Chapter Three

I woke up that day with a sense of dread in my gut. It was the day of the full moon, and I knew that I was not going to be initiated into the pack. I had failed the trials, and I was weak. But despite my failure, I still had to attend the ceremony.

I got dressed in a simple, white dress and made my way to the clearing where the ceremony was held. As I walked, I could feel the eyes of the other wolves on me their curiosity and scorn a palpable force. They knew that I had failed, and they looked at me with a mixture of pity and disdain.

I tried to ignore their stares and focus on the ceremony. The moon was high in the sky and I could feel its pull on me, even though I was not a full member of the pack. 

All around are the victorious werewolves, their eyes glowing with intensity, prepared for the initiation ceremony. They were the chosen ones, the warriors who had proven their strength and skill by triumphing in the grueling trials. They stood tall, radiating a primal aura sender shivers down my spine. They were about to embark on a journey she could only dream of. They would earn their rightful place among the revered protectors of their kind, and I would forever remain an outsider.

I had failed. My dreams of joining their ranks as a warrior had been shattered, my hopes trampled upon by a more formidable opponent. Every part of my body ached with every breath, a constant reminderof my defeat. 

As the moon reached its zenith, casting an otherworldly light upon the clearing, One of the elders raised his arms, his voice resonating with power. His voice, deep and commanding, resonated through the clearing. He invoked the spirits of our ancestors, calling upon their guidance and protection for the initiation ceremony.

The atmosphere grew charged with a mixture of reverence and excitement as the leader elder to describe the significance of this momentous occasion. He spoke of the trials we had endured, the battles fought, and the unity that bound us as a pack.

One after one, the victorious once were honored, their achievements acknowledged by the Alpha and the elders as they were by the assembled pack. They stood tall, radiating an aura of pride and accomplishment as they were being initiated.

I couldn't help but feel a pang of envy as I watched them. They had earned their place, proven themselves through blood and sweat. Meanwhile, I stood on the fringes, marked by failure, my dreams of joining their esteemed ranks shattered and the pang of rejection hits me harder.

As the ceremony progressed, a mix of emotions swirled within me. Frustration battled with determination, doubt warred with a flicker of hope. I knew deep down that my journey wasn't over, that this setback was merely a temporary stumble in my path.

The elder raised his arms, A chorus of howls erupted from the gathered werewolves, a harmonious symphony that marked the completion of the initiation ceremony.

The elder turned facing the Alpha with a bow, Alpha Clark stepped forward, surrounded by the elders of the pack,  his presence commanding the attention of everyone in the clearing. He looked around at the everyone assembled. When his gaze settled on me briefly. He looked away immediately almost feeling ashamed and embarrassed for doing so.

Alpha Clark began to speak, his voice ringing out loud and clear. He talked about the importance of the full moon ceremony, and how it was a time for the pack to come together and strengthen their bond.

He talked about the importance of having physical strength and being strong as a member of the splutter how the splutters are the hope of the entire werewolves’ community in the world against the rebels, How our strength helps us to remain the best park. How we need to be warriors and nothing more.

After a few minutes of going on and on about the duties of a splutters, he paused,l cleared his throat "As many if you know, I found my mate earlier this week" he looked directly into my eyes, his voice gaining a new strength, "Alice," he said, his voice cold and distant. "You have shown great intelligence and wit, but physical strength is just as important in our pack. I cannot take you as my Luna. You are too weak."

The words hit me like a blow to the stomach. I felt as if the air had been knocked out of me. The humiliation and shame were almost too much to bear.  I felt like the world had stopped. The words echoed in my head, over and over again. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. "Why did he have to announce that publicly" I kept wondered. I could feel all eyes shifting to me, I felt tears welling up in my eyes, but then, I refused to let them fall. I stood there, staring straight ahead, as Alpha Clark without any hesitation whatsoever continued to speak.

“I believe that there is a stronger mate for me that can be our Luna, someone with the physical strength to go into battle with us whenever the needs arises, someone that will be able to fight for us without holding back. We are the strongest park in the world and someone weak cannot be leading us.”

I never thought I was that weak to be honest. I might not be the strongest or the biggest wolf in the splutter park, but I wasn’t the weakest either, if I had been as weak as Clark is portraying me to be right now, I am hundred percent sure I would have been sent out of the splutters park years ago. They do not tolerate weakness here, even those that have parents here have been kicked out in past years. I have my strengths, I am sure of that, it’s just not to the extents they are expecting it to be. 

I looked up to him and the elders surrounding him, Elders that we have to respect because they have been great warrior in their days when they were still younger, thinking to myself as to whether Clark had any say in what is coming out of his mouth? Or he is been influenced by the elders? Is he being pressurized to reject me and pick someone else?

Clark clearing his throats loudly brought me back. “I have one more announcement to make”. “To ensure that our park remains the strongest, it has been arranged and preparations has been made that I will be mated to the strongest female in the pack”

"Mila was the strongest person in her class, and the overall winner of the trials. She has proven herself to be a worthy member of the pack, and she will make a great Luna."

The other wolves cheered as Alpha Clark announced Mila as his mate. I felt like I was suffocating, like the air had been sucked out of my lungs. The humiliation and shame were almost too much to bear.

I wanted to run, to escape the clearing and never look back. But I couldn't move. I stood there, rooted to the spot, as the other wolves celebrated around me.

As the ceremony ended and the wolves began to disperse, I felt a hand on my shoulder. It was Mila, the new Luna.

"Hey," she said softly. "I'm sorry about what happened. You're a good person, and you'll find your place in the world. Don't give up."

I looked at her, surprised by her kindness. She had every reason to hate me, to revel in my humiliation. But instead, she was reaching out to me, offering me a lifeline.

"Thank you," I whispered, my voice choked with emotion. "I appreciate it."

Mila smiled at me and then walked away, disappearing into the crowd of wolves. I stood there for a moment, alone in the clearing, before finally turning and making my way back to my small cabin on the outskirts of the pack.

As I walked, I could feel the weight of Alpha Clark's rejection bearing down on me. I had never felt so alone, so helpless.

But then I remembered Mila's words. "You'll find your place in the world." And suddenly, a spark of hope ignited within me. Maybe I wasn't meant to be the Luna of the pack. Maybe there was something else out there for me, something that would allow me to use my strengths and skills in a different way.

 I felt a sense of liberation and freedom. I was free to be whoever I wanted to be, to live my life on my own terms. I didn't have to worry about fitting into the pack or living up to anyone's expectations.

I made a decision then and there. I was going to leave the pack and find my own path in life. It wouldn't be easy, but it was better than staying in a place where I wasn't wanted, where I would always be looked down upon.

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As the days passed, I began to feel a new sense of determination. I refused to let Clark's rejection define me or my life. I was determined to find a new purpose, a new goal to strive for.

As I lay in my bed, my mind began to work on a new plan for the future. I knew that I couldn't stay in the pack, but I also knew that I couldn't just leave without a plan. I began to think about my skills and strengths, and how I could use them to make a difference.

I had always been good at problem-solving and critical thinking, and I knew that those skills would be valuable in any situation. So, I began to research different opportunities, trying to find a way to use my skills to make a difference.

I had heard rumors about a pack called the Genie pack, a pack that valued knowledge above all else. They had a university and the biggest library in the world, and I knew that if I could get there, I could find a new path in life. I would rise, not only as a warrior but as a beacon of resilience, i will teach others that failure does not define one's worth.

I started making preparations to leave the Dauntless park. I knew that I couldn't stay there any longer, not after what had happened. I packed my bags, taking only the essentials, and set out on foot, determined to reach the Genie pack.

 And so, I began my solitary quest, ready to prove that the strength within me surpassed any physical battle. Even as I walked through the forest, I couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement for the future. I knew that my journey would not be easy, but I was ready for whatever challenges lay ahead. I would use my intelligence and wit to create a life that I could be proud of; I just hope I will be able to make it to the Genie Park alive and they I will be accepted in the park.