Chapter 2 - Favoritism
979 Words
Elara’s POV.
When I left the registration office, I was met with the noisy streets. Everyone was celebrating the alpha’s announcement. They talked excitedly about the birthday banquet and discussed what gifts would please Vanessa.
I walked quietly through the crowd, keeping my head down. I didn’t want anyone to notice me, but someone did. Their expressions changed the moment they recognized me.
“Isn’t that the wolfless one?”
“How shameless! She still dares to walk around the pack.”
I acted like I didn’t hear them and kept walking. Their words haunted me, but I knew better than to respond. The more attention I drew, the more humiliation I would face.
I spent all the money I had left on food. By the time I reached my destination, my arms were sore and numb. I lifted my gaze to the signage outside the building. Lunaris Haven… the orphanage I often visited.
“Sister!”
“You’re here!”
The moment I stepped inside, children rushed toward me. They hugged my legs and arms. A smile automatically formed on my lips as I handed out the food one by one.
“Thank you, sister!”
The orphanage director stood nearby, watching me. After the children left, she walked over to me and held my hands tightly. Her eyes were red like she had been crying for a long time. She was the only one who knew.
“Is it really worth it? You’re still so young.”
I shook my head. “It’s fine. At least this way, the children will be safe.”
In my darkest times, when even my family had turned away, it was this place that had taken me in.
“You don’t have to do this. There must be another way.”
I smiled at her. “This is the best way. If I leave the pack, I’ll become a rogue. I won’t last long. And the children…”
My gaze drifted to the window, where I could hear the children laughing outside.
“They deserve to live safely.”
Tears filled her eyes again. She gazed at me as if her heart was breaking, and I could tell she felt pity for me.
When I was a child, everyone said I was special. Power used to answer me easily. When I was angry, the wind would rise. When I cried, the lights in the hall would flicker. I could feel something strong sleeping deep inside me like a heartbeat that wasn’t my own.
The elders once whispered that my gift might even be beyond what the Goddess usually grants. They said my wolf was powerful. They said I was blessed. But as I grew older, that warmth mysteriously began to fade. Little by little, the strength left me.
I trained harder than anyone else, yet the results only got worse. When the other children awakened their wolves, one after another, I stood alone in the circle. I called out again and again. Nothing answered me. No howl. No presence. From that day on, I became wolfless.
By pack law, those without wolves were useless. Most were expelled and forced to become rogues. I had seen what happened to female rogues. Almost none of them met a good end; death came for them without mercy. I knew I wouldn’t survive that life. That was why I chose this path. This fate was better. At least this way, I could protect something.
Out of nowhere, the director knelt before me and bowed deeply. I forced the lump in my throat down. I had to make myself seem strong and show I had no regrets.
“I swear, your identity will remain a secret,” she said through tears. “No one will know you were the sacrifice. Not the pack. Not your family.”
I helped her up. “Thank you,” I said one last time.
***
I got home just before dusk. As soon as I opened the door, I ran straight into Vanessa. The usual mischievous look was already in her eyes.
“You’ve been busy, haven’t you, Elara?” she said sweetly, but it sounded so fake.
“What do you want?” I asked, trying to sound calm.
She glanced around, making sure no one was nearby, then her eyes landed on the box I was carrying.
She crossed her arms. “What’s that?” she asked, frowning.
“It’s none of your business.”
“Oh, come on. Don’t be so stingy! I just want to take a peek,” she cooed, stepping closer. “Let me see what’s inside—”
I took a cautious step back, holding the box firmly. “I said no! It’s mine!”
She grabbed it anyway, shoving me. I stumbled, my foot catching the edge of the rug, and the box slipped from my hands. It hit the floor with a crash, food scattering everywhere. Vanessa’s face changed instantly. She let out a shrill, fake cry.
“I-I didn’t mean to!” she gasped loudly.
The sound of hurried footsteps reached my ears. In a blink of an eye, Julian and Sebastian appeared in the doorway. Their eyes scanned the scene, landing on me immediately.
“What happened?” Julian growled. “What did you do this time? Did you bully Vanessa again?” His tone was almost accusing.
Vanessa hid behind them, pretending to sob. “Elara pushed me! She wanted to frame me!”
Their eyes locked on mine. I could feel their disbelief pressing on me. Even now, they were already taking her side without hearing the truth.
Vanessa smirked through her fake tears. “She’s always been cruel! I didn’t do anything wrong!”
Sebastian shook his head, staring at me like I was a stranger. “How could we have such a vicious sister?”
- Writer
