Chapter 3 Giving in to Faith

Kaida's POV

More days ticked by, and I thought my hope was gone.

But then the phone rang.

Prof. Anam's voice sparkled with a hint of mischief as he said,

"I've spoken to my friend in the Moonlight Shadows pack."

"He promises a welcome, your protection, but only when you choose to go to the pack."

I paused to think about the pros and cons.

It appeared that fate was guiding me toward the place I hated the most.

What do I have now?

I felt a knot in my stomach as I thought about going to the Moonlight Shadows pack.

Moonlight Shadows pack was a mystic, dreadful creature. They had a reputation for training brutally and for strict devotion to the pack.

Yet rumors circulated that it had a deeper motive, a more secret agenda behind their want to have power and to rule.

They were respected as well as feared.

And what was the motive of them?

What were their aims?

It has been said that the Moonlight Shadows pack has a hierarchy, the Alpha being at the top.

Their members are expected to be loyal and obedient to their fullest.

The Alpha was a legendary cursed person whose mood would change as the weather did.

Some said that he was a just ruler, and others said that he was cruel and ruthless.

I heard also that he is a complicated man, with a strong feeling of loyalty and duty to the pack.

However, he also has a dark side, an element of uncertainty that causes people to be afraid of him.

I got a knot in my stomach as I thought of the Moonlight Shadows pack. What would happen should I fail?

What will happen in case I am not good enough?

The anxieties whirled in my head to the point that breathing was difficult.

I attempted to clear out my fears, but they remained at the corner of my mind, like a shadow there.

What would happen in the event I was not strong enough?

What would happen if I found I could not tackle the challenges coming ahead?

***

"Mom, I don't want to go to the Moonlight Shadows pack," I said, feeling a surge of defiance. "It's not safe."

"Kaida, you're being dramatic," my mother replied, her voice firm but worried.

"You'll be fine. Just follow the rules and you'll be okay."

"But what if I don't want to follow the rules?" I asked, feeling a spark of rebellion.

"Kaida, don't be foolish," my mother said, her voice rising.

"You have to follow the rules. It's not a game."

In my mother's study, I took in the dim atmosphere and the old smell of books and parchment.

The ticking of the clock was all that could be heard, and the silence felt so dense you could feel it in the air.

My brother Kofi's teasing grin faltered for a moment, revealing a glimmer of worry behind his eyes.

I stared at my mother and told her, "I do not understand why I need to do this," I said, feeling the urge to burst in anger.

"Is it not possible to... opt out or something?"

"I am still not sure about going to that place."

My mother's expression was stern, but I saw a glimmer of uncertainty in her eyes. She was not as confident in this decision as she seemed.

"Because you have to obey the traditions, Kaida."

"This training will give you a way to learn and build connections with other packs."

Kofi's teasing grin faltered, and he looked at me with a serious expression.

"Kaida, this is not a joke. The Moonlight Shadows pack is not to be messed with, and you're aware of that."

"Also, think of it as meeting many new people and the experience you'll have."

"Who knows, you might also meet your mate there."

I threw him a glare.

"That's not really what matters here. The Moonlight Shadows pack is famous for being...unpredictable. I don't want to have to live in a place like that for a whole year." I complained.

A chill came over my mother's face.

"Kaida, this isn't optional. You have to go to the Moonlight Shadows pack. If you don't, there will be consequences."

A cold feeling ran down my spine.

I am sure her mother is being darn serious right now.

Strict rules govern the pack, and anyone challenging these rules could be punished or expelled from the pack's protection.

In short, you could be tagged a rogue.

Since the discussion moved to the details, I couldn't stop wondering about reports about the Moonlight Shadows pack's Alpha.

Others claimed he was cursed, saying his mood was as changeable as the weather.

I tried to shrug off the rumors and concentrate on the now.

Who knows if I might even meet him, as it's a huge pack.

"All right," I said sullenly at last.

"I'll go. But I'm not guaranteeing that I will meet friends or a mate." I added.

My mother smiled slightly as she nodded.

"That's all I wanted from you, Kaida."

"Now, we should focus on planning your journey for the trip."

"I suggest your brother escort you," she said, pointing at Kofi.

"Thanks, but no, Mom, I think it would be best if I go on my own; it would be like a new experience." I argued.

For some reason, my mom didn't insist.

I felt a mix of emotions: fear, excitement, and uncertainty. But beneath it all, I knew I had to be strong, for myself and for my family.

While they continued making the plans, I was haunted by the sense that my life was on the verge of change without my consent.

The foreboding thoughts kept rolling back in once again. If I fail, I'll not only disappoint my family and Prof. Anam, but I'll also be shunned by the pack. I'll be alone, with no one to turn to.

The consequences of failure were dire. If I didn't succeed in the Moonlight Shadows pack, I'd be forced to return home, defeated.

My family would be disappointed, and I'd never be able to show my face in public again.