Rejected Runt, Alpha King’s Luna

Chapter 8

Mira's POV

Hours had passed since our second chance mate stormed out of the dungeon. I think it had already been a day since we arrived on this land, and I just sat there thinking about how my life was in ruins. I couldn't even cry over how things had turned out. I hadn't been expecting a mate. I just wanted to escape the humiliation and constant fear I'd lived with in the Moonlit pack.

My stomach growled, reminding me that I hadn't eaten anything in about 2 days, not even a drop of water. On the bright side, I had no urge to relieve myself, so that's a win.

I laughed out loud, and the guards at the door looked back at me. Yeah, go ahead and look. My life is a melodrama. I couldn't shed a tear. I couldn't find it in me to cry. I just sat with my back against the wall, laughing like a maniac.

Juniper whimpered in pain in my head, and I couldn't even bring myself to comfort her. This is all my fault. If only she weren't stuck with me. We've been rejected twice. Twice. The Moon goddess must really be enjoying this.

"Are we really going to die like this? Are we really not worthy of love? Is this the kind of life we'll always have?" Juniper said quietly in my head. I almost didn't hear her.

"I don't know, Juni. I thought we were going to have a better life. I thought we'd finally be free once we left the Moonlit pack, but I guess we have to face another rejection from another mate," I laughed without humor and hung my head.

"But he hasn't rejected us. That has to be a good sign, right?"

Hearing her say that made me want to cry all over again. Juniper doesn't deserve any of this. We don't deserve any of this. All we wanted was to get away from the life we had in the Moonlit pack. Your mate is supposed to love and cherish you, but all we've ever gotten is rejection.

"I'm sorry, Juniper, but with our luck, it's only a matter of time before he rejects us and probably kills us. At least we won't be in pain anymore," I sighed, and I felt tears running down my cheeks. Just when I thought I'd run out of tears.

I heard footsteps approaching my cell and didn't even bother looking up to see who it was. It didn't smell like our mate, though. I heard the cell door unlock and still didn't move. If they were going to kill me, they could at least come and get me from where I sat. Besides, I was still in chains, so I couldn't move much even if I wanted to.

The man from earlier came closer, and I stiffened, praying to the Moon goddess that he wouldn't molest me before killing me. I ran away from that. I didn't want to be violated the same way here.

"Get up," the man said calmly, and I rose shakily and weakly. I could barely see what was in front of me. The adrenaline must have worn off.

He came closer and unchained me. He nudged me toward the cell door, and I obeyed. I didn't want extra punishment for disobeying him. He looked like a high-ranking wolf, and I didn't want to get on his bad side.

We moved down the dark passageway, and my body began to tremble uncontrollably. Tears ran down my cheeks without my permission, and I felt so miserable.

When we left the dungeon, I had to close my eyes for a moment to adjust to the sudden light. It hit me that I hadn't eaten in 2 days, and my hair probably looked like it had been through hell, which, honestly, it had. The clothes I was wearing looked fairly clean, and for that I was grateful.

At least I'm going to die in clean clothes, I laughed bitterly to myself.

The man was ahead of me now, and I trudged behind him. We walked toward a large building I could only assume was the pack house. Yaaaay, we're going to be killed in front of thousands of people.

"Juni, we tried our best to escape death, but maybe it's for the best, yeah? On the bright side, we get to see Mom and Dad now. We get to be happy and free of worry forever," I told Juniper with false cheer.

I couldn't even feel the tears on my cheeks anymore. My face was numb. I was so tired and ready to give up at any moment. Juniper had stopped answering me. I guess she was tired too. I'm sorry, Juniper.

We entered the pack house, and every activity seemed to stop. People stared as I followed the man who had brought me there, and I wished the floor would open up and swallow me. This was humiliating.

We headed toward the kitchen, and I was stunned. What are we doing here? Why am I here with him? What's going on? Why is everyone looking at me with pity? Pity? I didn't understand what was happening. My thoughts were trying to drown me until I saw the man's lips moving and forced myself back into the present.

"...and you'll be working with them," the man said. He hugged an elderly woman and left.

I'll be working with them? What's going on? Why am I working instead of dead? I was lost and confused.

The elderly woman walked up to me. She had warm brown eyes and brown hair with a few stray strands of grey. She was about 5'3"; I could tell because I was a little taller than her, and I'm about 5'5". She had a warm smile and a motherly air about her. Something about her made me want to curl up in her arms and cry.

"Hello, child. I'm Rosalind, the head of all the workers around here. Rowan said you'll be working with us starting today. What's your name, child?" she asked, smiling at me warmly in a way that reminded me of Agnes.

"Mira, ma'am," I answered, barely audible, partly because my voice was nearly gone and hoarse, and partly because I was shy.

"You can call me Rosalind, sweetheart. You look like you've been through a storm. Let's get you cleaned up and start from there, okay?" I nodded at her words and followed her to a room in the pack house.

"There's a bathroom in there, and there should be a change of clothes in the closet too. Get dressed and come back to the kitchen, child, so you can get something to eat," she said, and she closed the door after I nodded.

Oh my goddess, what is going on? I thought, staring at the door long after Rosalind had gone.