The Wolf Maiden

The California wind enchants the moon up above. It hovers over the territory of my home where the Moon Stone wolf pack hides in the shadows of the vast forest. The bright moon beckons me to transform into my wolf form and run in the middle of the thick ancient woods – the long lost forgotten parts of busy California. The iridescent light from the beams makes me forget my worries as I sway my thick layer of fur with the midnight air. Every tree and grass whisper unknown secrets of those who reach this part of the land. The star lights reflecting on their leaves flicker like flashes of memories the wanderers left behind. My wolf spirit and sole best friend, Layla accompanies me as we enjoy the tranquility that surrounds us. Our minds are linked and our hearts beat the same rhythm. I met Layla in the middle of this very forest. She is my wolf spirit as she bonded with me to werewolfery. Every time I clandestinely meet her, she would hide our scent for the sake of our privacy. "Come, Layla, let's go further down the thick forest. Who knows what we'll discover under this beautiful starry night." I am Harper Levine, the younger werewolf-daughter of the Alpha leader of the Moon Stone wolf pack. Yet, even if I am part of the alpha family, it never felt so. I've always been in the shadows of my elder sister, Susannah, the golden child. "Layla, I'm sure that Susannah would never know that we often sneak out in these parts of the woods to stay away from her temper." Susannah has tricked me again this morning to expose my clandestine night-outs into the woods even if our Alpha father forbid it. But I dissuade and continue forward. Layla understands my sorrows as well as my joys. As Layla and I slow down our pacing past the glimmering lights of the moon, I rest at the edge of a thick old oak tree beside the murmuring river. The waters reflect the celestial beauty up above. My thoughts wrestle with the past traumas of my childhood often instigated by my sister's superiority over me. Then out of nowhere, the very nightmare comes out of the bush. She stands from the far distance. We hid in the far shadows with not a single breath to be noticed by anyone. Susannah comes out into the moonlight. Since childhood, Susannah has always been the favored child. She basks in the adoration of our Alpha father and the whole pack. With her striking luscious blonde hair and deep crescent eyes, I am no match for this living doll. She encapsulates the strength and beauty of the Moon Stone lineage. Everything about her is in total contrast to who I am. My dark damp hair and sad moss-green eyes couldn't match her exquisiteness. I am forever the hidden shadow in the eclipse of Susannah's light. Despite being sisters of the powerful Alpha that should have united us together, Susannah keeps pushing me back into the shadows. But despite the exquisite physical beauty, I know her heart. It is black and morbid as the night sky. My sister revels in the thought of having a dominating spirit over others. She is cruel and unkind to those she finds unbefitting in the pack. A weakling such as I in her eyes, should never be part of the alpha family. Ever since we were little, I recall her constant oppression of the lowly. She disdains my every failed action. She taunts my every weakness. Her spiteful disposition towards me becomes the catalyst to be the object of condescension among the rest. But I never fight back. Because I knew one day would come when I would set free all her hidden weaknesses and reveal my sister for who she truly is. Yet, I didn't know that tonight, Susannah would cruelly and intentionally hurt me to the core as if I were a mere stranger to her. This night, this very night, I see here in these parts that I consider my sole part of the woods never to be bothered by anyone else's. Yet, here is Susanna treading all over my territory. In her porcelain-like human form, Susannah is walking with a man towards the edge of the sparkling river. I see her lurking smile as she caresses the tall young man to get closer to her. Her superiority and malevolent intent are truly being put at play. Susannah undresses in front of the man and he touches her shoulder and gently caresses her arms. He pulls her bare-naked hips towards his own naked body. They moved slowly down the cold glittering waters of the river. She murmurs and groans deeply. Then, the man swayed and I saw his face under the bright moonlight. I feel my stomach revolt in me. The man making love with Susannah is Ethan, the man betrothed to me. He is the wolf-mate designated to me by our Alpha father. He is the only one to whom I entrusted my very heart. He is more than just another werewolf in the pack. He is more than just my Ethan… Ethan groans deeply like his very self is getting out of his every breath. Susannah moans a dangerously deep allure as they continue. Her tone was a mixture of delight and venom. The water splatters as cold sweat on my forehead drips heavily. Susannah speaks after every groan, 'Ethan, we are…meant for…each other…' Ethan shouts back, 'Susannah! No!! How…about…Harper…' I slowly transformed back to my human form, feeling weak with every groaning I hear. I clasp my mouth. I sit there hidden in the shadows of the humungous tree. My feet feel like the roots deeply being swallowed by the damp soil. My heart slowly breaking apart as I'm unable not to see or not hear the intensity of the moment. The universe is unfolding in front of me. This pivotal scene of our very lives would change the course of our relations forever. Susannah pulls him closer and whispers, "Harper is no good for you. The werewolf weakling will never be the perfect match for the soon-to-be Alpha of our pack. I am your match. We are the perfect Alpha. We will lead the way for our future pack. Ethan, you know that is true. Come to me, my alpha. Forget her…" And then, there they were. Ethan brushes my memory away and he reaches out for Susannah further. Their lips collide with desires and their bodies dance deep in the waters. Their moaning echoes in the vast forest. Their oneness is like a blazing comet in my once tranquil night in the woods. My heart shatters to a thousand pieces as I witness this very comet corrode my once beautiful starry night sky. Betrayal stings in the air. One from the sister and one from the lover. I vow into the shadows, "Ethan, you can no longer break my heart." I breathe in enough courage and transforms back to my werewolf form. Layla comforts me as I dash our way out of this miserable scene. My steps falter as I try to flee from it all. Despite my blurry vision filled with miserable tears, I continue to run far away. Each step becomes a true reminder of the agonizing love that has been torn apart in front of me. The forest, the night sky, and the twinkling of the water create such chaos of rage in my heart. Ethan's choice, Susannah's disdain for my welfare, and the culmination of the years of inadequacies of my very existence have finally made me realize one thing: I was not meant to be his. I was not meant to be here. From the far distance, I hear Ethan echo my name, the guilt of stain in his voice. I have startled the couple and they gaze in my direction. But they have seen only the shadows of their own treachery. Ethan moans a cry of guilt. Finally, Susannah has declared her cruel triumphant over me. It is her declaration of territory. She won power and love over me.