The Wolf Maiden

Chapter 2: A Broken Promise Under the Moonlight

Mother-moon has reached its final glory in the vast skyline. Its zenith cast a glow that painted the forest with several shades of black and silver lines. I lean on the large pine tree with its thick needle-like leaves pinching my human skin. Its rough bark presses against my frail body as I hug it closer to me, trying to steady the rage of emotions deep in my heart.

Layla comforts me deep in my heart. Her spirit is a ball of warmth reminding me that I am not alone in this ordeal. Her humungous spirit stature towering all over me is the very thing that protects me from this dangerous world. She is my secret confidante. She's the reflection of my soul. My true wolf spirit linked in my heart and mind.

I close my tear-streak eyes and my mind drifts back to the painful memories of my childhood…

Susannah and the werewolf boys shout back at me "Freak of nature! Freak of nature!"

"Who's that freak of nature? The one without a wolf!"

"The wolf-less girl come out to play. You be the bait!"

The younger version of me had a lot of tormenting moments but I never faltered. Because whenever I go out into the heart of the forest, I clandestinely meet Layla and we had an instant connection. But she never wants to be revealed to the rest of my pack. She welcomes me in the woods but she never steps afoot of the territorial pack. I have kept her a secret and accept every taunt of the rest of the werewolves in respect of Layla's privacy. She deserves my utmost respect as I accept her loyalty.

That memory reminds me of the many days and nights we spent together in those hidden parts of the forest. She shared to me through mind-link the many things on how to improve my abilities as a werewolf. She taught me how to intensify my listening, smelling, and haunting skills. She taught me how to spot the varying emotions of other creatures through their auras, exuding smells, and fluctuating heat indexes. I remember our laughter and gameplay.

"Layla…" I whisper, "I will cry not even one tear for the man who broke my heart from this day forward."

Layla speaks in my heart, “He is not worthy of tears. That despicable woman would never be half as good. They are just bound to be a distant memory.”

Layla gave a warm tug upon my chest to show her support and encouragement to my newfound strength. As the night shreds of its eternal darkness, time marches forward with relentless wanting. A streak of sunlight pierces through. It reminds me that the night has gone past and a new day awaits. With a final glance from what once was, I found my resolution. It is now time to outgrow this place.

“Layla, please watch over me as I say my goodbye to the Alpha-Father and Alpha-Luna."

"Will they accept this decision as it is? I don’t know but we must give it a try." I have made up my mind. Once they know about what happened with my sister and him, they will give me their final blessing." I sigh a relief.

"Besides, the Alpha parents have always wanted their children to grow to their utmost abilities. They knew in their hearts that mine never belonged to this place no matter how much denial they had it before."

My pacing towards my home has gotten much faster. I am running until my breath cannot catch up with my words. "It's time to face my destiny and find my true wolf-mate."

As I approach the center of the clearing where the Alpha father and Alpha Luna of the Moon Stone pack are usually resting, my heart beats unsteadily. This isn't going to be the usual plea. But I hid away my fears and took on a deep breath of confidence. This was the right decision. Though the heavy shroud of uncertainty weighs over my shoulders as I walk towards the leader, deep in my heart, Layla is watching out for me. She never wants to reveal herself in front of them all. Especially, not at this very moment.

The rest of the werewolves are away from the stature. It was only the Alpha in the middle. It is my time to speak up. Both are sitting serenely with expressions as mighty as the higher mountains. My father, The Great Alpha Levine, exudes such an air of indifferent authority. His silver hair drapes smoothly in the sides of his thick muscled jawline. Sitting beside him is my sweet caring mother, The Great Luna Levine. Her eyes are filled with wisdom and longing. They are never the most affectionate parents because of the heavy responsibilities they carried. Despite all that, they have been a great source of informed wisdom in my life.

I bow before them as my voice falters as I whisper, "Oh great Alpha and Luna of the Moon Stone pack, hear my plea."

"State your case, dear werewolf-child." The Great Luna speaks on behalf of the Alpha.

"I wish...I wish..." I start to mumble the words.

"Speak child!!" The Alpha growls in front of me.

"I wish to leave this place!!" I shouted back.

The Alpha stands straight up and growls loudly at me.

"Ungrateful child! How dare you to plea such a blasphemous request. You know fully well that no one leaves the pack. Not one. It is an abomination to be a lone werewolf. There is no such thing as a rogue wolf! Especially, not the child from the Alpha family!!"

I summon my courage and clarify my case, "What I meant, Father was: I wish to leave temporarily to seek further guidance from the teachers of the werewolf traditions so that I can improve my abilities further on."

There is total silence.

The Luna, my understanding mother, speaks up. She knows me thus well. "That is a wise proposition, my dear. The pack of werewolves connected to us in the Far East for centuries have been always quite accommodating."

The Alpha-father, speaks up yet more calmly but still with a sting of his former anger, "Why venture to the Far East when we already have a hoard of our species whom you can learn from?"

"Dear Great Alpha, I have outgrown the teachings of our place. Please allow me this chance to further my developments."

"Outgrown?! Have you outgrown your own sister's achievements?!"

My mother comes again to my rescue, "We do not compare our werewolf-children. Each has its strengths. Dear child, give your father time to think of your plea."

The unpredictably moody Alpha has the final say, "Very well, I will announce my final decision to your plea during the assembly."