Chapter 5 5

The camp was alive with energy, even more so than the previous day. Wolves bustled about in preparation, arranging decorations, setting up torches, and laying out ceremonial garments. Rona could feel the excitement coursing through the air as she walked along the edges of the main grounds, carefully avoiding the central areas where preparations were underway. A dull ache sat low in her chest, growing heavier with each passing hour as she watched the pack come together for the ceremony-an event that would change the lives of her peers, perhaps even pair some with their destined mates.

But to her, it felt like just another reminder of her place in the pack-a place she'd never fully been welcomed to occupy.

She'd already gone about her daily chores, collecting herbs in the forest and preparing firewood for the kitchen. These were the same tasks she'd performed every day, but today, with the rest of the pack so absorbed in their excitement, her loneliness felt sharper, more pronounced. She tried to keep her expression neutral, a small, polite smile fixed on her face as she moved around others, giving them a wide berth.

If anyone noticed her sadness, they made no sign of it, too absorbed in their own lives to pay much attention to her.

It wasn't unusual; Rona had long ago learned to swallow her disappointment, to hide her feelings behind a mask of indifference, especially in front of those who went out of their way to remind her of her insignificance. The taunts had lessened over time as her quiet demeanor faded into the background, but every once in a while, someone would toss a remark her way or ignore her entirely as if she didn't exist.

But today, the sting was sharper, harder to ignore. It wasn't just the ceremony itself that brought her pain-it was the reminder that she was outside, looking in, barred from the pack's sense of belonging and kinship.

Her hands clenched as she glanced at a group of young she-wolves laughing together, the image of camaraderie bringing her an ache she'd never learned to silence.

Why was she so fixated on things she was never meant to have?

In her wandering, she found herself near the edge of the pack's territory, a place she often passed by on her way to the herb patches in the forest. An elderly wolf named Eldric lived here, a recluse who didn't often mingle with the rest of the pack. He'd been one of the first wolves in the pack to reach out to her, though his actions were subtle-a shared nod when they crossed paths, a quiet acknowledgement when she passed him his weekly rations. Said quiet acknowledgement of her existence drew her to him.

She sometimes ran small errands for him, collecting herbs or delivering supplies, and though they didn't speak often, his presence was a small comfort in the silence of her world- and, she cared for him.

"Rona!" Eldric's voice called from his cottage. She turned, surprised to see him standing in his doorway, motioning her over.

Quickly, she approached, a small practiced smile forming on her lips as she neared. Eldric's presence was steady, grounding, and she was glad to have something to distract her from the restless ache in her heart.

"Yes, Mr Eldric?" she asked softly, dipping her head respectfully.

He studied her with keen, tired eyes, his face weathered with age and wisdom. There was a kindness there, buried beneath a stern exterior, that reminded her of her grandmother. It was rare for him to speak openly, so when he motioned her closer, she knew he had something more on his mind than the usual errands.

"You're not... preparing for the ceremony?" he asked, his tone casual but laced with a touch of curiosity.

Her heart dropped, and she forced herself to maintain her small smile, shaking her head. "No. I'm not going to attend."

Eldric frowned, a flicker of surprise crossing his face. "Why not?"

The question caught her off-guard, and for a moment, Rona didn't know what to say. She hesitated, glancing down at her hands as she twisted her fingers together. It wasn't like she hadn't thought about attending. She'd thought about it constantly, her heart torn between the hope of finding a mate and the fear of rejection, of standing alone among the crowd as others were drawn to one another.

But now, standing in front of him, she felt the weight of her sadness pressing down, and it became harder to hide.

"Because..." she started, her voice soft and wavering. "Because I... don't think it's for me." she confesses whilst looking away, afraid to meet his gaze.

Eldric's gaze softened, and he stepped closer, his hand resting on her shoulder, a rare gesture of affection from him. "Everyone of age is welcome to attend, Rona. The ceremony is for every wolf in the pack. That includes you."

Her throat tightened, and she blinked back the prickling in her eyes, her voice trembling as she forced herself to continue. "Maybe... but I don't belong there. I don't fit in. No one would even... notice if I went.... or.." The words spilled out before she could stop them, her heart aching as she tried to hold back the tears welling up in her eyes.

Eldric looked at her thoughtfully, his hand still resting on her shoulder as he took in her words. He was silent for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Then, with a deep sigh, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small leather pouch, heavy with the clink of coins.

"Here," he said, pressing the pouch into her hand before she could protest. "Take this. Get yourself some supplies-a dress, maybe. Something to wear for the ceremony."

She stared at the pouch in shock, shaking her head. "Eldric, I can't-"

"Yes, you can," he interrupted firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Consider it a gift. You deserve to attend that ceremony as much as anyone else, and I won't let you stay hidden away just because others can't see your worth."

The kindness in his voice, the unexpected generosity, was more than Rona could bear. She bit her lip, the tears she'd tried so hard to hold back spilling over as she clutched the pouch tightly.

No one had ever shown her such kindness, such belief in her worth. It was a simple gesture, but to her, it meant the world.

"Thank you," she whispered, her voice choked with emotion. "I... I don't know what to say."

Eldric patted her shoulder, his expression softening as he gave her a small, knowing smile. "You don't have to say anything, child. Just promise me you'll go, alright? Don't let anyone else decide your place in this pack, where you can and can't go or what you can and can't do-all within reason of course."

She nodded, her heart swelling with gratitude and a newfound resolve. For the first time, she felt a glimmer of hope-a small, fragile hope, but one that sparked something deep within her. Maybe, just maybe, she could find a place for herself, a place where she belonged.

"Thank you, Eldric," she said again, her voice steadier this time, filled with quiet determination. "I promise."

He nodded approvingly, his eyes glinting with a rare hint of warmth. "Good. Now go on. Make yourself ready for the ceremony. And, don't forget to hold your head high."

With those words, he turned and disappeared back into his cottage, before she could protest even further. leaving her standing alone, clutching the pouch of coins as if it were the most precious gift in the world. She took a deep breath, the weight of his kindness settling in her chest, filling her with a strength she hadn't felt in a long time.

As she made her way back to her small corner of the camp, her mind was already spinning with ideas. She didn't have much time, but with Eldric's gift, she could at least find something simple, something that would make her feel like she belonged.

For the first time in years, Rona dared to hope. Maybe the ceremony would be different than she'd imagined. Maybe, even if only for one night, she could be part of something beautiful.

And perhaps, just perhaps, destiny would be kind enough to show her a glimpse of the life she'd always wanted.