The laughter was sharp and biting, echoing through the clearing like shards of glass. Bella walked past the training grounds, clutching the strap of her bag tightly. Her head stayed low, her steps quick, but she could feel their eyes on her, the weight of their mockery pressing down on her shoulders.
“Look who it is,” sneered Lila, one of the pack’s favored warriors. “Still no mark, Bella? Or a wolf, for that matter?”
Bella kept walking, pretending not to hear.
“She’s practically a weirdo,” another voice jeered. “What’s the point of her even being here?”
A burst of laughter followed, and Bella’s jaw tightened. She didn’t turn around, knowing it would only make things worse.
“Hey, Bella,” Lila called after her, her tone mocking. “Don’t worry. Maybe when you finally shift—if that even happens—you’ll get a nice, little pet wolf instead of a real one.”
The group erupted in more laughter, and Bella’s cheeks burned with shame. She quickened her pace, her heart pounding.
The ridicule wasn’t new, but it never hurt any less. Being unmarked was bad enough, but the fact that she hadn’t yet shifted made her an easy target. In a pack where strength and dominance were everything, Bella was nothing.
As she reached the edge of the woods, the voices faded behind her. She stopped to catch her breath, leaning against a tree. Her fingers dug into the bark as she fought to hold back tears.
Don’t let them see you cry, she told herself.
The distant sound of voices caught her attention, pulling her from her thoughts. Bella turned, her ears straining to catch the conversation. She moved cautiously, following the voices deeper into the trees.
“Do you think the alpha will go for it?” one voice asked, low and serious.
Bella crouched behind a thick tree trunk, her heart racing. It was Ardyn, one of the alpha’s closest advisors. His deep voice was unmistakable.
“He doesn’t have a choice,” another voice replied. This one was sharper, laced with authority. Bella recognized it as Alpha Kael’s. He is the Alpha of the Crescent Howl Pack’s and Esmera’s chosen mate.
Bella leaned closer, keeping herself hidden.
“The alliance is too valuable,” Alpha Kael continued. “With Esmera as my Luna, the other packs will see our strength. It’s the perfect move.”
Bella’s stomach churned. Esmera? She clenched her fists, the thought of Esmera gaining more power sending a wave of anger through her.
“And Bella?” Ardyn asked, his tone skeptical. “She’s still a problem. She’s your fated mate.”
Kael snorted. “I’ll never let the pack know my mate is a maid.”
Bella’s breath hitched.
“She’s lucky she’s lasted this long,” Alpha Kael added, his voice cold. “Once the Luna ceremony happens, Esmera will make sure she doesn’t stick around.”
Bella’s chest tightened, the words cutting deeper than she expected. She backed away slowly, careful not to make a sound. Once she was far enough, she turned and ran, her legs carrying her as fast as they could.
Her mind raced with Alpha Kael’s words. He’s her fated mate and he didn’t only reject her, he despised her that he doesn’t want anyone to know. And Esmera wasn’t just out to punish her—she wanted her gone, permanently. Once Esmera became Luna, there would be nothing to stop her.
As Bella reached the clearing near her den, a sudden wave of dizziness hit her. She stumbled, clutching a nearby tree for support.
“What…?” she whispered, her body trembling.
Her hands shook uncontrollably, and a sharp pain shot through her spine. She gasped, falling to her knees. Her vision blurred, the world spinning around her.
No, not now. Not here.
She pressed her palms into the dirt, trying to steady herself, but her body wasn’t listening. Heat coursed through her veins, burning and unbearable. Her breaths came in shallow gasps, her heart racing like a drum.
Bella’s mind reeled. Was this it? Was her shift starting?
She clutched her chest, her fingers digging into the fabric of her shirt. The pain was relentless, spreading through every inch of her body. She bit down on her lip, stifling a scream.
“Stay calm,” she whispered to herself, her voice shaky. “You can’t let them see you like this.”
But it was impossible to stay calm. The tremors grew worse, and her muscles felt like they were tearing apart from the inside.
Through the haze of pain, a single thought pushed its way to the surface: If they find me like this, they’ll kill me.
Bella forced herself to move, crawling toward her den. Every step was agony, but she couldn’t stop. She had to hide, to get away from the prying eyes of the pack.
As she dragged herself inside, she collapsed onto the cold floor, her body wracked with tremors. Her vision darkened, and the last thing she saw was the faint moonlight streaming through the window.
Her last thought before the darkness consumed her was clear: I can’t let them find out.