It was a beautiful night with a full moon shining brightly, making the thick forest look magical. In the distance, I could the howling of wolves nearby which gave me a little shiver. I was sitting alone by the stream, leaning against a very old oak tree. The air felt cool and smelled like damp earth and flowers, which usually calmed me down. But tonight, even though it was nice, I felt really uneasy inside."
Her family, the one she was born into, was having a special gathering a short distance away. But she wasn't allowed to go. This had happened before."
Iris squeezed her hands so tightly that her fingernails hurt. This wasn't the first time she felt left out, but this time it really stung. A mean little voice inside her head said something she'd been trying to avoid: she didn't really belong with her friends anymore.
"The moonlight shimmered on the water, and Iris couldn't help but think about her brother, Cassian. He was always the favorite, the one everyone expected to be the leader someday, and their father's pride and joy. Iris, on the other hand, was often ignored. She was used to Cassian being the center of attention, but this time was different. They were having a special family gathering, and he purposely didn't invite her. That was a really hurtful thing to do, even for him.
The sound of leaves and twigs breaking beneath someone's foot startled Iris. She looked around and saw her best friend, Elise, walking towards her. Elise was a tall and slender wolf with bright red hair that almost seemed to shine in the moonlight. Her face, sprinkled with freckles, looked worried."
Iris, Elise said softly, her voice showed concern. Why aren't you at the gathering? Everyone's wondering where you are.
Iris let out a dry, humorless laugh. 'Everyone?" She said sarcastically. Or just you?'
Elise frowned and leaned towards her. 'What happened? You were supposed to be at the ceremony. It's really important – it's about bringing us all closer together as a pack.'"
Apparently, I'm not part of the pack," she said angrily, gesturing with her hands in the air. "Cassian, my beloved brother, didn't tell me about the ceremony. He didn't even say it was happening tonight."
Elise was shocked. What did you say?
Iris nodded, and the anger she'd been holding back finally exploded. 'I heard him talking to Dad about it yesterday,' she said. 'When I asked him about it, he said I wasn't 'ready' to be involved. He didn't even let me explain myself.'
Elise, visibly angry and disappointed, said, 'That's not right. You're part of the family. Cassian had no right to leave you out.'
"I don't understand why I'm even surprised," Iris mumbled, sounding really disappointed. "He's always acted this way. Even when we were young, he treated me like I wasn't part of the family."
Elise put her hand on Iris's shoulder to comfort her. "You can't let him get away with this. You have just as much right to be involved as anyone else."
Iris looked away, staring at the sparkling stream. 'It doesn't matter now,' she said. 'They've already begun. Why bother?'
Elise stood up, her eyes full of fire. 'The point is that you belong there, and you have to prove it to them. Come on, we can still get there in time.'"
Iris hesitated, feeling all the times she'd been shut out weighing her down. But when she looked at Elise, she felt a bit of bravery come back. Maybe it was time to stop letting Cassian boss her around.
'Okay,' Iris said, standing up. 'But if this messes up, I'm blaming you.
Elise smirked. 'I'll take the blame. Now, let's go.'"
The place where the ceremony was held was buzzing with excitement when Iris and Elise got there. Torches were lit all around, and their flames made the shadows of the wolves dance. The air was filled with the smell of burning sage and the steady beat of drums."
Iris felt a surge of anger as she watched them. They looked like the perfect leaders, all together and powerful, while she stood on the sidelines, feeling like she didn't belong, even though she was part of them.
Cassian's voice boomed across the crowd, strong and commanding. 'Tonight, we celebrate what brings us together as a pack,' he announced. 'This ceremony reminds us how strong we are when we work together and are loyal to each other.'"
The crowd was mumbling in agreement, and Iris stepped forward. Her heart was racing. Everyone turned to look as she walked towards the center, interrupting the ceremony.
'Iris?' Marcus said, surprised and annoyed. 'What are you doing here?'"
"I should have been here from the start," Iris said, keeping her voice calm even though everyone was tense. She looked at Cassian sternly. "Why didn't you tell me about this ceremony?"
Cassian's face turned serious, but you could see a hint of regret in his eyes. "I didn't think you were prepared," he said. "This ceremony is very important, Iris. It's not something to rush into."
And you think I can't understand that?' Iris snapped. 'I'm part of this pack, Cassian. Whether you like it or not.'
The crowd started whispering, and everyone looked from one sibling to the other. Marcus held up his hand to get everyone quiet, and his face showed he didn't approve."
This isn't the right time or place for this discussion,' Marcus said sternly. 'Iris, if you weren't told about it, there was a reason.'
Iris was furious. 'And what reason could that be? Because I'm not as strong or as sure of myself as Cassian? Because I don't fit the image you have of what a pack member should be?' "
Everyone suddenly got quiet, and you could feel the tension in the air. Cassian started to say something, but Elise stepped in front of him. Her voice was strong and clear as she said, 'Iris has every right to be here,' Elise said. 'She's just as much a part of this group as anyone else. Leaving her out was wrong.'
Marcus looked at her angrily. 'This doesn't concern you, Elise.'"
It's my business,' Elise snapped. 'Because I care about this pack and I care about Iris. If you want us all to work together, you can't keep treating her like she's not part of the group.'
The crowd mumbled, and some people nodded. Cassian's jaw tightened, but he didn't say anything.
Iris took a deep breath to calm down. She spoke clearly to everyone in the pack. 'My whole life, I've felt like I don't fit in here. Like I'm not good enough. But I'm not going to hide anymore. I'm not going to let Cassian and Dad decide what I can and can't do in this pack.'"
Iris nodded, a feeling of strong purpose filling her. She walked into the circle, her heart racing as the ceremony went on.
For the first time ever, she felt like people really noticed her.