The scarred Heart

Naia had always been anxious about the Choosing Moon Ceremony, but now she felt as though her skin was crawling beneath her clothing. Her ribcage resonated with each rhythm like a warning. In an attempt to calm herself, she moved from foot to foot. Her palms were slippery and the heat of the bonfire held her clothes tight. She was standing just out of the bonfire, close to the circle's edge, alongside the other unmated wolves. Not too far away to be noticed. In close enough proximity to pass judgment. The woodland whispered behind her. Her future awaited her, blazing or dazzling. Ronan was standing on the other side of the circle. He never gave her a look. All night long, he hadn't. He appeared to be Alpha already, with his big shoulders squared and his chin high. Liora stood next to him, her smile glued on tighter, her golden hair held up like a crown. "Are you alright?" Kora murmured next to her. Naia took a while to respond. "Yeah," she finally replied. "I wish it were already over." "You and me both." The drums ceased. Like a razor, silence descended. Naia held her breath. Abruptly, the altar's central flames flared and twisted up in a column of white and blue. The smoke trailed through the air like fingers looking for something—someone—while spinning in tight coils. Her heart was racing as she watched it. Then it swung around. directly in her direction. "Oh no," She muttered. Around her wrist was a delicate, warm, throbbing thread of silver smoke. The Moon had made her decision. It was a sacred and uncommon thing. Quite lovely. Yet, she was afraid. Around the circle, gasps were heard. Kora clasped her hand firmly. Ronan's face altered over the fire. Confusing. And then, terror. After then, it got frigid. "No," he responded in a firm, loud voice. “I refuse the bond.” Chaos sprang out of the silence. "No—wait—what?" Unable to breathe, Naia blinked. With a piercing glance, Ronan stepped forward. "She is not my mate," He said furiously. As if it didn't matter. Despite her legs giving out, Naia managed to remain upright. Her inner wolf moaned, then stopped talking. She parted her lips, but nothing came out. “It is impossible—” Kora began. "Yes, I can," Ronan yelled. "I didn't make the decision, but the Moon did." "This can’t be—" said Ronan. At last, Naia gasped out. With a cold voice, he said, "Naia, you're not what I want." “You weren’t.” Liora moved in closer, putting her arm through his. She twisted her lips in a phony apology while her eyes glistened. Her tone was too pleasant when she said, "It's nothing personal." She continued "Mistakes are made by the Moon sometimes." Naia backed away unsteadily. A mistake. That was her new identity. The flames grew dimmer. There was no more smoke. Like a knife-cut string, the bond thread broke. Naia turned and left before anyone could witness her tears. ****** Her memory went mostly blank, after that. Just her own heartbeat and the icy surge of the wind as she dashed into the woods. Under her feet, the ground seemed uneven and the trees were blurry. Until the drumming stopped, the bonfire light vanished, and the forest engulfed her, she continued to run. At last she came to a stop by the river. Naia fell to her knees, her fingertips licking the chilly water. She wasn't feeling anything. Devoid. Back of her, footsteps crunched. Naia? She remained immobile. "Go now." Kora replied quietly as she walked slowly up, "It's me." "You had me following you." Naia laughed, sardonic and without humor. “You did, of course.” "I was unable to leave you alone after that." Kora was crouching next to her. "I'm really sorry." Naia shook her head. "Kora, he didn't even hesitate. As if he had planned it.” “He most likely had.” She became silent in shock. Kora grimaced. "Last week, I heard Liora talking. She said the bond didn’t matter," she paused for a bit. “She said they would figure it out somehow.” “So they were aware?” "She probably forced him to do it." Naia's hands were tight. She dug her fingernails into her hands. “I was chosen by the Moon. He made me appear foolish.” “No,” Kora firmly responded, "He made himself appear cowardly." With burning eyes, Naia gazed at her dearest friend. "Why wasn't I enough?" Kora took a while to respond. She gazed at the river nearby. "Naia, I don't believe this is about you. It seems to me that he is unaware of what strength looks like when it is not audible.” With a harsh voice, Naia lowered her head. "I no longer feel her. My wolf.” She has ceased to speak. Kora's gaze expanded. "The bond?" Naia gave a nod. "It broke me in some way." After a lengthy silence, Kora muttered, "There's a place." "What kind of place?" "Go beyond the ridge. The ruin. You are aware of the ones.” Naia scowled. "They are cursed, according to the elders." “Perhaps” Kora answered, almost grinning. “Or maybe when the pack discards us, they are just what we need." ****** Her journey to them occupied the majority of the night. Under the moon, the ruins, wild and ancient, stood like splintered fangs. The pillars leaned in on one another as though they were still exchanging secrets in a language that was no longer in use. Her heart was heavy as she moved past them. At the central altar, they halted and broke down the center. A voice from the shadows shouted out, "Naia." She turned on her heel. A woman wearing a black cloak moved ahead. She had an odd sheen to her complexion. Her eyes were flaming, not simply golden. “It's you," she said. Despite not having a weapon, Naia's hand jerked toward her belt. “Who are you? “I am Nythera. The one referred to as the cursed and forgotten one.” She grinned. It caught Naia's breath. " I thought you are just a myth." "So, how come I know your name?" Nythera moved in closer, her voice keen and velvety. "I've observed you. how you are treated by them. the strength in you that they dread.” "I have no power," Naia remarked sourly. "I was turned down." Leaving behind Nythera's grin widened. “Not turned down just being misunderstood.” Naia was hesitant. "Why me?" “Pain is a forge,” Nythera muttered. "And you're already on fire." On the other side of the stone pillars came a deep growl. No wolf. Not a person. Something else. When Naia turned abruptly, something in the shadows watched her back.