Chapter 6 6

Rona woke early that morning, a nervous energy prickling at her skin and making her restless. She barely slept the night before, her mind racing with anticipation and worry. Today was the day of the ceremony-the day she'd been thinking about for so long, yet it felt like a dream she was almost too afraid to reach for. She lingered at her small window, watching the early light spread over the quiet pack grounds, painting them in a gentle glow that made everything feel surreal. A part of her wanted to feel excitement, to embrace the possibility that this night could change everything.

But another part of her-a larger, louder part-feared disappointment.

Her hands were trembling slightly as she gathered her things, casting a quick glance around her little room. Though the morning light brought it a warmth that it usually lacked, she knew it was a modest, worn space, filled with little more than her necessities and memories of a difficult past. Still, she had a reason to go out today, to be part of something bigger than herself. She took a deep breath, hoping to settle her nerves.

Rona wrapped herself in her shawl and stepped outside, the cool morning air brushing against her cheeks. She walked with purpose through the trees, her path leading her to the graveyard, a quiet place where she always felt closest to her grandmother. Rona made her way over to the small headstone, kneeling down in the grass. Her fingers traced the rough edges of her grandmother's name, the one person who had loved her unconditionally.

"Grandma," she whispered softly, her voice barely carrying in the gentle breeze. "Today is the ceremony, and I... I'm going. I don't know if it's the right thing to do. I don't even know if I'll find anyone who'd want me. But..." Her voice trailed off as she tried to find the words. "I want to believe that there's someone out there for me, someone who'll see me for who I am. That's what you always told me, didn't you?"

She smiled a little, though her heart ached. In her mind, she could almost hear her grandmother's soothing voice, urging her to take this chance. A small wave of calm washed over her, a reminder of her grandmother's quiet strength. "You'd be happy for me, wouldn't you?" she murmured. "Even if it's just a silly wish."

Rona's thoughts drifted to her elderly neighbor, his gruff words of encouragement and the small but heartfelt gesture he'd made. She felt a swell of gratitude, grateful for his kindness-something so rare for her in this place. "I wish you could've met him," she whispered, imagining what her recluse of a grandmother would say about the old man's gruff but well-meaning support. She stood slowly, brushing off the dirt from her knees. "I'm going to try, Grandma. Please... give me your blessing."

She closed her eyes and let herself imagine, just for a moment, that her grandmother was beside her, a silent encouragement that she could carry with her. With a final, lingering glance at the grave, Rona turned and walked back toward her small home, her heart slightly lighter, her resolve strengthened.

Back at her room, she took out the few things she'd managed to buy with part of the old man's money-the rest which she saved for rainy days. They were modest purchases-a simple dress, a pair of worn but elegant, comfortable white sandals, and a delicate ribbon that matched her dress. Yet they felt precious, each piece a reminder that someone had cared enough to help her, even in this small way.

The dress was nothing grand. It was a soft, muted off white color that reminded her of grey clouds, a color that didn't quite suite her pale complexion but it wasn't like she had much of a choice. It was a pretty ceremonial dress, loose fitting, modest and not too shabby. To Rona, that was all that really mattered.

She slipped it on carefully, smoothing it over her form and she was a bit more positively surprised than she thought she would be.

She couldn't help but notice how well it fit, how it seemed to hug her in all the right places, enhancing her natural beauty in a way she wasn't used to. Rona was a wallflower by nature-someone who blended into the background, who kept herself hidden. And yet she liked it. For some reason tonight, she felt a strange desire to be seen, to be noticed, just this once.

Her fingers trembled slightly as she tied the ribbon in her hair, in a cute half updo hairstyle she'd seen on someone else once and liked it.

When she was done, she turned around to face the mirror.

Her reflection in the cracked mirror looking back at her with an expression of uncertainty. She felt strange, as though she were looking at someone else, someone... prettier.

The thought brought a small blush to her cheeks, and she looked away quickly, almost embarrassed.

She'd been told she looked nice, in a quiet, unassuming way.

People had told her so in passing, their words often laced with indifference or even mockery. But tonight, she wanted to believe it-believe that there was beauty in her, even if it was hidden beneath her shy demeanor and self-doubt.

Rona glanced at herself one more time, trying to see herself the way her grandmother might have seen her. She didn't have the striking looks of the other girls, the bold confidence that drew eyes and admiration. But there was a softness to her features, a quiet grace that held its own beauty. That's right.

Her eyes, a soft hazel that shifted between brown and green, held a warmth that spoke of kindness, of a soul untouched by the harshness of the world around her.

For a moment, she allowed herself to imagine what it would be like to walk into the ceremony and be greeted with smiles, with acceptance. She let herself believe, just briefly, that someone would look at her and see the goodness she tried so hard to hold onto. Her heart raced with a mixture of hope and fear, a strange anticipation that made her feel both excited and terrified.

The journey to gather the items for her outfit had not been easy. She'd faced her fair share of sneers, whispered comments, and dismissive glances from the shopkeepers and other pack members.

She could still hear the laughter of the girls who'd watched her purchase the dress, their mocking whispers about her wasted effort and how a lowly omega like her could never truly belong. But she'd endured it all, determined not to let them ruin this night for her.

Standing before her mirror, she felt a small surge of pride, a sense of accomplishment that she had made it this far, despite everything. She knew she was still an outcast, someone the pack barely noticed or cared for. But tonight, she would try to carry herself with a quiet dignity, a confidence that she rarely allowed herself to feel.

Finally, she took a deep breath, brushing her hands over her dress one last time. She felt a flicker of hope, a small spark that she clung to with all her heart. She wanted this night to be different, to be a moment she could look back on without regret. She wanted to believe that she deserved happiness, that she could find a place where she belonged.

With one last look in the mirror, Rona steeled herself, her heart pounding as she prepared to step out into the world she'd long felt separated from. She knew the ceremony would be filled with familiar faces, some hostile, some indifferent. But tonight, she would hold her head high. She would walk into that gathering with the hope that, somehow, things could change-that someone might see her, truly see her, and accept her for who she was.

Rona took a steadying breath, her hand resting on the door handle. Her mind was filled with thoughts of her grandmother's whispered blessings, her neighbor's unexpected kindness, and the small, fragile dreams she'd dared to nurture for so long. She wasn't sure what the night would hold, but she knew she was ready to face it.