CHAPTER SIX

The Luna turned to Duncan, her expression resolute. "Our promise to the Silver Spring pack still stands, Duncan. You haven't found your mate yet so I see no reason why Hailey’s inability to shape-shift should be a problem

 

 

 

Duncan's eyes widened in desperation. "Luna, please, listen to me. There has to be another way. We don't have to go through with this."

 

 

 

But Luna shook her head and walked away, her long cloak trailing behind her. Duncan's heart pounded in his chest as he ran after her, his voice pleading. "Luna, you know this isn't right! Just give me more time. I'll find my mate, I promise!"

 

 

 

Luna paused, her back still turned to him. “Time is a luxury we don’t have, Duncan.”

 

 

 

Meanwhile, back at the palace, the guard sent to find Hailey returned, his shoulders slumped in defeat. He stood before the Alpha, his head bowed. “I’m sorry, Alpha. I couldn’t find her.”

 

 

 

The Alpha’s eyes flashed with anger. “Incompetence! How could you fail such a simple task?”

 

 

 

 

 

“I a-apolo-gize for my incompetence” the guard stammered an apology. Just then, Hailey and Jane strode into the hall. Hailey’s face was pale, her eyes downcast.

 

 

 

The Alpha turned his furious gaze on her, his voice dripping with disappointment. “Hailey! How dare you embarrass me like this? You are the only one in your group who failed to shapeshift. O you have no idea how shameful that is?”

 

 

This saddened Hailey and she bit her lip, tears forming in her eyes because of the unkind things he had just said to her. She hesitated for a moment, then tried to speak, but the Alpha interrupted her.“You are a failure, Hailey. An absolute disgrace to this pack and me your father!”

 

 

 

He turned to Luna, who had just entered the hall behind Hailey. “And you, Grace! This is your fault. You were supposed to guide her, to teach her. As her mother, that is your responsibility and yet you couldn’t do something as little as that. How could you let this happen?”

 

 

 

Luna’s expression was calm, but her eyes held a steely determination. “Alpha, please, let us handle this with compassion. Hailey is still learning—”

 

 

 

“Silence!” The Alpha roared, silencing the room. “I don’t want to hear any excuses. Fix this, Luna and while you are at it, you both better pray that the blood moon pack don’t bank on this to end the arrangement or there will be consequences.”

 

 

 

Hailey’s shoulders shook with silent sobs as Luna placed a comforting hand on her back. “We’ll get through this, Hailey,” she whispered. “I promise.”

 

 

 

Hailey’s sobs echoed in the grand hall, each one a dagger to Luna’s heart. Between her sobs, Hailey choked out, “I never meant to disappoint you, Mother. I tried... I really tried.”

 

 

 

Luna wrapped her arms around her daughter, pulling her close. “Oh, Hailey, you are not a disappointment. Never, you are strong and capable. Together we shall rise above this challenge.” After some time, Hailey stopped crying but her mother kept running her fingers through her hair gently.

 

 

Jane stood quietly with her gaze showing worry for her friend.

 

 

Finally, Hailey let out a tense breath and slightly moved away from her mother. “Why can’t I do it, Mother? Why am I different?” Luna cupped Hailey’s face in her hands, looking into her eyes with fierce determination. “You are not different, Hailey. You are unique. And that uniqueness is your strength. You will find your way, I promise.”

 

 

 

 

 

Hailey nodded, a small spark of hope flickering in her eyes. Luna turned to Jane, who had been standing nearby, her eyes filled with worry. “Jane, could you take Hailey to her room? It has been a tiresome night and we all require some rest. We have a ball coming up tomorrow and we must be up to it”.

 

 

 

 

 

Jane nodded, stepping forward to support Hailey. “Of course, Luna. Come on, Hailey, let’s go.”

 

 

 

 

 

"You know, Hailey, everyone struggles with something." She smiled at Hailey and the gleam in her eyes told Hailey that she understood her pain.

 

 

 

Hailey sighed heavily, and her shoulders dropped in resignation. "I know, but I wish I didn’t have to fight this." She spoke the last few words through a quiver, her eyes damp with the brim of tears.

 

 

 

Jane slowly put her hand on her arm and smiled at her softly. "You'll find your strength, Hailey. I believe in you." Her tone was firm yet soothing, and her eyes were confident and calm, they told all the trust she had in her friend.

 

 

 

Hailey attempted a small smile and was thankful for her friend’s words of support. “Thank you, Jane. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

 

 

 

 

 

Jane smiled back, her grip on Hailey’s arm gentle yet firm. “We’re in this together, Hailey. Always.”

 

 

 

When they reached Hailey’s room, Jane helped her inside. “Try to get some rest, Hailey. Tomorrow is a new day and a big one at that.”

 

 

 

Hailey nodded, her eyes already heavy with exhaustion. “Goodnight, Jane.”

 

 

 

“Goodnight, Hailey.” Left alone in her room, she stared at the sophisticated dress hung in the corner of the room with the reflection of the moonlight on the gown. It was a dress she had been looking forward to wearing for the ball tomorrow, an elegant dress. She had dreamt of spinning around in it while having fun with friends and maybe even getting noticed by a prince charming. However, at this time, nothing else filled her with more dread.

 

 

 

She was sitting on the edge of the bed with her hands folded in her lap, and wondering how she got here, “How did my life become so worst?” She questioned herself while shedding tears as she recalled her father’s words of scorn and how displeasure scrawled all over his face.

 

 

 

She grew up feeling like a disappointment to her father and had always wanted to make him proud, to be a strong and worthy member of the pack. But now, all she could see were her failures. She whispered to herself angrily, “Why can’t I shape-shift like everybody else?” “What’s wrong with me?”   

 

 

 

She fell on her bed, her body forcing the mattress to take its weight. One more time she looked at her dress, and her thoughts as well as her feelings began to spin like a whirlwind. Taking a big ragged breath, Hailey’s eyelids succumbed. Sleep arrived discreetly and took her away from all the toils of the day.