CHOSE TO BE HUMBLE
880 Words
The next morning, the entire pack already knew about Maxine leaving the pack house for San Diego University.
From gossiping neighbors leaning across fences to elders sitting beneath the cedar pavilion near the pack house... everyone had somehow learned the news overnight.
And everyone had something to say. Because those whispers followed her everywhere.
“She actually got accepted?”
“No way.”
“San Diego University? That school only accepts future Alphas and Luna's?" another scoffed.
Someone laughed bitterly, saying. "They must be lowering their standards.”
The morning air felt colder than usual. And Maxine lowered her head and kept walking, or maybe it was just her.
The Northern Valley streets had never felt welcoming, but today they felt suffocating. Because all of their eyes followed her everywhere, judging, and watching for her to fail.
Near the bakery, the two older women paused their conversation the moment she passed.
One of them sighed dramatically. "Poor child.”
The other snorted. "Poor? Please. She should know her place.”
“She barely survives training.”
“She has no wolf.”
“And now she thinks she belongs among future Alpha's and Luna's?”
Their laughter can be heard down the road.
Maxine tightened her grip on her books.
"Don’t cry. Just ignore them.." she reminded herself.
She had spent years teaching herself that lesson. Never cry where they can see. Weakness only entertained them.
But today somehow.. it hurts more. Because deep inside of her... a terrible voice whispered something bad... "Maybe they’re right."
San Diego University wasn’t a normal school. It was a school for elite young people, born with power, strong and riched people. It wasn’t some ordinary school where people simply studied and graduated. It was where the future Alpha's and Luna's training ground, to be the strongest wolves. The smartest strategists. The deadliest fighters. Pack heirs. Prodigies. Monsters disguised as students.
And Maxine? She was none of those things.
Unlike her, she is an adapted daughter called a "weak princess" with no wolf. Weak combat scores. Average grades. No status, as in "no future"
At least, that’s what Northern Valley had taught her to believe.
As she passed the market square, several young wolves from the pack spotted her immediately.
“Well, look who thinks she’s special now,” one boy called.
Another laughed loudly. "Hey Maxine!”
She ignored them. But sooner she realized that it was her bad decision!
Because they followed.
“You're gonna teach the university how to lose every fight?”
“Maybe she got accepted as a janitor or librarian?!"
Another.one mocked dramatically, “No. She's an emotional support student.”
The group burst into laughter.
One younger girl said, "Wait.! what if they send her back after one week?”
“One week?” a boy grinned cruelly. “I give her three days.”
“Three? You’re generous." the young girl said.
Maxine’s steps quickened. But their voices chased her anyway.
“You know my Dad said accepting her, makes Northern Valley look pathetic.” someone said loudly, enough for everyone nearby to hear.
Another voice added. "Honestly, if she represents us, I’d pretend I’m from another pack.”
Laughter exploded again.
Those are some painful words pinned in Maxine’s heart. She hated all of it!
Why did they always act like she had personally offended them just for existing?
Near the old council hall, several elders sat drinking tea beneath the wooden shelter. Maxine quietly lowered her head respectfully while passing.
She should’ve kept walking.But one elder suddenly called out.
“Maxine.”
She stopped. Then she slowly turned to them.
One elder sighed heavily, slowly shaking his head, disappointments already written across his face.
“We heard about your studies in SD university.”
Another elder shook his head. "You should reconsider it"
Her throat tightened. “reconsider what?”
An older woman frowned. “That school isn’t for someone like you.”
The words landed harder than they probably intended, or maybe they intended every bit of it.
“You’ll embarrass our packed,” another elder added.
“You have no wolf.”
“No standing.”
“No accomplishments.”
“You should remain here and learn something practical.” Someone muttered..
“Marriage maybe.. it can fix everything about you.."
The others chuckled quietly.They humiliate her again.
Maxine felt heat crawl up her neck. Because unlike her, an adapted daughter is called a "weak princess" with no wolf.
Still... she bowed politely. “I understand your concerns.”
Because even now... she and herself are like strangers now, didn't know each other. Because no matter what she did.. she always fails.
They always looked disappointed in her. Always ashamed, and always waiting for proof she’d fail.
As she finally walked away, she heard one elder mutter quietly...
“She's just an adapter daughter, maybe she inherited her rogue's mother’s weakness.”
Maxine froze.
Her fingers tightened painfully around her books. Hearing the word "mother" felt like an emptiness in her heart, broken and weakened her more... because of that word. In any case, she did not intend to ask questions, but instead sought answers for herself.
Then she walked faster. She walked faster... because if she stayed..
She might cry
- Writer
