Chapter 2

Chapter two

“A girl with a sword doesn't need a man

to save her,

”She's a warrior not a princess in distress.”

***ROXANNE***

I FELT THE WEIGHT of my brother’s disappointment like a heavy cloth as I slogged through the White Moon pack’s training camp. All eyes were on me and my steps seemed to falter. If there was somewhere I'd rather be, I wouldn't be here but Alpha Zane, my brother, had asked me to join the camp. It was a week-long training held annually during the Lunar Week to rank the wolves based on their abilities.

My brother grabbed me by my wrist before I walked past him.

“Don’t let me down today, Chloe,” My brother whispered in my ear, his nails digging

My throat tightened so I nodded before making my way to the front.

It was the last day of the camp. The air was thick with tension as the pack gathered to witness the final challenge. I sighed deeply. Everyone around me was ready but I wasn't. I didn't do well these past few days. No matter how I tried, I always lagged behind others. My movements were feeble and my every effort was mocked. I endured the constant bullying— it was a reminder that I didn't belong here and I couldn't flee from the tag as the Pack’s weakest tie.

“Look who is bringing up the rear again,” one wolf sneered, their eyes full of disdain and amusement.”

“Well, she does give us a chance to laugh,” Chloe muttered, “Always turning the battleground into some circus.”

“I thought she was kicked out of the training.”

“Alpha Zane thinks something good will come out of her if only he knows she's a waste of time.”

“Oh he knows, he just doesn't want her to feel left out,” another wolf muttered.

I tried to block out the taunts and focus on each task but their words cut deep. The training Pack was meant to foster unity but it had become a stage for humiliation.

“She’s a curse, she's not one of us,” someone else said loudly, “I mean, none of us have red hair.”

“She may even be adopted. No one in her lineage was weak,” someone else whispered.

Aside from being weak, I was like an outcast, which was one of the reasons I was treated unfairly. Unlike the members of my pack, I had auburn hair. Every White Moon member had white hair. In the world I lived in— Lunar Peak, there were only three packs; Red Moon, Blue Moon and White Moon. The Red Moon Pack were the warriors, and the Blue Moon Pack were the seers— the highly favoured ones with the power of the goddess. White moon made everything that was bad, good, be it an illness or curse.

The three packs were meant to help each other but rivalry was inevitable and war happened between my pack, Blue Moon and that of Red Moon. Ever since, there has been malice.

The whistle went off and the training began. The pack members watched— their eyes reflecting pity and scorn, while their whispers surrounded me like a suffocating mist.

The first few obstacles went by in a blur and I pushed myself to my limit. Yet, with each hurdle, I fell further behind everyone else. The pack’s jeers heightened and echoed in my head like a merciless chant. I stumbled through the ropes and struggled through the mud pit and when it was time for climbing walls I was exhausted.

Chloe's mocking voice cut through the crowd, “Look at her! Can't even overthrow a simple course. How unfortunate.”

“You've seven minutes more Roxanne Colton, or it's over and that's a fail,” the coach yelled.

“It's nothing new,” someone said from the crowd, “She never wins. Just does nothing and still sweats. It's not tough yet she's battling with it like a fish caught in a net.”

My breaths came in ragged gasps as I started at the final obstruction— a high wall to climb over. The pack’s gaze bore down on me, the atmosphere heavy with judgement. I was the only one left and my time was running out.

I glanced back and saw my brother watching from a distance. He couldn't conceal his frustration and my heart sank. My defeat wasn't just mine; it reflected on him too. He glared at me. I turned back to look at the wall. I wiped the sweat that broke out from my forehead on the back of my hand and took in a sharp breath.

Moon goddess, please. Even if it's just this once.

I placed my hands and feet in the holes and struggled with the wall.

“Four minutes more.”

I was worn out and my arms were beginning to feel sore. I couldn't shake off the feeling of failure. It weighed on me and I became lost in thoughts. I looked downwards and saw the distance I had come up to.

I can do this.

I could feel their eyes on my back as they waited for my downfall. And it happened.

My fingers slipped from the wall's edge and I tumbled backwards into the mud, defeated.

“You lost Roxanne Colton.”

The pack erupted into laughter, their mockery echoing through the clearing. Covered in mud and humiliation I felt the tears sting my eyes. I had lost in the final training. Again. My hopes were shattered. I was a failure.

As my brother approached me I cowered. His anger was discernible and disappointment edged on his face like a permanent scar. I could feel his anger simmer as he towered over me. He hauled me to my feet, from the mud by my collar.

Before I could speak, his hand came in contact with my left cheek and a burning sensation crept up my cheek. The tears I had been holding tumbled out effortlessly as I stared into my brother’s eyes.

There was a deafening silence. Yes, my brother didn't like me, he had never hit me.

“Roxanne, do you have any idea how embarrassing this is for me?” he yelled, frustration ringing through each word.

“I'm trying Zane, I am,” I sobbed, searching his eyes for the slightest understanding.

His grip on my collar tightened as he shook me violently, “Is this your definition of Trying? Trying is not enough Roxy. Why are you such an embarrassment?”

More tears slipped down my cheek.

“I'm sorry,” I whispered.

“Get out you vessel of disgrace,” he yelled as he let go of me.

I broke down as I picked my steps, falling in and out of the mud. The pack erupted in laughter and I ran. I didn't look back. All I wanted was to be away from these people. To be far away from this shame