Luna`s Truth

Eva`s pov. The moon hung low in the sky that night, casting a silvery glow over the forest that surrounded the werewolf's pack's territory. The grand hall stood amidst the towering trees and winding paths where my fate would be decided. I had dreaded this day. I wished it never came, but who was I to change the course of nature? I stood before the gathered pack, my heart pounding loudly in my chest as I faced the gaze of the pack elders. I knew what was coming. I could sense the weight of their judgment bearing down on me. There was pin-drop silence. All eyes, focus and attention were on me, so much so that I wished the ground would open up and swallow me whole. At least to save me from embarrassment. "Everlyn," alpha's voice echoed through the hall with great authority. " You have failed to find your mate..." fear gripped every core of my being as he spoke," You know our tradition; anyone who doesn't find his or her mate will be banished from this park." My heart sank. I should have found my mate on my eighteenth birthday like everyone else normally did. Why was my case different? Why would the moon goddess do this to me? "Today is your twenty-first birthday, and you are yet to undergo the transformation too." Whispers rippled through the crowd. All I could see were the piercing eyes of suspicion looking at me. Others murmured to themselves with disapproval written all over their faces. Their stares were like physical forces, pressing down on me from all sides and corners of the hall. This couldn't end like this. I had to defend myself at least. "But I've tried ... I have," I stammered, but my voice was barely above my whisper. "I have searched, waited…but...but no one has come forward to claim me as his." I said, fighting the tears that welled in my eyes from falling. The alpha's expression softened a bit, but there was no mercy in his eyes. "Only a blind man would be crazy enough to claim you as his mate," someone shouted from behind and everyone else laughed. I had never felt so humiliated in my life. Was I that ugly though? "I'm afraid I can't help you more than I already have, Evelyn. You know the law. Without a mate or transformation, you can no longer be part of us." The harsh reality of my situation dawned on me at that moment. I knew this day would come. I had feared it for as long as I could remember, hoping that my wolf would find me, or I would find my mate, or my mate would find me. I felt unprepared of what was to come, adrift in a sea of uncertainty. "With the power and authority bestowed on me as the Alpha of this great park, I hereby banish you from this kingdom. Guards!!" "Yes your highness," they answered, kneeling before the Alpha with their heads facing the floor as a sign of respect. "Take her out. Make sure she never sets her foot here ever again.!" he ordered. I helplessly watched as they raised me up from where I sat on the cold floor and led me out. With a heavy heart I turned my back on the only home I had ever known in my life, stepping out into the cool night air with nothing else but the clothes I had on. The weight of my uncertain destiny pressed down on my shoulders. "Eva!" a feminine voice called from behind. I turned to see Maya looking at me with a sad look on her face. She then ran to where I was, embracing me in a warm, tight hug. I crossed my arms around her back too, and we stayed in that position for some time. It was as though we were communicating with each other, deep down. "I can't believe you are leaving." 'I don’t have a choice," I responded, chocking on my tears. Maya was the only friend and family I had left since mother died. She was like a sister I never had. We did everything together. I had never for once imagined my life without her in it. "Can I come with you?" "No bestie, you can't leave your home because of me. That would be so unfair. " i said, wiping tears from her face gently. "I will miss you greatly," she sobbed. "Miss, we have to go now," one of the guards warned. "We`ll meet again some day, I promise." I tried to assure her. I silently hoped we would. "Where are you going to live?" "Maya...." a masculine voice startled us. We all turned to see her mate walking hurriedly towards us. I just couldn`t help but think of just how lucky she was to have found him. "Why did you run off like that? I was worried about you," he said to her. "I just had to say goodbye," "Lets go!" the guards shouted, grabbing me and leading me to the darkness of the forest. I turned to wave at her one last time as we walked. Her mate held her in his arms, comforting her as she sobbed uncontrolably. I was led to the end of the park`s territory and abandoned there with no where to go and no one to turn to.