Heart Of The Outcast

Chapter 1

Aria’s POV

The moon ceremony was tomorrow and that’s all I could think about since I turned 21. I had been anticipating that day. The day I would finally get my wolf and become independent and stronger.

“You reek of garbage” a man spat as he walked by me, waking me from my thoughts.

Well, he wasn’t wrong, my dress was a mess and I hadn’t showered in days. I looked at the bright lamps that covered the streets and knew it was time to head to Miss Portia’s courtyard. She was really a kind lady who let me stay at her courtyard on the weekdays but never on the weekends. In exchange for her kindness, I had to clean the chicken coup. Her husband returned on the weekends and he hated me just like everyone else in this pack. I was the traitor’s daughter after all.

I was only sixteen when they dragged my father away. I remembered the shouts, the accusations, the way the pack looked at him. When they hanged him, I realized they should have hanged me too. From that day on, I was an outcast. With no home, no family, no future.

“Oh Aria you are here” Mrs Portia said to me from her window upstairs.

“Yes, I am” the chilling breeze made me shiver.

“Good, now make sure you clean the chicken coup, I will send Maltida to get you some blankets and bread”

I was so grateful and elated.

“Oh thank you very much, thank you Mrs Portia”

“It's alright, you know I only do this because your father was good to me”

“And I will forever be grateful”

She looked at me for a while.

“Now run along and do what is expected of you” she closed her windows and all I could see was the orange glow of fire. Sitting there would feel so nice and warm. I cleaned the coup and ate the stale bread Maltida brought me. The blanket was so warm and nice it made me feel safe.

I stared at the floor where I usually slept on and picked up my dress for the moon ceremony. I had been stitching it for days and I wanted to look good when I got my wolf.

It was going to be a beautiful silk dress and everyone was going to love it. They were going to love me and finally not treat me like an outcast. I had stolen most of the items to make it but I didn’t steal the silk. I bought it with my hard earned money. I spent the next hour stitching a ribbon to the front of the dress. When I was done, I drifted off.

******

The arena was packed. Everyone above twenty one in our pack had gathered to acknowledge everybody who would be getting their wolf today. The incantations were read and all twenty one year olds were called out to claim their positions in the pack.

They lined us up and the guard kept me at the back on purpose. It didn’t matter; I was going to get my wolf. I looked above me and noticed that so many people were watching me. I was going to claim my place, I was sure of it. The blue moon finally came and everyone in the arena began groaning as they transformed into their wolves. They ranged from big to small, powerful to powerless but they all transformed. I closed my eyes and waited patiently for my wolf.

I didn’t know how long I waited but murmurs began turning to laughter and in no time, everyone was laughing at me. I looked at others and noticed that they all had gotten their wolves. Tears began falling from my eyes and I hurried out of the arena. Curses trailed behind me as I ran into the woods. I curled against my favorite tree deep into the woods and cried my eyes out.

After a while, the blue moon disappeared and was replaced with a normal moon. I knew my chance was over. It only came once a year, only at age twenty one. I spent the next three days inside the woods, hiding from everyone.

Once I knew I was confident enough, I stepped back into the village. I had to survive and also I needed to steal what I would use for my dress. The mating ceremony would come a week after the moon ceremony and I was excited. I was going to at least get my mate and he was going to take care of me. I wouldn't live in the streets anymore. The thought alone made me risk taking the best silk from a merchant’s cart. It was all about timing and waiting for the right moment. I stitched another dress from the pink silk and it was wonderful.

I had no friends to show, but I could tell when something was beautiful. I was sure men liked see through silk dresses like this. I looked into the mirror and I looked stunning. I made sure I had taken a clean bath in the river and applied jasmine on my skin. I knew I was ready. I went to the river of mates like the others and waited. The process took about an hour. “The holy moment”.

During that period, the werewolves found their mates. As usual, I was insulted and cursed but I was confident. Although not getting your wolf was rare, it was not impossible. I waited, hopeful that I would soon be free from this life of servitude.

I began to feel a surge of power beneath my skin. At first, it was just little currents but it soon became strong pulls and I knew it was time to follow and let it lead. I had no words to describe the ecstasy I felt knowing at least I was not good for nothing. I found myself heading to the table of the noble men of the pack.

They were the greatest of the pack, those whom the Alpha himself appoints. I took one step at a time, slowing down my body movements.

Eventually, they began to notice me one by one and soon, my eyes met with Kane’s. There was a sharp surge of power below my skin, indicating that he was the one. I couldn’t believe it. I hadn’t gotten anyone as my mate, I had gotten the almighty Kane.

He was the beta and mostly favored by the alpha. I moved with confidence and soon, I was standing before him. As I stared into those deep green eyes of his, I saw hope, I saw long showers, I saw good food but most of all, I saw the redemption of my name.

Kane got up and looked into my eyes. This was it. I was finally getting the life that haunted my dreams during those cold raining nights at Miss Portia’s courtyard.