THE WOLF WITHIN

The moon hung low in the sky,casting a silver glow over the sacred grove where I waited. My heart races as Ethan,the Alpha's son approached me. His footsteps were quiet,and my breath caught when his arms slipped around my waist. And for a moment,the world melted away.

“You look beautiful tonight Lea”. He murmured,his lips brushing against my ear.

I leaned into him,savouring the warmth of his touch,”You shouldn't be here Ethan,if someone catches us…”

“Let them,” he interrupted,tilting my chin to meet his eyes. His amber eyes burned with a mixture of desire and determination. “After tonight,it won't matter. You'll be mine,Lea, permanently.”

My cheeks flushed at his words,he leaned down capturing my lips in a kiss that made my world fade away. His hands traced the curve of my back,pulling me closer.

“When the ceremony is over” Ethan whispers against my lips,” I will mark you. You will be my Luna,my equal”.

My chest tightened with hope,this is the moment I had been waiting for,proof that ma not just an outsider to him,not just a wolfless girl that is unworthy of the packs respect.

“I will hold you to that”, I said softly,my fingers brushing against the wolf pendant dangling from his neck.

He smiled,pressing a final kiss against my forehead before stepping back,. “You won't have to wait for much longer”.

*****

The clearing was alive with the glow of torches and the mumurs of the pack gathering for the pre cleansing ceremony. 

My nerves was bubbling beneath my calm facade,I smoothed down my simple white dress nervously. Tonight is my chance to silence the whispers,to prove my worth.

But as I stepped forward,my father,Beta Frank,blocked my path. His cold eyes sent a chill down my spine.

“You are not going”,his voice was loud enough for nearby pack members to hear.

I froze,”Father,what are you talking about?,The cleansing….

“For wolves,”,my father interrupted, his sharp voice cutting me like blade,”You have no wolf Lea,you are unworthy of this ritual”.

A hush fell over the crowd,their eyes turning to me. My cheeks burned in humiliation as my father's words hung in the air.

Wolfless. The word followed me like a curse,whispered in hallways,spat in the training ground. I’ve spent years trying to prove I am more than that,but my father's words cut deeper than any blade. No wolf. No worth.

“I've earned my place,” I tried to argue,”Ethan…

“Ethan made a mistake,” he snapped,”A mistake that I won't allow to disgrace this pack or my family any further.”

Laughter rippled through the crowd and I felt the weight of their stares and scorn. I stared at him,searching for any flicker of warmth in his eyes. But there was none. Just cold,and unyielding judgement. The man who was supposed to protect me,was the first to cast me aside.

I glanced at my sister,so perfect in her shimmering silver gown,her blonde hair cascading over her shoulders.

“Sorry Lea” she said looking remorseful “Father's right,it's best if you sit this one out”.

I clenched my fists as I forced myself to hold my head high. I turned around, retreating from the clearing as tears threatened to fall from my eyes.

“Ethan,” I hear a voice from the shadows whispering and I stopped short,”You can't seriously be considering this. A wolfless girl?. You know what the pack will think.” the voice was full of displeasure.

Alpha Rowan? I thought grimly.

“She's more that just that” Ethan argued,his voice heated,” she's strong, loyal…”

“She's weak,” Alpha Rowan spat,”And a liability.You have a responsibility to this pack Ethan. Don't let your feelings cloud your judgement.”

I covered my mouth with my hands as I turned away,the stings of his words hurting me deeply. Still I refuse to falter. Tonight is my moment,and I won't let anyone come in my way.

******

The clearing was filled with expectant faces, illuminated by the glowing of the full moon. I stood at the edge of the clearing,away from prying eyes.

My heart pounded fiercely as Ethan stepped into the clearing. The mumurs has quieted down now.

Ethan glanced at me and motioned for me to come forward,his amber eyes reassuring as he extended his hand. I stepped forward,all eyes on me and my pulse races.

“This is it” I thought “Everything will change”.

Ethan began the ritual,his voice strong as he declared me his mate. The tension in the air seemed to ease,and I felt a flicker of hope.

As the bond was about to be sealed,Ethan's voice caught,his body swayed as he clawed at his chest,a low growl escaped from his throat,but it wasn't like any growl I had heard before,it was unnatural. My pulse raced as he dropped to his knees.

“Ethan? “ I took his arm worriedly,panic rising in my throat.

"He collapsed onto the ground,his body convulsing violently. Gasps erupted from the crowd,and chaos swept through the circle.

“Get the healer!,” Someone shouted.

I dropped to my knees beside him,my hands trembling as I cracked his head on my lap ,”Ethan, please”.

“Get away from him,” Alpha Rowan roared at me,pushing me to the ground.

The healer rushed forward, she examined him,and her expression was grave as she turned towards the Alpha.

“This is no ordinary illness” she said,her expression grim. “His soul is rejecting the bond,and only the Lycan king can save him now”.

A shocked silence fell over the pack. The Lycan king. His name was spoken in hushed tones. Legends call him a savior,cursed and bound to his power,but to call upon him was a risk few dared to take.

“I will go,” I said,my voice cutting through the silence.

All eyes turned on me,shock and disbelief written all over their faces.

“You?” Beta Frank,my father,sneered at me. “You can't even handle a cleansing ritual. What makes you think you can face the lycan king?”.

“Yes, me” I said defiantly,”And because I had done it before”. I told him,my voice steady as my hand unconsciously brushed against the blood stained keepsake around my neck. A relic from the day I had saved a young Lycan king years ago. The pack could doubt me all they wanted,but I knew the truth.

My words sent ripples of shock through the pack,but I didn't care,I knew what I had to do.

The path ahead was dangerous,but am no stranger to survival.

“I'm coming Alexander,” I thought,my heart pounding fiercely,”And I'm not leaving without answers”.