Chapter 3

The next day was the annual Spring Hunt Festival for the Shadowveil pack. Every awakened werewolf had to shift into their wolf form and follow the Alpha deep into the Forbidden Forest to capture prey as an offering to the Moon Goddess.

In my previous life, the massive snow-white wolf I shifted into had always led the charge, tearing through countless beasts alongside Xavier.

In this life, however, everything was different. My current wolf was scrawny and frail, its fur dull and lifeless.

At the front of the pack, Xavier had shifted into a powerful black wolf, his red eyes imposing and domineering. By his side stood the stunning white wolf Lina had become.

"Is that Ella? My God, how did she turn into a grey wolf that's not even as strong as a stray dog after her awakening?" someone whispered.

"She used to be so arrogant because of her talent. It seems the Moon Goddess has finally put her in her place and given that power to the gentle Ms. Davis," another added.

"Look at how sickly she is. Someone like her doesn't even deserve to dream about being with Alpha Xavier."

Xavier heard the gossip. He lifted his massive wolf head and let out a howl that echoed through the valley. Then he walked over to Lina, nuzzling her neck affectionately to announce her status to the entire pack.

Lina responded softly. When she looked back at me, a cruel provocation flashed in her golden eyes. She wanted to see me make a fool of myself and lose control in jealousy, just as she had in her previous life.

Unfortunately for her, I refused to give her that satisfaction.

…

The hunt began.

I had once possessed the sharpest sense of smell and unmatched speed. Even though my wolf had changed, my skills remained.

I moved swiftly through the forest and eventually came across a wounded, formidable red deer by a secluded stream.

This would make the perfect offering.

I crouched low, waiting for the right moment to lunge at the deer's throat. Despite my weak body, I bit down on its neck with all my strength.

Just as the red deer was about to die, a terrifying, oppressive force crashed down on me.

A loud thud rang out as Lina slammed her massive white paw onto my back without holding back. My spine snapped sharply, and blood burst from my mouth and nose.

She easily snatched the deer I was about to capture. Then, using her immense power, she kicked me into a patch of thorns like I was nothing more than trash.

Lina let out a long howl to the sky and raced toward Xavier, the prey clutched in her mouth.

By the time I forced myself through the searing pain and limped back to the gathering spot, I saw Xavier grooming the white wolf's fur with his tongue, his eyes full of doting affection. The red deer was placed in the most prominent spot as Lina's trophy.

Lina's voice trembled as if she were about to cry. "Xav… Ella, she… I wanted to help Ella hunt, but she was so jealous of my wolf that she tried to ambush me from behind. I accidentally stepped on her while trying to protect myself. She must be blaming me now."

The surrounding warriors immediately erupted in fury.

"Ella is an absolute disgrace to the pack! She's clearly incompetent, yet she still has the nerve to plot against Lina behind her back," someone said.

"Ella, your pathetic wolf can't even compare to a single hair on Ms. Davis's head. How dare you do something like that?" another added.

Xavier looked at me, covered in blood and utterly disheveled, his wolf eyes filled with disgust.

He issued a punishment against me in the name of the Alpha. "Ella, go to the confinement chamber. You're not allowed to leave without my permission."

This was one of the harshest punishments the Shadowveil pack imposed on wrongdoers. The confinement chamber was dark and damp, hidden from the sun.

"Xavier!" I called out to him. "If I told you that Lina was lying, would you believe me?"

Xavier stopped in his tracks. He remained silent for a moment but didn't look back. "Ella, don't let me down again," he said.

I watched as they cheered and took my prey away while the pack members spat at me one by one. I lay silently in the cold mud, letting my blood seep from my wounds.

Xavier, Lina, did you really think that by taking my wolf, you could claim everything that belonged to me?