The Outcast

The Camp

The unbreakable vow between Claire,  William, and Bill eight years ago seemed to have no effect today. The only power it has is keeping Mona in the Black Moon Pack alive, yet miserable. 

Mona's life was miserable ever since her mother died.  Her father cannot stand her presence;  he's cold and distant, and to him she's invisible. He doesn't hit her, but his indifference is much more painful. As if she were never his child. The adults are all hesitant to even look at her,  and the children exclude her from their games.  She's not part of any circle.  She has no social life. Good thing she had Josephine, her nanny, whom she treated as her own mother. She fondly calls her Nan. She is the only person who took care and loved her even if she was treated badly by others,  loved her even if her own father could not. Believed in her even if she doubted herself. 

Josephine has been the housekeeper of the Mayfield home ever since Bill himself was just a kid.  She took care of him herself, and now his daughter.  She served the Mayfields all her life, and Bill respected her like his own mother. At 70, she is still as strong and sharp as she was seventeen. 

"Nan,  look!  Daddy signed it!" Mona said brightly at her, the paper in her hand.  

"That's great, honey.  I know you'll have a great time there," she hugged the girl.  For her age,  she is rather small and skinny; her platinum blond hair,  almost silver, with streaks of brown strands, falls beautifully down her waist.  She loves this girl as if she's her own granddaughter and taught her everything she needs to know in the pack. Above all, she's sweet, gentle, and loving. She just can't believe how her own pack has made her into a laughingstock just because she looks different.  She partly blames the Luna for Mona's situation; it was her doing, feeding nonsense "curse-branding" to the little girl. That's why she makes it a point to be always near her, to protect her from those silly children and judgmental adults. 

She hates the thought of sending her away to the camp, but her father couldn't care less.  The other pups treat her badly, and it hurts her to see wounds after her ventures outside.  Mona, on the other hand, just ignores all of it.  She loves the outdoors.  She has a fascination with plants and flowers, and painting.  No wonder it has become one of her hobbies.  

"This is not the life that you deserve, sweetheart. You should be happy playing outdoors with friends... " her mind speaks sadly as she carefully braids Mona's shiny hair. 

"I can't wait to see the majestic falls!  Just so you wait, Gran, I'll draw a splendid picture of it for you!!!" Mona said, even brighter, looking up at her with eyes twinkling with delight. 

"Of course, I am looking forward to seeing it!" she said enthusiastically. 

Aside from her platinum blond hair that is unusual in their pack, it was her eyes that had become the object of ridicule. They believed that her mismatched eyes were a curse and may bring bad luck to anyone who sees them and eventually, to the pack where she belongs. But for Josephine,  it was the eyes of the goddess herself.  She sees purity and warmth in her eyes.  The right eye was blue, like the ocean, as if holding depth and mystery, and the left was a beautiful amber, holding beauty and charm. Josephine called them the goddess's eye, and is perfect for Mona. 

"I'll start packing!" Mona swiftly ran upstairs to her room. She's one ball of energy indeed. She just shook her head and started to prepare dinner. 

******

" I told you before, William, but you did not believe me!" Miranda was yelling in front of the Alpha.  He just shook his head in disbelief that his Luna is again nagging at him this early.

"Five of our finest men died of this rouge attacks! I told you!  One misfortune followed by another.   This happens because of that cursed girl! Because you were stupid not to believe in me!!!" she shouted angrily.