Chapter 4-THE DISTANCE BETWEEN US

I barely slept that night. Every time I closed my eyes I saw Rhett standing in front of his father. I heard Alpha Gideon’s voice again. “You will never be seen with Nora again.”

The words refused to leave my head.

A soft knock came from outside. “Nora.” It was my mother. She unlocked the door just enough to slide a plate of bread inside.

“Eat.”

Before I could say anything she locked the door again. That became my life. Morning and Night. Silence.

After three days of isolation, my father finally opened the door. “You can come out.”

I stepped into the hallway carefully.

“Remember,” he said coldly, “don’t embarrass this family again.”

I lowered my head, I had lost so much weight. From that day on nobody spoke about what had happened. But they didn’t need to. The whole village already knew.

The whispers followed me everywhere. As I carried baskets from the market two women stopped talking when they saw me. “Look. That’s the wolfless girl. The one who chased the future Alpha.”

They laughed softly. I kept walking. Outside the bakery a little boy pointed at me. “Mother, is that the girl everyone talks about?”

His mother quickly pulled him away. “Don’t stare.”

I looked at the ground and continued home. Pretending not to hear was easier than defending myself. No one would believe me anyway. Days passed. Then weeks. Nothing changed.

Except Rhett.

The first time I saw him after that day my heart almost stopped. He was walking across the training field with several young warriors. For one foolish second I thought he would smile when he saw me like he always used to.

Instead he looked past me. As if I wasn’t there. He never slowed down. He never spoke. He simply walked away.

I stood there long after he disappeared. A strange ache settled inside my chest. Maybe he really regretted ever being friends with me.

After that it happened again and again. Whenever our paths crossed he turned in another direction. If we entered the same street he left it. If I walked into the training grounds he walked out. Sometimes our eyes met for only a second. Something flashed across his face before he looked away.

I wanted to believe he didn’t hate me. But believing didn’t make it hurt any less.

I stopped looking for him after that. If staying away from me protected his future, then I would stay away too, I wanted the best for him too.

Meanwhile Cassia’s life became even more perfect. Everywhere she went people praised her. She won more competitions, brought down warriors who were older than her.

“The future Luna.”

“The strongest she-wolf of this generation.”

“Our pack is lucky.”

She smiled sweetly at everyone. They adored her.

Every afternoon she trained beside the warriors. People gathered just to watch.

One morning I carried fresh water to the field. Cassia defeated another young she-wolf during training. The crowd burst into applause.

“Incredible!”

“She’s unstoppable.”

“She’ll stand proudly beside Alpha Rhett one day.”

Cassia accepted every compliment with a graceful smile. Then she noticed me.

“Nora. Come here.”

I walked over quietly.

“My boots are dirty. Clean them before you go.”

Several people watched. Nobody said a word. I knelt down and did it without arguing. Cassia leaned closer so only I could hear. “So pathetic. You finally understand your place.”

She walked away laughing with her friends. I stared at the dust on my hands before standing again.

That evening at home she dumped another basket of laundry into my arms. “Wash everything.”

“You wore them.” I told her.

“I don’t care.”

Mother looked up from the table. “Stop wasting time and do what your sister says.”

I carried the clothes outside. Behind me I heard Cassia laughing.

At night I often sat beneath the old oak tree behind our house. It was the only place where nobody bothered me. From there I could hear wolves running through the forest. Their howls echoed beneath the moon. Sometimes I watched them shift back into human form. They laughed and played like they belonged.

I wondered what it felt like. Would I ever know? Or was I truly born incomplete?

One evening footsteps approached. I quickly wiped my eyes.

It was old Martha. She smiled kindly. “You shouldn’t sit alone every night.”

I forced a small smile. “I like the quiet.”

She studied me for a moment. “I remember when you and Rhett used to come here together.”

My smile disappeared. “So do I.”

She sighed. “People change.”

“No.” I looked toward the trees. “They’re forced to.”

She nodded sadly before walking away. Her words stayed with me long after she left. Winter slowly faded. The cold mornings became warmer. Without realizing it, months had passed.

The entire village soon started another preparation. Colorful banners appeared between the buildings. The pack house was decorated. Warriors cleaned the ceremony grounds. Children ran through the streets laughing excitedly. Everyone talked about only one thing.

The Hunt Trial.

Young she-wolves would each pick a male-wolf as their partner and they would be released into the forest to track and retrieve a hidden pack token. It tested tracking, speed, teamwork, and pure instinct. The first to return with the token would win. The only rule was simple: no killing other contestants.

Everyone already expected Rhett to partner with Cassia. Whispers said they would finish it together in record time. The future Alpha and the strongest she-wolf. Perfect.

I didn’t want to take part.

Not after what happened at the Healer’s Judgment. Not after Cassia stole my work and the whole pack called me a liar. The thought of stepping into another contest made my stomach twist.

But it was compulsory. Every young wolf of age had to enter. No exceptions. Not even for the wolfless girl.

One afternoon I carried supplies toward the edge of the forest where the starting line would be marked. Several women stood nearby, already placing bets.

“Cassia will get the token first, of course.”

“Rhett will stay by her side the whole time.”

“The wolfless one will just slow everyone down.”

None of them noticed me standing there. I set the supplies down quietly and left before anyone could say my name.

Later that day I overheard another conversation outside the healer’s home.

“Do you think Nora could still awaken her wolf during the Hunt?”

An older man scratched his beard. “Unlikely. She’s almost eighteen. If the Moon Goddess wanted her to have a wolf, it would’ve happened years ago.”

A younger warrior laughed. “She’ll probably get lost before anyone else even finds the first trail.”

Their voices faded as I walked away.

I got really upset with what they said to the extent I found myself making preparations to win the Hunt Trial.

No matter what anyone says about me. I must put an end to all this and win the Trial.