CHAPTER1
ELENE POV
Our remote settlement was encircled by a thick forest that had a silvery sheen due to the heavy presence of the full moon in the sky.
The sounds of the wild were abundant throughout the night, but there was also an uncomfortable silence that seemed to be the woods themselves holding their breath.
The moon's light served as a beacon of consistency in my otherwise turbulent life, and I had always sought solace in its embrace. But tonight, that solace seemed far away, weighed down by the weight of secrets and whispered realities.
My bare feet sank into the chilly, damp ground as I stood at the edge of the clearing.
Scented of pine and full of promise for change, the chilly breeze murmured through the trees.
Only a few hours remained before my eighteenth birthday, and with it the excitement of a ritual that all the young werewolves in the pack looked forward to: the Awakening Ceremony.
That was the night our hidden abilities would come to life and we would at last realize how deeply we were connected to the moon and the beast that lived inside of us.
However, I felt a hint of dread mixed with anticipation. I had always felt unlike everyone else, even in my own pack, for as long as I could remember.
Growing up, I was encouraged to be independent and powerful by my fearless and well-respected father, Alpha Marcus. But even though I was strong and self-sufficient, a part of me had always yearned for clarification and a sense of community that felt elusive.
“Are you prepared, Elene?” I was jolted back to reality by Anya's voice as she interrupted my daydream.
She walked over, grinning, her auburn hair gleaming in the moonlight. Anya has been my best friend since our early years together, and even betrayal cannot destroy my shared history with her. She was approachable, warm, and unencumbered by her past; she was the antithesis of me.
"As prepared as I can be," I answered, feigning a grin. "You do realize that this is simply another ceremony?"
Anya's laugh appeared to drive away the gloom; it was a light, melodic sound. Merely an additional ceremony? The Awakening is here, Elene! This is the time that we have all been looking forward to. "Are not you eager to discover what kind of wolf you will become at last?"
I nodded, a bit of exhilaration tempered with a persistent doubt. "Obviously, I am. All of it is just too much to process.
She put her comforting hand on my shoulder. "With each other, we will overcome it. Furthermore, you have consistently shown yourself to be the strongest among us. Like your father, I am betting you will awaken as a formidable alpha.
My father. I felt a variety of feelings when I heard about him. I knew deep down that Alpha Marcus was not my biological father, even if he had raised me as his own. A distinct bloodline was alluded to in rumors and whispers, as well as bits and pieces of conversations overheard late at night. But the reality continued to elude me, concealed behind a wall of silence that Marcus had never permitted me to breach.
I could hear people laughing and chatting more as we headed back into the village. With a circle of torches casting flickering shadows on the features of people I had known my entire life, the entire pack had congregated in the central area. The flames cast an intimidating shadow over Alpha Marcus, who occupied the center position. Shrewd and astute, his gaze flickered across the crowd and finally found me.
In a forceful yet subtly compassionate voice, he shouted out, "Elene." "Step forward."
I took a very deep breath, my heart racing in my chest. I noticed the pack’s gaze was following me. This was the moment I had been waiting for, when I would finally earn the pack's respect and trust.
"Tonight," Marcus started, addressing the audience. "We come to see the Awakening of our young wolves, to celebrate their passage into adulthood and full realization of their potential. Each of you has worked hard, and you will soon realize the full extent of your capabilities".
He fixed me with an earnest glance. "Elene, you have always been distinct and stronger than others. Your road and path has not always been easy, but now is the time to accept who you are and what you are supposed to become.
I gave a nod while swallowing the lump in my throat. As the ceremony began, the other young wolves approached one by one, each experiencing their Awakening to varied degrees of success. Some transitioned seamlessly, their wolves appearing with grace and power that astounded the spectators. Others struggled, their changes marked by anguish and reluctance.
I felt a rush of nervousness, when it was finally my turn. I closed my eyes and searched deep inside me for a connection to my wolf. But instead of the beast's customary pull, I felt nothing. Panic began to set in, and I could hear the elders' murmurs and the observers' whispers increasing louder.
"Focus, Elene," the Elder's voice broke through the din, attempting to lead me. "You are more than capable." "Find your center."
I smiled and took a deep breath, trying to slow down my heart. Felt all eyes on me, the pressure was thickening by the second. I winced it, hoping against it; wanting to see the beast, but like something had been erected between my will and the beast.
The crowd's excitement changed to anxiety. Standing at the perimeter of the circle, my father clenched his fists, his eyes filled with concern and resolve. He had always believed in me, but what if I failed to live up to his standards? What if I do not succeed?
I fell in shock as I gasped, feeling the pain rip through my chest. Then the whispering ceased, it was silent and so tense. I could feel something there, a dark exotic energy stirring within my own. It was not my wolf, but another, ancient, and strong. My vision went black, and I staggered, swaying.
"Elene!" my father's voice pierced through the haze, but it seemed far, nearly unattainable.
The ground beneath me appeared to shift, and I noticed flickering shadows at the corners of my eyesight. The air became colder, and a chill spread through my limbs. I felt I was on the verge of something huge, but it was not what everyone had anticipated.
As I struggled to restore control, the dark energy surged and threatened to swallow me. The ceremony, the throng, and my father's impassioned appeals all faded into the background. All that remained was the tremendous energy within, which demanded to be acknowledged.
With a last desperate effort, I reached out, attempting to grab the essence of what was within me. The darkness replied, enveloping my consciousness like a blanket. And then, in an instant, everything went black.
