Chapter 2
Tragedy's POV
I clung to the rough bark of a tree, my chest heaving as I gasped for air.
My body ached, exhaustion coursing through my muscles, while my bare feet throbbed with pain, bloodied from the long and desperate run I had set out on.
Against all odds, I had managed to at least make it this far on foot. I had crossed the pack's threshold and now found myself in no man's land, caught between the safety of my former pack and the uncertainties of the unknown.
If only I had my wolf by my side, but like so many runts, she remained elusive, hidden from me...
It wasn't uncommon for runts to never bond with their wolves, a fact that had always saddened me. As a young teenager, while others my age were experiencing the exhilaration of their first shifts and the joy of connecting with their wolves, I had read books that told me I might never have that experience.
My weak and frail body had marked me as the runt of the pack, incapable of undergoing the transformation that defined our kind. Now, at eighteen, with no sign of my wolf, I faced a harsh reality - it would probably never happen at this rate.
Even my mate didn't want me... why would my wolf?
Today was a humbling reminder that I was merely a dirt stain in the world of wolves.
It was a devastating blow, proving that I was nothing more than a burden to any pack - even an Alpha that I had hope of a connection with.
I was the object of ridicule, a source of mockery among others. The knowledge that I would only tarnish his reputation as the leader coupled with the fact that I most likely would never have been strong enough to bear his children, only deepened the ache in my heart.
He knew from the sheer sight of me that I wouldn't and couldn't meet his needs...
Sniffling, I wiped the tears from my face, my footsteps faltering as I stumbled forward.
All I want now is to put as much distance as possible between myself and my old pack.
The night air chilled my skin, reminding me of the harsh reality I now faced. In a twisted way, I should be grateful that the Alpha's son had rejected me. He could have chosen to end my life, an ultimate punishment for insulting him.
Perhaps, given time, I could have grown stronger. Perhaps he could have helped me shed the limitations of being a runt. But he didn't give me that chance, dismissing me without a second thought - showing his true distaste for my kind.
Huddling into the warmth of my knitted hood, the rough material providing some solace against the biting cold, I continued to trudge through the woods, my steps uncertain and directionless.
Time seemed to stretch endlessly, the passing hours becoming a blur of shadows under the dim moonlight as I pushed on...
Suddenly, a distant horn pierced into the night, jolting me from my thoughts. It was no ordinary horn—it sounded like a train.
A surge of panic gripped me, my instincts urging me to move, to find safety. Shivering, I clutched my tattered clothing tighter, the realization dawning that I had no hope of surviving the entire night alone in this vulnerable state...
Driven by sheer survival instinct, I followed the invisible path before me, a flicker of hope mixed with trepidation guiding my weary steps.
As the train horn grey louder, so did my hope...
If I could hitch a ride on that train, it might take me far away from the painful memories and the haunting rejection that lingered in the air of my old pack. Maybe someone out there would offer me help or take me in?
After what felt like an eternity, I stumbled upon a small rest point along the tracks - noticing a still train with men loading it up with masses of cargo.
I stayed hidden behind some nearby trees, not wanting to be seen or noticed as I watched them work and laugh together...
The air was thick with the scent of metal and oil, and a flurry of activity filled the rest point. They bustled around, their voices mingling with the clattering of cargo and the occasional screech of metal against metal.
I studied the train, assessing the different compartments and carriages, searching for a potential hiding spot...
I must be mad!
As the workers seemed to finish loading the cargo, they began to disperse, leaving the train momentarily unattended...
I took a deep breath, shivering once more in the cold night, before deciding that this was my one and only chance to make a run for it...
Seizing the opportunity, I darted out from my hiding place and approached the open door of one of the freight carts. My heart raced with anticipation and a tinge of fear, knowing that I had to act swiftly and quietly or these men could tear me apart in seconds flat...
They might think that I am a thief, or a dangerous rogue trying to cause them trouble... but all I wanted was safety through the night.
With careful precision, I climbed aboard, silently slipping inside the freight car. Darkness enveloped me, broken only by faint slivers of moonlight filtering through small gaps in the walls. The air inside carried a tang of oil and stale metal, but I paid it no mind. This was my ticket to freedom, a chance to leave behind the pain and rejection that had plagued me today.
I found a secluded corner and settled down, making myself as comfortable as possible on the hard floor - enjoying the little heat that filtered through from the steam blowing outside.
The sound of my own heartbeat thudded in my ears, a constant reminder of the risks I had taken climbing on here...
As the train jolted to life, a symphony of rattling and creaking filled the air. The familiar rhythm of wheels against tracks reverberated through the crates, a melody of departure and possibility.
I held my breath, feeling the vibrations beneath me, realising I had never actually been on a train before until now as it slowly began picking up its speed.
In that moment, I knew I was leaving behind everything I had always known - the pack that had now rejected me and the familiar landscapes that would only become suffocating reminders of my past. Ahead lay an unknown destination, and the mere thought of it riddled me with anxiety.
As the train hurtled through the night, carrying me away from my old life, I couldn't help but wonder what lay beyond the horizon. The world stretched out before me, full of untold stories and unexplored possibilities...
I had no clue what life was really like outside of my pack's boundaries. All I knew was the stuff I had learned from books or through mere rumours...
I knew there was a dangerous war, involving many packs across the country, but other than that - I couldn't tell you any other details on the matter.
We were always told that we would be much safer back home... and so that is what I trusted... that is at least, until I was forced out.
I gulp and close my eyes, surrendering myself to the rhythmic motion of the train, allowing the sound and the sway to lull me into a fitful sleep.
I would say that today has been the worst in my life so far... but that would be an unfair statement to make. I've had many bad days... far more than I have had good.
I didn't know what my next move in this game of life would be, but I hoped it would at least be better than what I have called 'home' for all of my years so far.
I just want to feel safe and wanted...
Is that too much to ask?