Chapter 1 The Girl Without a Pack

Aria's POV

I am Aria Hurik, an omega-born shewolf of the Ironclaw Pack, though still technically part of the pack, I'm treated as an outcast due to a devastating incident from my past.

Most of the pack members treat me horribly because I was the only survivor of a brutal rogue attack years ago, which killed my mother and Ronan's mother, who was the pack's Luna.

Ronan, the Alpha’s son, publicly humiliates me and finds sick pleasure in seeing me belittled even though none of what the rogues did was my fault. I had only gone to check on my snare traps and my mom, a great warrior, was guarding Luna as they strolled through the forest. It was by chance that we were in the same area.

The rogues were stealing from my traps and my mom, Luna, and I had spotted the group with my catch. My mom prepared to protect Luna and told me to run.

As I did they attacked her and I saw a flash of fire before blanking out.

Anyway, when the pack and my Alpha asked me about who killed Luna, I could not remember much of anything. The only thing I could recall was that I saw a flash of flames, and my hands were burned after my mom told me to run and hide.

My rendition of those events caused great doubt within the pack, which sparked the hatred directed towards me.

Ronan believed I had betrayed the pack, which led to his mother's death, but since my mom also died in that attack, he has backed off from me a bit. There was no specific evidence to suggest I was guilty; Ronan's father, my Alpha, allowed me to remain in the pack, despite his suspicions.

Unfortunately, I was cast out of the pack house and have been living in a rickety old shed that is close to crumbling.

That is my pathetic past…An orphaned omega in a pack of wolves that hate me.

I wanted to train as a warrior, like my mother, but the pack never allowed me to train with other wolves saying I was a liability. I haven't had my first wolf shift yet nor has my wolf spoken with me and I'm almost twenty. That alone has caused me much ridicule.

Thankfully, the Ironclaw pack head warrior trainer, Nathan, felt sorry for me. Knowing my mom, he secretly trained me.

That's where I am currently.

Standing awkwardly in a cleared field of prairie grass near the one-room shack I considered home. Located on the border of the Ironclaw Pack lands, I gripped the handle of the knife I inherited from my mom and followed Nathan's moves.

“Very good, Aria. You're definitely coming along well. I will bring straw dummies next time for you to bury your blade,” Nathan stated. Nodding slowly I swallowed uncomfortably at the feeling of being watched and scanned the treeline.

“Are you going to attend the Blood Moon ceremony tonight?”

Startled by his question, I glanced at the seasoned warrior and snorted rudely.

“I doubt that the pack will want me anywhere near them. I haven't had my first shift yet so it would be pointless,” I muttered sourly.

“What if you discover your mate during the blood moon mate run?”

Pretending to jab him with my dagger I growled, “I can't run without a wolf. I don't need a mate. Plus no one in this pack wants a lowly omega like me.”

Chuckling he jumped around dodging my blade stabs.

“Still, Aria, it's a Blood Moon and full of all sorts of forest magic AND it is mandatory to attend the ceremony," he said kindly but firmly.

Stopping abruptly, I saw Ronan's blonde-haired head and muscular body stomping toward us from the treeline, and I tensed.

Putting my knife back into its sheath I glanced back up sensing his presence and winced at his open hand connecting with the side of my face.

“YOU WERE TOLD NOT TO TRAIN!” he snarled bitterly then turned to Nathan.

“GO to your guards and don't return to her or this area,” he added as he panted angrily.

Shoving a wrapped package into my chest he growled, “You're to attend the ceremony tonight as HELP in the pack kitchens. Wear the uniform.”

Pinching my mouth tightly, I nodded slowly in bitterness, but I calmed when he pivoted and started back towards the forest.

“He's such an asshole. It's going to be rough when he takes over the pack. Are you alright?”

Peering over at Nathan I forced a smile.

“I'm used to it, ever since my mom died I have become lower than a pleb and have less rights than the lowest slave but I am strong and I will survive.”

Chuckling lightly he nodded and told me that I was a resourceful young lady.

“You'd better get back to the others before you're reprimanded,” I mumbled and he nodded.

Waving goodbye to me, Nathan told me that he'd be by with the dummies the next afternoon, making me sigh in concern.

“I owe it to your mother. She was a great warrior and close friend,” he said softly and I nodded as he turned then stepped into the thick trees on the same pathway as Ronan.

Chewing worriedly I wiped the sweat from my brow and looked down at the rags I wore.

“I should jump into the lake and clean up before I arrive at the pack house for kitchen duty,” I surmised.