The next morning, sunlight spilled across the pack's training grounds, golden and bright, but for Scarlett, the warmth of the sun did little to ease the unease she felt. She and Misty had returned from their hunting practice, still flushed from the excitement of their training, their spirits high. Yet, even before they reached the courtyard, they could feel the weight of curious—and not entirely friendly—eyes on them.
"Look who it is," a boy sneered from the edge of the training ground. He was tall for his age, chest puffed with pride, and his wolf-marked uniform gleamed as he moved. "The wolf-less girl and her little shadow. What were you two doing? Playing hunter while pretending to be important?"
Scarlett froze, a blush creeping up her neck. Misty stepped slightly in front of her, protective and alert. "We weren't pretending," Misty said sharply, her tone low but firm. "We were practicing. Something you wouldn't understand."
The boy's lips curled into a cruel smile. "Practicing? Please. You're just wasting everyone's time. Scarlett, wolf-less, no strength, no bite, nothing. And you—why are you even friends with her, Misty? You have a wolf in you, a gift… and yet you choose to waste your time with a weak, useless human girl?"
Scarlett's stomach churned. She opened her mouth to respond, but the words caught in her throat. She had grown used to the stares, the whispers, but not the direct insults like this. Misty, however, was not going to remain silent.
"I choose my friends for who they are, not for what they have," Misty said firmly, her eyes flashing. "Scarlett is my friend. She is brave, determined, and kind. That is more than enough for me. You should try caring about something other than your own ego."
The boy scoffed, shaking his head as he gestured to a group of children gathered nearby. "Pathetic. How can you waste your time on someone who can't even shift? Everyone knows wolf-less kids are weak. Misty, even you are foolish for defending her."
A few other children snickered, their laughter slicing through the morning air like knives. Scarlett felt her cheeks burn with shame and frustration. For a moment, she wanted to run, hide in the forest, and never come back. But then, Misty's hand found hers, squeezing gently.
"It's okay," Misty whispered. "Don't let them see you upset. They're jealous, that's all. Let's show them we're stronger than their words."
Scarlett looked into Misty's golden eyes and drew a deep breath. She nodded, feeling courage bloom inside her chest. "You're right. Let's just ignore them. They're not worth it."
But the children didn't let them pass quietly. "Ignore us?" another girl sneered, stepping forward. "We'll see how long you can hide behind your little friend, wolf-less girl. When it comes to real skill, you'll never survive out there."
Scarlett's fingers tightened around the strap of her quiver. "I… I'm trying my best," she said quietly, but firmly.
Misty placed a hand on her shoulder, giving her a reassuring squeeze. "And that's all anyone can do. Forget them, Scar. Focus on yourself. Focus on us."
The taunting continued as they walked past, whispers trailing after them like shadows. Scarlett kept her head high, though her heart raced with a mixture of anger and sadness. She wanted to shout, to strike back with words that would silence them, but she knew Misty was right. Fighting them with anger would only give them satisfaction.
Once they were far enough from the courtyard, Misty nudged Scarlett into the grass, sitting down beside her. "Hey," she said softly, "don't let them get into your head. We have each other. That's what matters. And soon, they'll see that strength isn't just about having a wolf inside you."
Scarlett exhaled slowly, letting the tension drain from her shoulders. "I hope… I hope you're right," she said, voice barely above a whisper.
Misty grinned. "I am. And one day, they'll regret underestimating us. One day, they'll see what a wolf-less girl and her loyal friend can really do."
Scarlett felt a small spark of hope in her chest. Misty's confidence was infectious, and for the first time that morning, she felt capable of facing the whispers and the jeers, of standing tall even when the rest of the pack doubted her.
They spent the rest of the morning practicing in a quieter part of the forest, Misty occasionally shifting into her wolf form while Scarlett focused on her archery. Each arrow that landed closer to the target, each successful practice maneuver, strengthened Scarlett's determination. The laughter and encouragement they shared drowned out the echoes of the cruel words from the courtyard.
As the sun began to climb higher, Scarlett realized something important: strength wasn't measured by what others said or by what abilities you were born with. It was measured by perseverance, courage, and the loyalty of those who stood by your side.
And as she watched Misty dart through the trees, swift and graceful in her wolf form, Scarlett knew that together, there was nothing they couldn't face—even the jeers and jealousy of the pack.
By the time they returned to the fortress, tired but smiling, Scarlett felt a newfound confidence. The courtyard whispers and insults still lingered in the back of her mind, but they no longer held power over her. Misty's friendship, unwavering and strong, was a shield against the cruelty of others.
"Tomorrow," Scarlett said, brushing dirt from her knees, "we'll practice again. And next time… next time, we'll show them that being wolf-less doesn't mean being weak."
Misty grinned, her wolf tail brushing against Scarlett's leg in a silent promise. "Exactly. One step at a time, Scar. One step at a time."
And as they walked toward the fortress, the sunlight casting long shadows behind them, Scarlett felt a quiet determination settle in her heart. She didn't have a wolf inside her, but she had courage, friendship, and a fierce resolve to prove herself.
And that, she knew, was enough to face any challenge that lay ahead.