It had been weeks, months even, of relentless effort, but still, no transformation. Her peers-every single one of them-had already embraced their wolf forms, their abilities stronger by the day. They moved with ease, their senses heightened, their strength growing. But Ella remained the same-a human with a deep, burning desire to change, to belong, but no way to access the power that was supposed to be inside her.
As she ran, her muscles aching from the constant strain, she couldn't help but overhear the mocking voices of her so-called friends. Mira, once her closest confidant, was at the center of the cruel laughter. "She'll never be one of us," Mira said, her voice sharp and dismissive. Ella tried to ignore them, but the words cut deeper than she cared to admit.
They didn't understand. They didn't know how much she longed for the strength they took for granted. How could they? To them, being a werewolf was just a fact of life. For Ella, it was a dream, one that seemed more and more impossible with each passing day.
Tonight, the usual teasing had a colder edge. She overheard a hushed conversation as she trained, Mira and the others whispering among themselves. At first, she thought it was just another joke, another way for them to get a laugh at her expense. But this time, there was something different in their tone-a malice, a deliberate cruelty. Ella felt a shiver crawl down her spine.
Determined to confront Mira, Ella finally caught up with her in the forest. "Why are you treating me like this, Mira? What did I ever do to deserve this?"
Mira's eyes narrowed, her face cold and unfeeling. "You're not one of us, Ella," she spat. "Stop pretending. You'll never be a part of this pack."
The words hit Ella like a punch to the gut. They were harsh, sharp, but they fueled something inside her. A fire she hadn't realized was still burning. She would show them. She would show everyone.
As Ella walked away, the weight of Mira's words settled heavily on her shoulders, but she wouldn't let it break her. She couldn't. But as she moved deeper into the forest, a strange sensation washed over her, a feeling of being watched. A shadow lurked at the edge of her vision, its eyes glowing faintly in the dark.
Someone-or something-was observing her from the trees. But who? And why?