Chapter 8 Wolfless Girl

Octavia's POV

I paced back and forth on that spot as I pondered if I should head to the shifting spot or to work.

I wasn't sure if I would shift but it was certain that I would be punished should I leave.

Fuck it! I've faced way too much and waited to long just to give up my little hope. I'll try to explain to the Alpha about what happened later.

I dashed out of the manor making sure to try and avoid the patrol team. I didn't even have time to change out of my uniform so I knew that I asides me being wolfless, this was sure to make me stand out.

Soon, I arrived at a clearing deep in the woods. The reason they held the shifting ceremony here was that some young people tend to go berserk after shifting as they can't control their wolves.

This was a rare case that happened when the wolves are influenced by the strong negative emotions that the shifter has been suppressing. The first time it happened, someone had apparently been killed.

After that, they moved the ceremony far away from civilization and only allowed people that want to shift or have shifted on the grounds.

I could hear the cheers of people from the grounds as I got closer. The air was thick with hormones and energy that made ones blood pump.

It was due to the stimulant placed around the grounds to help the transformation process of the shifter.

Once I got to the grounds, I tried to find a quiet and inconspicuous spot to stay until it was my turn. My plans were foiled when one person noticed me. "Isn't that the wolfless girl from last year?"

The person had wanted to shout to his friend over the loud noise but it coincidentally died down at that time because the person in charge wanted to address them.

I froze and everyone turned to me.

My cheeks turned crimson in embarrassment and horror as their gazes followed me.

"Oh my. She sure has a lot of guts and no shame at all."

"A lot of guts! Last year she was the most sought after wolf due to her father's legacy but who knew that she just ended up being an empty dud."

Someone laughed. "Empty dud indeed. I heard that her stepsister Lucy managed to transform so it must be in her mother's defective genes."

I gritted my teeth and clenched my knuckles till they turned white when I heard them mention my mother.

She died when I was young but I had heard stories about her from my dad and she was a gallant and brave woman who loved fiercely.

"Ah! That might be true. If I remember correctly, no one ever saw her mother transform. We all thought that it was because she didn't want to but it might be because she was also defective. Ah! What a pity. They said her mother was also a beauty like her but what is the use of that when you risk affecting your children with your genes. Imagine never being able to feel the rush of transforming throughout your life. I'll rather die."

"I even heard that she attempted to kill herself last year so at least, she has her head screwed on straight."

"Really? Why didn't she go through with it?"

"I don't know? Maybe she's a coward." The person giggled.

Everyone had one or two things to say about me. I felt suffocated as the scene now lapsed with that of last year.

Just like now, they all mocked me once they saw that I wasn't able to change. The friends I had then pretended that they didn't know me while I stood there being torn apart by everyone.

I remember that I ran off to a cliff and cried my heart out. At least there is a bit of truth in the whispers. I truly did try to kill myself but I backed out at the last minute because I was a scared coward. Someone must have seen me back then and spread the rumor.

"Silence everyone. Let's get back to what we we're doing. Unlike some people, there are actually people who are here to gain their wolves." Embarrassment shot through me when the person in charge suddenly jabbed at me.

I bit my lips wringing my hands as I lowered my head.

Everyone eventually ignored me when another youngling managed to shift and gain his wolf. His status was an alpha. What a lucky fellow. His days are going to be smooth sailing from now on.

Trepidation filled me as everyone successfully transformed and gained their wolf. I had began to whisper a last prayer to the moon goddess for help.

"Next!" I noticed that everyone was now staring at me. Their gazes were both mocking and full of curiosity.

I stepped forwards and then stopped in the middle of the circle.

I took a deep breath and the let the moon bath me with it's light. I tried to follow the teachings I had practiced over and over again to tap into my inner wolf.

"Dig deep into your mind. You'll feel some sort of barrier. Try to hit at that barrier and let your wolf break free."

They were such simple words but they held so much meaning.

I did feel something but it was faint and I wasn't sure if it did anything. A while passed and nothing happened.

"What a faux! She's wolfless again."

Mocking words begin to come from all around me as everyone jeered at me.

"Leave here runt."

Finally, I couldn't take the humiliation so I turned and ran back in the direction I came with tears streaming down my eyes.

I stumbled and fell, but stood up to keep running. Finally, I stopped when I was back in the pack.

Why can't I transform? I prayed so desperately to the moon goddess yet here I was, humiliated and devoid of my wolf. Can my life get any worse than this?

"Octavia Butler." Someone called and I looked up to see that it was a guard from the alpha's manor. He was accompanied by two other guards.

I gulped in fear and wiped at my tears before straightening up.

"The alpha demands your presence at once."

I'm screwed!