In her head, Selena's father was a great warrior who fought villains and brought justice to the innocent. She had the desire to see them disciplined. It was strictly prohibited for children to take part in the pack runs, executions, or any of the other "adult" activities that David brags about. But this piqued her interest.
The Silver River pack, unlike other packs, did not possess companies to support themselves; rather, they relied on their ownership of coal mines. The Silver River pack was encircled by thick forest. Several members of the pack would leave early in the morning to go to work in the mines.
One day Selena and her best friend Sherry were outside having fun together. It was a steamy summer day.
"I'm not going to let you win, Sherry!" Selena yelled after her, issuing a challenge to her as she raced quickly to the top of the slope. As they raced and leaped their way through the steep landscape, flashes of green flew by them in the distance. Selena couldn't shift, but she had the strength and agility of a wolf. Werewolf kids shifted for the first time after puberty.
"Being smug, are we?" Sherry shouted back.
Selena could detect the rush of adrenaline as it coursed through her body. Being brought to a boil and then kept at a low simmer, this was giving her the drive she needed to win their own little game. She didn't have many friends in the pack, as most kids preferred to play with Luna's children. She had 4 daughters, but nine of them were like Selena. Sherry was her only friend.
Selena let out a jubilant roar, content knowing that she would come out on top. She climbed the downed tree in one bound and then ran to catch up to their improvised resting place. It was only a few meters away, and she could see it. She was on the verge of making a spectacular leap when, suddenly, a boy materialised out of nowhere. He bumped into her, and after observing her astonished expression, he immediately took off in the opposite direction. Selena could not maintain her equilibrium. She yelped in surprise just as Sherry rushed past her and won the race. Sherry had beaten her by a considerable margin. Selena let out a snarl of annoyance as she hissed at the invader who had ruined her chance of winning.
Sherry let out a chuckle. She was ecstatically gloating as she said, "Haha, I won."
A full minute passed before Selena could correctly identify the scent that was creeping up to her nostrils. There was a suspicious person in the area. "There is someone in the forest."
Sherry had a good laugh.
"You are just inventing an excuse since you lost."
"No, I swear. A boy bumped into me, then he ran towards the forest. Let's have a look at it, shall we?" Selena said.
By that time, Sherry had also picked up on the peculiar new odour. "We are going to have to summon the guards. He may be a rogue."
"He was just a boy. But I will contact mum, but let's see if there could be someone else who needs our help." Selena said.
"I am too scared. I am going to run back and call the guards," Sherry said.
"NO!" Selena immediately responded." Just call my mom."
She didn't have to travel very far before she suddenly stopped walking as the scent became more potent. At first glance, it appeared to be a pile of soiled rags. However, upon closer investigation, she noticed that there was a human form that was covered in soot.
"Hey!" Selena called.
The figure shifted its position. It was that same boy. He was a couple of years older than she was, possibly the same age as David. His arms, which were tiny and skinny, covered his grimy face. He was dressed in old rags, and his entire body was covered with coal soot. She wasn't sure what was his hair colour as it was also covered with soot.
"Stay away from me!" he hissed angrily.
"You are injured," Selena uttered with caution as she looked at his knees, which were bleeding.
The young boy's words were delivered with clenched teeth: "I said, stay away!" brilliant green eyes glared at her in anger.
"There is no need to be afraid; I will help you. My mother is the beta here. She will help you."
"You are just like the rest of them!" He stared at her with his emerald eyes.
Selena let out a sigh. "Listen, I'm just trying to help you. Do you work in the mines? Who are your parents, and where are they?"
The boy scrambled back and bared his teeth as if trying to shift.
They were alerted by the sound of footsteps approaching, and the boy abruptly stood up. He had not yet reached the age where he could shift, but he could still run quickly, provided that his knees were not hurt.
"You called them to catch me, and I hate you for it," he said. He gave her a hostile look.
"That's just my mum." Selena rolled her eyes in a bored manner.
"Oh, dear!" Jennifer remarked as soon as she arrived at the location. "I warned you not to run in the woods."
"Mom, look who I found. That boy is hurt." Selena murmured as she pointed at the boy.
Jennifer uttered an audible scream and reflexively covered her mouth.
"Go home, sweetheart. I will look after him."
"But mother!"
Jennifer said, "Go!" as she continued to keep her attention focused on the young boy.
Selena gave a last look at the boy and then left reluctantly. A few days later, Selena lost her mother forever. She was accused of treason and executed. And that boy, she never saw him again either.