Painted Tainted

4

I remember nothing but cold when I woke up. The forest was silent, empty except for the rustling leaves and the distant call of a crow. My limbs ached, my throat was dry, and the damp ground pressed against my back. When I tried to stand, the world tilted, the trees spun, the sky swayed, and I stumbled.

I shut my eyes tight. I didn’t know how long I had slept. Or how long I’d been out in the cold. The last thing I remembered was tears and betrayal, then running and the forest absorbing me like I was nothing.

But dawn was breaking now. Weak sunlight trickled through the branches, soft and pale. I slowly pushed myself up, each movement heavy and slow. My body screamed, begging me to lie down again. My stomach clenched with hunger. My joints moaned in protest.

Still, I stood. Because today was supposed to be special.

Today was our eighteenth birthday. The day of the Mating Ceremony, the day I should have found my mate, the day I dared to hope again.

My steps were unsteady, breath shallow. I harvested every bit of strength I had and began the long walk home, each footfall a small struggle. The forest was quiet. The only sounds were my ragged breaths and the occasional chirp of a distant bird. I kept my head down, my mind empty, fighting the urge to collapse again.

When I finally reached home, I crept inside as silently as a shadow. My bones were heavy, my skin cold, my heart raw. I moved toward my room, each step slower than the last.

A soft glimmer caught my eye.

It came from the mirror in the corner of the room. Vivi stood in front of it, turning slightly, admiring herself.

Around her neck hung a necklace, the necklace Xavier once gave me.

My necklace.

The one I had cherished more than anything.

The one I’d thought I had lost.

Viviana’s fingers traced the pendant softly. She studied her reflection, lips curving into a smug smile as she tilted her head this way and that.

Heat flared inside me, not just anger, but disbelief, Pain, Loss.

It felt like someone had reached inside my chest and twisted.

And then I saw him. Xavier walked into the room, his arms sliding around Vivi's waist.

His lips brushed her cheek.

His eyes soft, adoring.

For a moment, everything froze.

Time. The air. The moonlight from last night. The betrayal. The forest.

They all vanished.

I felt like I didn’t exist anymore.

I tried to turn away. I tried to keep walking.

But my own feet betrayed me. I bumped into a stack of canvases and drawings that sat near the door. They clattered to the floor. Too loud in the silence.

Xavier and Vivi both jerked toward me.

His eyes flicked up, concern shining through the soft smile.

“Calista, are you okay?” he asked.

My stomach twisted. My cheeks burned — not from embarrassment, but from something deeper, sharper.

I glared at him. Then at Viviana, her smug expression, the pendant in her hand, the way she leaned against him as if she belonged to him.

I turned away without a word, stepping out of the room as fast as I could, though my legs trembled with weakness and pain.

I could almost feel their eyes on me as I left.

But I refused to turn back.

---

The day dragged by in slow motion. Everything felt dull and flat. Sounds were too loud, colors too bright, people’s laughter too sharp. I moved without thinking — barely tasting food, barely noticing the world around me.

My wolf, Nina, was restless inside me. I felt cold. Empty. Used.

Then a howl shattered the stillness.

A deep, echoing howl that rolled across the pack grounds and beyond.

It was the Summoning Howl. The call for all eighteen-year-olds to gather for the ceremony.

My breath caught. My pulse pounded painfully.

I heard footsteps behind me — Vivi already half dragging Xavier by the wrist, chatter and excitement spilling from her lips.

He didn’t resist.

He didn’t look at me.

I followed a few minutes later, my body still shaky but somehow moving.

The pack grounds were already buzzing — a sea of nervous laughter, whispered hopes, and trembling anticipation. Everyone shifting, whispering to each other, eyes shining with expectation.

They were beautiful in their hope.

Bright. Alive.

I felt nothing.

The full moon rose high, luminous and cold.

It washed over us, bright and fierce — like a spotlight.

A tall figure climbed onto a stone pedestal in the center. The Ceremony Leader. His voice carried across the crowd:

“Welcome, young wolves. Tonight, the Moonstone will reveal your mates. Once paired, you will join one of our sacred packs. Know this: those who are not paired… will be banished forever.”

A hush fell.

It spread, slow and heavy, wrapping everyone in fear.

Whispers. Clings. Prayers whispered to the moon.

I closed my eyes for a moment and whispered mine too....though I wasn’t sure who I spoke to.

Then the chanting began.

Moonlight pooled around the giant Moonstone in the center of the grounds.

It glowed — first soft, then stronger.

The edges of the stone glimmered.

The air hummed.

One by one, red threads of light appeared around wrists and hands across the crowd.

They curled, twisted, then snapped together — pairing mates.

Squeals of delight erupted. Wolf pups burst forward, hugging, shouting, crying, laughing.

🗣️“Mate found!”

🗣️“Thank you, Moon Goddess!”

🗣️“Together forever!”

Hope. Joy. Light.

I dared to glance around, silently praying.

But then I saw them.

Viviana smiling happily, Wrapped in Xavier’s arms. Their wrists glowing with red threads.

Paired. Mated. Chosen.

My heart cracked.

She skipped, jumping in circles, laughter bright and sharp.

Xavier’s smile was soft, gentle. For her.

But when his eyes met mine, just for a second—his expression froze.

It was like seeing a ghost.

A ghost born from betrayal and lies.

My jaws tightened. My breath halted.

But I didn’t speak.

I only watched.

Under the pale-silver moon, surrounded by cheers and celebrations…

I stood alone.