Chapter 1 No one knows her worth

ISABELLA

The whole pack gathered for the shifting ceremony. Though everyone was happy and excited about the ceremony, I was nervous because I didn't know what to expect.

Just as the event started, I felt the weight of everybody's eyes on me. Some were pointing at me while some were whispering to their neighbors while looking at me.

This time, I didn't just feel nervous, I felt like the outcast they have made me to be in the pack.

Just as expected, the transformation began. My packmates transformed into their wolf forms in smooth and powerful ways but nothing different happened to me.

Despite my clenched fists and zealous will, I still remained as I was without any form of transformation.

In the midst of the howls and cheers, I stood like a lone and inadequate wolf. Meanwhile, the murmurs of disbelief around me were enough to send me to my grave.

I got the worst embarrassment that moment when someone shouted "failed shift" and spat.

"Witch," another person whispered.

The accusation was very heavy that I felt like disappearing but I had no other option but to stand and endure all of them.

"Why is mine different? Why am I not undergoing transformation like my packmates? Does it mean that I don't have a wolf?" I asked myself all these before running to where I hid my clothes to escape from the humiliation, shame, and ridicule.

I reached for my garments only to find Nadia scornfully looking at it.

"Looking for these?" Nadia asked with malice and contempt as her eyes gleamed with triumph.

Seeing Nadia fling my garments in the air sent fear and anger to me but I respectfully asked her to return them to me but she refused.

"Give them back to me, Nadia. This is not right."

She bursted into laughter as she said, "You don't deserve them. Maybe you will fit in better with the animals now."

Tears blurred my face as Nadia walked away leaving me in darkness without any cloth. I felt the pain heavier when I remember that I have no one to speak or fight for me.

Somehow, I was able to gather courage and marched majestically towards the heart of the ack territory.

I got to the alpha's den, knocked, and Nadia's father, a formidable figure, opened the door while regarding me with contempt.

"Isabella, right?" He asked with his voice already revealing disapproval.

"Why do you appear this way?" He asked.

"I-I-I didn't shift, but I have come to complain about something Nadia did to me. She took my clothes and insulted me," I stammered.

I was expecting him to do something or assure me that he will scold Nadia about it but to my greatest surprise, he made a statement that cut deep into my heart.

"You are a failure and a complainer. Perhaps you are more trouble than you are worth."

As he dismissed me, I left with shame and tears as I felt the pain of isolation in the midst of everyone.

Just as days turned into weeks, I relentlessly died in silence. The once friendly faces turned away from me and my presence seemed contagious to them now.

"That which was once part of the Eclipse pack is now living like an outsider in the midst of my people, " I thought to myself.

As I was walking past the forest one fateful day, I stumbled into Nadia who was wearing a malicious face with a group of pack members who were once friendly to me.

Surprisingly, a mocking laughter erupted from them as they circled me like a predator closing in on its prey. "Look who we have here-the lone wolf who was not able to shift. So pathetic."

It hurts me so deeply that these were coming from them but I remained silent because I was not ready to give Nadia the satisfaction of a reaction.

"What does it feel like to be an outcast? " Nadia mocks me. "Apparently, no pack wants a failure like you."

The words cut through me like a knife and I felt tears finding their way down my cheek. Just then, my mind flashed back to my futile attempt to seek intervention from Nadia's father, and the rejection hurt me the more intensifying the bitterness of my current predicament.

Undeterred Nadia continued her verbal abuse to show that she has power over me in the pack.

"So, you thought reporting me to my father would change anything? You are nothing but a burden, Isabella. No one cares about you. Not even your dead parents."

The pack members she came with supported her as they nodded in agreement to Nadia's hateful remark.

When Nadia and her entourage departed, I left for my house-the only place I feel loved and accepted. I was happy that finally I am going to rest but no, Nadia still wants to steal the little peace I enjoy here.

I returned home after crying my eyes out in the solitude of the forest only to see another unexpected scene-all of my property was scattered and overturned like fallen leaves. It was an intrusion into my little home.

Having seen all that has happened, I began to panic the moment I noticed Nadia sitting calmly while playing with her lips.

"Welldone Isabella. What an old-fashioned house you have here," she said.

With anger and disbelief I asked, "What are you doing here, Nadia? This is my home!"

She chuckled instead. "Oh, dear Isabella, I thought we could have a little chat. You know, heart-to-heart."

"Get out! You don't have any right to be here," I said but she laughed.

"You really think you can tell me what to do? After all, I am climbing the ranks in the pack, and soon, I will make your life a living hell. Your tears today were just the beginning," she said.

With fear I asked, "Why are you doing this? What did I ever do to you?"

"You are in my way, Isabella. I deserve more respect and recognition in this pack, and you are standing in my way. I will make sure you regret ever crossing me," she voiced out in anger.

Tears flowed smoothly again as the place I had sought refuge has become a battlefield. But as I stood there, I somehow gained confidence to confront Nadia. "You can try, Nadia, but I won't let you break me. This is my home, and you won't take away the little peace I have left."

Surprisingly, Nadia left my home but returned immediately with three strong men whom I suspect would have been outside awaiting her instructions.

"Beat her up," she instructed them.