Rejection on the Full Moon

3-The A

ixteen years old, which is why we’re taught how to be fast and silent but also how to defend ourselves. We are considered an “elite wolf” meant to serve a higher purpose in our pack. At sixteen, we could choose to either become Hunt

es and can hide my scent even better than that of a well trained tracker. The best part is that my mother always takes Mia and me for extra tra

rels and rabbits, animals considered too quick to catch. After strict training from my mother, I became quick enough to grab a squirrel as it scampers up a tree and beat a rabbit to its burrow. I l

ants are edible, as well as which farmers would not miss a few cattle from so-called “animal attacks.” This northwestern region of Ontario, Canada, holds many forests a

e of the threat lurking just behind them. Our targets are the babies. I am the first to go since I can distract the creatures with my fur, my wolf body slowly maturing into a delinquent at nine years old. Our hunting strategy is that I distract the animals, and the rest go for the kill.

lves on the metal square just outside the door and left my father to work. My mother, brother, sister, and I go out to the forest, killing a few wild turkeys and a deer. Our goal is to help get a supply of meat going for when it is needed, as well as keep up the stock at the pack house for t

ents don’t have to worry about them and their activities now that they have chosen their path and place in the pack

ate

as he waltzes into the living room with a cooler, carrying what I

nt on, with chatter about what else we would eat with the burgers and the fun we would have at the pac

◆

Run. To say that I’m excited is an understatement. I love being in wolf form and running in the night as my fur moves like flames in the wind. It always amazes newly shifted wolves when they run with the

em and taking off in search of the other pack members. But I knew my parents would grou

has only taken three minutes for me to shift and join my siblings, but it felt like hours with all the pain. Due to my age, my family limited how much I shifted, but they still have me training to shift as much as I could to ge

lf is welcomed as long as they can stick with our group. The ages range from some as young as thirteen to as old as two- or maybe even three-hundred years old; perks of being a supernatural being. Zack had already split off for a group of friends as the pack

ls through our mind link as

ouldn’t help my annoyance as I try to wiggle free, even resort

rior training more doesn’t mean you can take advan

or him to relax, then move out from under him before swiping my paws under one of

speed. He would never be able to catch me unless I let him. Leo is our future Alpha and son to Alpha Blue. Yes, his father’s name is Blue, like Blue's Clues, and he even looked a bit like t

ss blessed them for a greater destiny—one that always brings the best out into the world of werewolves. Blue’s destiny was saving the werewolf king many years ago. It i

just in time for Leo to crash into his father’s side. The Alpha gives the both o

lves when being chased by one another. Other times, we would wreck a gathering without meaning to. But most of

ck, and we chase after him. The territory is a modest size, and unless you have had months of training, it would be hard to keep up in speed. Trackers scouted the route from the trees as Hunters surrounded the wolves. Even though we

ur fur. This is where I once again tackle Leo after finding him in the crowd before dashing away again. For the next few hours, we chase

when we

I separated, silence filling the forest that

sure the pups are safe.] Blue orders as wolves begin to scoop up many pups and

ioning my safety. Her voice fills the pack link,

afe. Two, our future Alpha is with me. We should be a priority to protec

.] My father sighs, but I knew e

other pack members. Some completely ignore us, which makes sense since hunters are considered e

our legs could not keep up with the fully-grown adults. Soon, we end up falling behind, tr

is, it’s also dangerous since it’s easy to see. Leo seems to have sensed them too, and he steers me away from them into the thic

y to have me moving faster, away from danger. It is his Alpha blood. Th

t inside. Neither of us shifted nor breathed too loudly as we curled into the hidden ledge, Leo using his black wolf fur t

go?" Hunter On

olf with rare fur is worth thousands to them. This is Survival 101. If you’re a special werewolf like me and held fur that the hunters' society

?] It is Alpha Blue, his wor

.] I could hear Leo reply as he presses closer to me, his body ready to pounce in case

uddenly howls and growls could be heard. The sound of fighting between wolves and hunters reaches our hiding spot. It sounds like our Warriors are winning. Then, two gunshots ring out, and my body goes from shiver

my mind. But worry and dread fill me while I wait for the cries of pain from the hunters to quiet down before I race past Leo, who tries to hold me back. Something i

e scent of blood from my parents catches my attention before I see pack members circling around the base of a tree, sadness radiati

slight sizzling of burnt skin, my eyes first catch sight of the scarlet blood dripping out of a wound on my father’s chest, the location close to his heart. His

path slowly until I find myself kneeling in front

k and forth between them. The wounds worsen with their movements as they shi

hes for my face as she runs her fingers delicately across my cheeks, her gentle smile filled with sad

nd and respect of one of the pack leaders. Her eyes move from mine to over my shoulder. I f

ide my father as she clings to his arm. “I’m sorry, Mimi.” H

blood to dribble down from the corners of her lips. My father quickly wraps her into his embrace as I catch Zack no

u.” Father smiles, tears welling in his

re she sighs one more time. They lean closer together, their breaths becoming s

st floor as I turn to look at my sister Mia, who stands above me, her nails turning into claws. Zack quickly rushes over and rest

rt back, standing up and ru

fur.” She screams, fighting to gain freedom from Zack as her hatred simmers in the air. I slowly b

d me from the two. I could see the hesitation in Zack’s eyes before he nods again. He takes a f

Mia away. My heart feels like it’s shattered as darkness slowly fills my vision.

ms reaching for me before darkness full

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e lowered into the ground beside each other. It has been three days since

one cries around me, but my eyes were dry. I could not cry anymore, so I stood there, emotionless. My siblings disowned me three days ago, and no one my age came near me in fear that I would also cause their death. Leo even ignored me when I needed my bes

y held their words because the Alpha has taken it upon himself to raise me now and give me protection. I am led away from the funeral and taken towards a path that is all too familiar, the forest quiet and still. Alp

. Axel was the Second Beta my father had chosen and trained. He is like an Uncle

sted wolves to pack up everything before Mia and Zack get here. I’m happy to feel some sense of security with him around. He carries me the rest

rst?” I ask, hesitati

oward my room, passing by Zack and Mia’s. Their empty rooms remind me that I am alone now, and a small tear slips down m

ked Axel if I could have them placed on the shelves in my new room. Everything that would not fit into my new room would be stored in a trailer that Alpha Blue at

the Mustang. He would drive it to a shed belonging to him at the edge of the p

nizing her room.” Axel volunteers, his gaze catching mine as I cling to a suitcase

sks as he sits beside me, my hands tryi

e her one day.” My voice is quiet as I run my fingers over the fabric, he

ke our way to the pack house and up the many stairs until we reach the attic. Blue knew that I would be living in the pack house with him and a few members. The attic used to store some party equipment, but after making some room in the basement, a few pack members took it upon themselves to renovate the

m my face. Her eyes don’t hold pity like all the other wolves did. Instead, she lo

y father’s study with a reading nook by the large window that let in a lot of sunlight. My bed is tucked into another large nook that gives me lots of room to switch to a larger bed as I get older, bu

ook crosses his face as Serena chuckles at her mate and pulls him close for a quick kiss. The tour ends with Serena showing me my own bathroom and walk-in closet. It was her idea, considering that the only washrooms in the pack house were communal, so she thought it would be nice to have my own private things away from a

nything, just link us.” Serena says while tucking me into my bed

is quiet and solemn without their presence. Snuggling into my stuffed rabbit mom had won me at a festival in town, I finally let out the tears I’ve been holding in all day and cry my heart out. I’m afraid of being alone