Chapter Two

As I awaken on the modest mattress resting on the floor of my room, I am greeted by the familiar sight of the thin blanket that has provided me comfort for as long as I can recall. Today is my birthday, and although I wish myself a heartfelt Happy Birthday, I am aware that no one else will extend their well-wishes, for it appears that nobody truly cares. Determined to start the day on a positive note, I swiftly rise from the mattress and make my way to the compact bathroom that has been allocated to me. 

With a sense of urgency, I take a quick shower, ensuring that I am refreshed before stepping out and promptly drying myself off. Once dressed, I head to the kitchen, where I prepare breakfast for my mother and Nichole, hoping that by doing so, I can avoid any potential confrontation or physical harm this morning.

As I enter the kitchen, the familiar scent of stale coffee and unwashed dishes fills the air. The worn-out linoleum floor creaks beneath my feet as I navigate through the cluttered countertops, searching for ingredients to whip up a simple breakfast. The sound of my mother's raspy cough echoes from the adjacent room, a constant reminder of her deteriorating health.

I carefully select a few eggs from the refrigerator, their shells cracked and fragile, mirroring the fragility of our lives. With a heavy heart, I crack them into a chipped bowl, whisking them vigorously, hoping to infuse some semblance of happiness into this mundane morning routine. As I reach for the milk, I notice the empty carton, a stark reminder of our meager existence.

Undeterred, I rummage through the pantry, searching for any remnants of sustenance. A half-empty box of cereal and a few slices of stale bread catch my eye. With a sigh, I decide to make do with what little we have. I toast the bread, watching as it turns a golden brown, a small victory amidst the chaos that engulfs our lives.

When the smell of breakfast fills the room, I am immediately alerted by the sound of footsteps coming towards me. My heart races with trepidation, fearing that something terrible has happened. The first to enter the kitchen is my sister, followed by my mom, both making a beeline for the table where they settle down and engage in a lively conversation. 

“Nichole, are you prepared to embrace the role of Luna?” inquires mom with a sense of anticipation.

“Absolutely! I am thrilled to announce that I have discovered the most exquisite gown for the Luna ceremony,” Nichole exclaims with sheer excitement.

"I am eagerly looking forward to witnessing it," Mom exclaims, her face adorned with a radiant smile.

Meanwhile, I swiftly begin tidying up the aftermath of breakfast. In a rush, I quickly devour the small plate of food I had prepared for myself, making sure to finish it before my mom or sister catch sight of it. I grab a refreshing glass of water and once the kitchen is spotless, I make my way back to my room to gather my school supplies.

As I made my way towards the entrance, I slipped on my shoes and embarked on my journey to my inaugural day of high school. When I caught sight of the towering building, I paused for a moment, inhaling deeply to calm my nerves before stepping inside. Once indoors, I navigated through the hallways until I reached my assigned locker. Just as I shut the locker door, my attention was drawn to the sound of my sister's approaching footsteps. 

Suddenly, Nichole bursts out, exclaiming, “Oh my goodness, the Plague has officially begun her high school journey today. Beware, everyone, and keep your distance unless you want to face the wrath of her curse.”

I let my head drop, and tears start pouring down my cheeks, and I can hear the crowd gasping in unison. The sound of people shuffling away from me echoes in my ears as I make my way towards my first class. I can't help but wonder why she can't just let me be and stop tormenting me. What have I done to deserve such intense hatred from her?

When I enter the classroom, my eyes immediately notice a single desk and chair, isolated from the rest of the class. Without hesitation, I make my way towards it, knowing instinctively that it is my designated spot. With a heavy sigh, I reach into my bag and retrieve my book and notebook, preparing myself for the upcoming class. Meanwhile, the other students begin to enter the room, eagerly finding their seats next to their friends, their laughter filling the air. 

However, amidst their joyous chatter, a hushed whisper reaches my ears, causing a pang of unease. “Oh no, Sable, the plague, is in our class. Let's hope nothing bad happens to us,” Penny confides in her friends, their giggles following suit. 

Trying to hold back my tears, I find myself on the receiving end of a cruel act as a pencil is hurled at my face, leaving a trail of blood on my cheek. The room falls silent as Steve from across the room shouts, “Get out, you disgusting creature! We don't want you here!”

As the teacher strides into the classroom, the atmosphere instantly shifts and the class commences. Amidst the flurry of activity, the syllabus is distributed to each student, but unfortunately, mine is carelessly crumpled into a tight ball before it even reaches my hands. Determined, I manage to retrieve it and meticulously smooth out the creases, all while the teacher continues to deliver a lengthy introduction to the course. 

Just as the bell rings, signaling the end of the period, we all begin to make our way towards our next class. However, before I can make my escape, a sudden force slams me onto the ground, causing an intense surge of pain to shoot through my body. In the midst of my distress, Sally coldly utters, “Leave and never return. Your presence is nothing but a curse upon us.”

Suddenly, I hear a loud exclamation of “enough!” as a young boy approaches me and swiftly lifts me off the ground. It dawns on me that it's none other than Torin, the son of our alpha, and my heart starts racing even faster in response to his unexpected presence.

In the blink of an eye, my sister appears next to him and plants a kiss on his lips, intensifying my sadness as I come to terms with the fact that they are dating. This realization only deepens my despair, as it signifies that he will join the ranks of those who despise me. As he gently pats my shoulder, attempting to console me, I have him stand me on the ground out of his arms and flee from the school, sprinting towards the solace of the forest. The weight of the emotional anguish I've endured becomes unbearable, leaving me no choice but to seek refuge in the tranquility of nature. Today, I simply cannot bear any more pain.

I'm uncertain about the duration of my run, but suddenly, I find myself gasping for air and collapsing. It is at this very moment that I hear the enchanting voice of the moon goddess whispering to me, “Are you prepared? Your inner wolf is about to make its grand appearance.”

“I'm sorry, but I don't understand what you're saying. Are you implying that my wolf is approaching, even though I still have a couple of years left until I reach the age of eighteen?” I inquire, feeling perplexed and seeking clarification.

I remain seated, my gaze fixed on the sky, and find myself perplexed by the silence of the moon goddess. The absence of her voice only deepens my confusion, while simultaneously, I sense an inexplicable sensation stirring within me.