My mother shifted into her shaggy blonde wolf just as the rogue closed the distance. My mother shielded me, more worriedabout me than herself. But it was that very act which limited her. Instead of fighting to her full capacity, she remained stiff and rooted to the spot.
With a final lunge, the rogue wrapped its jaws around her neck, its teeth sinking deep into her flesh. It twisted its head sharply, and with a sickening snap, my mother collapsed.
I stared at her unmoving body, horror gripping me as I struggled to comprehend what had happened. My pulse hammered in my ears, my bones popping and resetting as my body violently changed form. A high-pitched pitiful howl escaped me as I threw back my head and wailed.
When I opened my eyes, the rogue lay on the ground, its body convulsing. Its paws scratched at the patchy fur on its chest as if trying to claw itself open. I sat heavily, lifting my snout again and letting out one mournful howl after another. I couldn’t stop. My mother was gone, and it was all my fault. My father found me a short time later and instantly used his alpha tone to silence my crying. He immediately blamed me for my mother’s death, making no effort to comfort me.
He instructed the warriors to burn the rogue’s body before demanding his beta take me home. No one was to see me, especially my eyes which had turned completely and eerily white. No one was to know what happened to keep panic from spreading.
The pack sage was called to the house and after studying my eyes and listening to the accounts of the pain my howl had caused, Sage Kendry knew exactly what we were dealing with.
Lupus ad laborem natus exor The Wolf Born from Sorrow. ~
“When an underage wolf is exposed to a devastating event, something so horrible and heartbreaking that their very spirit is damaged, their wolf form can be forced out. The resulting wolf is cursed. It’s howl becoming deadly to all who hear it.
When my father demanded a solution. The only one he could think of was for my father to use his alpha tone to order me to never howl without my alpha’s permission.
And I never have.”
I stared at the wall, unblinking, as memories of that fateful day played out as vivid as if it were yesterday. I was mesmerized, my eyes glazed over and my expression blank. I simply couldn’t look away, no matter how painful it became.
It was only Caelan’s gentle touch that brought me back as he reached out to cup my face, looking at me with eyes full of concern. I hadn’t even realized I was crying until his thumb ran across my cheek.
“So, you can’t howl?” Caelan asked in disbelief.
“Not since that day.” I shrugged. “He did what he thought was best. Who knows how long it would’ve taken me to learn to control it or how many I might’ve hurt in the process. He really didn’t have another choice.”
“That still doesn’t explain why your father would tell everyone you died,” he huffed in irritation. “Why he’d disown his own pup and make her an omega.”
“I cost the pack its luna, my father his mate, and Sunny her mother,” I said flatly. “If the pack knew what I could do, it would’ve caused a panic. My father hid me away and had me sent to a training facility to become Shade the warrior so that I could repay them for what I’d taken from them.”
He rocked back on his heels, the look on his face unreadable.Does he agree with what my father did? Would he have donethings differently? Would he have kicked me out to save his pack?
“When I arrived back home, I wasn’t a Mallory anymore. Just Shade. That’s when he made me Sunny’s protector,” I continued. “It was the least I could do to protect the pack’s only heir. And it was kind of perfect. Because we look alike, I can act as a body double for her in dangerous situations.
“Does Sunny know any of this?” Alpha Caelan growled. “Does she know that you’re actually her sister?”
“Yes,” I said. “My father never hid the truth from her. The Elders of Thunder Moon always knew my real identity as well, but it seems the rest of the pack were ready to believe that my name and appearance were just a coincidence.”
“That’s ridiculous,” he scoffed. “So, let me get this straight. Your father rejected you as a pup and forced you to train as a warrior. Your twin sister treats you like a servant and isn’t shy about hitting you if you make a mistake. And everyone at Thunder Moon is just okay with this?”
He stared at me in shock as I nodded. He looked away in disgust before turning back toward me.
“Did you even want to be a warrior?” he asked.
“Not really,” I admitted. “I don’t care much for violence, but I owe them. I have to do what’s necessary to make up for what I did. What I am.”
I stood. He stared up at me, his hand falling from my face.
“I’m the reason my mother is dead. It’s my duty to serve my family and my pack to atone for that. I’m sure you would’ve done the same if you’d been in my father’s shoes. A cursed wolfis a detriment to an alpha’s position and his pack. His first responsibility is always to them.”
“Shade,” he sighed, straightening and wrapping his arms around me.
I stiffened but quickly relaxed into the comfort and security of his touch.
“You’re not the reason your mother died,” he said, hugging me tightly. “You were just a pup. The rogue killed her, not you. Only a weak alpha would ever think that his position would be threatened because his pup was cursed. Your father is a coward.”
I smiled, leaning into him.Why does it feel so good to know he doesn’t agree with my father?
