Chapter 1 – Breaking Free

Elara

The morning sun woke me up, making me smile even though my heart felt heavy like always. I picked up the fancy invitation from my table, still amazed it was real. "Today is going to be amazing!" I said to myself, trying to sound brave even though my voice shook. I looked down at my plain dress, knowing it was nothing like the beautiful ones the other girls would wear to the ball tonight.

I couldn't believe the Alpha King had invited all unmarried she-wolves to his son's mating ball. Our tiny pack never got royal invitations before. Looking in the mirror, I saw the same sad girl - messy dark hair and eyes that looked lost since Mom died. I tried to fake a smile, but it didn't reach my eyes.

"Mom, I wish you were here," I whispered, feeling tears coming. "Would you be proud of me? Or sad about what I've become?"

The smell of fresh bread made my stomach growl. I tiptoed downstairs, quiet as a mouse - something I learned to do after years of trying not to get noticed. The kitchen was buzzing with excitement, maids running everywhere getting ready for tonight.

Liza smiled when she saw me, her hands covered in white flour. She wasn't just my maid - she was like the mom I lost. "Can you believe it? A real royal ball!" Her eyes sparkled with happiness.

"I know, I still wonder how I get the card. If Linda sees it I'll be doomed."

"Don't mind her today we'll handle everything!" Lily added from the hot stove, her round face red from cooking.

"My baby sis gonna find a mate!" She hugged me.

"Ughhh Lilly, " I pushed her smiling. " I'm wolfless so...."

Liza words cut me through. "Don't ever think that's the obstacle stopping you from having a mate. Believe in yourself and the moon goddess above." She uttered.

"I'll try." I said smiling faintly. "Now it'll excuse me." I grabbed my herb basket, trying to ignore how my chest hurt at the word 'mates.' Not having a wolf was my biggest shame. The other girls never let me forget it, always whispering mean things behind my back.

I walked outside, heading to the pack clinic. The sun felt too bright, like it was mocking my dark mood. My empty basket swung at my side, feeling as hollow as I did inside.

Just as I reached for the clinic door, it swung open. My stomach dropped seeing Liv's tall figure blocking my way. Her pretty face twisted into an ugly sneer that made me want to disappear.

"Well, well. If it isn't the useless little Elara," she said, her voice dripping with hate.

My hands squeezed the basket handle so hard it hurt. Don't cry, don't cry, I thought desperately.

"Don't ever think of going to the ball." Liv stepped closer, towering over me. Her green eyes glittered with meanness. "You don't have a wolf, so no one will ever want you as a mate. You'll just be taking up space!"

I ducked my head, letting my hair hide my face like a curtain. Mom always said I was special, but her voice in my memories got fainter every day. Sometimes I wondered if I'd made it all up.

The clinic's herb smell wrapped around me as I hurried past Liv. It felt safe here among the medicines, reminding me of happy times when Mom taught me about healing. My hands moved on their own, picking up supplies while I tried to stop shaking.

The forest called to me next. Here, with the tall trees and singing birds, no one could hurt me. I touched the rough tree bark, pretending the forest accepted me when no one else did.

Then I heard it - a soft cry of pain. Following the sound, my heart broke seeing a baby wolf trapped under a fallen branch. Its scared eyes met mine, full of fear and hurt.

"Don't be scared," I whispered, kneeling beside it. "I'll help you." Here I was, the girl without a wolf, trying to save one. But I knew what it felt like to be trapped and hurting. When I freed the pup, the trust in its eyes made tears fill mine.

I felt almost happy walking home, until I saw Liza's frightened face. "Miss Elara! Come quick - something terrible happened!"

The world stopped when I entered my room. There stood Misty, my stepsister, wearing Mom's wedding dress. My precious white dress - the only thing I had left of Mom.

"What are you doing?" My voice came out tiny and broken.

Misty turned, fake surprise on her beautiful face. Her red lips curved in a cruel smile. "Oh, Elara! Since you're not going to the ball, I thought I'd use this old thing. It was just collecting dust anyway!"

Before I could move, dark red wine spilled down the front of Mom's dress. The stain spread like blood on the perfect white fabric. Something inside me snapped.

"NO!" I screamed, lunging at Misty. Tears blinded me as I grabbed at the dress. "That's all I had left of her! How could you?"

Misty shoved me hard. I hit the bedpost, pain shooting through my back. "You ungrateful little brat!" she snarled. "We accepted you as family when you had nothing!"

Heavy footsteps thundered up the stairs. My stepmother appeared, her cold eyes taking everything in.

"What's happening here?" her voice cut like ice.

"Mother!" Misty started fake crying. "Elara attacked me! I was just borrowing a dress and she went crazy!"

My stepmother's hand clamped around my arm like iron. "Disgraceful," she hissed, dragging me downstairs. "You'll not ruin tonight for Misty."

I fought and begged as she threw me into the dark cellar. The door slammed shut, leaving me alone. I could hear everyone getting ready for the ball above me, their happy voices stabbing my heart.

I curled up on the dirty floor, sobbing. "I'll never escape," I whispered. "I'll always be nothing."

Then I heard a scratching sound. A paper slid under the door. With shaking hands, I read the message."The old oak tree."

K know it's Liza and lilly doing and if Linda ever find out they would be fired.

Minutes later, I stood in the moonlight, holding Liza's key. The forest looked different now - not scary, but full of promise. Each step away from that cellar made me feel stronger.

I found the bike where Liza's map showed. Mom's voice echoed in my head: "You were born for more than this, baby girl."

The wind dried my tears as I rode toward the palace. The scared girl in the cellar was gone. Something new and fierce burned in my chest.

"I'm done being their victim," I whispered to the stars. "Done being invisible."

The palace lights grew closer, beautiful and terrifying. My heart pounded with fear and excitement. For once in my life, I was choosing my own path.

But as I neared the grand gates, a dark shape moved in the shadows. My breath caught as two glowing red eyes fixed on me. A deep growl rumbled through the night air.

This wasn't just any wolf.

It was a Dire

Wolf - the most dangerous and deadly of our kind. And it was staring right at me.

Damn it!