'Shortcut' Ritual

I wasn't excited about being at school. Even though it was my last year and after this, I'd be leaving and never seeing them again, but that didn't mean I could forget everything they said.

Just as I expected, having just arrived and plopped my butt down on a chair, one of them approached, followed by several others, surrounding me.

They looked at me mockingly before finally uttering a scathing sentence that rattled my ears.

"Hey, Ioris. How have you been sleeping these past few days? Did you sleep well?" asked one of them with long hair, and for all I knew, she was nicknamed 'The Most Wanted Girl' at school.

I didn't immediately respond to the questions that I didn't think were important. I was sure they had another purpose other than just asking how I slept last night.

"Probably not. We can tell by the horrible bags under her eyes," another chimed in, followed by a burst of laughter in unison.

"What exactly do you want?" I asked, after putting down my bag and preparing my books for today's lesson. The last months were supposed to be the most memorable, but for me, they were a nightmare.

"I just wanted to ask, did you sleep well? Because among all of us, you're the only one who didn't get wolfed down even on inauguration night," replied the girl who was said to be the most desirable in school. I just rolled my eyes.

"So? What does that have to do with you?"

"Nothing, really. I was just wondering how your Alpha King father would feel if he heard that his daughter didn't have a wolf. I became suspicious that you might not be his descendant."

I, without prompting, immediately rushed towards her and was about to attack. However, of course, besides being outnumbered, they had wolves with their own unique powers, while I didn't.

They easily dispatched and knocked me to the floor.

Their laughter grew louder as the taunts didn't stop, even though I tried to ignore them. My chest was throbbing with pain, but I realized that I couldn't do anything but leave this place. I couldn't always hide behind my family's big name.

Honestly, last inauguration night, I hoped I would get the best wolf to prove to them, just like Mom said that the best things often come too late. However, disappointment was all I got.

"Don't get me wrong. She made her parents proud. Did you forget? She got the devil on inauguration night." Another girl added, and loud laughter echoed through the class.

Enough was enough. I couldn't take all this ridicule anymore.

I got up, grabbed my bag, and walked through the others who were still huddled together. I had nowhere to go, but not being among them for now was the best thing I should do.

I never thought that being the daughter of the strongest alpha king was no longer a point of pride. I used to be so happy whenever I heard the praise and call of 'Your Highness' attached to my father's name. It sounded so majestic and authoritative.

However, I realized that it wasn't all mine.

Whenever I was proud of my parents and twin brother, I felt smaller and more worthless.

They knew my dad as alpha king, Mom as Luna queen, and my twin brother as a warrior who would later inherit Dad's leadership of The Dawns Pack. As for me? Ioris is a she-wolf with no hobbies, no skills, and no wolf. And, of course, obviously, without a mate.

Although it was all a reality, it was undoubtedly painful for me, and I wanted to end it.

"Ioris, I've been looking for you everywhere." Lyla, my best friend, came over with her breathing heavily and looking exhausted. She wiped the sweat from her forehead before continuing.

"What's wrong?"

"I'm just making sure you're okay." She added, which made me give her an annoyed look. "Oops! Did I do something wrong?"

"What's wrong with you guys? Does not having a wolf mean I'm not okay?" I exclaimed, which made her stammer. "You're happy that you got a wolf, right? Well, congratulations on that. So what if I haven't gotten one yet? Are you trying to push me away because you think I don't deserve to hang out with you?"

"Ioris, that's not it. You have the wrong idea. I—"

"Prove me wrong. Tell me what you came here for, Lyla."

She looked hesitant but then grabbed my fingers. "I heard some people say they didn't get a wolf either. They weren't even blessed with a wolf, but they got one."

I just frowned, waiting for Lyla to continue.

"They told me they did a 'shortcut' ritual to get a wolf."

"You mean—"

"Yes, Ioris. Maybe you want to use the same method as them. I can dedicate you to someone who can do it for you if you want. You can get a wolf in one night."

***

Lyla and I arrived at the pack's border, waiting for someone who had made an appointment with us to meet there.

Lyla didn't mention the mystery man's identity, but she could guarantee he could help. I trusted her because we'd been friends since childhood. Lyla's father was the beta in our pack, so there was no way she would mess with me.

"Is he here yet?" I asked impatiently. Not only because this was a pretty dangerous pack border but also because I couldn't wait to meet my wolf.

What would she look like?

What color would her fur be?

The color of her eyes, her size, and her strength.

I can't wait any longer.1

"Lyla, why isn't he here yet? We've been waiting ten minutes," I whined, stomping my feet.

Lyla looked around for someone I was sure was the man, then glanced at her watch. She then sighed. "Why is he taking so long? I need to pee," she complained, clutching her pants.

"Seriously? You're really not fun."

"I'm sorry, Ioris. You know that I rarely pee at school." She grimaced, seemingly resisting the urge to relieve herself. "Would it be okay if I left you?"

I looked at Lyla for a while, and after confirming that she couldn't hold back, I finally nodded.

"Don't be long, okay? I'm afraid that the rogue is coming."

"Take it easy. There are some watchers and guards around here, right? Your father won't let his guard down on this one." She no longer spoke but hurriedly ran off to relieve herself.

I watched Lyla's body until it disappeared and waited for her.

Several minutes passed—no, thirty minutes, but Lyla didn't return. Neither did the man who promised to meet to perform the ritual.

I started to get nervous and worried that something might happen to Lyla. It was unusual for her to leave me for this long.

She couldn't betray me.

I tried to find her. If she intended to relieve herself, she wouldn't be far from here. However, I couldn't find her anywhere except for a strange voice coming from the bushes.

"Lyla? Is that you?" I drew closer to the source of the voice, but I found not Lyla but another figure that startled me into taking a few steps back before finally falling over.