Late bloomer

The Silvermont Pack celebrated strength. Strength in battle. Strength in blood. Strength in the wolf that lived beneath the skin. And Kira Vale had none of it. The whispers started the moment she stepped into the training grounds. “Late Bloomer.” “She still hasn’t shifted?” “Eighteen and wolf-less. Pathetic.” Kira ignored them the way she always did — head high, expression blank, emotions buried so deep no one could reach them. Years of mockery had taught her one thing: Never let them see you break. The cold evening wind brushed against her dark hair as she walked through the crowded grounds. Wolves trained under the silver glow of the moon while pack members gathered around fires, laughing and celebrating the approaching Blood Moon Ceremony. Everyone looked excited. Everyone except her. Because tonight mattered. Tonight was the final chance for unshifted wolves to awaken the beast inside them. And if nothing happened… They would never happen. Kira’s fingers curled tightly at her sides. She could already imagine the pity in their eyes tomorrow morning. Or worse — relief. The Silvermont Pack hated weakness. A sudden silence spread across the grounds. Kira didn’t need to look up to know why. Alpha Kieran had arrived. Even the air changed when he walked in. Tall. Broad-shouldered. Dressed in black. His presence alone carried enough power to make lesser wolves lower their heads instantly. His sharp gray eyes swept across the training grounds with cold authority, unreadable and dangerous. Every conversation died. Every wolf straightened. Kira tried to walk past without looking at him. Tried. But the moment his eyes landed on her, her steps slowed. Something about Kieran’s stare always felt different. Too intense. Too aware. Like he saw something inside her that nobody else could. And she hated it. A girl beside the fire snickered loudly. “Maybe the moon’s embarrassed to give her a wolf.” A few people laughed. Kira kept walking. Another voice followed. “She should just leave the pack already.” That one hit harder than it should have. Her jaw tightened, but before she could respond, a deep voice cut through the crowd like a blade. “Enough.” Silence. Instant. Kira looked up sharply. Kieran stood near the center of the grounds, his cold eyes fixed on the group that had been laughing. The pressure in the air became suffocating. “No member of my pack,” he said calmly, “will be humiliated publicly again.” Nobody dared argue. The wolves immediately lowered their heads in submission. Kira frowned slightly. Why would he care? Kieran’s gaze shifted toward her again, lingering for one dangerous second before he turned away. “Prepare for the ceremony,” he ordered. The crowd scattered instantly. But Kira remained frozen in place. Because for the first time in years… Some one defended her