Chapter 01

"Aim for the target!" I inhaled deeply while clutching my bow. I squinted a little and aimed my shot towards the large circular board's center. My ears were filled with the thud of the arrows being launched. It was met with applause from the other girls. I expect that a lot of those would have struck the target.

"Calla, what are you doing? Release it right now!” After I heard my teacher, I blinked many times. Everyone was looking at me. My heart was suddenly hammering so loudly. I gulped. To put my hands steady, I sighed deeply.

"I'm sure she couldn't even release it," someone said. There was some chuckling after that.

I took another long breath. I took a deep breath and gathered my bravery before releasing the arrow. I stood there watching the arrow fly across the board, hoping it will somehow touch the center, but instead of reaching the bullseye, it ricocheted off the board's edge.

But then I saw the arrows heading straight for my instructor, my eyes were wide in surprise. Everybody in the room burst out laughing and gasping.

“Calla! " yelled the instructor, frustrated. I bit my lower lip and clutched my chest. Thank goodness she was able to prevent it!

As I took a step back, all I could say was, "I-I'm sorry..." The instructor groaned and walked away, frustrated. There was a lot of laughter in the room. Their gazes were fixed on me.

I moaned and lowered my gaze.

"What useless shit!"

"What did you expect?" ”

“Pft. She probably can't even shoot directly! ”

"How come she's still around?  She's totally worthless now because her father died."

"I agree. Tsk.”

The laughter went on, and all I could do was stand there with my head lowered, listening to their obscenities.

"Why is she even training for this?" They laughed again. "It's not like a wimp like her could fight in the Luna Games."

took a deep breath and clutched my bow. I blinked many times since it was already hurting. Those words have been my regular companions for the past few years. W imp, loser, or worthless, that's what they always call me. I should have been immune to it, but I wasn't. I'm still afflicted for some reason. I despise it, but I couldn't do anything about it. It's aggravating.

"Hey, lass!"

When I felt a huge force shove my back, I gasped and fell to the floor.

“Ohh! " the others exclaimed. Some of them even laughed out loud. I instantly looked up to see Margaux mockingly observing me with her arms crossed. Two females were standing behind her, imitating her position. She gave me a sly grin.

"Get out, Calla, if you can't even aim correctly. In any case, the Luna Games aren't for you. Why bother practicing, huh? No weakling, pitiful, and pathetic she-wolf can survive that. " Her grin became wider.

I didn't respond. Others were still mocking me. Some even started booing. I averted my gaze. I finally let out the tears I'd been keeping back, but I didn't let them see it. I took a big breath. I continued to ignore Margaux.

"I'm still amazed by your ego, Calla. I mean, seriously? You can't even properly handle your bow. You have no idea how to handle a sword properly, and you're practicing for the Luna Games. Indeed, what assurance! Right? ”

“Yes!”

"Certainly!"

Those were most likely her servants. I shut my eyes.

"Get out of here, bitch! This isn't for you!"

“Ahh! When I sensed her feet touching my face, I screamed in anguish.

“Woah!"

Everyone laughed at us as if we were putting on a show for them. I clenched my fists as tears streamed down my cheeks. Because of the kick, my face felt numb.

I bit my lower lip firmly. What did I do to deserve this treatment, anyway? I was an excellent follower. My family supported the pack wholeheartedly. What else did I do wrong?

"How about it, bitch?! What now?!"   As Margaux held my hair, I groaned in agony. Although my vision was hampered by tears, I could even see her minions laughing at me. The other she-wolves' laughing rang in my ears, and Margaux's grinning visage lingered in my mind.

I clenched my teeth and summoned all of my last power. I took her hand in mine and drew it away off my hair. She was so taken aback that she almost fell down. I sprang to my feet and bolted from the training grounds before she could even recover. Margaux's enraged snarl was audible. I didn't pay attention and kept running as quickly as I could till I reached the vast woodland outdoors.

I came to a halt and laid my hands on my knees, panting. All I could see were green and big trees as I glanced around. I wiped the tears from my eyes slowly. To settle my anxiety, I took a big breath. I stood straight when I felt my breathing return to normal. I sat down on a massive tree trunk that had been laying around. I sighed. As I gazed out the window at the big, empty woodland in front of me, my hands were on the side.

This pack's beta, my father, was killed in an ambush. He was slain, they claimed, when the Silver Stone Pack assaulted them while they were hunting. That pack is reputed to be the deadliest in the country; they are merciless and they kill without hesitation. I became an orphan overnight. After my mother died giving birth to me, I had no one else. I was alone, helpless, and powerless. I was nothing without my father because I was weak and defenseless.

They were, however, correct. I was unfit to participate in the Luna Games. These are the games in which she-wolves compete against one another in a variety of ways to demonstrate their abilities. The weak will almost undoubtedly perish.

Who was I kidding, anyway? Why did I bother to train for it in the first place? To demonstrate that I am more than a nobody? That I am more than the daughter of the late beta? So, perhaps that's it. I wanted to demonstrate that I was capable of more. . . I wanted to show them how incorrect they were.

"This place is lonely. . .”

When I heard that voice, it brought me back to reality. I turned around right away to see Edmund standing behind me. While both of his hands were in his pockets, he smiled. I took a deep breath and stood.

"E-Edmund..." I said. My heart accelerated.

"Hello, Calla," he said, his smile spreading over my face.

Oh goodness. I bit my lower lip. Edmund, the alpha's son, is his name. Because our fathers were colleagues, he was my childhood pal. We shared a childhood. We were quite familiar with one another. I knew him well... He's the only person who matters to me outside my parents.

"Hi," I said. He just nodded. His brow furrowed in surprise.

"How did this come to be?" " I nearly leapt out of my skin when he abruptly approached me and caressed my face, the one Margaux had kicked. "Are you all right?" ”

I averted my gaze. I chewed my lower lip even harder. I lied. "I-fine...I-I It's had a rough fall..."

He remained silent. I felt his thumb lift my chin and force me to look him in the eyes. The minute our eyes connected, my heart began to pound even faster. As he looked at me, his beautiful black eyes were compassionate.

"Are you certain?" he expressed his concern. I blinked twice.

“Yes…”

He breathed deeply. When he pressed his face against mine, my world slowed down and I took a step back. My lips drew apart. My heart felt like it was about to break out of my chest. Oh my gosh...