Chapter 1

LEANNA’S POV

The blood in my veins roared, gushing without restraint as I ran through the woods. The surroundings a blur as the hanging branches made nicks in my fur.

“No! No! No!” I breathed, my narrowed slits a mixture of horror and despair as I watched the moonlight recede rapidly. 

Its once bright figure, obscured by a patch of darkness. I ignored the weakness in my limbs as the cold sunk into my limbs. Accelerating even further as the contents of the prophecy forced its way to the forefront of my thoughts.

I gritted my teeth, fighting hard against the despair that threatened to overwhelm me, as I rushed to our ancestral shrine.

The one place that held our truths as well as our origin. The one place that gave us the chance to fight back. Or at least die trying.

A FEW MONTHS AGO

“Okay everyone. That’s enough for today,” a cold, authoritative voice rang out. 

I heaved a huge sigh of relief as I laid on the ground with my hands by my sides. My limbs as heavy as lead, with my breath coming out in huge pants. Beads of sweat dripping down my forehead and onto the training grounds.

I shut my eyes tightly, trying to force myself off the ground my back had gradually grown accustomed to.

“Tsk tsk tsk. Need any help, cousin?” An all too familiar mocking voice resounded in my ear. 

My eyelids trembled as I prayed silently for it to go away. I wasn’t in the mood for taunts. Nor did I have the strength for it. Especially from the person who took the most pleasure in reminding me of my place.

But as usual, it wasn’t about what I wanted. I let out a silent hiss as I felt the pain of sharp nails digging into my shoulder blade.

My gaze whipped to the side to see my tormentor. A tall, brown haired beauty with blue eyes as ethereal as the moonlight. 

Her beauty was undeniable. But the vicious smirk that lined her lips helped take it down a few notches. “Get away from me Lena,” I hissed, yanking my shoulder away. 

I twisted slightly, unwilling to show any weakness. The pain was doing enough to keep me awake anyway. 

“But I’m only trying to help. We are family after all,” she said with a pout that I had once found believable. 

I don’t resist the shudder that runs through my spine as I recall the time I once thought of her as a friend and sister. 

With extreme difficulty, I managed to rise to my feet. Digging my boots into the sand as I fought to stay upright. 

I turned to face her as my gaze sharpened. I took a step towards her in defiance. “We’re not family! Never was, and never will be!” I hissed, wishing I could wipe the ugly smirk on her face with my fist.

But I knew how that would end up. With me on the ground, and with a few minor fractures if I was lucky enough.

“You’re hurting my feelings couz,” she placed a hand on her chest in mock hurt as she stared at me with the same amused glint she always had.

“Whatever,” I spat, turning on my heels to leave. Silently thankful I was able to leave by myself this time, and not on a stretcher. 

“Bye couz!” she yelled out from behind me as I walked away. Drawing the gaze of everyone still present towards me. 

I turned back to stare at her, my eyes spitting fire before I continued on with more hurried steps this time. My muscles burning with each step.

I kept my head down, hoping not to draw any attention to myself. But Lena had made sure that was nothing but a far-fetched dream.

“Hey look. That’s her isn’t it?” a low voice resounded. And like clockwork, the others followed in succession.

“That silver hair. She’s our future alpha right?” another younger voice followed.

“Future leader? Her? I’d rather die than follow someone without a wolf,” a scoff followed, and I winced slightly.

“I’m sure the chief must’ve been disappointed,” a mocking voice followed.

“Yeah right. Lady Lena is so much better,” a reverent voice resounded, followed by hums of agreement.

I didn’t know when, but my hurried steps had broken out into a full on sprint. I only slowed as I laid eyes on my building. 

My eyes glistened as I stepped into the building, fighting back the tears that threatened to spill. 

I slammed the door behind me as I crumpled to the ground. Even if I had been getting the taunts for years, it was as though my skin refused to thicken still. 

Their words still got to me like a wound that continued to fester otherwise. I dragged my knees to my chest, burning my face between them as I wanted nothing more than to leave our little village.

We kept ourselves secluded from the rest of the world, except those that we’re allowed to have dealings outside. 

I raised my head. My tear-stained cheeks turned towards the direction of the village exit as I wondered what life out there would be like.

A world where I could be unknown, and free to be whatever I wanted. The thought burned brightly in my chest. Brightly to the extent that the thought began to take root in my mind.

“Lady Leanna?” a hurried voice resounded outside my door, followed by a series of knocking. I was immediately pulled out of my reverie as I hurried off the ground.

Wiping my cheeks with my hands, hoping my puffy face would be overlooked by whoever it was.

“What is it?” I asked, opening the door to reveal a tall, bear-like man. His entire figure bursting with muscles that seemed to contrast with the monocle that hung on his face.

“Your grandfather would like to speak with you,” he said in a candid tone. And if he noticed her reddened eyes, he made no note of it. Something I was grateful for.

“Now?” I asked, very much aware how sweaty I was from our morning training session. Not to mention my exhaustion.

He nodded his head curtly and I knew I had no choice but to agree. “I’ll be there in a bit,” I said, waiting for him to leave.

But he just stood there, staring at me with an impassive look. Exasperated, I let out again, through gritted teeth. “I’ll be there this time. I promise.”

Placing more emphasis on my last words. Only then did he give me a curt nod before he turned to leave.

I slammed the door, running a hand through my silver locks, silently wondering why my grandfather would want to see me now, after years of practically ignoring my existence.

“I guess there’s only one way to find out,” I muttered, dipping my face in a bucket, letting the cool water caress my cheeks, washing away whatever dirt was present. 

I forced myself to ignore the slight discomfort I felt from the sweat that coated my body and seeped into my clothes, steeling my nerves as I made my way to his hall.