Howl of the Heart

Lena stood at the edge of the woodland, her amber eyes searching the horizon where the moon hung heavy in the sky, the gentle whispers of the wind stroking her silver hair. She could only see a prison in the silvery glare of the full moon over the pack's domain. Although the Shadowfang pack had been her birthright and home, it had also turned into a prison. It was expected of her to lead with the same strict customs that had molded the generations before her, to adhere to the ancient pack's regulations. It was oppressive, though.

She clenched her fingers around the leather straps of her jacket, watching the far-off silhouettes of her pack mates making their way back to the central clearing from their evening run. Their eyes glinted in the moonlight, and she sensed the force of their combined energy—strong and uncompromising, but not for her. No more.

“Lena.” The sound interrupted her slumber. She turned to find Selene, her best friend and the one person who seemed to empathize with her inner conflict, approaching her with a worried look on her face.

"Again, you are gloomy," Selene remarked, crossing her arms across her chest. You are aware that Elder Rowan will not put up with this for long. It is required by tradition. The pack insists on it.

Lena's mouth twisted into a little scowl. "The pack insists on it. What about me, though? How about what I desire? Her hands were clinched, the sharp nails digging into her palms as she struggled to contain the rage that was building within of her. Freedom was what she desired. to escape the confines of a group that prioritized tradition over uniqueness and obedience over progress.

Selene's gaze softened, but it was devoid of sympathy. The destiny of the Shadowfang pack depends on you, Lena. You are the heir. Leaving that alone is not an option.

In Lena's chest, her heart thumped. She felt like an anchor being pulled beneath her by the demands and weight of her father's heritage. The pack had faith in her, and every time she considered leaving them, she felt guilty. She was no longer able to breathe in this life, though.

Though the words felt false even as they were being spoken, Lena muttered, "I will find a way."

The tension between them was heavy and unsaid until Selene let forth a sigh. "Just... exercise caution." Lena, you are not aware of the challenges you face. You will be used as an example by the elders.

Despite her stiff nod, Lena remained silent. She was already planning her escape from the oppressive hold of tradition in her distant imagination.

As night fell, the howling of the pack reverberated throughout the woodland. A request to the moon. An appeal for the old methods.

However, Lena's heart did not speak.

Lena stood in the clearing with her pack the following evening. Elder Rowan was in front of her, his ponderous presence casting a shadow over the whole assembly. His grizzled eyes and gray beard appeared to cut right through the very fabric of her determination. Anticipation permeated the atmosphere.

Elder Rowan remarked in a deep, authoritative voice, "You all understand why we are here." We will enter a new era under the leadership of our heir, Lena Stormrider. A period of unity, strength, and custom. One day, we will all be a one pack and family, united by devotion and honor.

Lena hardly paid attention, her mind racing as she saw the others nod in accord. Her admirers, the pack, were oblivious to the oppressive weight of their devotion to tradition. They held tradition in high regard. But it was a chain to Lena.

A tap on her shoulder sounded. Once more, Selene was at her side, her worried eyes.

Do not do this, Lena," Selene said, her voice barely over the pack's muttering. "You do not wish to emulate them. You have consistently battled for change and freedom. Avoid being sucked into this.

Elder Rowan's words broke the tension before Lena could respond, her breath catching in her throat. Are you ready, Lena, to assume your position as the Shadowfang pack's future Alpha?

Her heart was pounding. With all eyes on her, the pack was waiting for her response. She was not sure she could accept the fate that seemed to be beginning with that moment.

Even though every part of her rebelled against the words, she said, "I... I am," in a tight voice.

Elder Rowan gave an encouraging nod. Excellent. You hold the pack's future in your hands. Do not let us down, Lena.

His comments were a burden that weighed heavily on her chest. She was supposed to enforce the customs and rule with a strict hand. But she did not desire that future.

Lena's heart was on fire when the group dispersed and the pack members scattered. She was unable to remain. Not as this. not subject to these customs. She needed to go. She had to get away.

With the moon high overhead, serving as a chilly reminder of her course, Lena's heart pounded as she paced through the thick forest. Needing to get away from her pack's oppressive presence, she had hurried out of the clearing. The woods' quiet was a wonderful respite that helped her concentrate. That emphasis, however, was solely on freedom.

Although she had not told Selene yet, the idea had been bothering her for several days. But what if she went? What if she decided to go it alone and abandoned everything—the pack, the obligation, the customs?

Suddenly, behind her, she heard leaves rustling, interrupting her thoughts. She whirled around, her wolf instincts taking her, but only Selene emerged from the tree shadows.

Again, you are running," Selene whispered. "Lena, I can not keep filling in for you."

Lena felt her chest constrict. Only now had she come to the realization of how much she had been keeping from Selene. Although she was the one who would attempt to stop her, her friend was the only one who genuinely understood her internal battle.

With a trembling voice, Lena said, "I have to do this." "I have to leave this cage now."

Selene's eyes grew softer, but it was still clear that she was afraid. Lena, you are tinkering with fire. You will be pursued by them. The elders will find you and not simply let you go.

Despite her racing heart, Lena did not feel scared. She had endured enough fear. It was time for her to take charge of her own fate.

I must leave. I will lose myself if I stay. I refuse to be the person they desire me to be.

Selene let out a sigh, feeling the tension between them. "I will not stop you." But be aware that if you go, you might never return.

With a constricted throat, Lena nodded. “I understand.”

As Selene vanished back into the darkness, Lena gave the pack's territory one more glance. She had already decided.

She was getting out.

Lena did not get any sleep that evening. She could only now wait for the right time to come because the decision had already been made. She was sitting in her little, secluded cottage on the outskirts of the pack's territory when her mind was racing. With the exception of her heart, everything was packed. It knew it had to depart, but it was not prepared to do so.

Her option was never accepted by the pack. It would be interpreted by them as a betrayal and a rejection of all that she was supposed to stand for. She felt suffocated every time she thought about taking on the position of Alpha, but the pressure to stay and fit in was insignificant.

She had been trying to ignore the voice for days, but it kept coming back to her when she was ready to go to sleep.

"Are you still here, are you?" Elder Rowan's voice was heard. It was clear that he was doubting himself. Her rebellion was palpable to him.

For a second, she thought about turning around as her fingers froze on the doorknob. There was no turning back, though.

Already, the fate of the pack was decided.

Lena picked up her purse, opened the door, and stepped out into the chilly night air. Whispering her name, the wind howled through the woods.

"I am going," she muttered, her voice steady yet trembling.

After that, she vanished.

By daybreak, Lena had traveled kilometers from the Shadowfang pack's home range, deep within the forest. As she ran, her feet light under her, her heart pounding. She felt the weight of her choice weighing down on her, but for the moment, she was free.

She did not have a strategy. Not a backup. Her instincts were driving her, and she hoped to forge her own route. In that instant, it did not matter that the future was unknown.

A howl in the distance suddenly split the air, sending a chill down her spine. The pack was out there looking for her. Time was running out for her.

A mixture of joy and terror squeezed her chest. She would always be resisted by the group. She was prepared to fight back, too.

However, she kept having the impression that something else was waiting for her as she vanished farther into the forest. Not something she had anticipated.