CHAPTER 5

As the council members filed out of the chamber, Mia's lawyer approached her. "I'm sorry, Mia," he said, his voice softening and sounds of pity coming from his voice. "We did everything we could, but the evidence was just too strong."

Mia nodded numbly,in pain and agony, unable to find the words to express her sorrow and anger. She knew that she would never be able to forgive her brother for what he had done, and that the memory of this trial worejection. her for the rest of her life.

9 years later

Mia trudged through the thick underbrush, her heart heavy with the weight of her burdens. She was a member of the pack, but she might as well have been a slave. Her brother, once her closest ally and friend, was now one of her most vicious tormentors. He seemed to take pleasure in her suffering, and went out of his way to make her life miserable.

It was a strange twist of fate that had brought Mia to this place. She had been born into the pack, just like everyone else. But from the very beginning, she had known that she was different. She, unlike the rest of the wolves in the pack, couldn't shift into her wolf form. She was suffering from PTSD, and that was what was blocking her ability to shift. Noah always punished her and as he did he verbally abused her and taunted her, telling her to shift, like she did when she killed their parents. 

Noah became the pack alpha's second-in-command, and had started to turn on her fully. He had always been a bully, but now he seemed to have it out for her. He would knock her down during games of roughhousing, or steal her food during meal times. Sometimes he would even corner her in the woods, snarling and baring his teeth, just to see her flinch.

Mia tried to stay out of his way, but that was easier said than done. As a low-ranking member of the pack, she was expected to do all the menial tasks that nobody else wanted to do. She was in charge of collecting firewood, cleaning the den, and cooking the meals. It was exhausting work, and it left her with little time to relax or socialize.

But even when she did get a chance to interact with the others, it was always the same. They would mock her, call her names, and remind her that she was nothing but a worthless burden. It was like they had all conspired to make her life a living hell.

She felt utterly alone, with no one to turn to or confide in.

As she trudged through the woods, Mia felt a sudden pang of pain in her chest. It was like a physical manifestation of all the emotional wounds that she had been carrying around. She doubled over, clutching her chest and gasping for air.

That was when she heard footsteps. They were heavy and deliberate, like the sound of a predator stalking its prey. Mia tried to run, but her legs felt weak and unsteady. She stumbled and fell, scraping her knees and elbows on the rough terrain.

Her brother loomed over her, a snarl on his lips and fire in his eyes. "What's wrong, little sister?" he taunted. "Can't keep up with the rest of us? Can't handle a little roughhousing?"

Mia tried to crawl away, but he grabbed her by her hair and pulled her back. She whimpered in fear and pain, struggling to free herself.

"You're worthless, you know that?" he sneered. "A burden on the pack. If it wasn't for me, they would have gotten rid of you a long time ago."

Mia felt tears streaming down her face. She didn't want to believe him, but his words cut deep. She had always known that she was different, but she had never realized just how much the others resented her.

Her brother tightened his grip, tilting her head backwards and causing a headache. "You're lucky I'm not in charge,he said with authority while he growled. "I would have killed you by now. But I'm feeling generous today. So I'll let you go without any scars." 

He pushed her away. Her side collided with the hard ground, she could taste the blood in her mouth. Noah growled and she flinched, getting up as quickly as possible. She began to scurry towards the house. 

Mia hummed to herself as she moved around the kitchen, chopping up vegetables and stirring a pot of soup on the stove. She had  to cook dinner for Noah tonight, or else he would be mad when he got back and would probably beat her up again, as usual.

The rest of the pack, including Noah were all outside, carrying out the rituals for Luke's ascension to alpha.

As she worked, she couldn't help but feel a sense of unease within her mind. 

Lost in her thoughts, Mia almost didn't hear the faint sounds of chanting and howling that had started up outside. She set down her knife and listened, trying to decipher what was happening. Suddenly, her heart leapt into her throat as she heard Luke's voice booming out over the others.

"Mia, come outside. You are needed for the rituals."

Mia's hands began to shake as she turned off the stove and hurried outside. As she emerged into the clearing where the pack had gathered, she could see that they had formed a circle around Luke. Sally was standing beside Luke, staring between him and Mia with furrowed brows.

"Mia," Luke said, his voice carrying across the clearing. "You are my mate."

Mia was stunned. She struggled to speak but her throat was dry, she couldn't say a word. She just looked directly into Luke expressionless face.

All these happening to mia, at this point she is confused and uncertain about her existence, nine years ago was an occurrence which made her question if she is brought into this world for rejection.