Chapter 1 — The Unexpected Scholarship

Selina Weitzel

The letter was waiting for me when I got home, tucked under the door like a secret whispered into the night. I didn't expect much—it was probably just another reminder from the local pack about the next full moon gathering. But as I unfolded the thick, creamy paper, my heart did a little flip. The Werewolf Committee. The name alone sent a shiver down my spine.

"Selina Weitzel," the letter began, my name written in elegant script that seemed to dance across the page. "You have been selected for the prestigious Elemental Scholarship. Please report to the Grand Hall of the Committee at your earliest convenience."

I stared at the words, my mind racing. The Elemental Scholarship? Me? It had to be a mistake. This scholarship was legendary, awarded only once in a generation to those with unique elemental powers, destined to shape the future of the werewolf community. I was just Selina, the girl from the small, close-knit werewolf community where everyone knew everyone's business. I didn't have the pedigree or the power that the Committee usually looked for. Yet, there it was, my name in black and white, calling me to a world I could barely imagine.

I must have read the letter a dozen times, each time hoping to find some clue that it was meant for someone else. But no, it was unmistakably mine. The seal at the bottom, a crescent moon embossed in silver, was the Committee's mark. There was no mistaking it.

As I sat there, the reality of it all started to sink in. I'd have to leave everything I knew behind—the familiar faces, the comforting routine of my life. A wave of nostalgia washed over me as I thought of my family, the laughter at our dinner table, and the warmth of our small home. Yet, a tiny voice inside me whispered, "What if?"

What if this was my chance to find out who I really was? To understand the strange feelings I'd always had, the sense that I was meant for something more? The letter felt like a lifeline, pulling me towards a destiny I'd never dared to dream of. A memory flashed in my mind—my grandmother, her eyes twinkling with pride as she handed me her moonstone necklace, telling me it was a symbol of our family's connection to the moon. "You are destined for greatness, Selina," she had said. Maybe this scholarship was the key to unlocking that destiny.

I couldn't leave without saying goodbye. I stepped outside, the moonflowers along our garden path glowing faintly in the twilight, a reminder of the supernatural forces at play. My community gathered around me, their faces a mix of pride and concern. Old Mrs. Jenkins hugged me tightly, her eyes misty. "You'll do wonderful things, Selina," she whispered. My best friend, Lily, gave me a playful nudge. "Don't forget us when you're ruling the werewolf world," she teased, her smile not quite reaching her eyes.

With a deep breath, I decided. I'd go. I'd step into the unknown and see where it led me. The next morning, I packed a bag with the essentials: a few changes of clothes, my favorite book, and the necklace my grandmother had given me, a simple moonstone pendant that seemed to glow softly in the morning light. I paused, running my fingers over the smooth stone, feeling its warmth against my skin. It was more than just a piece of jewelry; it was a piece of my heritage, a reminder of where I came from and the potential that lay within me.

Before leaving, I found my parents in the kitchen. "I got the Elemental Scholarship," I said, my voice trembling with excitement and fear. My mom hugged me tightly, her eyes misty with pride and worry. "We'll miss you, but we know you'll do great things," she said. My dad, always the stoic one, gave me a firm nod. "Make us proud, Selina. Remember, you're not just representing yourself, but our whole pack."

The journey to the Committee's headquarters was a blur of nerves and excitement. I'd never been away from home for more than a weekend, and now I was headed to the heart of the werewolf world. As the bus wound its way through the dense forests and rugged mountains, the moonflowers along the roadside bloomed, their petals glowing faintly in the daylight, a testament to the supernatural forces at play in this world. The lunar cycle seemed to influence everything around me, the moonlight filtering through the trees and intensifying my sense of anticipation and fear.

Finally, the Grand Hall loomed into view, its towering columns and intricate carvings a testament to the power and tradition of the Committee. The air was thick with the scent of aged wood and moonlight-infused flora, and I could feel the lunar energy pulsing through me, stronger than ever before. As I stepped off the bus, my heart pounded in my chest, and my hands trembled slightly. The ethereal glow of the moonlight shifted with the lunar cycle, casting different hues across the polished marble floors.

I made my way to the entrance, where a stern-looking guard eyed me suspiciously. "State your name and purpose for entering the Grand Hall," he said, his voice echoing the formal atmosphere of the Committee.

"Selina Weitzel," I replied, my voice steadier than I felt. "I'm here for the Elemental Scholarship."

The guard's eyes narrowed, but he nodded and stepped aside, gesturing for me to enter. As I crossed the threshold, the grandeur of the hall hit me like a wave. The polished marble floors reflected the ethereal glow of the moonlight that filtered through the high windows, casting shadows that danced across the walls like living art. The air was filled with the subtle aroma of nightflowers, and I felt as if I were walking into a dream.

I felt out of place, a stranger in a world of elegance and tradition. My casual clothes seemed to scream my outsider status, yet there was a hint of anticipation within me, a flicker of excitement about what might come. As I walked further into the hall, something caught my eye—a small, intricately carved pendant hanging from a display case. It was a moonstone, just like my grandmother's necklace, and it seemed to pulse with a life of its own. As I approached, its glow intensified, as if responding to my presence.

I reached out, drawn to it like a moth to a flame, and as my fingers brushed against the cool stone, it flared with a soft light. It was then that I realized—it was the Elemental Amulet, the very symbol of the scholarship I'd been awarded. It felt like a sign, a confirmation that I was exactly where I was meant to be. A whisper of an ancient prophecy echoed in my mind, something about a chosen one with the power to change the course of the werewolf world. Could it be me?

But even as the amulet's glow filled me with a sense of purpose, I couldn't shake the feeling of being an impostor. I was just Selina, the girl from the small town, standing in the shadow of the Committee's grandeur. What could I possibly offer to a world like this? Yet, as I gazed at the amulet, a flicker of determination ignited within me. I might be an outsider, but I was here for a reason. Maybe, just maybe, I could find my place in this world and harness the power that lay dormant within me.

As I stood there, lost in my thoughts, a voice broke through my reverie. "You must be Selina," it said, warm and welcoming. I turned to see a girl with curly blonde hair and bright, expressive eyes smiling at me. "I'm Nora. I'm here to help you get settled. Don't worry, we'll have you feeling at home in no time. And hey, if you can handle the Elemental Amulet, you can handle anything the Committee throws at you!"

Her presence was like a lifeline, and I felt a surge of gratitude. Maybe, just maybe, I wasn't as alone as I thought. With Nora by my side, I took a deep breath and stepped further into the world of the Werewolf Committee, ready to face whatever came next. I hoped to find answers about my powers and my place in this world, to discover the destiny that the Elemental Scholarship promised. And as I walked, the moonlight seemed to guide me, whispering promises of adventure and change.