CHAPTERTHREE
1376 Words
The Beginning of Hatred
The rain started just before sunset.
Heavy drops crashed against the rooftops of the Crescent Moon Pack like the sky itself was angry. Cold wind swept through the village paths, bending trees and rattling windows, but Audrey barely noticed any of it as she sat silently beside the small fireplace inside her cabin.
The flames flickered weakly.
Much like her.
She had not left the cabin since her encounter with Nathan earlier that morning. Every time she closed her eyes, she heard his voice again.
It was necessary.
Necessary.
As if humiliating her in front of everyone had been some kind of duty.
Audrey pulled the blanket tighter around herself, staring blankly into the fire.
Her chest still hurt.
Not physically anymore.
The rejection pain had faded slightly, but the emotional wound felt deeper than ever. She could still feel the empty space where the mate bond once existed. It was strange — like mourning someone who was still alive.
A soft whimper echoed inside her mind.
Her wolf.
Audrey immediately straightened.
“You’re awake,” she whispered softly.
For two days, her wolf had been almost completely silent after the rejection. The sudden feeling of emotion in the bond nearly made Audrey cry from relief.
But her wolf wasn’t calm.
She was hurting.
Angry.
Ashamed.
“They rejected us,” her wolf whispered weakly inside her mind.
Audrey closed her eyes painfully.
“I know.”
“Why weren’t we enough?”
The question shattered her.
Audrey swallowed hard, trying to ignore the tears forming again.
“I don’t know.”
Her wolf went silent for a moment before speaking again.
“I hate him.”
Those words startled Audrey.
Because part of her agreed.
And that terrified her.
Before Audrey could respond, another knock sounded at the door.
She quickly wiped her face. “Come in.”
Becka stepped inside carrying another bag of food and a dry towel over her shoulder.
“You seriously need to start locking your door,” Becka said while shaking rainwater from her coat.
Audrey managed a small smile. “No one comes here anyway.”
Becka’s expression darkened slightly at that.
She walked over and placed the food on the table.
“I brought soup.”
“You keep feeding me like I’m dying.”
“Well, you’ve been acting like a depressed ghost for two days.”
Audrey let out a quiet laugh despite herself.
Becka sat beside her near the fireplace.
For a few moments, neither of them spoke.
Then Becka finally sighed heavily.
“The entire pack is talking about you.”
Audrey’s small smile disappeared instantly.
“Great.”
“Most of them are idiots.”
“That doesn’t change the fact that they’re laughing at me.”
Becka hesitated.
“That’s not the only reason they’re talking.”
Audrey frowned slightly. “What do you mean?”
Becka looked uncomfortable now.
“There are rumors.”
Audrey felt her stomach tighten immediately.
“What rumors?”
“That Nathan’s father is already searching for another potential mate for him.”
Silence filled the room.
Audrey stared at her.
Then she laughed.
Not because it was funny.
Because it hurt too much.
“Of course he is,” she whispered bitterly.
The Luna of the Crescent Moon Pack had died years ago, and Alpha Victor Blackwood had always been obsessed with power and reputation. Nathan rejecting Audrey publicly was already embarrassing enough for their family.
Finding a “better” mate would repair the damage quickly.
Someone stronger.
Prettier.
Important.
Someone worthy of standing beside an Alpha.
Becka immediately regretted mentioning it.
“Audrey…”
“It’s fine.”
“No, it’s not.”
Audrey stood suddenly and walked toward the window.
Rainwater slid down the glass as darkness covered the village outside.
“I spent years thinking something was wrong with me,” Audrey admitted quietly.
Becka stayed silent.
“I watched girls in the pack flirt with Nathan constantly. Everyone loved him. Everyone respected him.” Audrey laughed bitterly again. “And I kept wondering why I could never even get him to notice I existed.”
Her voice grew quieter.
“Now I know.”
Becka’s face softened painfully.
“Audrey, listen to me carefully. Nathan rejecting you does not define your worth.”
“But it defines how everyone sees me.”
Audrey turned toward her slowly.
“Do you know what hurts most?”
Becka shook her head gently.
“He looked ashamed of me.”
The words came out barely above a whisper.
“And I’ve never hated myself more than I did in that moment.”
Becka immediately stood and walked toward her.
“You need to stop blaming yourself for his cruelty.”
“But maybe he’s right.”
“No.”
“I’m weak.”
“You survived losing your parents.”
Audrey looked down.
“You survived growing up alone while this pack treated you like an outsider,” Becka continued firmly. “And you survived that rejection without begging him to stay.”
Tears filled Audrey’s eyes again.
“That’s not weakness.”
Before Audrey could answer, loud voices suddenly echoed outside the cabin.
Male voices.
Laughing.
Drunk.
Audrey froze immediately.
Becka frowned.
The voices got closer.
Then Audrey heard her name.
“Maybe if Audrey cried harder, Nathan would take her back!”
The men outside burst into laughter.
Audrey’s face instantly burned with humiliation.
Becka looked furious.
“Oh, I’m going to kill them.”
Before Audrey could stop her, Becka stormed toward the door and yanked it open.
Three young pack warriors stood outside holding bottles in their hands.
Drunk.
Cruel.
And stupid.
The moment they saw Becka, their laughter faded slightly.
“What exactly is so funny?” Becka demanded coldly.
One of the boys smirked.
“We were just wondering how rejected mates survive heartbreak.”
Another laughed.
“Maybe she should leave the pack. It’s embarrassing at this point.”
Audrey felt like she couldn’t breathe.
Becka stepped forward threateningly.
“Say one more word.”
The tallest warrior scoffed. “Relax. We’re only joking.”
“No,” Becka snapped. “You’re bullying someone because your future Alpha told you she wasn’t worthy of respect.”
The warriors exchanged awkward glances.
But then one of them muttered carelessly—
“Well… Nathan wasn’t exactly wrong.”
Something inside Audrey broke.
Completely.
Before Becka could react, Audrey suddenly pushed past her and stepped outside into the rain.
The warriors looked surprised.
Audrey’s entire body trembled.
Not from fear.
From rage.
“You think I’m weak?” she asked quietly.
The boys looked uncertain now.
Audrey stared directly at them, rain soaking her hair and clothes.
“I have done nothing to any of you.”
No one answered.
“But because your Alpha rejected me, suddenly you think I deserve humiliation?”
One of the boys looked away guiltily.
Audrey laughed bitterly.
“You’re all cowards.”
The tallest warrior frowned. “Watch your mouth.”
“No,” Audrey snapped sharply. “You watch yours.”
The sudden fire in her voice shocked even Becka.
Audrey took another step forward.
“You worship strength so much that you treat people like trash the moment they seem weak.” Her eyes burned with tears and fury. “But one day, all of you are going to realize how cruel you truly are.”
Silence filled the air.
Even the rain seemed quieter.
For the first time in her life, Audrey stopped shrinking herself to make others comfortable.
And somehow…
That scared them more than her tears ever did.
The warriors finally left without another word.
Becka slowly turned toward Audrey in shock.
Audrey stood frozen in the rain, breathing heavily.
Then suddenly—
A powerful sharp pain exploded through her chest.
Audrey gasped.
Her knees nearly gave out beneath her.
“Audrey!” Becka grabbed her quickly.
But Audrey barely heard her.
Because for one terrifying second…
Her wolf’s eyes flashed glowing silver inside her mind.
Not normal silver.
Bright.
Dangerous.
Ancient.
And then a strange unfamiliar voice whispered softly in her head—
“They will all regret breaking you.”
- Writer
