"When the Soul Speaks"
1008 Words
Gloria woke slowly, her eyelids heavy, as if returning from a world drowned in darkness.
The first thing she saw was a face she knew well…
The face of her adoptive mother, *Raya*, watching her with tearful, anxious eyes.
“Sweetheart… are you okay?”
Her voice was soft, laced with fear.
“Are you in pain? Your heart… does it hurt? Please, tell me if anything hurts.”
Gloria looked into those eyes overflowing with rare tenderness—and couldn’t hold back.
She fell into her mother’s arms and broke down crying.
All the pain she’d buried, the heartbreak, the silence she’d been forced to endure… it all poured out.
Raya held her tightly, running her fingers through her hair, giving her the only safe place she knew.
When her sobs finally quieted, Raya spoke gently, but firmly:
“Gloria...
If someone rejects you, belittles you, tries to dim your light...
Don’t show them your pain.
Don’t fight. Don’t shout. Don’t make it a scene.”
She paused, wiping away Gloria’s tears, then added:
“Turn your back on them...
Lift your head high...
And walk away with pride.
Create distance. Because distance—silence—is the loudest answer to someone like that.”
Gloria closed her eyes, gripping Raya’s hand tightly.
She might not have a wolf...
But in that moment, she had something stronger:
*The will to start again.*
Just as Gloria tightened her grip on Raya’s hand, a soft knock came at the door.
Raya stood and opened it gently.
There stood *Leon*, Gloria’s adoptive father, tall and composed as always, and behind him, *Ian*, holding a warm cup of tea.
Leon walked in first, his expression unreadable, but his eyes betrayed something deeper—pain... and protectiveness.
He sat on the edge of her bed, placed his large hand gently on her head, and said quietly:
“Tell me who broke your heart, Gloria...
And I’ll make sure they never get close to you again.”
His voice held steel… but wrapped in warmth.
The kind of warmth only a father could offer.
Gloria let out a shaky laugh through her tears. A real one. Small… but real.
Ian stepped forward and handed her the cup.
“Chamomile and moonflower. Mom says it calms the nerves,” he said.
Then added with a playful smirk, “I added a secret ingredient—my patented brotherly love.”
Gloria gave him a weak smile and playfully bumped his arm.
Laughter echoed softly in the room for a moment… a rare moment of peace.
Leon looked her straight in the eyes.
“You’re part of this family, Gloria.
Wolf or no wolf… that doesn’t change anything.”
Ian nodded firmly.
“And if anyone can’t see how amazing you are… that’s their loss.”
She took a sip of the tea.
It was sweet.
Maybe because it was warm…
Or maybe because *they were there*.
_______
after 2 days
Gloria’s Room
It was nearly nine p.m.
The house was quiet… more than usual.
In her room, Gloria sat in front of her mirror, staring at her reflection as if she didn’t recognize the girl looking back.
*The full moon night.*
The night when the *new Alpha* is formally announced.
And Fred?
He would be standing tonight at the center of the stage.
Not just as Alpha… but as the one who chose his *mate*.
The whole pack would be there to witness it.
A soft knock at the door.
Raya entered, holding an elegant gray dress in her hands — the exact shade that matched Gloria’s eyes.
“You know, this has always been your favorite color,” she said with a gentle smile.
“I think it’ll look perfect on you tonight.”
Gloria turned to her, voice barely above a whisper:
“Do I really have to go?”
Raya stepped closer, sat beside her, and spoke softly:
“I know your heart is still hurting… but tonight isn’t just about Fred.
It’s about you too. You’ve turned sixteen, and now it’s your time to be present at the Alpha Ceremony. If you don’t go, they’ll say you’re defying the pack.”
She took Gloria’s hand gently.
“I just want you to be there… as my daughter. As you deserve to be.”
Gloria looked down at the dress, then back at her reflection, and took a deep breath.
She wasn’t ready.
But she would go.
For her mother… and for herself.
After the atmosphere had calmed a little, the door opened again, quietly — and *Linia*, the Alpha’s mate and the current Luna of the pack, stepped inside.
She was holding a warm blanket in her arms, a gentle smile on her lips despite the concern in her eyes.
“I heard what happened…” she said softly as she approached Gloria. “I couldn’t just stay away.”
She sat on the edge of the bed across from her and gently wrapped the blanket around Gloria’s shoulders like a mother would.
“I know the pain in your chest is heavy, little one...
But what you don’t realize yet is that pain like this is not the end — it’s the beginning of something stronger inside you.”
Gloria looked up at her, eyes glistening with tears again, though they didn’t fall.
The Luna continued with a warm, steady smile:
“When your heart is broken like this, don’t let yourself fall apart.
Always remember: real wolves aren’t just measured by strength — but by patience and dignity.
And you, Gloria… you were born to be stronger than you think.”
Gloria whispered,
“Even if I don’t have a wolf?”
Linia met her gaze, firm and full of belief:
“Maybe your wolf hasn’t shown up yet…
But your soul? Your soul shines brighter than many around you.”
Then she placed her hand gently over Gloria’s and said,
“We’ll stand by you. Always. We’re your family.”
“Thank you for your support, Luna.”
- Writer
