Unfit For Queen

Zelda

All eyes were on me, waiting for me to respond.

I couldn't bring myself to raise my head, to meet their gaze. I fixed my eyes on my sweaty palms, the clamminess and physical manifestation of my anxiety.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart. I knew I had to say something, but the words were caught in my throat. I had to find a way to speak, to give them the answer they were looking for.

With all the courage I could muster, I finally spoke.

“I don't have a wolf,” I said, my voice trembling.

A collective gasp echoed through the room, the sound piercing the silence.

For a moment, no one spoke, the silence heavy and suffocating. I could feel their shock, their confusion, their disappointment.

But I had to keep going and had to explain myself.

“What do you mean by that? You mean you can't shift?” another elder asked, his voice sharp.

I nodded, my heart pounding in my chest.

“Yes, I can't shift into my wolf. I've never changed,” I said, my words clipped and firm.