“The Wolf Who Couldn’t Shift”

1. The Outcast of Nightshade Pack

Lisa had always been the outcast of her own home — a wolf without a wolf.

In the Nightshade Pack, turning twenty-one meant power, dominance, and pride. Every werewolf her age had already shifted, embracing their animal half. But Lisa hadn’t. Her wolf had never emerged.

Because of that, she was treated as an anomaly, a failure, and a source of shame.
Her parents ignored her. The pack ridiculed her. Even her own blood — her beautiful, perfect sister Roxanne — made her life a living nightmare.

Roxanne was everything Lisa wasn’t: strong, admired, and loved. The perfect daughter. The shining jewel of the family. And to make matters worse, Roxanne was dating Kael Blackthorn, the Alpha’s son — a man everyone respected and desired.

For Lisa, that was the final reminder of her insignificance. Every time she saw them together, it only highlighted the chasm between their worlds.

2. A Celebration That Wasn’t Hers

That night was Roxanne’s birthday, and their mother had transformed their home into a grand venue — lights, laughter, and music filled the air. Roxanne had been gifted a stunning red gown, handpicked by their mother, while Lisa was given a single task: serve the guests.

No one remembered Lisa’s birthday a few months ago. No cake. No presents. No “happy birthday.” Her parents had said it plainly before — Roxanne came first.
Lisa was simply expected to sacrifice and stay silent.

Still, she wanted to look decent. She chose a modest navy-blue dress, applied light makeup, and promised herself she wouldn’t let the night break her.

But the universe — or rather, Roxanne — had other plans.

3. Sister Cruelty

The door burst open, and Roxanne walked in like a queen entering a servant’s quarters. Her crimson lips curved into a smirk.

“What are you doing? You should be downstairs, not wasting time,” she sneered.

“I’ll be down in a minute,” Lisa replied softly, trying to keep her calm.

Roxanne’s eyes glinted with malice. Without warning, she snatched Lisa’s face cream from the dresser and poured it all over her dress.

Lisa gasped as the thick cream soaked through the fabric, staining it completely.

“Roxanne!” she cried, panic and disbelief trembling in her voice. “Why would you do that?”

“Because you’re embarrassing,” Roxanne replied coldly. “You think dressing up will make people notice you? No one cares what you look like, Lisa. You’re nothing but a burden.”

Tears blurred Lisa’s vision as she ran downstairs, desperate for justice. But when she told their mother what had happened, she was met with scorn.

“Roxanne would never do that,” her mother said sharply. “Stop making excuses. Go change and get back to work.”

And there Roxanne stood beside her, smug and triumphant, watching Lisa break in silence.

4. The Invisible Sister

Lisa changed into an old, faded dress — dull and shapeless.
When she finally entered the main hall, guests were already laughing and drinking, the music echoing through the night.

She moved quietly among them, balancing trays and forcing smiles. She served drinks, ignored whispers, and endured Roxanne’s cruel jokes.

One of Roxanne’s friends gave Lisa a small, pitying smile.
“Oh, you must be Lisa, right? Roxanne’s sister?”

Before Lisa could answer, Roxanne appeared and laughed loudly.
“Don’t bother talking to her! She’s just the help tonight — our little maid.”

Her friends giggled, glancing at Lisa like she was a joke.
“She’s really your sister?” one asked. “She doesn’t even look like she belongs here.”

“She doesn’t,” Roxanne said proudly. “She’s an embarrassment to the family.”

The laughter burned like fire in Lisa’s ears. But she didn’t fight back.
She had learned long ago that silence hurt less than hope.

5. The Alpha’s Arrival

Suddenly, the noise died down. All eyes turned toward the entrance.

The Alpha, Luna, and their son Kael Blackthorn — Roxanne’s boyfriend — had arrived. Their presence demanded respect, their aura commanding silence.

Kael was striking — tall, dark-haired, eyes sharp and unreadable. Power radiated from him effortlessly.
He walked straight to Roxanne, pulling her into his arms, kissing her in front of everyone.

The crowd cheered. Roxanne basked in the attention like it was her birthright.

Lisa’s stomach twisted. Not out of jealousy — but from the ache of being so invisible even to those who shared her blood.

“Lisa!” Roxanne called, her tone dripping with authority. “Bring drinks for me and Kael.”

Lisa obeyed. She returned with a tray of crystal glasses, keeping her head down. But when she approached, she felt his gaze.

Kael was watching her.

“Is that your sister?” he asked, his voice low and deep. “What’s her name? I don’t think I’ve seen her before.”

Roxanne laughed, tightening her arm around him.
“Oh, don’t bother. She’s not important. Just the family failure. Focus on me.”

Then she kissed him again — possessive, showy, territorial.

6. The Breaking Point

Something inside Lisa snapped.

For years, she had swallowed humiliation, endured cruelty, and told herself it didn’t matter. But as she stood there, watching her sister claim everything — their parents’ love, the pack’s respect, even Kael’s attention — something deep within her stirred.

Maybe it was anger. Maybe it was pain. Maybe it was the first stirrings of the wolf she thought she’d never have.

But it was there — hot, alive, awake.

She placed the tray down calmly, ignoring Roxanne’s voice calling after her.
She walked away — past the laughter, past the whispers, past every face that had ever looked at her with pity.

They could laugh. They could mock.
But one day, they would see.

7. A Shift Waiting to Happen

As the night went on, Lisa slipped quietly outside. The cool air hit her face, carrying the scent of pine and moonlight.

The party’s laughter echoed behind her, but she barely heard it. Her heart pounded with a strange rhythm, her blood burning beneath her skin.

Something was happening — a pull in her soul, a whisper in her bones.

She tilted her head toward the moon, feeling its glow on her skin.
For the first time in her life, she didn’t feel weak. She felt something ancient stirring inside her, clawing to be free.

Maybe her wolf wasn’t gone.
Maybe it had just been waiting — for the moment Lisa stopped begging to be seen, and started seeing herself.

8. The Beginning of Change

Inside, the celebration continued. Roxanne laughed, oblivious to the storm brewing.

Kael’s eyes flicked toward the window where Lisa stood in the moonlight. For a brief second, something unreadable crossed his expression — curiosity, or maybe recognition.

He didn’t know it yet. None of them did.
But the quiet, invisible girl they had mocked all her life was about to become something far greater than any of them could imagine.

Because sometimes, the wolves who are late to shift…
Are the ones destined to lead the pack.