The Choice

Chapter 3

Octavia grew up in the all werewolf territory of Lunar Lake, nestled deep in the woods of the Silverwind Mountains. From an early age, Octavia knew that she was different from everyone in her family. While the rest of her family were Werewolves, she was a human.

As a child, Octavia did not show signs of having a wolf. While her brother grew stronger and quicker, Octavia did not. While her brother started to develop enhaunced senses, she did not. While her brother started to show signs of a temper and heightened emotions, she again did not. While her mother believed her to be a late bloomer, Octavia knew deep down that she did not have an inner wolf.

The day Octavia turned sixteen and her wolf did not show, her mother finally stopped believing she was just a late bloomer.

Despite her challenges of not having a wolf, Octavia loved living with the pack. Every member took her in as their own, creating an environment of acceptance and understanding. She felt united and belonging within the pack. Her mother and father included her in all pack activities as best as they could.

When she turned eighteen, her father gave her the job as his assistant. Since she could not help with patrols and join the ranks like her brother, she could still help with organizing and planning activities for the pack. Octavia was happy with her role in the pack and even happier with the life she was living.

It was late afternoon and Octavia was completely wiped out from the intense preparations she had been making all day to get the pack house ready for tomorrow. Her back was killing her from lugging around piles of bed linen and rearranging furniture. It felt like she had been doing squats all day, with her knees now sporting a few bruises from scrubbing down every nook and cranny of the guest bathrooms, and don't even get her started on the smell of cleaning solution that seemed to have permanently seeped into her hands.

But despite the exhaustion and minor aches, Octavia couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment. She worked her butt off to ensure that everything was spotless and welcoming for their special guests. The pack house was gleaming from top to bottom. Now that her work was done, Octavia was ready to kick back and relax. She deserved a well-earned drink. She could already feel the cold bottle in her hand. Her mouth watering, she walked towards the small patch of woods at the edge of the house.

As Octavia ventured through the shadowed woods, a sense of peace and familiarity enveloped her, and a smile graced her lips. The moonlight filtered through the canopy, casting an otherworldly glow on the forest floor where ancient trees stood as silent sentinels guarding the secrets of the night.

The chorus of nocturnal creatures serenaded her with their enchanting melodies, their haunting calls and rustling movements harmonizing in the darkness. She followed the meandering path. Her steps guided by the comforting embrace of the wilderness around her. The air was heavy with the earthy scent of damp soil and Octavia drank in the scent, feeling comforted by the woods she loves.

Years ago, Troy and Jasper stumbled upon a hidden clearing nestled within the thick woods. Since their discovery, the clearing has evolved into a cherished haven for Octavia and her friends. Every week without fail, no matter what life had brought their way, they returned to this sacred spot. In the company of the ancient trees and the quiet night, they had laughed, cried, and bared their every being into the very fabric of the clearing.

As she emerged from the dense forest, she entered the moonlit clearing. In the heart, a whimsical display unfolded before Octavia’s eyes. Solar string lights dangled from large branches, casting a soft, warm light over the scene below. Their gentle glow illuminated an eclectic array of weathered, mismatch furniture collected over time. An aged wooden table, adorned with flickering candles, served as the centerpiece, surrounded by an assortment of chairs and cozy, worn cushions. Among the cushions sat her friends, huddled together, their faces aglow with joy and laughter. The air was alive with the promise of a good night.

Octavia paused, drinking in the familiar sights. She couldn’t help but feel as if she had come home to a place that understood her in a way no other could.

“Octavia! Get your sexy ass over here”, Jasper yelled with a chorus of laughter from their friends.

He sat on the aged couch, patting the spot next to him and held up a drink for her with the biggest grin plastered to his face.

“Hey that’s my sister man,” Troy groaned from a tattered arm chair across from him.

Octavia rolled her eyes and with a laugh and a small shake of her head, she walked towards them.