The Forgotten Alpha

d nervously in the middle of the town square, before the Elders Council. The stone dais beneath h

the village, she had been just another scared girl. But then the Silver Wolf-a creature of myth, whispered about in warning tales-had come to life within her. One moment she was fleeing for h

t her as though s

s gnarled hands gripping his ceremonial staff. His face, worn by years of l

ourself,"

tside the forest. "I-I don't know what happened," she sta

racked like a whip. "Igno

d. Sophia's heart leaped at the sound of her best frien

the crowd. "What if she loses control aga

e people she had grown up with, eaten meals with, and laughed with; their mi

"The villagers have spoken. Sophia is a risk to us all. Her

e barely audible. "I didn't ask fo

ayed firm as he said, "I believe you, child. B

ike a physical blow. "Wha

and they all nodded solemnly. Then, with a voice f

y exiled from

. Sophia slumped to the gro

ingly said. "This

ted in a tone that was stern yet free of a

forward and putting herself b

he has no idea wh

nother senior icily. "Her destiny

d. "You're giving he

o leave the suspicion and horror of this village and

eyond the settlement. She recalled that few exiles ever lived for very long, according to the stori

"You're not travelling alone," she adama

ake of her head. "You c

friend is you. I won't leav

ead you to the boundary of our domain

to a conclusion as the elders stood up. Slowly, the crowd with

feet by Eira. "Let's prepar

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ties, including food, a blanket, a water flask, and a protective knife. With her thoughts too shat

first rays of dawn appeared on the horizon. A few locals had gathered to see her go, their faces displaying gr

" but it soun

She looked at Eira. Her voice faltered a

ed tears, Eira grinned. "I don't need

ha

in al

stricted to talk. They left Elden Hollow

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helming. Sophia winced at the sound of every leaf rustle and twig snap. Wi

one faltered. "You underest

lose my composure once more? W

to me. Don't be a monster. Even if you didn't ask for it, it has b

oubt. Silently they went on, the burden

den Hollow's domain. Her voice was full of emotion as she stated,

t her. "I'm not sure if

n her face as she gave Sophia a deep hug. "Soph, you're no

devotion. Eira thrust the dagger into Sophia's hand as they eve

st time with tears in her eyes, her heart weary but determined. She felt c