I awoke at around 7 o'clock, feeling groggy with an annoying kink in my neck. I must have slept in an awkward position. Pulling myself upright, I sat at the edge of my bed and stretched out my neck, rubbing it gently to ease the discomfort.

Eventually, I rose from the bed, clad in my slightly oversized onesie, and headed into the bathroom. After brushing my teeth and washing my face, I returned to my room to tackle my hair. I combed it meticulously and fashioned it into a sleek, neat bun. Satisfied, I moved to my closet next.

At the very back of my closet, I kept my training gear. I always kept a fully stocked selection as shifting inevitably resulted in torn clothes. I chose a pair of black three-quarter leggings and white trainers, paired with a pink sports top that revealed my toned midriff. A baggy black hoodie, perfect for the journey to the training area, completed my ensemble.

I located my sports bag in a corner of the closet and packed an extra set of sportswear. Preparation is key, after all. Glancing at the clock, I noticed it was already 8 o'clock. I tossed my bag onto the bed and descended the stairs, managing to avoid my mother and her pack friends congregating in the living room.

Reaching the kitchen, I retrieved some milk from the fridge and poured it over a bowl of Special K cereal. As my cup of tea brewed, I grabbed an apple, then carefully balanced my breakfast items to transport them back to my room.

Once settled on the bed, I turned on my docking station, scrolling through my music library until I found the perfect track. The familiar lyrics of Imagine Dragons' "Demons" filled the room as I began eating.

I related to this song on a profound level, humming along while enjoying my meal. After I'd finished, I returned my dishes to the kitchen and retreated back to my room to tackle some homework. With an hour to spare, it seemed like the ideal time.

As I worked, another Imagine Dragons song played, "It's Time." I adored this song, too, but there was one line that resonated with me deeply. As it came around, I found myself singing along.

"So this is where you fell, and I am left to sell, the path to heaven runs through miles of clouded hell..."

"Right to the top, don't look back, turning the rags and giving the commodities a rain check..." I sighed contentedly, truly enamored with their music. Just as I was wrapping up my music homework, I glanced at the clock: 9:45. It was time to head out. Placing my work aside, I gathered my sports bag and zipped up my hoodie. On my way out, I remembered grabbing a couple of bottles of water.

My house was nestled right at the edge of the forest, a location that I loved. Venturing into the forest, I followed a familiar path. I'd tread this route so often that I could probably navigate it blindfolded. My scent of rose and vanilla was a familiar presence in the woods.

Immersed in the forest, I breathed in its earthy fragrance, feeling at peace. The connection I felt with nature was profound. I attributed this comfort to my silver-hued wolf persona. The forest was an extension of my being, a place where I felt free and centered.

Eventually, I reached the expansive clearing where Kendrick was lounging on the grass. This large open space, concealed in the heart of the forest, provided privacy, something I was grateful for. If any pack member saw me in my wolf form, they'd likely faint or think they were hallucinating.

Stepping into the clearing, I caught Kendrick's attention. I stowed my bag by a nearby tree and greeted Kendrick, who rose to meet me. He was like an uncle to me - I cherished the familial bond we shared. It was a pity his son didn't embody the same virtues.

"Hey Kendrick. Ready to get your ass kicked?" I teased.

"Feeling a bit confident, aren't we?" Kendrick playfully shot back, his arms folded across his chest.

Our laughter filled the clearing. "Anyway, let's get going," Kendrick suggested.

Shedding my hoodie and leaving it with my bag by the tree, I began stretching to prepare for our routine workout. Kendrick and I would always start by stretching, followed by thirty laps around the clearing. Despite our accelerated pace (and my superior speed), completing the thirty laps took a solid thirty minutes. Yes, the clearing was that immense.

Half an hour later, we had concluded our warm-up. Neither of us were panting or drenched in sweat just yet. If anything, Kendrick seemed to have expended more energy than I did. I took a gulp of water, then tossed a bottle to Kendrick who gratefully took a swig.

"I'm thinking we should focus on human combat training," Kendrick began, his tone embodying that of a true mentor. "Your skill level in your wolf form is top-notch. I mean, you consistently beat me without a hint of hesitation. Therefore, mastering human combat seems to be the next logical step. Once we accomplish that, there won't be much more I can teach you, aside from the need for ongoing independent and joint training."

"Sounds like a solid plan. Let's do this," I responded, brimming with enthusiasm.

"When you're fighting, you already know the basics: 1) always be aware of your surroundings and rely on your instincts. Your senses are more heightened than mine, so maximize their use — scent, sight, and hearing. 2) Utilize your skills to your advantage. In your human form, your strength may be slightly lesser than mine. Naturally, your wolf form is more powerful, but in your human guise, we're more evenly matched, despite you being stronger than most women. Therefore, rely on your speed, agility, and quick-thinking abilities. Once pinned, escaping may be quite difficult," Kendrick elaborated.

I nodded, signaling my understanding.

"The combat stance requires one foot to be placed ahead of the other for a balanced and centered stance. This helps reduce the chances of being knocked off balance. Keep your arms in front of you with clenched fists to protect your body and head from punches. Additionally, this position makes it easier to counterattack," Kendrick continued.

Demonstrating the stance, Kendrick moved with sharp, precise strikes. He expounded the benefits of the stance as he shifted around. I mirrored his moves, and Kendrick pointed out areas where I could improve. He had me practicing various strikes until I had mastered them, constantly pushing my boundaries.

"Never let your guard down. Keep your eyes on your opponent until they're incapacitated, either dead or too injured to continue the fight. Rogues and enemies won't show you any mercy," Kendrick cautioned, then asked, "Ready to give it a try against me?"

I swallowed hard, anticipation and a hint of fear swirling within me. The thought of how badly this could turn out crossed my mind, but I steeled myself for the challenge. As Kendrick assumed his stance, I mirrored him. He lunged at me, but I swiftly sidestepped and counterattacked, my foot connecting with his back. He grunted, quickly grabbed my foot, and unbalanced me, causing me to hit the ground. I rolled away from his subsequent punch, retaliated with a kick, and used the momentary reprieve to recover. However, my lapse in concentration cost me as Kendrick lunged again, pinning me to the ground. I squirmed, but escape seemed impossible.

"Always keep an eye on your opponent, regardless of fatigue or injury. But considering this is your first go, it's quite promising. You managed to land some solid hits on me. I'm impressed," Kendrick complimented, pulling me up with him as he stood.

Breathing heavily, I rubbed my side where I had fallen awkwardly.

"I think I've got the hang of it," I replied, before jogging off to hydrate.

We continued our training for another hour. Each skirmish resulted in me being tossed to the ground and pinned, the wind knocked out of me every time. Kendrick was consistently leveraging his superior strength against me, my marginally inferior strength proving to be my Achilles' heel. I pushed myself off the ground, panting heavily. Sweat had started to dot my forehead, and my hair was slipping from its bun.

"Come on, Gia, you've got this," Kendrick encouraged. "You have more potential than me. You're not fully leveraging your skills. We won't stop until you manage to pin me."

"Alright," I replied, interspersing my words with labored breaths.

I rose to my feet, resuming my defensive stance. I needed a new strategy. Kendrick was more vulnerable when I was behind him; his extra weight was a potential weakness. I was faster and more flexible. I had to get behind him and pin him – that was my plan.

Kendrick lunged at me once more. Swiftly, I placed my hands on his shoulders and vaulted over him, landing behind him. I immediately wrapped my arms around his neck and used my weight to yank him backward. Then, with a swift kick to his right leg, I sent us both crashing to the ground. As we tumbled, I maneuvered myself so that I was on top of him, holding down his arms and pressing my calf against his neck. He attempted to dislodge me by shifting his weight, but I had him pinned in such a way that his efforts were futile.

"Alright, Gia, you've got me this time," Kendrick conceded, gasping for air.

I released him and stood up, extending my hand to help him rise. He was now panting as well.

"Well done, Gia. I knew you could do it. However, as a consequence of taking down your Alpha, you now owe me another 30 laps as a cool down," Kendrick commanded.

"You can't be serious! We've been training for the past three hours. I'm exhausted," I protested.

"That's an order," Kendrick retorted.

Mumbling under my breath, I embarked on my laps, aggrieved by the sight of Kendrick lounging by a tree, sipping water, and relaxing simply because I'd bested him.

Eventually, I completed my laps and collapsed on the ground, draining the rest of my water. I splashed some on my face, seeking some relief from the heat.

"That was a productive training session. We'll conduct a few more focuses on hand-to-hand combat, and then you just need to maintain your skill level," Kendrick outlined.

"Sounds good, but next time when I kick your butt, you're doing the laps instead of me," I complained.

"Sorry, but as the Alpha, my decisions are final," Kendrick stated with a smug grin.

"'As the Alpha, my decisions are final,'" I parroted in a mocking tone.

In response, Kendrick maneuvered me into a playful headlock and began ruffling my hair.

"Kendrick, not my hair. Please, stop," I pleaded, squirming in his grip.

"That's the penalty for cheekiness," Kendrick chuckled.

Finally, he released me, and I shot him a glowering look, to which he responded with a hearty laugh. I shook my head at him, and we eventually parted ways. I grabbed my bag and water bottle, pulling my hoodie back on.

"See you later, Kendrick," I called out as I ventured into the tree line.

"See you later, kiddo," Kendrick replied.

Then, I started my journey home, completely exhausted. Yet, I knew I was becoming a better fighter and growing stronger. I was now capable of defending myself, but until my secret was unveiled, I wouldn't be able to fully utilize these newfound skills.

Fast forward eight months later,

I trudged into my room, pushing open the door just long enough for me to slip inside before the tears burst from my eyes and trickled down my cheeks. Today was the last day of the term before Christmas, the 21st of December. It should have been a day of joy. The Mating Ball was only ten days away, and in eight days, I would be leaving for it. Yet here I was, overwhelmed by the relentless bullying and torment. These tormentors were supposed to be my pack members. But in this pack, I had no friends. The only people who treated me kindly were my parents and my Alpha, who couldn't step in without risking the exposure of my secret. The question was, how much longer could I endure this? Just until the Mating Ball, I assured myself, where I hoped to find someone who would cherish me with every beat of their heart.

I locked the door behind me, tossing my school bag to the floor. I sauntered over to my bed and flung myself onto it, turning onto my stomach and burying my face in my pillow to muffle my sobs. This was the first time I'd allowed the pain to overwhelm me to this extent, save for one other occasion. But today, they had gone the extra mile to make my life a living hell, viewing me as weak and a liability to the pack. Little did they know, I was as formidable as the Alpha. While I couldn't command power, I could surely challenge him in a fight.

Ever since my first shift, I had trained with the Alpha. He nurtured my strength and helped me harness my wolf's abilities, knowing how exceptional I was. My inner power, speed, intelligence, and strength made me unbeatable. It would take a coordinated attack of at least ten wolves to bring me down. How they underestimated me. How they failed to see past their prejudices.

To keep my secret safe, I masked my scent to mimic an Omega's and wore baggy clothes, a strategy that unfortunately fueled the bullying. When injured, I used makeup to simulate the wound long after it had healed, because Omegas don't recover quickly. Every precaution was necessary; the risk of exposure was too high, threatening not only me but also the pack. Some might see me as a weapon to be seized, while rogues would invariably target me. Unless I held a respected position, I'd forever live looking over my shoulder.

What a mess my life had turned into. I should have friends, be a prominent member of the pack. My parents held high ranks in the pack, which I was expected to inherit. Yet here I was, an outcast, with only a handful of people aware of my truth. My life would never be easy. I questioned the Moon Goddess. Why was this my fate? Destined to live in the shadows despite having a power comparable to the Royals.

All this was the consequence of one fateful day. The day that forever altered my life – my fourteenth birthday.

Flashback

I sprang out of bed with youthful energy. Today marked my fourteenth birthday, and I was brimming with excitement. Life was filled with camaraderie, with friends who always had my back. I eagerly anticipated an amazing day at school, followed by a party. You see, my closest friends were the Alpha's son, Griffin, and the Beta, Lewis, among others. I imagined it would always be this way.

Following my usual morning routine, I hopped into the shower, then slipped into some fashionable clothes. I chose a light pink flowy top, skinny jeans, and a pair of Converse. I curled my brown hair into loose waves that cascaded down my back and applied some light makeup. One of the perks of attending a werewolf school in England was the absence of a uniform.

Once ready, I picked up my school bag and flute, making my way downstairs. I casually dropped my bags near the front door and strolled into the kitchen. My dad sat at the table, engrossed in the newspaper while sipping his tea. Meanwhile, my mom busied herself on the stove, cooking bacon. I claimed a seat at the table.

"Hello, sweetie. Happy birthday!" My mom exclaimed, rushing over to envelop me in a hug.

"Mum... can't... breathe," I teased.

She drew back, rolling her eyes at me, "Drama queen," she retorted, playfully sauntering back to the stove.

"Yeah, I wonder who she gets it from," my dad chimed in, teasing my mom.

I laughed heartily at their banter, while my mom playfully scowled at my dad. "Happy birthday, darling," he said, his face lit up with a smile.

"Thanks, Dad," I replied.

Soon, my mom set a bacon sandwich before each of us, then joined us at the table with her bowl of cereal. I savored my breakfast, finishing it before I knew it. Rising, I started towards my school bags.

"Darling, we've got you a present," my dad announced.

As I turned around, he extended a small black box adorned with a pink bow. I approached and accepted the box, carefully undoing the ribbon. Inside lay a beautiful necklace, a rose quartz shaped into a heart, encrusted with sparkling silver diamonds and suspended from a golden chain. It was breathtaking. I put it on and rushed to my dad, enveloping him in a warm hug, then doing the same with my mom.

"Thank you so much," I squealed with delight.

"No problem, sweetheart. Now, enjoy your day at school," Dad encouraged.

The sound of a car horn signaled that my ride to school had arrived. Scooping up my bags, I stepped outside and clambered into the car, where Griffin, Lewis, and an older pack member awaited, the latter at the wheel.

"Happy Birthday," Griffin and Lewis chorused.

Their mirth was infectious, and I laughed along, accepting a card from each of them. I was pleasantly surprised to find £200 inside - a clear display of the affluence that was commonplace in our pack. The ride to school was filled with laughter and camaraderie, reminding me of why these guys were my best friends. In our hearts, Griffin and I both harbored the hope that we might become mates at the Mating Ball. I had always abstained from having a boyfriend, holding out for that one perfect match. No one else seemed worth it.

The day at school unfolded as usual. Surrounded by friends and well-wishers, I was inundated with cards, birthday wishes, and even a balloon from one generous soul. It was everything I had expected - a day filled with friendship and celebration, all made possible by the high regard and respect people had for my high-ranking family within our pack. I relished these moments, never anticipating how drastically they would change. Back then, my life was simply about friends and fun. It was great.

Despite the typical monotony of lessons and the occasional sour-tempered teacher, school life was bearable. However, the day took a turn for the worse during the third lesson.

I started feeling unusually hot and sweaty. Beads of perspiration trickled down my forehead, and my palms wouldn't stop sweating - odd symptoms for a werewolf, especially given the mild British weather. Soon, a pounding headache set in, causing my vision to blur intermittently. Then, the worst symptom appeared: a stabbing pain coursing through my limbs like a torrent of daggers. Fear began to seep in.