Blood Moon Rising

Chapter 5: Echoes of the Past

The morning light seeps gently through the trees, casting patches of shadows on the forest. Karina woke up feeling a mix of contentment and unease as she felt her body aching from the trainings she had yesterday. While she prepared for another day of training, memories from her past began to creep into her thoughts, rewinding everything, unbidden and unwelcome. She tried to shake them off. She wanted to focus on the present, but they clung to her mind like stubborn cobwebs that she couldn’t dust off.

Karina found herself lost in a haze of memories as she made her way to the training grounds. The scent of the pine trees and the cool morning air reminded her of the early days in the Crimson Claw Pack, when she still believed it is the place she belonged.

---

Karina first transformed into her wolf form when she was fifteen. Her father, a stern and unyielding figure, had stood by watching with cold eyes. "You must learn to control it," he had said, his voice devoid of any warmth. "Weakness will not be tolerated." The man never treated her as his daughter, as if she was someone he found on the forest, an abandoned pup he took under his wing to raise out of pity.

Her mother, a fragile woman with a haunted look in her eyes, had tried to comfort her, but it was clear that she too lived in fear. The Crimson Claw Pack was ruthless, its members bound by strict hierarchies and brutal discipline. Karina had quickly learned to hide her emotions, to mask her vulnerabilities.

The Alpha, her supposed mate, had been the worst. Despite the bond given by the Moon Goddess that should have tied them together, he treated her with indifference. His rejection had been a public humiliation, a clear message to the pack that she was unworthy. The whispers and scornful glances from other members were a constant reminder of her isolation.

---

Karina felt shivered down her spine as the memories came back to her, her heart aching at the recollection of her past. She tried to focus on the path ahead, but the past seemed to merge with the present, each step taking her deeper into her own thoughts.

Reaching the training grounds, Karina was greeted by the sight of her new pack members warming up to start their daily training. Tobias waved at her with a genuine and welcoming smile as he motioned her over. "Ready for another day of training, Karina?"

She nodded, forcing a smile. "Yes, I am."

"Great. Let’s start with some sparring drills today. It'll help improve your reflexes and coordination."

Karina tried to push the memories aside, focusing on the movements and the feel of her body in motion. But each strike and parry seemed to bring back vivid flashes of her old life.

---

She remembered her first training sessions with the Crimson Claw Pack, where failure was met with punishment. It was her first attempt to belong, but her father had been relentless, driving her to exhaustion. "You must be stronger," he would say, his voice a harsh whisper in her ear. "I didn’t raise you to be imperfect."

The other pack members had been no better with their treatments to her. They took every opportunity to belittle her, to remind her that she and her mother where the outcast of their pack. Her life in the Crimson Claw Pack were a constant battle for survival.

---

"Karina, are you okay?" Tobias's voice brought her back to her senses. She had been staring blankly into thin air for a moment without her realizing.

"I'm sorry," she said, shaking her head. "Just...lost in thought."

Tobias gave her a concerned look. "It's okay. If you need a break, just let me know."

Karina took a deep breath, trying to keep herself in the present. "No, it’s okay. I'm fine. Let's keep going."

---

Her thoughts drifted again to the Alpha of her old pack, her fated mate. He had been her mate by fate, but he treated her as nothing more than a burden. His rejection had been public and cruel. "You are weak," he had sneered, his eyes filled with contempt. "You are not fit to be my mate."

---

As the training session continued, Karina felt the weight of those memories slowly lifting. The Silver Moon Pack was different, she reminded herself. They genuinely cared for her and saw her potential rather than her flaws. It was a complete opposite to the toxic environment she had escaped.

After a while, Tobias called for a break. Karina sat down on a bench and closed her eyes as she takes deep breaths. The fresh air and the sound of birds singing in the trees helped to calm her racing thoughts.

Maris handed her a cup of water. "You looked a bit lost out there. Everything okay?"

Karina accepted the water gratefully. "Just...thinking about the past. It's hard to shake sometimes."

Maris nodded, her eyes filled with understanding. "I know. But that's natural. You've been through a lot. But remember, you're not alone anymore. This pack is here for you."

Karina felt a surge of gratitude for Maris's words. "Thank you. It means a lot."

As the sun sets, Karina found herself comparing her current situation to her old pack. The differences were night and day.

---

Every day had been a struggle in her old pack. Everyone was ruled by fear and dominance, with the strong preying on the weak. Her father's cold treatment towards her, her fragile mother's silent suffering, and the Alpha's cruel rejection had all contributed to an environment where she felt perpetually unsafe and unvalued.

---

By contrast, the Silver Moon Pack was a haven of kindness and support. The members worked together. Every members were bonded with respect and care. Meals were communal, the best part of the day, filled with laughter and conversation. There was a sense of safety and belonging that Karina had never experienced before.

That evening, as Karina joined the pack for dinner, she marveled at the difference. Karina found herself sitting close to the fire with Caius. Caius was fair and compassionate, his leadership based on mutual respect rather than fear.

"You're quiet tonight," Caius observed, his eyes reflecting the firelight as he searched Karina’s eyes for answers. "Something on your mind?"

Karina sighed, her gaze fixed on the flickering flames. "I just had flashbacks of my old pack. The way they treated me...it's hard to forget."

Caius nodded, his expression thoughtful. "It's not easy to move on from something like that. But I know you're strong, Karina. And you're not alone anymore. We're here to help you heal. You belong here."

Karina felt tears prick at the corners of her eyes as she nodded.

That night, as Karina rest in her bed, she thought her journey the brought her here. The pain and rejection of her past may had been a heavy burden to her, but it had also led her to the Silver Moon Pack. It led her to a place where she had found acceptance, support, and a chance to start over.

Karina knew that putting her past behind her wouldn’t be easy, her healing was still miles away but she also knew that she could do it. She found her family that will support her and help her grow. The past may left a scar but she’ll wear it with pride.

One day, during an intense sparring match with Tobias. Karina moved with confidence, her strikes and defenses fluid and precise, movements she was surprised herself to see. Tobias grinned, clearly impressed.

"You're getting better every day, Karina," he said, catching his breath. "Keep this up, and you'll be one of our best warriors."

Karina felt a surge of pride. "I couldn't have done it without your help. Thank you."

"Well, that’s what we do here," Tobias replied. "We support each other."

As the day ended, Karina found herself alone in the training grounds. Everyone had already gone to the clearing to help the preparation for dinner. She chooses to stay to be alone with her thoughts.

Karina sat under a tree and shook all of the memories that kept coming back to her. She stared at her hands. They looked different. Her hands used to look worn out from her duties and responsibilities that she did by herself in the Crimson Claw Pack. She smiled, her hands may look worn out but not because of labor but because of her training. It was the physical evidence that she was accepted as a member not as a slave.

"Silver Moon Pack is different. I am home now," she told herself.