Rejected Silent Lone Wolf

Ella's POV

"I, Alpha of the Blood Moon Pack, Kevin Allen, reject you, Ella Moore, to be my mate."

His voice was icy, and my heart shattered instantly. Tears streamed down my face in large drops. I could only clumsily gesture with my hands. Unable to speak, my mouth only produced choked sobs.

"I'm sorry, Ella. I'm only 19, we're still young, and I'm not ready to bond with you. Besides, you... are not suitable to be the Luna of the Blood Moon Pack."

He stared at me with a helpless expression. Seeing my helpless look, he remained expressionless, making me feel estranged.

Shaking my head in disbelief, I couldn't fathom that Kevin Allen, my best friend, would reject me today, at my 18th coming-of-age ceremony, in front of all the werewolves of the Blood Moon Pack.

"Hey, Ella, you mute girl, get off the stage from the testing. Alpha Kevin has rejected you. Don't stand there foolishly, there are other mates waiting for the test!"

A male wolf below urged, followed by waves of mocking laughter.

"So shameless, a mute Omega still deluding herself to be an Alpha's mate. It's like a toad wanting to eat swan meat."

"Huh, she thinks being Alpha Kevin's follower since childhood would make the Alpha accept her. Ridiculous. Even though her mother was the former Alpha's beta, she's just the lowest omega, worthless, how could she be worthy of an Alpha."

I chose to ignore these taunts, as I've done for the past 18 years. However, Kevin was different for me. He was the most precious person after my mother. The rejection by Kevin at that moment caused immense pain to my body and soul, yet I held onto a glimmer of hope.

I struggled to compose myself, holding back tears, continuing to communicate silently with gestures.

Why? Do you see me the same way they do?

Do you agree with them?

My panic makes me look clumsy, and I hate that, but I want to confirm Kevin's true thoughts. I know he is not that kind of wolf. He once told me that I was the strongest female warrior. Although I knew he was encouraging me, I had imagined that in his heart, I was not a worthless wolf.

The helplessness in Kevin's eyes grew deeper. He sighed, shifting his gaze away from me, seeming unwilling to face this situation.

"Ella, you've always been a clever and obedient she-wolf. You know I've just ascended as an alpha, I still need to grow. What I seek in a mate is a female warrior like your mother, not... not someone like you."

Not someone like me, a mute, an omega with no fighting capability.

I understood the latter part of his sentence. It felt as if all my strength had been drained, every sincere feeling shattered, just like these 18 years of companionship.

Kevin and I grew up together, I couldn't believe he didn't know how the werewolves looked down on me, yet he chose to reject me outright in front of their scrutinizing eyes.

"Ella, even if we can't be mates, I still regard you as a sister..." Kevin continued, but was interrupted.

"Kevin, shut your mouth!" My mother, Ariana Moore, jumped onto the stage, embracing me, and shouted at all the werewolves, "My daughter is the most precious treasure in the world. Stop mocking her right now, or I won't be lenient with any of you!"

The warm embrace of my mother made me feel even more aggrieved. Her armor was tough against my back, yet it gave me strength. "Ella, remember what I taught you? Stop crying, don't show your weakness in front of anyone, don't give anyone the chance to hurt you."

I nodded, wiping away the tears from the corners of my eyes. What my mother said was true, tears of the weak are worthless.

"Kevin, my daughter is not worthless. She also has her strengths. Don't forget, from childhood to now, every time you got injured during training, it was she who healed you and stayed up late making medicines for you." Anger burned in my mother's eyes as she confronted Kevin, not mincing words. "And now, here you are humiliating her in front of everyone."

"Beta Ariana, I never intended to humiliate Ella," finally, a hint of regret appeared on Kevin's handsome face. It seemed at this moment he realized the pain in my heart. "Ella, I'm sorry. I never meant to truly hurt you, I just..."

Just what?

I gestured again using sign language.

However, Kevin just sighed, refusing to continue. I understood him, he was always like this. When he didn't want to argue further, he'd remain silent. His last words were his true feelings.

He never really thought enough of me as a trustworthy partner.

I locked eyes with him and nodded.

Alpha Kevin, I accept your rejection, but from now on, we have nothing between us.

After completing my hand gestures, I caught a momentary surprise in Kevin's eyes. Clearly, he hadn't expected me to be so resolute.

Ignoring him, I stood up from my mother's embrace, wiped away all my tears, and descended from the testing stage under the gaze of all the werewolves.

After a brief silence, a new round of ceremony began on the testing stage.

Every year during the Blood Moon Pack's coming-of-age ceremony, young werewolves awaken their inner wolves on this day. The lucky ones also find their mates.

And I, I was the unfortunate one. Not only was I told that I was the lowest-ranking Omega, but I was also rejected on the spot as a mate.

Ella's POV

My mother was Kevin's father's beta. Last year, when 18-year-old Kevin took over, my mother became his beta. She's a fierce warrior, achieving feats in multiple battles and earning respect among the wolves in the Pack. I, on the other hand, am the opposite—an Omega who is mute. I often wonder why there's such a vast difference between us.

Would Kevin reject me if I were also a female warrior?

I huddle in the corner of my room, alone and heartbroken, shedding tears.

"Don't cry, my sweetheart. Get up now; I'll take you to train in the forest." My mother barges into my room, lifting me out from under the pillow with one hand.

Mom, can't you let me be alone?!

I angrily gesture in sign language.

"No, what you need now is to connect with nature, my little wolf. Come, channel your sorrow and anger into strength, make yourself stronger, and Kevin will regret it." Her tone is slightly indulgent, but she firmly escorts me out of the room.

Several minutes later, I reluctantly find myself sprawled on the back of a large brown wolf, traversing through the woods in the moonlight while the wind howls in my ears. I reach out and feel the cool breeze, and the sadness in my heart diminishes slightly.

"See, child, I was right, wasn't I?" The large brown wolf says triumphantly.

I nod in agreement, patting my mother's shoulder. Even though I lost Kevin, I still have my beloved mother. In my life, she has not only played the role of a mother but also that of a father. I shouldn't disappoint her.

Then, she stops in front of a massive waterfall and drops me onto the ground. "Ella, now, try to transform into a wolf."

Rubbing my bottom, I stand up, looking bewildered.

Seeing my dazed expression, her wolf front paw impatiently taps the ground. "Focus your mind, seek another voice within. You're 18 now, you can transform into a wolf."

I nod and attempt to do as my mother says. Suddenly, a surge of warmth spreads from my heart to my entire body, and my bones seem to elongate as if mutating. Before I can exclaim, I transform into a wolf!

Astonished, I lift my front paw but fail to maintain balance and tumble to the ground.

"Haha, oh, my little wolf is adorable in her clumsiness." The large brown wolf laughs heartily, completely disregarding my wounded pride.

Mom!

I growl, glaring at her, clumsily getting back up from the ground.

"Don't worry, with me around, you'll become a formidable she-wolf."

We continue training until the sun rises the next day, returning to the tribe. Exhausted, I collapse on my bed and fall asleep.

When I wake up again, my mother is no longer there. By now, she's already at the Blood Moon tribe Alpha's office, busy with her duties as a Beta. Two months ago, news arrived of the destruction of the Northern Black Moon tribe, causing unrest in the Blood Moon tribe. As the newly appointed alpha, Kevin also needs to learn more.

After a simple wash-up, I glance at the mirror and almost get frightened by my pale and weary appearance. I examine my face, messy black long hair, brown eyes—a very ordinary look. I sigh, I haven't inherited my mother's beauty, her blonde hair, and hazel eyes.

I enter my laboratory where various herbs are cultivated—or more accurately, poisonous herbs. I open a ceramic jar on the table, containing ten centipedes. Unfortunately, only four of them are alive. They're my precious ones, and I carefully feed them with some herbs I collected yesterday.

Once they're fed, these centipedes will engage in another round of battles. The survivors will eventually become my weapons.

Yes, I am a poisoner and also an apothecary. Despite being a werewolf with no combat abilities, I am deeply fascinated by various herbs and poisons. My mother once said that when she was pregnant with me, she mistakenly ingested a herb, which resulted in me being unable to be like other healthy werewolves and becoming mute.

When I was young, she took me to visit various renowned healers in the tribe. Although we gained nothing, it was through this that I formed a bond with herbs. They accompanied me during my lonely childhood.

Counting the scarce leaves, I had no choice but to go out to gather herbs. Despite my reluctance to leave after yesterday's coming-of-age ceremony, as I would encounter some unpleasant individuals, I sighed and decided to face my fears, carrying a bamboo basket and heading up the mountain to collect herbs.

Leaving my wooden hut, I could feel the prying eyes. Without my mother's company, those werewolves always found ways to bully me, but I ignored their whispers.

"Look at that poor creature, always carrying a bamboo basket and spending time with some leaves. She's so peculiar. No wonder Alpha Kevin refuses her."

Just the mention of Kevin irritated me. I glared at the woman who spoke and she huffed before leaving with firewood.

As I was about to pass through the Pack's gate, four young she-wolves blocked my path. One of the women I recognized, she was Maya, my former good friend and also the daughter of one of the Blood Moon tribe elders, destined to be a future female warrior.

When I was 16, I once saved her on a night when she was with a young man in the bushes, engaged in intimacy, and got bitten by a snake. I happened to come back with the antidote midway and cured her. However, she accused me to the elders of poisoning her, aiming to cover up the fact that I had caught her with that man. Later, I found out that the man wasn't a member of the Blood Moon tribe. I still don't know the true identity of that mysterious man, the one that made Maya slander me in such a way. It must be an unspeakable secret.

"Hey, long time no see, Ella," Maya approached me with an air of disdain. "Heard you got rejected by Kevin?"

Ignoring her, I tried to bypass them, but another she-wolf grabbed my hair.

"How dare you glare at me, you wretch! I'll teach you a lesson!" The woman attempted to strike but was stopped by Maya. "Emma, don't use force. Ella's mother is the Alpha's beta."

"Hmph, what does being the Alpha's beta matter? With your intimacy with Alpha Kevin, we don't need to fear Beta Ariana," Emma, the she-wolf, said with emphasis on 'intimacy,' her tone suggestive.

My mood began to turn restless. I freed my wrists from their grasp.

"Don't rush to leave, Ella. Aren't you curious about Alpha Kevin's relationship with Maya?" The other two she-wolves blocked my path.

I don’t care.

I gestured in sign language.

"Haha, what is she saying? Do you understand?" Maya laughed, covering her mouth. "This little mute one, does she really think Kevin rejected her just because she's an Omega?"

After Maya finished speaking, the other three she-wolves surrounded me, snatching my bamboo basket and trampling its contents. I was furious, about to draw out the poison needles hidden in my sleeves, but I remembered my mother's advice against rash actions. I halted my thoughts of poisoning them.

"Ella, I slept with Kevin, just a day before your 18th birthday. Did you know? Your mate, Alpha Kevin, performs exceptionally well in bed. I am quite satisfied," Maya boasted softly, leaning in close to my ear.

"Kevin rejected you because you have no feminine charm."

I instantly stopped breathing. It felt like my blood had turned to ice, a wave of defeat washing over my heart.

Kevin rejected me because I lack feminine charm.

My mind was momentarily thrown off by that statement. I forcefully pushed Maya away, staring at her with rage. However, Maya casually examined my defeated expression, as if observing an ant.

She drew close to me, arrogantly straightening my disheveled hair. "Stay away from Kevin, or I will make it impossible for you and your mother to stay in the Blood Moon Pack."

Ella's POV

After they left, I crouched down to pick up the broken bamboo basket that had been stepped on, sighed, and returned home to replace it with a new one.

In the past, even when Mother wasn't around, Kevin would stand by my side, and the werewolves wouldn't dare to bully me. I held back the tears that wanted to spill from my eyes, trying my best not to think about Maya's words.

Turns out, Kevin had slept with Maya the day before the adult ceremony.

My mate and the bitch I detest the most made love, and then rejected me.

I passed by a weapons shop, and from not far away, I heard noisy voices. I originally intended to ignore them and pass through the crowd, but a familiar male voice called my name, “Ella!”

Even if I didn’t turn back, I could tell it was Kevin's voice. At this moment, I didn't want to deal with him.

“Wait, Ella! I need your help.”

My steps hesitated for a moment, and he caught up with me. Kevin's tall and sturdy figure stood in front of me, heaving for breath, his scent still so familiar, yet I felt him so strange at this moment.

“Ella, are you still angry about yesterday? I thought given our past relationship, you would forgive me.”

Forgive him?

With a hint of anger, I lifted my head, but when I locked eyes with his blue ones, he chuckled, “Ella, I apologize to you. Can you forgive me? I hope we can go back to how things were.”

I remained silent. I didn’t understand how agonizing his rejection was for me, while Kevin could easily brush off what happened.

He truly didn't care about my feelings.

I gestured angrily.

Kevin, I said yesterday that we have no relationship from now on. Please, don't come near me.

Kevin furrowed his brow, scrutinizing my expression. His handsome face showed helplessness, “Fine, you're still so stubborn. If you change your mind, we can still go back.”

As I tried to leave, he grabbed my clothes again, “Ella, I need your help right now.”

I glared at him with anger.

“My subordinates started vomiting excessively this morning, and what's worse, just now, two werewolves died of heart attacks. I've asked the Pack's pharmacist, but the pharmacist says it's an extremely rare poisonous herb, yet there are no specific clues about it, so we can't find an antidote.”

As soon as he mentioned the poisonous herb, my interest was piqued. Kevin knew well about my fascination with herbs. He continued, “All the poisoned werewolves claim they didn’t consume any herbs but had their usual breakfast. Ella, I need you to help me identify the poisonous herb that's affecting the werewolves.”

With every move and gesture, Kevin exuded a sense of authority as a leader. I hesitated for a moment before nodding slightly. I communicated using sign language.

I can help, but I have conditions. Once I'm done, you must fulfill my request.

“Okay,” Kevin nodded in agreement.

Then, Kevin led me into a rudimentary grass hut, likely a temporary shelter. There were two guards outside the door, and as I entered, the guards closed the door automatically. I pursed my lips, this seemed like a clandestine affair.

I examined the bodies of the two deceased werewolves, their lips were purple, a clear sign of suffocation. According to Kevin, they had vomited before their deaths.

I focused, using my fingers to manipulate the chin of one poisoned werewolf. As I moved his face from left to right, there was a sudden chill when my fingertips touched his skin. However, the werewolf had only died a few minutes ago, and his body temperature wouldn't have dropped so significantly.

“A mute Omega treating the sick? How could the Alpha trust her?”

“Is she here to cause trouble?”

I heard whispers behind me from the guards, ignoring them as I approached the poisoned but living werewolf.

Kevin warned his subordinates with a glance, and the scene quieted down. Then, he followed my steps closely, “Ella, any discoveries?”

I stared at the enlarged pupils of the poisoned werewolf, their trembling body from the cold, and gestured with sign language.

Do you feel a burning sensation in your throat, heaviness in your chest? Or even a sensation of chilling?

The soldiers didn’t understand my sign language, they looked puzzled, gazing at Alpha Kevin. Kevin repeated my questions.

"Y-yes, all of us have the symptoms she mentioned."

How long has it been since you started feeling sick?

I continued using sign language.

"About... 3 hours."

I frowned and continued gesturing.

Did you eat a green plant this morning, and its juice was red?

When Kevin reiterated my question, the soldiers pondered, still wearing perplexed expressions.

"As we've just checked, there were no herbs found in today's breakfast," said one werewolf soldier.

"Red..." Suddenly, another soldier seemed to recall something. His lips trembled as he said, "We did eat a sandwich with red-colored bread, but that didn’t seem like an herb..."

"Quickly bring the sandwiches bought today," Kevin ordered his subordinates.

Soon, the sandwich wrapped in white paper was presented to me. I opened the package, uncovered the red crumbs, sniffed them. The scent of the crushed juice wasn’t strong; one wouldn’t notice it unless smelled closely.

Indeed, it was the smell of herbs!

I took a small piece of the breadcrumb, licked it with my tongue, about to savor its taste, but I forcefully spat it out when a strong force made me do so. I looked at Kevin disapprovingly.

"Ella, are you out of your mind? This might contain poisonous herbs. I asked you to find the poison, not to ingest it!" Kevin's expression turned serious as he reprimanded my inappropriate action.

The other werewolf soldiers also looked at me incredulously.

I pursed my lips, unconcerned. They didn’t know; in fact, I had tasted various herbs since I was very young, almost immune to poisons.

Smell it.

I gestured to Kevin using sign language.

Like me, he took some breadcrumbs and smelled them. Then, his eyes flashed with a fierce glint. He looked at me, questioning with his blue eyes. Immediately, I gestured with sign language again.

This is Bloodroot. For humans, ingestion leads to fatal poisoning within two hours. For werewolves, it’s within four hours. They need to have their stomachs pumped as soon as possible.

After conveying this, I left the grass hut. Kevin didn’t stop me, immediately ordering his subordinates to seek a physician to treat the poisoned werewolves.

To be honest, I don't care about the conspiracy involving the Blood Moon clan; it's not something I need to know. After all, the less a weakling knows, the safer they are.

The only thing I worry about is my mother, the beta of the Blood Moon clan. As a female warrior on the war front, she will face many dangers. In the previous generation, my grandfather and even my ancestors, generation after generation, served as the Alpha's Beta for the Blood Moon clan, protecting the werewolves. However, when an anomaly like me, a weak Omega, appeared in their lineage, I didn’t receive the shelter and understanding from the clan members. Instead, I faced endless ridicule.

So, my only wish now is, if there’s a chance, I want to leave with my mother and go somewhere that truly accepts us.

Ella's POV

Three days later, I continued living my ordinary life, taking care of the plants in the laboratory. Nobody mentioned the incident of Alpha Kevin's subordinates being poisoned with Bloodroot. What was unusual, however, was that my mother became increasingly busy, and she didn’t even return home for these two days.

I found it strange and decided to go to the Alpha's office camp to look for her, bringing some supplements and clothes for her.

“Ella, outsiders are not allowed here.” The guard stopped me.

Why is it suddenly restricted? I used to have access when I came before.

I gestured with sign language; I knew this guard. When I was younger, Kevin often let me come and go freely. Since my mother is the Alpha's Beta, the guards usually didn’t stop me.

"Sorry, the Alpha has given orders that nobody can enter without his permission."

Okay.

I nodded, not wanting to cause trouble. So I left the main gate of the camp, turned left, and stopped at a big tree, moving my package to my back and agilely climbing up the tree.

When I reached the center of the tree, I stood on a branch and took out the wooden whistle from my waist, blowing a rhythmic whistle.

This was the signal between Kevin and me.

“Ella, what are you doing here?”

Soon, a lazy yet magnetic voice came from below the tree, and I quickly jumped down.

I'm here to find my mom and give her some clothing. Also, I want to see her.

I gestured with sign language.

Kevin, wearing a black windbreaker, his tall figure overshadowing my petite form, looked down at me. His deep blue eyes showed no emotion, and there was a hint of weariness in his eyebrows.

"Beta Ariana has left the Blood Moon clan on a mission."

What mission?

I furrowed my brows, using sign language, not understanding why my mother went on a distant mission without informing me beforehand.

“Ella, don't use the wooden whistle to call me again in the future. Things between us have changed, and I'm very busy now. As for your mother, don't worry, she'll be back soon.”

I was taken aback, nodded, and tears almost welled up.

Although my purpose for coming wasn't to find Kevin, his straightforwardness embarrassed me. I've admired him since I was little; his father, Peter Allen, was very strict with him, and he’d be covered in injuries after every training session. Since I was 10, I would prepare healing medicine at night, the best healing pills, and send them here, calling him with the wooden whistle.

I used to think I was special to Kevin. Now I understand that in his eyes, I'm insignificant, he no longer needs me.

"I'll take these to Beta Ariana. You should go back; don't come here again." Kevin's large hand took the package, his tone impatient.

I nodded, swallowing many questions, and as I turned away, a tear dropped from the corner of my eye.

After a few steps, I remembered the promise he made three days ago and went back to approach Kevin.

"Do you have anything else? It's prohibited to come and go here. If other werewolves find us meeting here, you know there will be a lot of gossip," Kevin furrowed his brows, lazily glancing at me.

I got angry and quickly gestured with sign language.

Gossip? Kevin, are you worried that Maya will find out about us meeting here?

Kevin was taken aback for a moment, showing an unnatural expression on his face. "What does Maya have to do with this?"

Maya came to see me, she said she slept with you the day before my birthday. Kevin, is this the reason you rejected me?

As I finished signing this sentence, a sour feeling surged in my heart. I almost cried, but I couldn't, absolutely not in front of this wolf who had hurt me.

"Ella, I..." Kevin fell silent for a moment, then sighed, "I admit we had a one-night stand, but honestly, I won't really fall in love with any she-wolf, including Maya, at least not right now."

I was stunned, what kind of playboy talk was this?

Kevin, you make me feel like a stranger.

"Ella, you may not accept it, but this is how I am as a wolf. It won't just be Maya, I will have many different women. I'll try more sexual encounters, but not with you. You're my friend, my sister, I don't want to hurt you."

Don't want to hurt me? Kevin, you already have!

I fiercely and angrily gestured with sign language, having my first argument with someone. I hated being a mute.

"So, to avoid further harm, don't become my mate."

My heart shattered into pieces. Anger started to cloud my judgment, and I continued signing.

Kevin, you jerk!

I should never have expected anything from you. I don't want to be your damn sister.

Therefore, fulfill your promise. After my mother completes her mission and returns, she'll resign from her Beta position, and I want to leave the Blood Moon clan with her.

Kevin fell silent for a moment. "Why? Just because of my rejection? So, you want to leave here."

I gritted my teeth, glaring at him with determined eyes.

He obviously hadn’t expected me to react so vehemently. Unlike my usual submissive behavior towards him, he stood there, silent, for several minutes.

"Ella, your mother is a female warrior of the Blood Moon clan. She wouldn't want to leave."

She's my mother first, and only then your damn female warrior!

I retorted swiftly, hating his presumptuous belief that our family should sacrifice everything for the Blood Moon clan.

"Ella... you need to calm down. Besides leaving the Blood Moon clan, I agree to your other demands."

Before I could say more, he interrupted with an alpha command, "Ella, go home now. You need to calm down."

Ella‘s POV

Go to hell and calm down!

I really want to punch that arrogant Alpha Kevin in the face. How can someone change so drastically in just a few days? I must have lost my mind to like such an arrogant playboy!

On the way home, I cursed Kevin repeatedly.

In my room, I threw all the gifts Kevin gave me into a cardboard box and tossed it into the garbage area outside the door, just like my feelings for him. After dealing with that, I fell into a deep sleep.

Three days later, Ariana came back, her armor worn out and her face looking weary, which made me very concerned.

Mom, why did it take you so long to come back? I was worried about you.

I gestured in sign language.

"I'm sorry, sweetheart, how have you been these days?" My mom hugged me.

Not good at all. Why didn't you inform me earlier before going on a mission far away? Did something happen with the Blood Moon Clan?

I looked at my mother with some reproach.

She showed some concern, as if contemplating something. "Ella, don't worry unnecessarily. Mom is back safe, right? I promise next time I'll inform you beforehand."

Pinky promise?

I gestured in sign language.

"Pinky promise." My mother smiled and hooked her pinky with mine.

Then she took off her armor and weapons, throwing them carelessly on the ground before sprawling on the couch, far from a ladylike posture. It was a familiar sight for me as I went to the kitchen to prepare food for her.

As I watched her eat ravenously, I pondered.

"What's wrong? Ella, still troubled by Kevin?" My mother ruffled my hair. "If you can't let go of him, I can talk to Peter Allen. His father is more reasonable than him."

No, Mom, I was just thinking...

I quickly gestured in sign language.

"Huh?" My mother raised an eyebrow, taking a big bite of her pizza.

I was thinking, could you stop being the Beta? Can't we leave the Blood Moon Pack and explore the world together?

I gestured in sign language cautiously, fearing her reaction. I admit I am selfish, far from having the selfless love my mother possesses.

She burst into laughter. "Hahaha, I thought my little wolf was still troubled by love, turns out you're worried about my hard work!"

"Don't worry, your mother is strong and won't get tired easily. But if you want to see the outside world, Mom can take a long break from Alpha in a few days and take you on a trip."

She proudly patted my shoulder, and I looked at her somewhat helplessly.

Okay, Mom.

The next evening, Ariana took me to the forest for training again.

I transformed into a wolf and followed the big brown wolf unsteadily. I lifted my front paw, staring at my blue fur. Blood Moon Clan wolves were mostly brown, and here I was, blue. It was strange.

Wasn't the lowest-ranked wolf worthy of having the brown fur?

"Ella, stop daydreaming and keep up with me."

The brown wolf turned around, swishing its big tail, almost knocking me down.

"Ella, remember what I taught you. Focus, find the voice within you, and converse with it."

"It's your wolf. Find it, and you'll merge with the wolf spirit, gaining control over your body!"

I nodded, closing my eyes. Mom had said every adult werewolf had a wolf spirit inside them, much like our family, accompanying us forever.

Just as I began to feel something deep in my soul, a loud noise interrupted me.

"Boom!"

"Boom!"

"Ella, find a concealed place to hide until I call for you. Don't come out otherwise," Mother sniffed the air, her tone becoming tense and serious.

It was the smell of blood!

Feeling lost, I watched my mother leave, feeling inexplicably panicked. After a moment's hesitation, I decided not to follow her command and ran in her direction.

As I approached, the scent of blood intensified. Due to the disparity in strength, I couldn't see my mother anymore.

I ran for another 20 minutes, finally seeing a few brown wolves. At this same time, a sickle-shaped throwing knife precisely pierced through the branches, severing the heads of two of the wolves.

I widened my eyes in terror. Fearful, I transformed back into a human, trembling in the bushes.

The throwing knife spun in the air and landed near a black wolf. Behind the black wolf, five companions appeared and swiftly killed the remaining four brown wolves in seconds.

Terrified, I covered my mouth, not daring to make a sound.

After eliminating all the brown wolves, the black wolves ran towards the direction my mother had gone.

Feeling anxious, I followed them. The deeper into the forest, the fiercer the sounds of fighting became. A familiar scent reached me—it was Kevin!

"Ha, brothers, there's a tastier prey ahead, Peter Allen's son, the new Alpha of the Blood Moon clan."

"You Rogues killed my companions. I want all of you dead!"

Kevin roared angrily, his eyes crimson red, his brown fur stained with blood, whether his or from other wolves, I couldn't tell.

His massive wolf body stood tall, exuding a domineering aura of a wolf king, causing the five black wolves to retreat a few steps in fear.

Just as he was about to engage in a final fight with the black wolves, a large brown wolf dashed in like lightning, biting the neck of the lead black wolf.

Mom!

My heart tightened in nervousness. My mother was also covered in wounds. It was evident that more than those five black wolves inhabited this forest. The scent of blood was intense, indicating a prolonged battle.

"Kevin, leave quickly, I'll handle this!" Mother shouted.

"No, I'll kill all these black wolves!" Driven by hatred, Kevin lost his rationality and attacked the black wolves crazily.

"Kevin! Leave!"

Mother fought with two other black wolves, quickly subduing them. However, Kevin got entangled with one black wolf, ignoring another throwing knife being launched toward him.

Following the knife's trajectory, it was about to sever Kevin's head.

In a critical moment, my mother jumped into the air. The throwing knife pierced through her chest, embedding into a tree branch. My mother shielded Kevin with her own body.

Mom!

"Ariana!"

Kevin snapped the black wolf's neck, swiftly running toward my mother, and I ran toward her too.

"E-Ella, why are you here?" Mom lay weak on the ground, "Didn't I tell you to hide?"

Tears streamed down my face as I vigorously shook my head, covering my mother's bleeding chest.

"Ariana, I'm sorry, I've dragged you into this." Kevin bowed his head in remorse.

"P-please take care of m-my daughter for me..." Mother uttered her last words with her final breath, then fell silent.

My heart almost stopped.

The sickle came flying; Kevin quickly grabbed me onto his back and ran.

I was in shock, unable to believe what had just happened, almost slipping off Kevin's back.

"Ella, pull yourself together!" He shouted frantically.

Tears blurred my vision, I hated my own helplessness.

Suddenly, we both fell into the bushes. Kevin transformed into a human, attempting to stand up but almost unable to move. "Damn it, I'm out of energy..."

The black wolf casually approached, relishing the moment of toying with its prey. I stared at it, filled with hatred.

"Ella, leave quickly. The black wolf's target is me. I'll find a way to hold it back." Kevin whispered, protecting me behind him.

I just glared fiercely at the black wolf, fingers opening a vial from my sleeve; the venomous centipede quickly crawled toward it.

"Well then, I'll let both of you die together."

The black wolf attempted to attack but was paralyzed. I swiftly grabbed the throwing knife and thrust it into its chest, just as it had done to my mother.

I held onto the knife piercing the black wolf's heart, a tremendous force flung me out of the bushes, and beneath was a bottomless lake.

"Ella!" Kevin rushed over, trying to grab my hand, but he grasped nothing.

"No, Ella!"

In the fleeting moments of falling into the lake, I seemed to see the panic and love in Kevin's eyes. His tears fell on my face.

I smiled. Impossible, he had rejected me, how could he possibly love me?

I closed my eyes, a chill enveloping my body, and then lost consciousness.