Communal Meal (2)

Talia's POV

The festival is nothing short of magical. Lanterns glow softly, casting golden light over the town square. Long wooden tables are set up, covered in platters of food so delicious that my stomach growls just looking at them. Music drifts through the air, played by a group of werewolves with makeshift instruments, their laughter and voices filling the night.

People dance, their movements are uncoordinated but full of joy. No one seems to care about looking perfect. There's freedom in that, a kind of wild happiness.

Then comes the communal meal.

I sit at a table surrounded by my new friends. Luna, Jasper, Finn, and even Greta-who I have since learned are not as terrifying as she looks (though still slightly terrifying). The food is delicious, but my appetite dwindles one by one, and people start sharing their stories.

"I was born the runt of my litter," an older werewolf named Rowan says, his deep voice carrying across the table. "Too weak to shift. My pack saw me as useless, a burden. They left me behind during a raid, and I was almost killed by a rogue wolf. On my way escaping I met Alpha Axon right here," he points at him. "He lifted me in my dying state and offered me water. He brought me here, and ever since, I have never been judged by anyone."

A woman named Livia speaks. "I was cast out because of my scars." She runs a hand over the deep ridges along her arm. "They said I was too 'damaged' to find a mate, that no one would want a broken wolf. I was humiliated and thrown out of the Pack when I eventually found my destined mate, he rejected me without a second thought and threw me out in the middle of the night because he was the Pack's Alpha. I roamed in the woods for days before I came in contact with Alpha Axton here, and the rest is history." She chuckles.

Another man, Callum, laughs. "I never had a wolf. Born completely human in a werewolf pack. You can imagine how well that went. I watched the wolf's shift, attending shifting ceremonies while patiently waiting for my wolf to emerge. But guess what? It never did. I got frustrated and left the Pack in the middle of the night one day, I couldn't take the insults and pitiful glares of my Pack members anymore. Like others, I also roam the woods before meeting Alpha Axton here."

Their words hit me harder than I expected. They were all rejected and abandoned just like me.

"Your turn, Miss Purple." Jasper nudges me.

I swallow, my throat suddenly dry. "I-"

"You don't have to, Talia," Luna informs, patting my back.

"No, it's okay." I exhale.

I glance around the table, seeing nothing but warmth in their eyes. They're not waiting to judge me. They're waiting to understand me. They want to know my story just like everyone has related. Alpha Axton, Goddess blesses him for bringing these people together.

"My pack rejected me because I was wolfless and overweight," I say, forcing the words out before I lose my nerve. "I was always the outcast. The one who didn't belong. I tried to fit in, but no matter what I did, it was never enough. I was never enough. As if that wasn't enough humiliation, the moon goddess decided to humiliate me more by giving me Alpha Bran, my pack alpha, as a mate. I saw rejection in his eyes and I never waited for him to reject me. Instead, I helped in the rejection and exited the place, of course, after I had given them all a middle finger."

There's a beat of silence. Then they all burst into laughter. Not as if they were mocking me, but they were laughing genuinely. I guess my story is that funny though.

Rowan wipes a tear from his eye. "Damn, Talia. That's it?"

"What?" I blink.

"You're telling me you didn't wait for a formal rejection? That's the funniest rejection story I've ever heard!" Livia grins.

"At least they didn't try to kill you." Callum chuckles.

I gape at them. "You're all laughing at me?"

"No, we're laughing with you. Talia, you're one of us now. And around here, we turn pain into humhumourt's how we survive." Jasper smirks.

Finn, who has been stuffing his face with pancakes, finally swallows. "You're like... the least tragic person here."

I stare at them, and then I start laughing too.

Because for the first time, I realize that maybe I don't have to carry this pain alone anymore.

As the night draws to a close, I step away from the crowd, needing a moment to breathe. I walk toward the edge of the town square, where the lights don't quite reach, and the stars are clearer.

Footsteps approach behind me. "Talia."

I turn to find Alpha Axton. "Enjoying the festival?" he asks.

"More than I expected to." I nod, "I must say, I'm grateful to you for inviting me and making sure I attend. The thing is, I'm not a fan of parties; I always get things wrong, like stepping dignitaries on their toes to send them jogging in pain, stumbling on servers, causing wines to spill, stopping the music and getting the whole Pack's disapproving looks, to mention but a few.

But here I am today, at a party, and nothing of those weird things has happened. I wasn't judged for how I looked, dressed or how I ate. I must say that I'm happy to be here.

"And there's more if you choose to stay here with us. Trust me you'll like it here." He assures.

"Can't wait," I nod, smirking.

"There's something I need to tell you."

Something in his tone makes my stomach twist.

I straighten. "What is it?"