Chapter 1
1190 Words
Nymera’s POV - 10 years old
“Wolfless Nymera! Wolfless Nymera! Wolfless Nymera!” The boys chanted as they poked and prodded at the playground. I was sprawled on the floor after the biggest one amongst them, Bruce, had pushed me, laughing with his friends as he did so. I tried not to cry. Daddy had always said that just because I didn’t have a wolf, it didn’t mean I should be weak. The tears welled up in my eyes as I glared at the boys. I couldn’t do anything to them. Even if I tried, they were all bigger than me, and they had their wolves. So I just sat on the floor, knowing from experience that they would soon get bored. Bruce was just jealous because I won a gold star in our spelling bee while he only won a silver star.
“Hey! What are you doing?” A voice from about seven feet away. I looked up to see a very pretty girl standing with her hands akimbo as she glared at the boys surrounding me. I knew who she was, everyone in the pack knew who she was. She was Astra Young, she was the daughter of our pack’s chief warrior. I knew her because she didn’t have a mom like me and because she was so pretty and strong. I always saw her at the palace whenever there was a pack gathering.
“This doesn’t concern you, Astra,” Bruce said, but his voice was shaky as he said it. I was surprised. I didn’t know Bruce was scared of anyone. He was the tallest and biggest boy in our school.
“Leave her alone,” another voice appeared. I looked up to see the most handsome boy I’d ever seen in my life. My mouth dropped open in surprise, it was Prince Kaelith, the Alpha’s son.
Bruce and his friends did not even wait, the moment they saw Prince Kaelith, they scrambled away. A small giggle escaped my lips before I could hold it in. I slapped a hand over my mouth and bowed my head, scared that the prince would scold me.
A hand appeared in front of me. “Stand up, the floor’s dirty.”
It was Prince Kaelith, his hand outstretched toward me with a gentle smile on his face. I stared at myself, not knowing what to do.
Suddenly, his hand was slapped away, and another one appeared in front of me. “Stand up,” Astra demanded, a fierce frown on her face.
I hesitated, but took her hand, and she dragged me up. Surprised, I almost fell, but the prince caught me. I stammered, “T..Thank you, Prince Kaelith.”
He opened his mouth to respond, but Astra cut in, “What bout me?”
“Oh… um… thank you, As.. Astra.”
The frown on her face changed to a smile, and she pushed her blonde hair back. “You’re welcome. Why didn’t you fight back?”
Prince Kaelith rolled his eyes, “There were four boys surrounding her, Astra. Not everyone is like you, always rushing into fights.”
He then turned to me and asked, “Are you okay? Did they hurt you?”
I shook my head.
“Good,” Prince Kaelith said with a small nod. “Bruce and his friends are cowards anyway. They only act tough when there are many of them together.”
Astra crossed her arms. “Next time they bother you, tell me.”
I blinked at her. “R...really?”
“Obviously,” she said, like it was the simplest thing in the world. “You’re in our class, aren’t you?”
Prince Kaelith suddenly frowned as he looked at my knee. “You’re bleeding.”
I looked down quickly. My knee was scraped from when Bruce pushed me. It stung now that I noticed it.
“It’s fine,” I muttered softly.
Prince Kaelith crouched in front of me before I could stop him. I froze in shock as he pulled out a white handkerchief from his pocket and gently wiped the blood.
Astra scoffed. “You carry handkerchiefs around now?”
“My mother says princes should be prepared.”
“She also says you eat too much dessert, but you never listen to that one.”
Prince Kaelith glared at her while she laughed loudly.
I stared at them quietly. They looked so comfortable with each other. Like a real family.
Then Prince Kaelith looked back at me. “What’s your name?”
“M...Nymera.”
“Nymera Benardine?” Astra asked immediately.
I nodded.
“My father knows your father,” she said. “Your father works with the palace records.”
I nodded again, surprised she knew that.
“You’re the wolfless girl, aren’t you?” She asked bluntly
I bit my lip and nodded sadly. The two of them didn't say anything, they just looked at me.
Prince Kaelith stood up and offered me his hand again, this time slower. “Come on. The bell is about to ring.”
This time, I took it carefully.
His hand was warm.
The three of us walked back toward the classroom together, and I could already feel everyone staring at me. Some of the kids looked confused. Others looked jealous.
Bruce especially looked like he wanted to disappear.
For the first time since I started school, nobody laughed at me when I entered the classroom.
After school ended, I walked home with Daddy like always.
“Well?” Daddy asked as we walked through the busy market road. “How was school today?”
I looked down shyly before smiling a little. “Prince Kaelith and Astra talked to me today.”
Daddy stopped walking.
“They did?”
I nodded quickly. “Bruce was bullying me again, but they stopped him.”
Daddy’s eyes softened immediately. “Did they now?”
I smiled properly this time. “Prince Kaelith cleaned my wound, too.”
Daddy chuckled quietly. “Seems the future Alpha is kinder than most adults in this pack.”
We continued walking together while I swung our joined hands lightly.
“Daddy?”
“Yes, little moon?”
“Do you think I’ll ever get my wolf?”
His smile faded a little.
People passed around us carrying baskets and chatting loudly, but Daddy still bent slightly so he could look directly into my eyes.
“You will,” he said softly. “The Moon Goddess does not make mistakes. You’ll get your woolf once you’re mated”
“But everyone already has theirs.”
“And everyone’s story is different.”
I stared at the ground. “Bruce said I’m broken.”
Daddy sighed quietly before crouching in front of me.
“Listen to me carefully, Nymera. Never let cruel people decide your worth. Some people are born strong. Some people become strong after surviving difficult things.”
I swallowed hard.
Then Daddy tapped my nose gently. “And you, my little moon, will become very strong one day.”
I wanted to believe him. I really did.
- Writer
