Chapter 1 - Wolf-Less

Stella POV

“You are weak, you are useless. Nobody will look at you, your mate will be ashamed of you, your wolf-less brat, and he will reject you….” I woke up again with pain in my chest and tears in my eyes. I wished all those things said in my dream were just plain nightmares, but unfortunately, those were also my reality.

My name is Stella Hope, the one daughter my parents like to keep hidden to not bring so much shame to the family. As my last name says, they hoped I was someone else’s problem or burden. I never considered myself someone not worthy or different. It was exactly the opposite of that dreadful day that marked my 18th birthday.

** Flashback.**

“Mom, I am so excited. I can't wait to get my wolf! I know she will be cool and popular like me." I said excitedly, and my mom smiled at my antics. I took a piece of bread, kissed her goodbye, and exited my home, heading towards school.

On my way to school, I met my friends Rose and Pete. “Hey, girl! Happy Birthday!” Both yelled while Rose handed me a little box. “Aw, thank you, Baby!” I took the box and hugged her. “Well open it.” Pete urged me, and I did as he said.

,

My mouth fell open when I saw a beautiful charm bracelet. It had a little heart engraved with an RSP on one side and the other BFFs, a charm of a little wolf, and another charm with a moon and colored stars. It was breathtaking. “Well, guys, thank you. It is gorgeous.” “Here, let me help you,” Rose said, pulling the bracelet out of the box and placing it around my wrist.

We made our way to school, and I was greeted and celebrated by many. I tended to be very popular among my classmates. I effortlessly had good grades, I excelled in every subject and was always willing to help. I loved sports. I have participated in several teams, like soccer, track, and softball. Life was good.

As soon as school was over, I went home to prepare dinner. Today was going to be a huge day. I will be getting my wolf, my strength will be enhanced, and I will be able to find my mate. As soon as that thought settled in, I started to get nervous. What if my mate doesn't like me? What if he rejects me? Will shifting be that hurtful or will it come naturally to me? What would my wolf look like? I have so many questions that will be answered tonight under the full moon.

I decided to get ready early, and I was pacing around my room. I am the second daughter of the Silvercrown Pack's Beta. My father, Beta Sebastian, was well-known in the realm because he was an awesome politician and a ruthless warrior. His strategies for warfare placed our pack only behind the Royal Pack. My mom was his fated mate. She was as beautiful as a woman could be, and she passed all her beauty and grace upon my older sister and me.

I hope to make my family proud. I know I am doing it right now, but now that I will be reaching wolf adulthood, I hope to show the same skill, wits, and power that I know I inherited from my father. I can feel my wolf, I know she is there pacing the same way I am doing it. I was deep in thought when a knock on my door broke my pacing.

“Stella? Can I come in?” Paige, my older sister, said. “Yes, come in,” I said. She is 20 years old now and is doing some college courses away from home. She just came here for my shift, and I am thankful for it. They say that having your family or mate close by eases the pain of the transformation.

“Hey, How are you feeling?” Paige softly asked. I was surprised that she reached out to me because we had never been close. We couldn't be more different. Like water and oil, her concern for me only showed me that deep down she cared for me the way I cared about her.

“Nervous is an understatement,” I said and she laughed. “You will be fine. I remember my first shift as well. I was a crying mess, you know how painful it could be.” She said, and my eyes widened, then she realized her mishap and covered her mouth. “Sorry.” She said and lowered her gaze. “No problem.” I said, then I continued “Thanks for being here.” “I wouldn't miss it for the world.” She said and gave me an awkward hug. I guess that would be as good as it gets.

She was about to leave when I stopped her. “Is it really painful?” I asked her about shifting, concern written all over my face. “Oh! Poor thing, it could be if you don't take anything to ease the pain.” She said, and I opened up my eyes, “Really? Can you take something?” I asked, and she nodded “Thankfully for you, I am your bigger sister, and I will always have your back.” She reached out from her pocket for a little vial with a silver liquid on it. “Drink it, it will help,” she said, and I nodded gulping down the sweet silver nectar. She patted my head and said, “Rest for a while, I will come and get you to go to the woods.”

I soon felt relaxed and took a nap. Soon she fetched me to go down. Mom and dad were waiting for me. Since my dad was part of the pack's leadership, our Alpha and Luna showed up at the clearing. His voice boomed “Stella Hope, the Full Moon shines on you, it is at its brightest point. It is time for you to reach out for your wolf and shift for the first time.” He commanded me to shift.

I closed my eyes and went inside my head, looking for my wolf. Earlier, I could sense her, but now it seemed like she had vanished. I tried harder but “Nothing.” I opened my eyes and shook my head, my mom looked at Dad with a worried expression, and my sister smiled at me, nodding at me as if asking me to try again, which I did. Nothing happened, I couldn't feel my wolf, and certainly, I could feel my energy and power being drained from my body. From that day forward, I was the weakling, the wolf-less daughter of a powerful Beta, the shame of my family, in a few words, the castaway.

** END OF FLASHBACK **

Today is my 21st birthday and for the first time in my household, they are preparing a party not on my behalf, but a party nevertheless. For the last three years, I have been keeping to myself. My dad has made sure that nobody messes with me more than necessary. Fortunately for me, my friends have remained the same, and a year ago Pete introduced me to a wonderful guy from his college. He is from another pack, so he is foreign to all the drama in my pack regarding my weakness.

Brad, my boyfriend, is sweet, and he comes and visits me during the weekends. He is good-looking, smart and funny. A plus on my side is that he doesn't believe in fated mates, and he is resolved to have a chosen mate. I hope that soon we can be together as chosen mates.