The White Rose

Aria had never felt so lonely in her entire life as she did in Valthera. She was surrounded by people, but she knew she wasn't one of them.

Valthera was beautiful. As she walked through the pack, she realized that. The pack sat between towering mountains and was surrounded by thick forests that stretched endlessly. Beautiful houses stood among large trees, smoke rising from chimneys as families moved through their daily routines.

Everywhere she turned, there were werewolves. Some were in groups, laughing together and discussing things, while others tended to their children, and the rest were working in the fields.

They were happy.

She felt envious as she watched the happy expressions on their faces. It was something she hadn't experienced for some days.

She then noticed the change in their expressions as she walked past them. Eyes followed her, and they all stared openly at her.

She heard whispers as she walked by.

"She doesn't have a scent."

"Is she an omega?"

"Seems like she's cursed."

Everywhere she looked, the people had different expressions on their faces as they watched her. Some pitied her, while others looked curious.

Aria tried not to listen to their whispers, but it was difficult.

She knew she was different from them.

She knew she wasn't hated, at least, as none of their expressions conveyed that. No one had threatened or tried to hurt her yet.

It was just that she was different from them, and in a pack where scent symbolized identity, family, and belonging, her lack of one made her almost impossible to understand.

Aria pulled the shawl over her head tighter as she walked through the pack. She was suddenly self conscious, knowing that every eye was on her. She continued walking quietly, trying to make herself invisible, when someone suddenly called her.

"Aria!"

She stopped walking and turned towards the direction of the sound. It was Pria, Luna Melina's daughter. A small smile immediately appeared on Aria's face as she watched Pria running towards her, trying to catch her breath when she reached her. Aria noticed the looks on the people's faces as they watched the Alpha's sister with the stranger.

"Why are you going alone? You could have called me to show you around."

"I wasn't going anywhere important, actually. I felt cooped up in that room and decided to exercise my legs."

"Good thing, girl. Come with me. I have something to show you," Pria said before grabbing Aria's arm.

Before Aria could argue, Pria had already dragged her off towards the center of the pack. They passed several werewolves who nodded politely at Pria but stared at Aria with suspicion. Pria noticed the expressions on their faces.

"Don't mind them, Aria. You're new. That's why."

"I'm trying my best not to mind them, but it's difficult."

"They'll get used to you soon enough."

Aria looked at Pria, who had a cheerful smile on her face.

"You really think so, Pria?"

"Oh yes."

"Even though I don't have any scent on me? I think I make them uncomfortable."

"That's not your fault, and it isn't theirs for staring. Anything werewolves don't understand makes them uncomfortable. That's why," Pria said as she shrugged.

Aria laughed softly as she watched Pria.

"Thank you, Pria."

"You're welcome, love," Pria said as she entwined her hand with Aria's.

"Now, off we go!" Pria said as she ran off, dragging Aria with her.

Their laughter echoed in the wind as they ran off. As they walked through the pack, a little girl who was being chased after by her brothers ran into Aria. Aria caught her before she fell.

"Careful, baby," Aria said as she helped steady the girl on her feet.

"Hi. You're so pretty," the girl giggled as she twirled Aria's hair in her fingers.

Her black hair was braided into two, and she wore a little pink dress. She looked at Pria.

"Hi," she said before turning her attention back to Aria, who was crouched on the ground at her level.

"Where's your mother?" Aria asked.

"She's at home," the little girl replied.

"This is for you," the little girl said as she handed a white rose to Aria.

Aria blinked as she stared at the flower in the girl's hands.

"It's for me?" she asked.

The little girl nodded. Aria took the flower from her.

"Thank you," she said. The little girl smiled before running back to her brothers.

Aria stared at the rose in her hand. It was a little flower, but it meant so much to her. Pria smiled as she watched Aria.

"See?"

Aria looked at her.

"See what?"

"You're already making friends."

Aria laughed.

"She's five."

"Still counts," Pria said as she patted her shoulder.

Aria placed the flower in her pocket, stood up, and then continued walking with Pria. When she got to her room, she placed the little flower inside a glass cup beside her window. She didn't know why she couldn't bring herself to throw it away. A knock sounded on her door just as she was about to head into the bathroom.

"Come in," she said.

Luna Melina stepped in.

"How are you doing, Aria? I heard you made a new friend today."

Aria smiled as she looked towards the rose in the glass cup.

"Apparently, I made one. A five-year-old."

Melina glanced at the flower.

"That's a cute little flower."

Aria nodded.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Yes, you can. Go on ahead."

"Do they hate me? They stare at me wherever I go, and it's so uncomfortable."

"I understand, Aria, but they don't hate you. They're afraid of what they don't understand."

Aria looked down at her palms.

"It's because I don't have a scent."

"You're different, Aria, but being different doesn't mean you're dangerous."

Aria looked at her.

"You think so?"

"Yes, I do."

Melina said as she smiled gently.

"Thank you," Aria said.

Melina squeezed her hands.

"Get some rest, Aria," she said before leaving her room.

When she left, Aria looked at the little rose sitting comfortably in the glass cup.

Maybe she wasn't completely alone.