The Chronicles of the Death Wolf

Chapter 5: Wolfless

The meal was a breeze, and the day went by with nothing special happening. My family was mostly urging me to prepare for my first shift later that evening. They hovered around me all day, nonstop, hoping that I would have a smooth, less painful first shift.

Well, too bad; today wasn’t going to be my first shift. I already had that when I was five, and girl, it wasn't any less painful. It was traumatic.

So yeah, they were the only ones looking forward to it because I knew that it wouldn’t happen. Not with what I intended to do.

Soon it was six pm, and we were all gathered at the community holy ground, where all pack members had gathered to witness every fifteen-year-old teen wolf experience their first shift.

I was currently standing with my family at a corner of the gathered crowd.

“Honey, are you nervous? Don’t worry and just relax, dear. After today, it will be much easier to transform into your wolf form.” My mum couldn’t help saying it as she tried to reassure me. She looked so nervous and squeezed my hands gently. One would wonder if she were the one going through the process.

I almost laughed at her but didn't and just nodded instead. I could not just say to them, ‘Hey guys, so I forgot to mention before, I already had my first shift. So this will be a breeze for me. So stop the fussing, jeez.’

It was soon eight pm, and all the fifteen-year-old wolves were asked to step forward to the center of the holy ground for their first shift.

My parents eagerly pushed me forward with great care while wishing me all the best.

I let out a sigh. Let’s get this over with.

Davina has been oddly quiet for a while now, and I guess I understand. She didn’t want to allow a slip now that we are doing this and had quietly resigned deep into my mind before I asked her to.

I trudged to the center of the field and looked around. There were quite a lot of us who were about to have our first shift, including my three best friends: Audrey, Claire, and Luke.

It’s been a while since I last saw them. Though it's understandable, they were also preparing for this moment. Claire and I had met a few times after that rogue incident, but not as frequently as before that. Don’t know why, and it didn’t bother me a bit. If being sincere, I prefer being left alone without the social hustle.

When they saw me, they waved at me nervously, and I nodded in return.

At the center of the field was a translucent pool where, after the shift, everyone could look to see what their wolves looked like. There was also a large projectile for everyone gathered to see the transformation happen and experience the moment together.

Soon, the screams and snapping of bones all around me filled the holy ground. The process had started, and I just stood there, watching, not joining.

That was the plan.

I planned to let everyone believe that I was without a wolf and why, because if I had joined in the transformation today, my process would be way faster than the rest, which would lead to unnecessary suspicion, which was the last thing I wanted.

Besides, my wolf was exactly what it is: the death wolf with fur as black as charcoal with streams of red flames engulfing its features. It was a beautiful sight to behold, but not everyone would see it as such. Its abnormal existence will immediately frighten them, and those who know the prophecy will immediately figure it out and spread fear among everyone.

So, nope. I’m not risking it. Better safe than sorry.

Shortly after, the noise soon died down, and all first-time shifters were now in their wolf forms, timidly standing on all fours and walking towards the pond to see their reflections.

It was then that I was finally noticed.

Someone gasped and pointed at me. “She… she did not shift.” The person stammered at first before repeating and drawing the attention of those nearby.

Collective gasps and murmurs could be heard, followed by malicious gazes.

I saw the projectile zoom in on me and lowered my head to hide my mocking gaze.

I guess it's time to put on a show.

I pretended to tremble under the gaze of everyone present.

“H… Honey, w… what's going on?” My mother rushed forward from the crowd and grabbed my shoulders gently. Both my father and brother were right on her heels.

I looked up and saw tears streaming down her face, while worry was etched on my father's and brother’s faces.

I felt a pang of guilt at their sight and almost changed my mind to shift right at that moment.

But I didn’t. This was better than what they would face if I showed my form, or any form, for that matter. I could not even imagine it.

I shook my head at her to answer her. But before I could, Alpha Damian stepped forward and, in a tense voice, said. “Step back, everyone. Eleanor, come here.”

My mum released me, and I slowly walked towards him. “Y…yes, Alpha.”

He looked at me with suspicion and something else that I couldn’t pinpoint. “Eleanor Addams, today, you were supposed to have your first shift alongside others but didn’t, and because of that, I proclaim you unworthy of your current status and declare you a slave and omega of the pack with immediate effect. Also, your father is demoted from the position of the chief commander of the pack’s warriors to that of a warrior, with immediate effect.”

Nooo.

I didn’t see this coming. I didn’t expect the situation to come to this.

What have I done?

I don’t mind being demoted to an omega, but my father got implicated by me.

How could I live with this from now on?