nk that turning sixteen meant I would finally feel like I belonged in this pack. That the years of training and waiting would culminate in s

. Sixteen. And

others. They were all there, gathered around, the pack in full swing. They

ver join

t even

reached sixteen, the sign that you were ready to take your place within the pack. It was

s still

th me, I knew that. But no

outcast wasn't something I could run from.

voice was unmi

know what I had done to deserve it, but there she was, wa

r than I intended. But there was no way I was goi

said, dragging out the word with mock affection. "Still waiting

e a blade. It wasn't the first time I'd heard it, but it didn't make it any easier. The wo

is," I said again, standing up

now why the pack still lets you hang around," she said, her voice full of venom. "You're not

apped. "Just...

ing to sit here in the corner and hope for things to get better? Maybe if you begged the moon go

together. I couldn't break in front of her, couldn't show her how mu

ou," I said, my voice shaky but firm

"You've already done that for yourself." She turned to leav

ed to the spot, unwilling to move, unwilling to let her see how deeply her words had cut me.

say anything, not directly, but I could feel the distance between us widening with every passing day. I wasn't sure if it was because of my

intolerant of me, and every day that I didn't shift made it harder to find a reason to stay. My h

eli

le. Levi. I hadn't seen him in days, hadn't spoken to him s

e him, my heart

the pain of his absence in my life made my

me at least, but he didn't look at me with the same warmth he used to.

simply. "You're... you'r

uch I wanted to tell him, so much I wanted to explain, but th

ice quieter now, almost hesit

ght. The words echoed in my mind, cruel and shar

e added, his eyes hard but distant. "You need

oat tight. "I don't know what's wrong w

as studying me. Finally, he sighed, running a hand through hi

he sting of them deep in my chest, the rawne

ove a whisper. "I am trying. But I'm not like

omething in his eyes - a flash of sympathy, maybe, or maybe just the last remn

id, his voice cold again. "You shou

the distance between

-

dn't know how much longer I could take this. The isolation. The ridicule

keep living

't know ho