LOGINIt took three long weeks for my body to heal, though I wouldn't call it "healing" in the traditional sense. Without a wolf, I was nothing more than a human, and my bones repaired themselves at a human pace. Each day felt like an eternity, and the pain lingered, but eventually, I could get out of bed without needing someone to pull me up.I had grown accustomed to the silence in the house, to the absence of my parents. They had become more distant in the past few weeks, always busy with pack matters and hardly ever home. I couldn't blame them-they were leaders, after all-but it didn't make their absence any easier to bear. The training program continued as usual, but I wasn't allowed to attend anymore. That was just one more reminder that I was different.I made my way downstairs, my body moving on autopilot as I prepared breakfast. Mom and Dad's side of the table was empty, and the silence felt louder than ever. I hadn't been able to check on Susan during my recovery. I'd asked my par
The walk back home felt like navigating a storm, each step pulling me deeper into a sea of judgment. The whispers were relentless, carried through the mindlink like wildfire. Every glance I caught-too quick to be polite, too slow to be subtle-seemed to pierce through me, peeling back layers of my already fragile confidence.I kept my head down, pretending not to notice the murmurs that reached my ears."Did you hear about Vanessa? Lillian really did a number on her," a voice whispered from somewhere to my left.I clenched my fists."A human in werewolf training? She was asking for it," another voice sneered, low but sharp enough to slice through my composure.My teeth gritted so hard my jaw ached. It wasn't the words themselves that hurt-they were nothing I hadn't thought about myself in weaker moments. But hearing them from my pack, the people I was supposed to trust, was a different kind of pain.I walked past a group of young werewolves who quickly fell silent as I approached. Thei
We started with basic exercises-agility drills, coordination tests, and strength-building routines. Lillian, as expected, moved with the effortless grace of a seasoned werewolf, her every step fluid and precise. She was fast, almost unnervingly so, her lithe form weaving through the obstacles like it was second nature.Me? I wasn't as lucky. Without a wolf's heightened senses and reflexes, I had to rely on sheer determination and muscle memory. Each leap and pivot felt like a battle against my own limitations, and I knew Lillian was watching, waiting for me to falter."Come on, Vanessa," she taunted during one of the sprints. "Is that all you've got? No wonder-""Focus on yourself, Lillian," I snapped, my voice sharper than I intended.Her laugh was low and mocking. "Touchy, aren't we?"As the drills escalated, it became glaringly obvious that she was pushing me on purpose. During a sparring exercise, she lunged a fraction too hard, her claws barely missing my arm."Careful," she cooe
The shrill beep of my alarm jolted me awake at exactly 6 a.m. Groaning, I reached over and slapped the snooze button before throwing off the covers. Today was the day-mandatory training, no excuses.Dragging myself to the bathroom, I took a quick, cold shower to jolt myself fully awake. By the time I stepped out, the morning air felt sharper against my damp skin. I opened my closet, eyes scanning the rows of neatly folded clothes. After five minutes of indecision, I settled on an all-black outfit-a black sports bra top, sleek black yoga pants, and my trusty black sneakers. Simple, practical, and fitting for my mood.Once dressed, I headed downstairs to the kitchen. Grabbing an apple and a handful of berries, I leaned against the counter, slowly nibbling as my mind wandered. The past two months had been... a lot. I'd shut everyone out-my parents, Susan, even the people I used to call friends. I ignored Susan's calls, avoided her visits, and pushed my parents away with my silence.A pan
Just as I thought it was over, my mom stepped forward again, her presence commanding the room once more."One last thing," she said, her gaze sharp and sweeping over the crowd. "If you have a valid reason for missing a session, you must notify your trainer in advance. We understand emergencies happen, but communication is key."With that, she nodded, signaling the end of her part. "Thank you all."I let out a small sigh of relief, glad the announcements were over. But as I glanced around, I couldn't help but notice the lingering tension in the room. This was going to be an adjustment for everyone-including me."Luna, I have a question."I stiffened at the sound of Lillian's voice. She didn't even wait for acknowledgment, standing up with an air of self-importance as she raised her hand halfway, more for show than necessity."Yes, go on," my mom said, her tone polite but firm."Does being wolfless count as a valid reason?" Lillian asked, her voice dripping with mock concern. She turned
As I pulled the door open, the buzz of conversation hit me like a wave. The room was already packed, bodies pressed close, voices overlapping in a chaotic symphony of speculation. My stomach twisted as I stepped inside, the memories of my birthday flashing vividly in my mind. The tension, the stares, the whispers-all of it still haunted me. I kept my head down, trying to make myself as small as possible, and shuffled toward the back of the crowd.The air was heavy with curiosity, almost suffocating. Everyone seemed to be speculating about the sudden meeting, their voices a low hum that added to my discomfort. I found an empty chair tucked away in the corner and sank into it, trying to blend into the shadows.My gaze wandered over the faces in the room, familiar yet distant. Mrs. Huckleberry caught my eye first, her kind face a stark contrast to the heavy atmosphere. She owned a small pastry shop, and memories of Susan and me stopping by after school flooded my mind. She would always g







