Wolfless, but fearless

Chapter 3

Severa’s POV

I ran. I didn’t stop until the lights of the academy were far behind me.

The wind howled around me at night, and I was standing at the top of a big stone in the forest.

I had held my head high in that ballroom, but out here, in the dark, the humiliation finally caught up to me.

I rejected Tyler. It made me feel good to put him in his place. But it didn't change my awkward situation: I had no wolf, and now, I had no mate.

“Is this it? Is this my life?” I shouted in rage.

I spun around, let out a primal scream, and slammed my fist into the rock wall beside me.

Thanks to harsh training, the rock fractured under my knuckles. I pulled my hand back, watching a line of blood trickle down my finger.

It wasn’t enough. I could punch through solid rock, but I couldn't fight against a shifted, pureblood werewolf with a healing factor? I was still just human. I was still weak, physically.

“I hate being weak!” I screamed at the moon. “I want to be strong! Isn’t there any way to break my human limits without a wolf?!”

I fell to my knees, pressing my bleeding hand against the rock. My mother always prayed to the Moon Goddess. Now, it was my turn.

“Great Moon Goddess, it's said you always give rejected wolves a second chance mate. But I don’t want romance. I don’t want a mate. I will sacrifice my love life forever. Just tell me how a wolfless girl can become the strongest in this world!” I said with piety.

A pillar of light crashed down from the night sky, embracing me completely.. I gasped as the pale moonlight suddenly shifted, turning into a blinding, silver-blue shadow.

In my mind, a voice echoed. It was ancient, hollow, and absolute.

"You do not need a wolf to be strong."

"Where there is a will, there is a way."

I covered my mouth in deep shock. "You... You are Moon Goddess!"

The shadow flickered lightly.

"I'm. I'm deep touched by your determination. I know an ancient way to become stronger for the wolfless."

My eyes widened. “How? Show me! Please!”

A small object materialized within the pillar of light, drifting down right in front of me. I caught it in my palm. It was a smooth silver Moonstone.

"Take the Moonstone to the Wasteland. Go to Dark Street. When you meet the one who can help you break your limits, the stone will glow."

"Wow, thank..."

The light vanished before I had finished my word. The night was quiet again.

I looked down at the stone in my hand.

“The Wasteland,” I whispered. “I’m coming.”

--

The next morning, I dressed in a black cloak with my short sword strapped to my waist.

My mom was crying, frantically put medical kits and dried meat into my backpack.

“Severa, do you really have to go? The Wasteland is a lawless zone! It’s full of exiled rogues, killers, and psychos! How can I let my little girl go to a place like that?” ” she sobbed.

“Mom, the bag is going to rip,” I said gently, grabbing her hands. “The Moon Goddess gave me a path. I have to take it. I can’t hide behind you and Dad forever.”

My dad looked not as emotional as my mom.

“Enough crying, Viola! The kid is grown. A bird’s gotta leave the nest! She might not have a wolf, but she has our combat skills. Go, Severa! Anyone messes with you, break their jaw. You’re the daughter of a War God!”

I smiled,. “I know, Dad. I’ll be careful. I’ll come back stronger, I promise.”

I slung the heavy backpack over my shoulder, took a deep breath, and walked out the door. I didn’t look back. If I did, I wouldn’t be able to leave.

However, after I had just left my home, I heard my dad cry loudly.

“WAAAAAHHH!”.

“The Wasteland is so dangerous! What if somebody bullies her? She doesn’t have a wolf! What if she gets eaten by a big bad rogue?! I can’t take it! Honey, let me grab my broadsword and follow her secretly!”

Mom, who had been crying a second ago, rolled her eyes and patted his back. “Shut up, you big i***t. You just told her to be tough. Let her go.”

--

By midday, I arrived at the Dark Street of the Wasteland.

It was a nightmare. The air smelled like rotting garbage. Every corner was packed with terrifying, scarred rogues giving me deadly glares.

I kept my cloak pulled low, my hand deep in my pocket, gripping the Moonstone.

I’ve been walking for hours, I thought, frustrated. Where is this legendary master? The stone hasn’t glowed once.

Suddenly, I stopped. I heard shouts and screams. Then I saw several muscular thugs kicking a beggar who curled up in the corner. A young, terrified girl froze in fear with tears down along her cheeks.

“You stupid beggar!” One thug roared, kicking the guy in the ribs. “Who do you think you are, ruining my fun?! I’m an Scar X, and you’re just some trash trying to play hero!”

The guy on the ground was dressed in rags. He was yelping in pain, desperately shielding his head.

“Stop! Stop hitting me!” the beggar yelled. “She was sixteen, you creeps! Forcing yourself on a kid? What kind of men are you?! Ow! Okay, I’m sorry! I shouldn’t have called you men, I should have called you animals! OW!”

Scar X was enraged. He drew a knife. “Keep talking, trash. I’m gonna cut your tongue out.”

I picked up a rock and threw it at Scar X, right at his head. He screamed, dropping the knife.

“Who the hell did that?!”

My eyes were as cold as ice.

“If you’re going to act like garbage, don’t get mad when people point it out,” I put my hand on my sword. “Picking on the weak. Pathetic.”

A disgusting grin spreading across his face. “Well, well. Look what we have here. A pretty little thing. You got a death wish, girl?”

I narrowed my eyes and pulled out my sword, shifting my weight into a combat stance.

Suddenly, the beggar sprang up from the ground like a coiled spring.

“Lady, don’t be stupid!” the beggar screamed. “Too many enemies! RUN!”

Before I could even figure out what was happening, the beggar grabbed my wrist with a death grip, spun around, and bolt as fast as thunder, dragging me with him.

“Hey! Come back here!” the thugs roared, chasing after us.

“What are you doing?!” I yelled, stumbling as the beggar pulled me through a maze of narrow, trash-filled streets. “I was about to fight them!”

“A wise man knows when to run!” he shrieked in panic.

He was right. A wise man should know when to run, but we obviously didn't know where to run.

We ran to a dead end street.

Just as I thought there wa no escaped, the beggar dragged me into a huge dumpster.

I was squished against the wooden slats. The beggar was pressed right up against me, his hands covering his own mouth in pure terror. I should have felt unconfortable cuddling up to a beggar in a dumpster, but when I glared at him, all I could feel was a sense of safety.

So weird.

Heavy footsteps pounded past the dumpster.

“Where did they go?!” Scar X shouted from outside. “Find them! I’m going to chop them to pieces!”

The footsteps eventually faded into the distance.

The beggar let out a long sigh of relief, slumping against the side of the dumpster. “That was close. Thanks for stepping in, brave lady.”

I had to admit, his voice was rich and mesmerizing, especially echoing in such a enclosed space.

"You are brave, too. You saved the girl!"

“Shh!” The beggar suddenly leaned in, his face frowning in confusion. He pointed down at my waist. “Never mind that. Lady, what is in your pocket? It’s blinding me.”

I froze.

I looked down. Through the thick black fabric of pants and my cloak, a piercing blue light was shining so bright.

The Moonstone was glowing like a sun.

My heart stopped. My jaw dropped. I slowly took out and looked up from the glowing stone to the beggar.

"When you meet the one who can help you break your limits, the stone will glow."

The words echoed in my mind.

"Moon Goddess," I screamed internally. "Are you making a joke on me? This begger is the legendary master?"

"Is this stone broken?"