Chapter 2 An Unwanted Burden

Chapter Two

The cheerful atmosphere that filled the Silver Shadow Pack did not extend to the Ashwood home.

While the rest of the pack bustled with excitement, decorating the village for the Moon Ceremony and eagerly counting down the hours until they would finally meet their destined mates, Selene returned home carrying a basket overflowing with freshly washed clothes.

Her shoulders ached from hours of labor, her palms were raw from endless scrubbing, and her dress remained damp after Lydia had deliberately knocked over an entire bucket of water earlier that day.

Yet despite her exhaustion, a small smile lingered on her lips.

Tonight... Everything could change.

She quietly pushed open the weathered wooden door and stepped inside.

The comforting aroma of stew filled the modest house as her mother, Helena Ashwood, stood over the stove, slowly stirring a large pot.

Nearby, her father, Darius Ashwood, sat sharpening his hunting knife with slow, deliberate strokes while her older brother, Gavin, carefully polished his armor in preparation for the evening's ceremony.

Not one of them acknowledged her arrival. No one even looked up.

Without saying a word, Selene placed the basket beside the table and began folding the freshly washed clothes.

"You're late."

Her father's cold voice sliced through the silence.

Selene paused before answering softly. "I... I had extra work at the packhouse."

Only then did Darius lift his eyes toward her. "There is always extra work," he replied flatly.

"I know," Selene murmured.

"You should work faster," Darius said roughly.

Selene lowered her head immediately. "Yes, father. I'm sorry."

The apology escaped her lips so naturally that she barely realized she had spoken it.

Helena released an impatient sigh without even turning around. "Instead of apologizing every five minutes, why don't you make yourself useful? Prepare the table, fetch more water from the well, chop more firewood, and clean Gavin's room before sunset."

"Yes, Mother."

Selene accepted every instruction without hesitation or complaint. Years ago, she had stopped expecting kindness from this family. She was no longer treated as a daughter or even as a sister.

She was simply someone who worked.

As she picked up an empty bucket and headed toward the back door, Gavin finally raised his head. His handsome face twisted with visible annoyance.

"Make sure you don't embarrass us tonight."

Selene stopped walking and slowly turned around. "What do you mean?"

"You heard me." Gavin rose from his chair and walked toward her, his expression growing colder with every step. "If the Moon Goddess doesn't give you a mate..." He shrugged carelessly. "Leave quietly. Don't cause a scene and embarrass our family!"

Selene tightened her grip around the wooden handle of the bucket. "I didn't choose to be born without a wolf."

"No," Gavin answered without a trace of sympathy, "but you chose to keep pretending you belong among us."

His words struck harder than any slap.

"I am part of this family," Selene whispered.

For a brief heartbeat, complete silence filled the room.

Then Darius laughed. Not with amusement. But with mockery.

"Family?" he repeated as he slowly rose to his feet, towering over her. "A family contributes. A family brings honor. A family protects its pack."

His disappointed gaze swept over her from head to toe before he asked with cruel indifference, "Tell me, Selene... what exactly have you ever brought this family besides shame?"

Her throat tightened painfully. "I... I try my best."

"Your best?" he scoffed. "Your best is useless."

The words echoed through the room like a brutal slap across her face.

Helena finally turned away from the stove, wiping her hands on her apron. For one hopeful moment, Selene believed her mother was about to defend her.

Instead, Helena looked directly into her eyes and said coldly, "Stop upsetting your father."

That tiny spark of hope inside Selene quietly died.

She lowered her head once more. "I'm sorry."

Again... Always sorry.

Without another word, she picked up the bucket and hurried outside before anyone could notice the tears burning in her eyes.

The village well stood near the edge of the settlement, surrounded by wildflowers dancing gently beneath the afternoon breeze. It was one of the few places where Selene could breathe without constantly feeling judged.

She slowly lowered the bucket into the cool water and watched her reflection ripple across the surface.

Messy dark curls... Tired silver-blue eyes... Calloused hands.

Nothing about her resembled the graceful Luna the pack deserved.

Maybe Lydia had been right.

Maybe the Moon Goddess had made a mistake.

"You're hiding again."

The familiar voice pulled her from her thoughts.

Selene looked up, and a faint smile appeared on her face.

"Elias."

Carrying two wooden practice swords over one shoulder, Elias walked toward her before sitting beside the well without waiting for an invitation.

"I've been looking everywhere for you."

She chuckled softly. "I seriously doubt that."

"I have," Elias said. He reached into his pocket and carefully pulled out a small cloth bundle. "I brought you something."

Selene blinked in surprise. "For me?"

He nodded. "Yes! Open it."

Curious, she unfolded the cloth and found three warm honey pastries resting inside. Her eyes widened as she stared at them.

"Elias..."

"You skipped breakfast again." He simply said.

Selene looked at him in surprise. "How did you know?"

He smiled gently. "Because you always do."

Selene stared at the pastries as warmth quietly spread through her chest. No one had ever noticed something so small before.

"Thank you."

"You don't have to thank me." Elias saved a hand.

"I do," Selene said with a sniffle.

He shook his head gently. "No, Selene.  His smile softened. "You deserve kindness without feeling like you have to earn it."

Selene quickly looked away before the tears gathering in her eyes could escape. Those simple words meant far more than Elias could ever understand.

She took a small bite.

Sweet honey melted across her tongue. For just one brief moment...

Every cruel word, every painful memory, and every burden she carried... simply disappeared.

"I can't wait for tonight," Elias admitted quietly.

Selene smiled. "You're excited?"

"A little." Elias shrugged.

"What kind of mate do you hope for?" Selene asked as she stuffed her mouth.

Elias looked at her. 'YOU'. He badly wanted to say that. He wanted her. Only her. Someone kind... Someone brave.

Someone who still smiled even after the world had given her every reason to stop.

But instead of speaking the truth hidden inside his heart, he simply shrugged. "I'll know when I find her."

Selene laughed. "That's not much of an answer."

"It'll have to do," Elias said with a wink.

He smiled, carefully hiding the feelings he had carried for years.

---

High above the village, inside the Alpha Manor, Alpha Ryker Blackthorne stood before the enormous window overlooking the bustling settlement below.

His Beta, Tristan, entered carrying several neatly rolled scrolls.

"The preparations are complete," Tristan reported.

Ryker gave a distracted nod.

"The neighboring Alphas have arrived," Tristan informed him.

"Good," Ryker said flatly.

"The elders are waiting," Tristan said.

"I'll be there shortly," Ryker said, not even looking at him.

Tristan hesitated before speaking again. "There is... one more matter."

Ryker glanced toward him, indicating that he should continue.

"The Ashwood girl..." Tristan said with a pause.

Ryker's expression remained unreadable. "What about her?"

"Some of the elders are concerned," Tristan reported.

"Concerned?" Ryker said with a frown.

"They fear she may never shift." Tristan continued.

Ryker turned back toward the window. Far below, Selene laughed softly at something Elias had said. The sound could not possibly reach him, yet somehow he imagined hearing it anyway.

Tristan continued quietly. "If she remains wolfless after tonight... the elders want her banished."

Ryker's eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly. "Why?"

"They believe she's a bad omen," Tristan said, the word sounding like a poison in his mouth.

Silence settled over the room. Finally, Ryker spoke...

"If that's the elders' decision... So be it."

Outside, dark clouds slowly gathered beyond the distant mountains. Invisible to everyone below, a streak of silver lightning flashed across the heavens.

Deep beneath the sacred forest, something ancient and powerful stirred.

For the first time in thousands of years, a heartbeat echoed through forgotten ruins buried beneath the earth.

It was a slow beat, powerful, and waiting.

As though it had sensed that its queen... was finally about to awaken.