Trigger Warning ⚠️ Bullying  and Verbal Abuse

JAREK

"Stop being a pussy and climb down from the tree, Silver," I howled, my voice echoing through the forest. The bark of the tree felt rough against my palm as I pounded it, wishing it was her face. The scent of pine and damp earth filled my nostrils, and I could hear the rustling of leaves as Silver shifted her weight above me.

"You are a wolf, not a feline," I yelled, my frustration mounting. The image of her cowering in the tree, refusing to budge, made my blood boil. Silver was flawed and had been since birth.

The pack will rely on me to lead them in the future, and I couldn't afford to have a weak link. So I barked at her again, my words harsh and unforgiving. "Get down here now, Silver."

"You want me?" she taunts, her voice ringing out sharply in the early evening air. "Climb right on up here and retrieve me," she continues, her words daring and provocative. The rough bark of the tree she's perched on digs into her back, but she ignores the discomfort, her eyes fixed on me. "Or are you too scared, Jarek?"

"Fine! I hope you rot up there!" I yelled, my voice echoing through the dark forest. The setting sun cast eerie shadows on the trees. The sound of my heartbeat thumped loudly in my chest as I clenched my fists in frustration.

"You are an ugly freak of nature!" I continued, my eyes fixed on the treetops where my adopted sister Silver dangled precariously. The branches rustled softly in the wind, and I could hear the faint sound of the earth rustling underfoot as I shifted my weight.

"You are weak and don't belong in this pack!" I snarled, my teeth bared in anger. The scent of my fear mingled with the damp forest air, and I could feel my heart racing as I imagined the worst.

"No one would miss you!" I shouted, my voice rising in volume. The impending darkness seemed to press in on me, and I could feel the weight of the pack's expectations on my shoulders.

"I am the one destined to lead this pack in the future!" I declared, my chest swelling with pride. The scent of my arrogance was almost overpowering, and I could feel the warmth of anger spreading through my body.

"Nothing scares me!" I boasted, but the truth was I was terrified. The thought of climbing up to save her filled me with dread, and I could feel my hands shaking with fear.

"I absolutely won't go up there to save your ass!" I spat, my words echoing through the silent forest. The sound of my voice seemed to mock me, and I could feel the weight of my cowardice crushing me.

"I hope you slip and snap your neck," I muttered, my voice barely audible now.

The woman, whom I believe to be mentally unstable at the moment, has climbed the tallest tree in the forest to escape me. She's now clinging to the trunk with all her might, as if her life depends on it. As much as I'd like to leave her there, I know my father will beat me senseless if I don't bring her down.

As I stand there, unsure of what to do next, my loyal wolf companion, Trex, speaks up. "Fetch the fool," he growls, pacing back and forth in my mind. "I'll aid you." With his unwavering support, I feel a surge of confidence and determination. Together, we will face whatever challenge lies ahead.

As my claws emerge, my irises darken to a deep shade of gold. With a fierce roar, my canines emerge, and in an instant, he takes control. We soar up the tree with incredible speed. She doesn't resist or struggle. Instead, she clings to me tightly, burying her face in my neck and crying softly. Trex's love for Silver is boundless, but I have no such feelings for her.

"She's secure," I said confidently, before adding, "I'm assuming control, Trex."

"No way," he said firmly. "We're not doing anything until we make it back to the pack house. I won't allow you to lay a finger on her."

As she whispers, "Thank you for rescuing me, Trex," she nuzzles my neck with her nose before letting out a whimper.

As Trex carries us through the forest, I can't help but grumble at him through our link. "You're a traitor," I mutter, my frustration clear. We continue on until we finally reach the pack house.

As we make our way to the dining hall, Trex keeps a tight grip on Silver, refusing to release her until we arrive. I can feel the weight of everyone's eyes on us, their judgment palpable in the air. My father's gaze is particularly menacing, and I know I am in for a punishment tonight. It's clear that something has happened between Silver and me, as evidenced by my partially shifted state and her clinging to me.

Silently, Silver whispers, "I won't utter a word, Jarek," before hopping down and striding over to her seat. I follow closely behind her.

Father's voice growls with anger as he asks, "What have you done to her this time?"

"Daddy, it wasn't Jarek. I was practicing my stealth techniques and didn't realize how high up I had climbed into a tree. But then, he appeared and guided me to safety."

Silver flings her hands around in the air like a jackass, putting on a remarkable performance. Despite her convincing act, I know I'm still going to get my ass whooped. It's clear that Silver isn't very good at lying. As she looks my way with her radiant silver eyes and smiles, my hopes of being saved quickly fade. Her eyes flit to gold, then to blue, and I feel my stomach churning with bile. It's not normal for her eyes to behave that way. At least her ears are a typical human size for once, but I can't help but wish she could control her eyes, too. Blinking, I quickly look away before the vertigo makes me pass out.

Even though she was born partially transformed into her wolf form, she has yet to unlock her wolf. As werewolf shifters, we gain our wolves when we turn sixteen. I received my wolf, Trex, a year ago. However, Silver's transformation hasn't occurred yet, and it's been three months since she came of age. This makes her appearance even uglier than before. Despite this, I must admit that she's stealthy. My father has been coaching her with the other members of the pack since she was fourteen, and sometimes she outshines me. In two years, I'll become an alpha. My primary action will be to oust Silver from the pack.

SILVER

I struggle with fibbing, especially with the alpha, Maximilian, my adopted father, who always sees through me. Jarek, who can't stand the sight of me, looks like he's about to vomit. But honestly, I couldn't care less about his feelings. In two years, I'll be long gone, far away from him and this place.

I have no desire to become a wolf and lose my freedom by being bound to someone else. At eighteen, a lupine searches for their destined mate, but I plan to reject mine in order to maintain my independence. I would rather endure the pain of rejection and be alone than mate and lose my autonomy. Fortunately, I may never have to face this dilemma if I never undergo the transformation.

I can't help but feel like the moon goddess has cursed me for some unknown past transgression I did in a past life. Why else would she make me so unattractive that my birth parents rejected me? And why would she give me eyes that betray my every emotion? My human shade is blue, but my nonexistent wolf is gold. And the silver-colored glint in my eyes? I have no clue where that comes from.

Besides my constantly shifting eye colors, there's another peculiar feature that sets me apart from others. Whenever I'm angry or scared, my lupine lobes emerge, making me look more like a dreaded Faye. These lupine ears have been a source of embarrassment and shame for me, especially when I was younger. My brother and his friends, Xillon, and Zane, bullied me relentlessly, causing my lupine ears to be on constant display.

However, as I've grown older, I've learned to control the emergence of my lupine ears. I've become more adept at collecting my bearings to prevent them from showing. While they still surface from time to time, I've gained greater mastery over them.

Despite being tormented by Jarek, Xillon and Zane, I am plagued by a traitorous mind and heart that make things even worse. It's almost unbelievable, but I harbor a raging crush on these same tormentors. Yes, I am referring to Jarek, who is not my blood relative but my mindless brother, nonetheless. I can't help but feel that he mistreats me because he's jealous of the attention I receive from our parents. Unfortunately, his behavior has broken me down and I am left struggling to deal with my conflicting emotions.

My stomach is in knots, so I hardly eat much from my plate. As all eyes swing in my direction, I cringe and ask, "Can I go to bed? I don't feel well."

In retrospect, I regret my impulsive decision to speak out. It would have been wiser to enjoy my meal and avoid drawing attention to myself. However, my nerves are still on edge from the recent events in the forest. It all started when Jarek chased me through the woods on his dirt bike. I had climbed up a tree to escape him. Now, sitting next to him at this moment, I can't shake off the fear of what he might do to me when we're alone.

Dad snarls, and mom rests her hand on his shoulder to ease him.

"Go ahead, sweetie," Mom says with a gentle smile, her voice soft. "I'll be up in a bit to check on you," she whispers.

As Jarek glares at me, I can sense his frustration. I know I'm not making things any easier for him, but I don't care. After all, he had no right to try running me over with his motorcycle. So, he can kiss my ass.

I make my way up the beautifully crafted staircase to the third floor, my heart pounding in my chest. As I reach the top, I push open the door to my bedroom and slam it closed with a forceful bang. I twist the lock, hoping that it will keep Jarek away for the rest of the evening. The scent of lavender from my diffuser wafts through the air, providing a calming atmosphere amidst the chaos.

I approach the full-length mirror and take in my reflection, wincing at the sight of my wolf lobes standing tall and powerful on top of my head. My eyes, which are usually a bright sky-blue, flicker uncontrollably, betraying my inner turmoil. If it weren't for these physical traits, I could be beautiful.

I feel a surge of frustration and anger coursing through my veins, and before I know it, I lash out and punch the mirror with all my might. A loud crack echoes throughout the room, and I watch as a spiderweb of fractures spread across the surface of the glass. My hand throbs with pain, but the release of energy is worth it.

I growl through gritted teeth and tears well up in my eyes. "Bloody perfect!"

I collapse onto my soft, cozy bed, burying my face in the fluffy pillows. With a trembling hand, I reach for my phone, illuminated by the dim lamp on my bedside table. My fingers fumble as I launch my favorite music app, the sound of the app's startup jingle jarring against the quiet of my room. I quickly plug in my AirPods, eager for the familiar comfort they bring.

As I hit play, the soothing melody fills my ears, washing over me like a warm embrace. But it's not enough to stop the tears that have been threatening to spill. They come now, hot and heavy, soaking my cheeks and leaving salty trails down my face.

My nose is stuffy, my throat raw from the emotion that's overtaken me. But I don't care. All I want is to cry myself to sleep, to escape the pain that's been consuming me. So I clutch my phone tight, letting the music and my tears lull me into a restless slumber.

****

I am suddenly jolted awake as I feel the weight of someone on my mattress. Instinctively, I sit up, ready to defend myself, assuming it's Jarek. However, my eyes widen in shock as I realize it's my mother. I had close to punching her in the face, but stopped myself just in time.

As I take out my AirPods, I blink a few times to clear the fog from my moments of slumber.

"I'm sorry, Momma. You scared me."

"I had to get the key to your room because you had locked the door even after I told you I would come to check on you. It's clear that you've been crying, and I'm concerned. Can you tell me what's going on, honey?"

"Mama," I sobbed, my voice choking on my tears. "I feel like a freak. I hardly have any friends, and the guys overlook me. Even my brother despises me. I don't fit in anywhere, and my wolf doesn't even want to grace me with her presence." I looked up at her with puffy, red eyes, my cheeks damp with tears. The room was dimly lit, the only source of light coming from the diffuser on the nightstand. The air was thick with the smell of lavender, my mother's favorite scent.

I wiped my nose with the back of my hand, trying to compose myself. "Look at my eyes and ears," I gestured to my features. "I wouldn't even be able to make it in the human world. Sometimes, I wonder why you saved me. Why didn't you just let me die?" The words felt heavy in my mouth, but I couldn't hold them in any longer.

I felt my mother's hand resting warmly on my shoulder, and it helped ground me. As she shifted closer on the bed, I could hear the soft rustling of her clothes. She spoke quietly so no one else would overhear.

"Oh, honey," she said. "You are not a freak. You are beautiful. The moon goddess made you special. You are strong, gifted, and extremely intelligent. He's just jealous of you because you're so much stronger than him in many ways."

As she holds me tightly, she confesses, "He's my son and I love him, but he still has a lot to learn if he wants to be alpha someday. Right now, his father is with him." However, her focus shifts to me as she adds, "I know he did something to you. You need to tell me what happened." She gently removes the band from my hair and smooths it over my shoulders, her touch soothing and maternal. "Please don't lie to me," she urges, her concern for me palpable.

"Last week, a new guy named Dante arrived at school. Today after classes ended, he started flirting with me. He surprised me by asking me out on a date! Can you believe it?" I couldn't help but giggle and shake my head in disbelief.

As I recall the terrifying incident, my body trembles, and chills run down my spine. Then, all in one breath, I tell her the terrifying details of what happened. "It all started when Jarek, who seemed to have been eavesdropping, turned up out of nowhere and demanded that Dante stay away from me. He called me a freak for not having a wolf, but Dante remained unmoved. Jarek, unable to tolerate his defiance, punched him in the nose. In response, I kneed him in the groin and ran for my life. He chased me down on his motorcycle, and I knew I had to escape. I scrambled up a nearby tree, hoping to hide from him. But I could sense his determination to leave me stranded up there. Just as I was losing hope, Trex came to my rescue. If it weren't for him, I don't know what would have happened to me."

As soon as I spoke, I noticed Mom's eyes glaze over, showing that she was sending a mind link to Dad. I immediately regretted opening my mouth. I knew Jarek wouldn't let this slide, and I was in for it. But I didn't care. I was tired of being afraid of my brother and decided it was time to stand up for myself. If Jarek wanted to come at me, so be it. I secretly hoped that Dad whoop his ass.

"Dad's going to talk to your brother. How about we have a mother-daughter date tomorrow? It might be nice to update your wardrobe and get a new hairstyle so you can wear your hair down. Your hair is beautiful, Silver. We could also book a facial, pedicure and manicure to make you feel pampered. If you want to catch someone's eye, you need to give them a reason to notice you. Wearing dark clothes and constantly tying your hair up in ponytails won't work, my dear," my mom suggests, as she runs her fingers through my hair.

"A makeover sounds good. I guess my tomboy days should end."

As we share a laugh, my mother pulls me in for a warm embrace. Her affectionate cuddle fills me with warmth and comfort.

"I've been waiting for this day patiently," my mom says as she pushes a strand of hair behind my ear. "You stopped letting me doll you up after you turned eleven, but now you're a young woman. It's time to show them what you're made of, and if that means kicking their asses, then so be it. Violence isn't the answer, but if you're being bullied, you need to do what you must. Don't let anyone belittle you, especially not your arrogant brother. Get some sleep now so we can set off early in the morning." She embraces me and kisses my forehead before leaving my room.

As I settle into my bed, I feel a sense of relief wash over me. Tomorrow is a new day, a chance for me to start fresh and be the best version of myself. I remind myself that I am beautiful, resilient, and downright amazing. Despite the hurtful words from Jarek and his friends, I know I will eventually win them over. They may have tried to bring me down, but I won't let them. In fact, I am determined to have them eating out of the palm of my hand in no time. With a smile on my face, I close my eyes and drift off to sleep, excited for the opportunities that tomorrow will bring.