"She is to be outlawed!" a deep voice declared. "As per the rules, anyone who does not receive their wolf form on their eighteenth year must be banished from the pack."
A young girl was standing in the middle of the hall absorbing the judgement rendered against her. She had her head bowed down, her long hair hiding her face. Her slender, delicate fingers gripped the fabric of her white dress tightly, trying as much not to shed tears. She was still hanging on a little hope since that person had not said a word yet. He was the only one who could save her from all this: The alpha of Silver Pack, who was also her father. But then, her expectations came crashing down the instant the man uttered his words.
"Our pack is built on the foundation of law, just and above all power. At fault or not, anyone who does not attain their wolf by the age of eighteen has to be banished," Alpha Derek, Ravenna's father, announced before taking a pause and stared at his daughter with a hollow look. "Therefore, Ravenna has to leave Silver Pack."
Ravenna felt her world crumble as everything came to a pause. Her whole body seemed to have been electrocuted by the sudden shock and feeling of betrayal. How could he just banish her from her home? Was it her fault she could not attained her wolf? How big of a crime had she committed to be sentenced to such a cruel fate?
"Father, please don't send me away," she pleaded raising her head gradually and met with her father's blank face. "How is it my fault to not shift? It's a gift from goddess Selene and maybe..."
Her statement was cut short when her father rose from his seat. Ravenna gave up hope when she saw his eyes gleam yellow, knowing the person before her was not her father but just an alpha exercising his duty. Then how could he favor her just because she was his daughter when he never even treated her like one.
"Alpha Derek! It's Alpha Derek from now. The verdict has been made and cannot be changed. From now on, you are stripped off your title as the Alpha's daughter and you are expected to leave the pack as soon as the court is adjourned."
Ravenna fell hard to the ground on her knees, but the pain was nothing compared to the agony she felt in her heart. Her own father was disowning her publicly. She would never accept this decision. Never. This was her home and the only place she knew.
"I won't go anywhere. You can punish me however you want but am not leaving my home, my family."
All attention was diverted to her before the council members started whispering among themselves and others casting loathsome glares at her, but the devasted girl cared less what they thought of her.
Alpha Derek let out a warning growl and the place quieted down. His anger had intensified, visible in his eyes that were already burning yellow.
"How dare you defy the order of the Alpha and the council? Just because you are my daughter does not mean I will be lenient on you when it comes to just," Alpha Derek spoke with rage, restraining his beast that was yearning to be let loose. One thing he detested was being challenged and this girl was acting bold, that too in front of his subordinates.
"Just? There's no justice or fairness in your decision. You are the leader of the pack, and no one can question your decision let alone me. Am just asking you to be lenient and let me stay."
Ravenna begged with her hands folded but her pleads seemed to fall into deaf ears. She witnessed as her own father gestured to the sentinels to take her away. Her echoes of distress and pleas resonated throughout the courtroom as she stared at her father's beta whom she hoped he could talk to her father, but he lowered his head crashing her last hope into nothing.
The guards dragged her out of the courtroom and was welcomed by the setting sun and a crowd of people were standing outside. They watched her being hauled away with mixed feelings, but no one said a word.
On the other hand, Ravenna was scanning through the crowd for a familiar face, but she was only met with more disappointment. She lowered her head and let herself be pulled away to only they knew where.
Time went by and it was already dark when Ravenna snapped out of her trance. She surveyed the surroundings, but all that met her eyes were trees and the guards did not show any signs of stopping. Fear arose inside and became wary wondering where they were taking her.
"What... is this place and... where are you taking... me?" she barely managed to ask, her voice trembling. She was too exhausted, hungry and very thirsty as well.
The guards remained silent and kept moving further until they reached to an open area. They withdrew their support, and she helplessly fell, too weak to stand by herself. Under the moonless night, Ravenna could clearly make out the figures of the five sentinels that had surrounded her from all sides. Her heart race, pounding in her ears while a cold sweat trickled down her back. She laughed internally at her unfortunate fate. It seemed her time to live was over. Her mind and body gave up fighting and started reminiscing on her cherished moments with her elder brother and sister. Those were the only two who truly cared for her and for whom she was living for. Her thoughts flickered to her father, and a bitter smile formed on her lips. Heart-wrenching memories of his biasness towards her since childhood crashed over her like a fierce tide, intent on sweeping away all remnants of peace. Ravenna let out a loud shriek of pain facing the sky with her eyes closed for. She waited for her death but there was only silence.
Ravenna slowly opened her eyes before peering around nervously and her relief, there was no one except the horrifying darkness as her only companion. Without further ado, she willed herself to rise, ignoring the ache that coursed through her body and started walking away from where she had come from. If life had given her another chance to live, then she would so to the fullest. She made up her mind to walk away rather fighting a losing battle.
Ravenna pressed on, unaware of how long she had walked until she found herself on the highway. A half-smile formed on her lips and before she could take a breather, a speeding vehicle came out of nowhere and sent her flying to the air before hitting the ground with a thud. Her last memory was of a tall figure walking her way before losing consciousness.