The moon hung low on the horizon, casting a silvery glow over the ancient forest that surrounded our werewolf pack. In its ethereal light, our world seemed to take on a surreal quality, and I, the outsider, felt more isolated than ever.As the runt of our pack, I had grown accustomed to the cold shoulders and dismissive glances from my fellow pack members. In a world where strength and ferocity were prized above all else, my lack of power left me an outcast. The others shifted effortlessly between their human and wolf forms, while I remained trapped in my human skin, unable to join their nightly hunts or defend our territory. They saw me as a liability, a burden best left forgotten.My name was whispered with pity, if at all, as I moved through the shadowy woods, gathering herbs and plants for the pack's healers. It was a humble role, but one that allowed me to contribute in some small way. Still, I longed for more. I yearned to shift, to feel the power of the wolf coursing through my veins, to be accepted among my kind.Tonight, the pack was in a state of fevered excitement. Rumors had spread like wildfire that the Werewolf King himself was visiting our territory in search of a suitable mate. The thought of being chosen by the most powerful werewolf in the land was a dream shared by many, but for someone like me, it was nothing more than a fantasy.I watched from the shadows as the other women of the pack prepared for the King's arrival. They adorned themselves in their finest clothes, their eyes filled with anticipation. Their voices were filled with laughter and chatter as they braided their hair and shared stories of what life might be like as the Queen.I couldn't help but feel a pang of envy, even though I knew that my chances were nonexistent. I had resigned myself to the fact that I would forever be an outsider, destined to watch from the sidelines as others basked in the glory of the pack's traditions.The night was advancing, and the air grew thick with tension. The King's arrival was imminent, and I found myself retreating deeper into the forest, away from the festivities. I had no desire to witness the spectacle, to see him choose another woman while I remained invisible.But as I disappeared into the darkness, little did I know that fate had other plans for me, plans that would alter the course of my life in ways I could never have imagined.