Chapter 3 A New Friend

Samantha sat on the small wooden bench outside their home, staring at the vast expanse of the pack's territory. The morning sun cast a golden glow over the trees, and the air was thick with the scent of pine and damp earth. She heard the rustling of footsteps behind her and turned to see Erynn, her adoptive mother, approaching with a warm but concerned look.

Erynn sat beside her, brushing strands of Samantha's silver-blonde hair from her face. "You've been so quiet lately," she said gently.

Samantha lowered her gaze. "I just don't want to cause trouble. Serene says I don't belong here, and sometimes... I think she's right."

Erynn cupped Samantha's face, her eyes filled with unwavering love. "Listen to me, my sweet girl. You do belong. You may not have been born into this pack, but that doesn't make you any less a part of it."

Samantha swallowed hard. "Then why does everyone treat me like an outsider?"

Erynn sighed. "Because people fear what they don't understand. And Serene... she's young, and she doesn't see beyond her own jealousy."

Samantha clenched her fists. "She hates me."

"She doesn't hate you," Erynn corrected softly. "She fears you. Because you shine in ways she never expected."

Samantha frowned, her chest tightening. "But I don't want to fight her, I just want peace."

Erynn took Samantha's hands in hers. "Sometimes, standing up for yourself isn't about fighting. It's about refusing to let others define your worth. You need to stop hiding in the shadows, sweetheart. Go out, meet others. Make friends. There are wolves in this pack who will see you for who you truly are."

Samantha nodded slowly, though doubt still lingered. She wasn't sure if anyone would ever accept her, but Erynn's words planted a small seed of hope.

She had to try.

Later that day, Samantha made her way to the training grounds. Wolves of all ages gathered there, some sparring, others simply talking. As she hesitated on the edge of the clearing, she saw Serene among a group of girls, their laughter sharp as blades.

Serene's gaze landed on Samantha like a hawk spotting its prey. "Look who decided to crawl out of hiding," she said, her voice dripping with mockery.

Samantha's muscles tensed, but she forced herself to remain calm. She wouldn't give Serene the satisfaction of seeing her flinch.

"Come to finally admit you don't belong?" Serene pressed, a cruel smile playing on her lips.

Before Samantha could respond, a new voice cut through the tension.

"She belongs more than you do, Serene."

Samantha turned to see a tall, striking girl with long, dark auburn hair and piercing blue eyes stepping forward.

Alex.

She had seen Alex before, one of the strongest young wolves in the pack, respected by many. Alex never bothered with the petty gossip or cruel games Serene played. She had an air of confidence that made people either admire her or fear her.

Serene scoffed. "Oh, please, Alex. Why do you even care about her?"

Alex crossed her arms. "Because I don't waste my time tearing down others to make myself feel important." She glanced at Samantha. "And because I actually see her."

Something flickered in Samantha's chest, a strange, unfamiliar warmth.

Serene's face twisted in irritation. "Fine. If you want to waste your time on her, go ahead. But don't come crawling back when you realize what a mistake that is."

With a toss of her hair, Serene stormed off, dragging her group of followers with her.

Samantha exhaled slowly. She had expected a confrontation, but she hadn't expected someone to stand up for her.

Alex turned to her. "You okay?"

Samantha nodded. "Why did you do that?"

Alex shrugged. "Because I wanted to." She smirked. "And because Serene has always wanted to be my friend, but I can't stand people like her."

Samantha hesitated. "You don't have to defend me, you know."

Alex's eyes softened. "I know. But that doesn't mean I won't."

That was the moment Samantha realized she had found her first true friend.

The following days were different. For the first time, Samantha wasn't alone.

Alex walked with her, trained with her, and even sat with her during meals. It didn't take long for the pack to notice. Whispers followed them wherever they went, but Alex didn't care, and neither did Samantha.

However, Serene cared.

Serene watched with growing fury as Alex, the girl she had once idolized, chose Samantha over her. It burned her like wildfire.

And she wasn't going to let it slide.

One evening, as the pack gathered for a hunt, Samantha was making her way back to her home when she felt a sudden force shove her hard from behind.

She stumbled forward, barely catching herself before she hit the ground. When she turned, she saw Serene, her eyes blazing with jealousy and anger.

"I've had enough of you," Serene spat. "You think just because Alex is protecting you, you're safe? You think you can take everything from me?"

Samantha straightened. "I've never taken anything from you."

Serene stepped closer, her fists clenched. "First my home, then my family's love, and now Alex? You ruin everything."

Samantha's heart pounded, but she stood her ground. "Maybe if you weren't so busy trying to push me down, you'd see that I was never your enemy."

Serene's hands trembled with rage. For a moment, it looked like she might hit Samantha, but then a sharp voice cut through the tension.

"Serene! That's enough!"

Samantha turned to see Ronan storming toward them, his usually calm expression dark with anger.

Serene's face twisted. "Of course. Here you are again, running to protect her. Always taking her side over mine. Is it because she's more beautiful than me? Is that it? You're a terrible brother, Ronan."

Ronan's jaw tightened. "You're acting like a spoiled child, Serene."

Serene's eyes filled with hurt and fury. "I hate you both," she hissed before storming away, disappearing into the woods.

Samantha exhaled shakily. She had a bad feeling about this.

Serene wouldn't let this go.

And next time... she might not just use words.