfectly matched with her wolf."

Applause erupted throughout the hall. My mother beamed, pulling Kim into a tight embrace.

"Let us welcome the future Alpha of our pack," my father continued, smiling gently at Kim.

More applause thundered as Kim stepped forward. Her body morphed and changed, elegant white fur sprouting across her skin. Moments later, a beautiful white wolf stood in her place - noble, powerful, yet retaining a softness in its intelligent eyes.

I watched silently, grief and envy warring in my heart. My breath caught in my throat as I gazed at the white wolf that had once been my own.

"Freya," I whispered, fresh tears springing to my eyes. How I missed the familiar presence of my wolf, the wordless bond we had shared. Seeing Freya's form before me, yet feeling that connection severed, was almost too much to bear.

I reflected on all the times Freya had comforted me—the late-night chats when I couldn't sleep, the reassurance when my parents compared me unfavorably to Kim. Freya had been my confidante, my protector, my friend.

Now Freya belonged to Kim. I watched as Kim's friends crowded around the white wolf, congratulating her, petting her snowy fur. It was clear from the adoration in their eyes that Freya had bonded perfectly with her new mistress.

I swallowed hard, fighting back the jealous ache in my heart. As much as it pained me, I knew I had to let Freya go. 

"I'm sorry I failed you, Freya," I whispered. "But I know you'll be happy with Kim."

Goodbye, Freya.