Aria's Pov  "Are you really leaving" This was the question Nora asked me again the third time that evening. But my mind was already made up. I was already standing in front of the shadow Fang pack Entrance. My small bag rested on my shoulder as I prepared to sneak away before anyone woke up the next morning. I stared at the gates in front of me, the same gate I' ve believed I would never walk away from. But now,I couldn't stay any longer. Not after the humiliation I faced. Three Months Earlier The first thing I noticed when I entered the awakening chamber was the silence. I walked slowly towards the middle of the ancient circle carved into the floor,staring at the moonstone glowing in front of me. My heart was beating faster than it ever had before. This was my last day and last chance.The awakening ceremony. The day every werewolf discovered their wolf and finally understood their strength.I did not need to be told what to be done after getting into the center of the ancient circle. This was my third time in the ceremony and it was also my last chance. I had imagined this monument countless times. Feeling a powerful presence inside me,Hearing but wolf's voice. But it seems the whole universe has turned on me because while other children in the pack awakened at sixteen, I remained the same every time. No wolf,No abilities. Nothing that showed I belonged among them. But I hope today will be different. I closed my eyes and reached for the connection. I waited,searched and called out the wolf that was supposed to be inside me. But there was nothing. Only silence. The warmth from the Moonstone slowly disappeared. And when I opened my eyes,I already knew the answer. My wolf didn't come. Again. The disappointed murmurs that filled the whole place made me feel more embarrassed. I wished the ground could open and let me enter. I turned to Elder Marcus who don't know what to say or do "Aria,I do hope you know that was the last chance" he managed to say "I know Elder" I couldn't argue if I wanted to. I was only given that privilege because my father was the Beta and he devoted his life and loyalty to the pack during his lifetime. "She failed again" A few whispers came from behind me "Maybe she was never a wolf" "How is that possible when she is the daughter of a powerful wolf" "Didn't you hear about the story behind her birth" one of them said "What story?" They all asked the person. They didn't care if I was still there. That's how it has always been. No one asks if the girl that refuse to awaken her wolf "It was said that her mother had an affair with a human" I kept my face calm. Trying to hide my pain and disappointment. Then seeing it will only make things worse for me. They already see me as a weak person. I walked out of the chamber saying nothing The moment I stepped outside, the whispers followed. Our pack is a small one so even those who were not present will be aware of what happened already.I walked through the training grounds,keeping my eyes forward. Then I slowly started to run. I come to the training ground to run whenever I am feeling frustrated. I ran till I was short of breath. I sat down for a while then heard a voice behind me "The loser grants the other a wish" it was Nora. Before I could get ready, she was already running. I joined her and we ran around the training ground till we were tired. We slept on the grass and stared at the moon shining brightly in the sky. "I knew I would find you here" Nora broke the silence" "Are you okay?" I looked away not knowing what to say. But she seems to know what happened already. "I'm fine" Nora gave me a look "You're a terrible liar" I laughed quietly despite everything. That was Nora. She always finds ways to make me smile. "You know this doesn't change who you are,right?" She said "You don't have to say that to make me feel better Nora. You know an awakened wolf is what truly defines a person" "But it doesn't have to happen now " Nora said placing her hand on my shoulder "We both know there is no hope again. That was my last chance Nora" "This doesn't change who are you Aria" I looked at her "Doesn't it?" "No" "That's not what the other wolves think Nora" Nora frowned "They are wrong about you Aria" Before I could reply, My stepsister Lyra walked in with her friends. She has always been the opposite of me. Confident,powerful and beautiful. She had awakened her wolf years ago. A silver wolf that made everyone proud. But she looks down on people a lot. Especially me. "I heard about your ceremony " Nora immediately became defensive "Of course you did, " Lyra ignored her."I was hoping today will finally work out for you dear sister. " She said with a smile on her face. If I didn't know her,I'll have thought she meant what she said. But I knew Lyra well enough to understand what was hidden behind those words. "It wasn't" I said with my head down "Well,that's unfortunate I guess" she said and her friends started laughing. "Dear sister, maybe it's time for you to accept that you don't have any wolf in you to wake up. " Lyra moved closer to me and lean on my shoulder "What wolf are you expecting when your mother randomly hooked up with a human and got pregnant" she leaned up back and smirked. Nora heard what she said and got angry. She stepped forward and pushed her away. "Enough,Lyra" I held Nora back because she was already transforming. Lyra smiled and walked close to Nora. "I honestly don't know why you'll be friends with someone as lowly as her" Lyra said mockingly and she started laughing with her friends. Nora wanted to talk but I held her back telling her not to say anything. Lyra left with her friends laughing and mocking us as they left. "Why did you stop me Aria?" Nora asked after they left "There's no point in arguing with them Nora" "You need to start defending yourself Aria. Then why have I been training you secretly if you can't defend yourself" I could hear the worry in her voice. "Okay master I will start defending myself" I said jokingly and we both laughed. We went to our secret base afterwards to train more and later went to our various houses.

Aria's Pov I woke up feeling sore all I' ve my body. For a moment, I lay still, staring at the wooden ceiling above my bed while my mind slowly caught up with where I was. Then the pain returned. A dull ache spread through my shoulders and my muscles protested when I tried to move. I closed my eyes and let out a quiet breath. I remembered the hours I spent in the forest with Nora being thrown into dirt and forced to get back up again. The sound of my feet hitting the ground and Nora's voice telling me not to hesitate."You can't keep depending on people to protect you Aria" her words echoed in my mind. She was right. For years I had spent my life wishing people would stop seeing me as weak but I had never done anything to change the way I saw myself. But I shouldn't spend my entire life waiting for something that might never come. A small smile touched my lips as I remembered how proud Nora looked when I finally managed to block one of her attacks. It was probably nothing to anyone else. But to me,it felt like a victory. A small one. But still a victory. I slowly sat up and reached for my clothes. The soreness in my body reminded me that I had a long way to go. But at least now I was moving. The moment I stepped outside my room,I noticed something unusual. The pack ground was already crowded. Normally,mornings in shadow Fang packs were filled with the usual routines. Warriors train,families go about their duties and everyone moves according to their schedules. But today was different. The entire pack seemed restless. People were moving quickly through the courtyard. Decorations were being carried toward the main hall. Warriors were standing in groups,whispering excitedly. I stopped near the stairs,watching the movement around me. "What is happening?" Nora's voice came from behind me. I turned around. She was carrying two cups of tea,looking far too energetic for someone who had spent the previous night throwing me around. "You mean you don't know?" I shook my head. She handed me one of the cups. "Alpha Kael Draven is arriving today " The name meant nothing to me at first. Until I noticed the way everyone was reacting. A group of young wolves nearby started whispering. "What do you think he's coming here for?" "Who knows?" "We'll see when he gets here" "I heard he has never lost a battle""My sister said his wolf is the strongest ever recorded" I looked at Nora "Is he that important?" She stared at me "Aria" "What" "Do you know anything outside this pack at all?. Kael Draven is not just any alpha Aria. His reputation reaches beyond our borders" she lowered her voice "Some people say his presence alone can make wolves submit" I raised an eyebrow "That sounds exaggerated" Nora shrugged "Maybe. Whatever is the truth,I'm sure we don't want to find out" We walked towards the main hall. Everywhere had been transformed. Tables covered with white cloth filled the room, flowers decorated the entrance and warriors stood outside wearing their formal uniforms instead of their usual training clothes. Nora turned to me "Don't you think we should get changed?" "Why?" She gave me a look "Because there is a welcome feast" "Which is for him" "And there is no harm in dressing up" "I'm fine this way Nora" She look at me disappointedly "Anything you say then" A loud noise suddenly echoed through the pack territory. We didn't need to ask what it's meant for. It was the Alpha. The entire pack gathered near the entrance.I stayed behind the crowd,exactly where I always stood. Where I belonged. The gates opened slowly. The conversations around me faded. One by one. The sound of footsteps replaced the voices. The warriors entered first,their expressions serious. Then came the Alpha. Kael Draven. I understood immediately why everyone spoke about him the way they did. Not because he tried to command attention. He didn't need to. There was something about the way he walked,the way everyone around him reacted,the way the atmosphere shifted when he entered The confidence of the crowd disappeared. Warriors who usually stood proudly lowered their heads. Even the elders stepped forward with clear respect. I watched from where I stood. A man living completely out of my world. A powerful and respected wolf whose name carried weight. The Alpha greeted the elders and exchanged words with other important members of the pack. He greeted Lyra since she was the face of our pack and was the daughter of a powerful Beta. Everything I was meant to be. Her friends whispered around her after she was greeted by the Alpha. I could see from the smile on her face that they were talking about the Alpha. I looked away. It was none of my business. The welcome feast began later that evening. Nora came to drag me from where I was sitting to her side. "You look like someone who is mourning Aria" I glanced at her"I am just eating" "Eating like someone forced to be here"I smiled "Maybe because someone did forced me" She laughed quietly. Everything felt normal until the elders stood up. The sound of conversation slowly disappeared. Elder Marcus stepped forward. Everyone turned toward him "There is something important that must be announced tonight" The hall became silent. He looked toward Alpha Kael as if asking for permission for something and the Alpha kid his head as a signal for him to continue. "As everyone knows,the bind between an alpha and his destined mate is one of the greatest connections blessed by the Moon Goddess" Everyone began whispering as we all already understood where he was going "The mate ritual will take place tomorrow night" The room erupted. The young ladies around me exchanged excited looks. They began smiling and whispering among themselves. Elder Marcus raised his hand, and the room was quiet again. "Tomorrow,the moon Goddess will reveal the woman destined to stand beside Alpha Kael Draven. " Everyone looked excited. Everyone except me. Because what was about to happen belonged to a world I had never been part of. There is one thing I'm sure of. Whoever got chosen , it won't be me.

Aria's Pov The sound of the pack waking up reached my room before the sunlight did. Voices echoed through the corridors. Footsteps moved quickly across the wooden floors. Whispers filled everywhere as everyone prepared for the Mate ritual. For everyone in the Shadow Fang Pack, today was not just another day. It was a day of hope. A day where dreams could become reality. But for me,it was simply another reminder that I belonged to a world I had never truly been part of. I sat on the edge of my bed,staring at the dress Nora had left behind on the chair beside me. It was too beautiful for me. The dark blue fabric shimmered slightly whenever the morning light touched it,and the small silver details around the sleeves made it look like something a real heiress would wear. It was the dress that my mother always wore to special occasions. I picked it up carefully before placing it back down "You're seriously not thinking of staying here,are you?" I looked up to see Nora standing by my doorway. I sighed "Do you ever knock?" "Why do I have to knock in a friend's home" I smiled slightly Nora walked inside and picked up the dress before placing it into my hands "You're going" I looked at her "Nora" She pointed at me "Don't start" I stared at her "You know I have no reason to be there" "You have all the reasons to be there, Aria. This doesn't happen everyday. Let's just go and see how it's done" Maybe she was right after all. I should allow myself to exist. Even if it was only for one night. "Okay fine" Nora jumped on excitedly "But first I need to find something to eat Nora" "Then let's go get something to eat" We went outside to get some fruits. There was a large crowd at the training ground. "What could be going on?" Nora asked curiously I shrugged "We won't know till we get there" We moved to where the crowd gathered. They were having a friendly duel. It was something Shadow fang pack did during important gatherings. A chance for warriors and young werewolves to prove how strong they are. The entire area was filled with excitement. Their voices blended together as they waited for the first match. "Let's stay and watch" Nora said The match started and different wolves were matched together. I watched as they jumped against each other and how one beat the other. "This looks fun" I heard Nora whispered to me I smiled at her "I think I'm interested" She said as she went up to the stage as they were looking for the next participant "What? Nora" I whispered but she was already gone. She was paired with a male wolf but even he knows he stands no chance against Nora. She was not a princess or anything but she's one of the strongest in the pack. The duel started. I watched as Nora moved swiftly making an attack against her opponent. She looked completely different when fighting. Fierce,fast and strong. With a few moves she knocked her opponent down. She was declared the winner and everyone cheered happily. She looked at me among the crowd and waved at me. I smiled and waved at her back. My eyes landed on Lyra. She stood on the other side of the arena surrounded by her friends wearing a confident smile. She looked at me and gave a wicked smile. I knew she was up to no good. Nora soon came back to my side. "How was I?" "Wonderful as usual" I said smiling at her "What? Lyra is contesting?" one of the wolves said. I looked up and saw Lyra in the arena waiting for someone to challenge her. No one dared to because they know how strong her wolf is. "Since no one is willing to come out, I guess I'll have to pick someone myself" She said and faced where I was standing. "Oh no" Nora said "I choose Aria" she said pointing at me "What?" "How could she pick Aria?" "Except she wants to embarrass her on purpose" People started whispering among themselves. "Lyra. If you're doing this on purpose then stop" Nora stepped forward and confronted her. I stared at the ground unable to say anything. "What is wrong with her proving her stay in the pack?" She said looking at Nora "I know what you're doing Lyra. You know she can't. " Lyra interrupted her. "She can't do what?" "You know what I'm saying" I walked forward and held Nora not to say anything. "I accept your challenge" I also don't know what made me accept it Nora faced me "Are you insane?" "You know you don't stand a chance against her" I placed my hands on Nora shoulder "I know that Nora. But you said it yourself. I can't keep running away from things. I need to prove myself" "But" Nora tried to say something but I stopped her and went up inside the ring "Let's do this" I said to Nora getting in form as Nora thought me We waited for the start signal. My eyes landed on Alpha Kael Draven somewhere around the crowd. Why did he have to be here today of all days? I looked at Nora as she wished me luck. Lyra launched her first attack. She moved fastly I could barely point out where she was. The only thing I could do was block a few attacks but she was too strong. She landed her final attack and I was completely helpless on the ground. The crowd murmurs. Lyra started transforming into her wolf. She was determined to end me right there. I watched as she launched towards me, unable to do anything. If this is really how I die,then so be it. I closed my eyes waiting for my fate but the next I heard was someone landing on the ground. I opened my eyes. It was Nora. She protected me from her. Lyra spilled blood from her mouth because she fell hard to the ground and transformed back to her human form. She stood up angrily and shouted angrily. "Nora! How dare you interrupt a match" Nora moved closer to her "Anyone could see it was no longer a friendly match, Lyra. You nearly killed her!" "She's right. Why take a match that personal?" "She knew Aria was no match for her and still forced her to fight" Lyra watched as everyone said their opinion. She was embarrassed and stormed out of the arena angrily. Nora helped me up but I was too weak to stand up. I leaned on her and walked out of the arena. I spotted the Alpha again watching as everything happened. "I can't go home right now Nora" "Let's go to the secret base then" I nodded and Nora walked me away from the Arena.