CHAPTER 1
1335 Words
Elena's POV
Slam!
I hit the ground hard, as I gasp for air. There was sharp pain in my elbows as my crimson blood streaked down my arm. My heart thudded painfully in my chest as laughter rippled through the training ground.
Of course, it had to be Shift Control with Trainer Helios; the worst period of the day.
Jenna stood over me with a smirk, her blonde hair falling perfectly over her shoulders. "What a weakling!" she mocked. "And to think you're Seraphina's daughter."
I swallowed the lump in my throat and knelt. My arms were shaking as I tried to catch my breath; my classmates stood around me in loose circles, watching. Judging.
"Get up, Elena," Trainer Helios's cold voice carried across the field. "Again."
I forced myself to stand. My legs were in pain, and my ribs throbbed where Jenna's elbow had hit me. Across from me, Jenna stood with a smirk on her face. Behind her, her minions, Leah and Kara, whispered and giggled.
"Come on," Jenna taunted. "Unless you've had enough?"
My fists curled at my sides, and heat rose to my cheeks. I wanted to fight back to prove everyone wrong, but my body refused to cooperate. My wolf hadn't awakened yet, and without her, I was slower. Weaker.
I took a shaky breath and lunged forward. Jenna sidestepped effortlessly, grabbing my arm and twisting me around before driving her foot into my back.
I hit the ground face-first, and dirt filled my mouth; my palms scraped against the rough earth.
Laughter erupted again.
I fought to hold back my tears as they tried to fall. Crying would only make it worse.
"Enough," Trainer Helios barked. His hard gaze swept over me as I pushed myself to my knees. "That's it for today."
Jenna walked past me. Her boot stopped right by my face.
"You'll never be half the wolf your mother was." She leaned down. "Everyone knows it. Even you."
Her words struck a nerve, like a knife plunged into my soul. I sat there, lost in thought, as everyone exited the training ground.
Thank goddess school was over, because going to class would amount to more humiliation. I dug a hand into my pocket and felt it– my late mother's handkerchief. The only thing I had left of her.
I brought it out and caressed the material softly. I turned around and walked towards the edge of the school grounds, where a narrow bushy path led to the pack's cemetery.
I walked closer to the cemetery with my hands shaking while my chest tightened at every step.
My mother's grave was marked by a simple stone.
Emilia Knox (Loyal Beta, Warrior and Mother).
Tears streamed down my cheeks, and I sobbed loudly as I knelt before my mother's tomb. My hands pressed onto the ground, and my fingers trembled uncontrollably.
"Oh, Mom…" my voice broke out, "I'm trying, but… I'm not strong enough."
My mother had been a warrior, a legend. She fought for the pack with unmatched strength and died while protecting the Luna. They say I look like her, but I don't feel like her. I am not fearless or strong like her.
"Mom, why won't my wolf awaken? I’ll be eighteen soon…" My voice cracked, "Why am I so… weak?"
Footsteps sounded behind me, and I wiped my eyes quickly with the cloth.
"Elena?"
I turned to see Sophia standing a few steps away. My best friend's brown eyes were filled with concern as she walked toward me.
"Hey," she said softly, and caressed my shoulders.
"You found me again," I exhaled with a shaky breath, looking away.
"Yes, I heard what happened… so sorry I wasn't there to help. Do you need me to switch to Shift-Control class? I could drop Herbology elective."
I shook my head. Fresh tears wanted to come. "No. Don't give up your dream because of me. I'll be fine."
I was lying. We both knew it.
Sophia pulled me to my feet. Hugged me tight. "You're doing great, Elena. Your wolf will come. And when she does, you'll be one of the strongest."
I wiped the tear that streaked down my jaw. "Thank you, Sophia." Goddess knows how much I really needed those words. Even if it wasn't true.
Soon, we were holding hands and laughing as we walked home together. The sweet smell of the forest spread through the air as trees formed a roof above us.
During our walk home Sophia asked me to join her family for dinner but I refused because I did not want their sympathy about my mother. She pouted sadly and said "They really do care about you, you know. Especially my brother."
I blinked "What?"
She smiled faintly, a knowing look in her eyes. "He notices more than you think. Always has."
My heart twisted with confusion. Sophia's brother was older, already graduated from the academy. I barely saw him anymore, though I remembered how he used to walk us home when we were younger. How he'd glare at anyone who looked at me wrong.
"I don't need protecting," I said quietly.
Sophia squeezed my hand. "Maybe not. But that won't stop him from watching over you anyway."
I wanted to ask more, but something in her expression told me she'd said all she would say. The topic shifted as we continued walking.
"Can you join me tomorrow to pick some herbs for my upcoming exams?" she asked.
I opened my mouth to answer when a low groan echoed through the quiet forest. We froze.
"Did you hear that?"
"Yes," Sophia whispered, suddenly sniffing the air. "It's close by."
My heart pounded heavily as we searched the nearby bushes. Then I saw him.
A boy lying helpless on green grass. His face was handsome with a sharp jawline, high cheekbones, and dark lashes resting against his pale cheeks.
His shirt was stained with blood, and it clung to the well-defined body. He looked around our age– maybe eighteen.
I slowly moved toward him and got on my knees as I reached where he was. I hesitated before placing my hand on his arm.
His eyes fluttered open; deep green, the color of a sunlit forest.
A shiver ran through me as his gaze locked on mine. Something stirred inside me, a quiet hum in my soul.
"Shh… You're hurt." I whispered. "Just stay still."
His eyes locked on mine a little longer before closing.
"Elena," Sophia's voice trembled. "What do we do?"
"We need to help him."
"There's a plant nearby, it should help," Sophia responded, her hands shaking nervously. Her voice was shaky. "It's… It's just that the energy coming off him… It's almost making my wolf cower."
I swallowed hard. "Show me."
Sophia hesitated before pointing to a tiny purple plant in the thick bush. I took hold of the plant and squeezed its leaves for the juice. Then I applied the mixture directly to the large cut on his arm.
He hissed under his breath, muscles twitching beneath my touch. My hand closed around my mother's handkerchief. I hesitated.
"Elena…"
I wrapped the cloth tightly around his arm carefully and tied it with a firm knot. His breathing slowed beneath my touch.
Sophia stood behind me with her eyes wide open. "Let's go," she whispered.
I slowly stood up and looked at him for one last time. His face was peaceful now, and his breathing had become steady.
That night, I couldn't sleep. The memory kept replaying in my mind… his face, the warmth of his skin, the way he'd looked at me with those deep green eyes.
The boy's image literally haunted me the whole week. He was everywhere, even in my dreams.
Just when I was finally getting over the strange guy, some new students transferred into my class the following week…
The moment they walked in. My breath hitched.
Deep forest eyes met mine, and recognition flickered in his eyes.
Oh no!
- Writer
