CHAPTER ONE

“I Love you my child, you must live.”  I jolt awake breathing hard from the same dream I have every night since I was probably old enough to dream.

A strange woman whispering, I have no Idea if it is a memory or just a weird random dream.

A big smile appears on my face as I realize what day it is. I get up from my small makeshift bed on the floor. Aidan gifted it to me because he didn't want me laying on the floor anymore.

My smile widens as I continue to think of my prince Aidan, he's my typical knight in shining armor, never has anyone in the pack treated me as good as he has before.

I had no talent, skill or special gift as a pack member except being the packs dog that is whistled upon whenever a filthy errand needed to be attended to so I became a pupil to the pack elder healer.

It's usually not that bad, atleast they accepted me when no one else wanted to and Aidan has been nice to me since we were kids, he said he had something to tell me today.

I perform my morning routine and run to the pack infirmary.

“You are late Ivy.” 

“I'm sorry Elder Maya.” I wasn't late, I'm always early, I'm the first pupil to arrive but she always did say so everyday.

“As if you are capable of doing anything right.” The grumpy Elder begins her daily abuse.

“Ever since you stepped foot into this pack, you have been nothing but useless and a misfortune.” I bite my lips and squeeze my hands, I cannot let her ruin my day, I'm used to this, I chant in my head.

“It's a pity the Luna thinks you innocent and is fund of you.” She ticks her tongue, walking around the infirmary.

“The least you can do is at least be able to shift but you are two years late, two years, even lowly omegas shift at the age of 18. If this isn't a curse I don't know what else is. The rest of the pack is too blind to see it.” She hisses loudly. 

I stand fidgeting all through her rant, it's true I'm useless but it's not my fault I haven't shifted yet. I was found by the packs gamma in the woods of the Ravenmoon pack fifteen years ago. The gamma and his mate were good people. They didn't have children so they both adopted me against the general will of the pack in bringing in an outsider.

Pack members are always cautious and threatened by who is not one of them, especially one with no trace of her origin but the Luna gave the gamma and his mate permission to raise me until they both died five years after I was adopted, the packs disapproval and dislike of me slowly stemmed into bitter hatred and it worsened in the last two years when I couldn't shift at eighteen.

Elder Maya happens to be the Mother of the gamma, so her hatred and unfair treatment has always ran through my veins.

I give her a big smile “I'm sorry Elder Maya, it will not happen again.” I softly apologize but it seems my smile agitates her even more.

“Move out of my way, Mutt.” Clarissa and her group of friends sashays into the infirmary.

“Good morning Elder Maya.” The Elder’s face quickly changes from agitated to a motherly smile. 

“Good morning dear, have a seat, class will begin in no time and then we have to go check on the Luna.”

If only I had known how much of a turn my life would take after tonight.

“Luna, your little one is eager to be let out.” Elder Maya says smiling tenderly at Luna Isolde.

“I'm more eager than he is to be finally free.” Luna Isolde smiles back.

“I brought you a special morning herbal tea Luna, handmade from the infirmary by one of my pupils, it will make you feel at ease for a long while, I hope you enjoy it.” Elder Maya smiles proudly.

“Thank you Elder Maya, you are always so kind.” I nearly scoff out loud at the compliment. 

“Ivy dear, how is learning at the infirmary going?” Luna Isolde switches the attention of the room to me and I begin to fidget at Elder Maya's barely concealed scowl.

“It's going great Luna.” I reply sheepishly.

We all leave the Luna to rest and go about our duties for the rest of the day. I prepare to leave the infirmary so I don't keep Aidan waiting for me. I'm to meet him at the packs training field at seven. I take off my apron as a pack guard bursts through the door roaring.

“Elder Maya!! Elder Maya!!” He yells at the top of his voice in a frenzy.

“What on earth could be the matter, young warrior.” Elder Maya appears from the other room.

“The Luna, we need your help.” Is all he had to say to get the entire infirmary running after Elder Maya.