Bittersweet Rejection

ALYSSA     I ran. I did not even dare look back. I blocked anyone from my pack. There was no use communication with them freedom is within an arm’s length grasp. It is what I’ve always longed for. Even my twin kept pushing her way on to my mind. But, I know they were after my trail. I can hear their strong heavy hurried steps on the ground. I just wish I could run faster until I reached the border of our pack. By then, I can be out of this pathetic excuse of family. I know werewolves respect territories. Crossing our border premises promises what I longed for so many years. Freedom My wolf had been all hurt as I tried to console her broken heart. Both of us are broken, it’s just that I need to keep strong for us stay standing. I was barefooted when I ran, and my torn, thin dress was ragged after some female bullies tried to corner me for their filthy sense of fun Today was supposedly my happiest day, as well. It is actually my twin and I’s birthday. I had reached my eighteenth birthday barely alive from my pathetic, broken fate. I was supposed to found my mate and be so in love with him. It would have been the point in my life where I could bear all pain knowing someone special is on my side. A love I dreamt for so long and prayed hard for. Instead, I faced the worst joke of my life and the glass shattered along with all those prayers and dreams. Nothing can replace the gnawing hurt in my chest; it is almost like a physical pain. Tears rolled off my eyes as I recalled what happened earlier, blurring my vision in the night, a burden in my escape. I beg to my wolf to help me control my emotions if we both want this freedom. But she had me blocked, she was beyond hurt and depressed over the realization that I can’t even make something to ease her feelings. I sobbed hard. The Alpha King of my pack Olive Forest, Derek Devon was my mate. He rejected me right before I can process what was happening. He thought that having me as his Luna Queen will break and weaken his pack, which currently holds the title of being the strongest and biggest pack of the continent. He knew I am his mate since he reached his eighteen years old and that was four years ago. He wasn’t an active bully until suddenly, that four year ago, he started bullying me to no end. With his hands, he made me cry and lie beaten close to death. I’m not going to beg him to take me, not after those torments of hell he put me through. And I’m not going back there. I don’t care if I become a rogue. I’d rather be one than be their slave. Their mad run was alarmingly close, making her grow cold with dread. She can pick up almost ten full bloodied, pack warriors hot on her trail. One of them was the Alpha King. The animalistic I stumbled over some large root and fell hard  on my face. Not good. At this rate, they’ll be able to catch me. I need to concentrate on getting away, a little more and I’ll be off this land. ‘Just a little more, Alyssa.’ Her little sweet voice came as my encouragement despite my impending fate. My wolf didn’t abandon me after all.  She was right there inside me. ‘I’m always by your side.’ “Alyssa!”, a voice thundered across the expanse of the eerily quiet forest, making me almost trip on another gigantic rooton my way. The authority and anger was evident, making me cringe in fright. I am frantic; my heart is beating louder than it already was. No, I don’t want to return. Not like this. I may be an omega but I no longer want to subject myself to further pain.He can exercise that back to his pack, not to me. I am a rogue now, I decided. I fully decided to leave the life in his kingdom and be a nomad. I’d rather die, facing the other vicious rogues than being a personal punching bag of his—a mate he was destined to be with. His voice didn’t stop me from running, instead I speed up. For a human, my speed was quite fast but in the werewolf realm, this is just average. Though my plight is nil, I would like give my best. With the Alpha, his beta and some of the pack warriors on my trail, my speed is weak and slow. But I can’t just give up. I can all see them a hundred of meters or so from me; all in their wolf form, huge and dark carrying their menacing auras. I know any minute now, they will be able to catch me. Just a little more and I’ll be out the territory. Just a little more. They do not want me, what can they want from me. Why don’t they just let me go? The fast beating of my heart and fear enveloped me more when I noticed something on the border. My speed faltered at the sight. There stood huge set of wolves, seems like rogues. My breath caught in my throat when I realized they were no rogues. They were royal guards, stationed almost waiting for something. Almost like they’re waiting for me. They were all deep black wolves with unmistakable intention of killing me if I cross the border. I need to stop and focus another route of escape. Despite their size,I can possibly dodge them. Derek and his team of wolves stopped a few meters from the border while I just stood frozen, unable to comprehend anything from seeing the wolves on each of my way. They shifted into their human forms, standing in a formidable stance and great physical built basking in their nude glory. In another circumstance, I might have looked away ashamed and blushing but not now.With them, surrounding me I can’t make my escape successful. The color and warmth from my face drained. And I knew I looked eerily pale for a werewolf. I breathe hard, my insides churning with dread. They only stood looking at me without much sound and I truly fear their strength. “Don’t let her cross, Mark!”, Derek’s voice thundered across, his voice was hard and painfully angry I could almost feel the chill and hurt from where I stand. But, I refrained to look back and see his handsome face. I sawMark let a small laugh and stared at my pitiful form, his deep penetrating gaze stopping short at my eyes before it wandered on my body. I shuddered, suddenly feeling self-conscious. The only thing I had on was filthy excuse of a dress: a short, torn and clung to my skin due to sweat. I had to cross my arms on my chest and looked down. And a loud angry growl came. ‘And you f*****g dare seduce my men!’ Another voice came into my mind, pushing past the wall I’ve made to block any sort of communication, threatening me to core. Mark let a small laugh. “Is this the new age of treating your mate, Derek?”, Mark said, his voice was gentle yet careful. His eye slightly waved to the men behind me, presumably on Derek before returning to me. I swallowed hard. He was Mark Cross, a Lord Alpha governing Silver Limestone, He and the rest of his pack knew me.  After all, he was Derek’s greatest ally and a friend. I used to serve them meals or snacks when they come over to train or visit. “Shut the f**k up! I am your Alpha King and address my accordingly!”, Derek growled. Mark put his hands up in surrender and his smile directed to me. I prayed he would, even for the slighted, forget his vow to his King and hear my unvoiced pleas. My hands felt cold and damp from sweat. I held both my hands on my heart, a gesture to help stop it shaking. I can’t let them see my tears, and know their making me lose my resolve on each passing minute. “What did you do this time?”, he asked me with a low voice like he was taming a wild cat in the wilderness. But, my case is different and more difficult. I only ask for a free and painless life. I am not at everyone’s whim. “Because dear, even if I want to save and have you all for myself, I can’t have the treaty of our packs jeopardize. And once you stepped outside the territory, we’ll kill you.” He added softly. I gasped; his sweet face looked almost incapable of killing someone. A part of me hopedfor him. Yet, I am just a nobody; no one cares for my sorry life. That is why I battle a daily life inside the torture castle of my mate.  The threat is unmistakable. My life is at risk. However, both choices had my life always at risk. A single tear escaped my eye and I saw how the men in front of me were affected on sight. I must have looked pathetic and lifeless to them. There was no use crying about it. They aren’t my tears to begin with. My shoulders dropped, defeated as I stared on my bare, muddied feet, both covered with bruises from running. Today was supposed to be my only chance to escape. Everyone is celebrating Isabella’s 18th birthday and her being the mate of the Beta, Justin Matthews. Funny how everyone remembers hers while forgetting mine. It was my birthday as well. But I’m an Omega and my existence is unimportant. Isabella Carlton. She is my younger twin. She’s everything I failed to be; beautiful, smart, athletic and easygoing. I love her so much I can’t fault her for having such amazing qualities. My dear twin stood by my side. She secretly makes time for me on a daily basis. Today, she sent a small circle-shaped homemade chocolate cake with cute letterings of happy birthday. I cried eating it alone in my room, a stockroom away from the houses of the pack members. Only the candle served as my light to see through the darkness. She had thrown a party and invited me as her special guest. I declined, of course. Tonight is my escape night. I had it planned for almost a year. Thinking everyone is busy partying, I have done my chores earlier than normal and I sneaked back to my room and took whatever I needed. It was then some common bitches cornered me on my way. They did what they usually did and I let them, thinking it’ll be the last. Now, the light of having that freedom is getting dim. ‘Alyssa, please come back! Please, don’t do this!’. I heard my twin through mind link. Her voice filled with worry and sadness. I can almost picture her face drenched in tears. “Why are you all selfish?”, I swallowed hard and spoke. “I just wanted to live and be happy. Be free.” “Don’t speak to us like that, Omega. We will punish you more than it is already.”, Justin, Derek’s Beta said, his voice came too strong. I grew insensitive towards it. Wetting my lips, I need to face back and see his face and let him see the seriousness I have to break free from his hold and end this pain for the last time. “Have you not punished me enough?”, I turned to them, my eyes settled on his face. The mere sight of him makes my stupid heart’s pace increased. I clenched my fist and bitterly spat him my words. ‘I am done with your ways, Derek.’ I gathered by strength, focusing them on my legs and with one last attempt; I speed off past the border, taking the men by surprise they are almost too shocked to move. I don’t care. Killed or not, I don’t care. It was a blind run with a death wish. I could hear their muffled voices of arguing before a command was made and the chase set another notch.  I knew before it came that he will be able to catch me. I felt my body in the air and by force flew to the next tree. Numbness runs through my body, and up until I was next to the smashed tree, the sudden sensation of pain from the impact surfaced through. Coughing some blood and seeing through the hazy vision, I know who hit me. No one have that kind of strength. Derek. His figure came walking towards mine. Mark managed to stop him shortly. Some of the guards stood behind him, afraid to interfere and be the next object of his anger. He was intent on having me back and be his packs’ slave again. I clutched my abdomen; the pain was too intense I can’t make out a cry. I rested my back in the broken tree, having it as my support to help me stand and faced his approaching figure. Only his blazing green-blue eyes were all I could see. Like a fool, I dashed again only to be caught by my wrist. His tight grip caused the bones to break as I screamed in an agonizingly. “Let go!”, I hysterically cried on him, pushing his body with my free hand. His grip tightened impossibly as I let a voiceless scream of pain. “Y-you monster…” He remained silent, staring down on my little pathetic self. “W-Why?” I couldn’t help but cried bitterly up to his beautiful, impassive face. “Why can’t you just let me be free?” My consciousness drifted into a blur and I was being lifted and like a sack, my face facing his broad back. The sudden contact of our skin made unwelcoming tingles. Both he and his wolf didn’t care. Words were exchanged but I failed to understand it. All words were uttered like a foreign language. But I never cared. After this, I’m back to being the slave, the Omega. Escape will be much more impossible, and sadly, I can think of anything at the moment. Everything was blank. I didn’t know we reached the pack mansion. Not until he put me on the single chair, on a small room with a single bulb just above my head. I didn’t spare him a glance; I just steadied my eyes on the floor. I know he was there on the opposite side, leaning on the wall as his eyes remained on my scarred form. He walked to me; his steps were sure and soundless. And his hand touched my chin, lifting to have our eyes meet. Being touched by your mate is heaven. The tingles it sent made you whole and warm. But nothing in this touch made me feel these. I felt dull and cold. The depression my wolf felt is enveloping me, taking me whole. And if I succumb fully, I know death comes next. “Why didn’t you just end me?”, I was surprised to hear my voice void of emotions. But all he did was stare with his dark green unfathomable eyes. “You hated me. I see no reason to keep me alive. I am a burden to your pack.” His silence was getting into me. “Though I didn’t do anything to you or anyone, I receive punishment. You were eager to exercise them on me. And as your Omega, I don’t have a say to it. “ “Watch your mouth.”, his tone was vicious as his eyes reflected anger. Anger Why is he angry with me? Why don’t I provoke him until he decides to kill me? Why don’t you try? You’re already sick with living like this you’re letting me do as I please. ‘We can still achieve freedom….by this.’ A rueful smile I can muster graced my face and confusion passed on his face before becoming expressionless once again. I shook my head to let his hand off my chin. An idea popped in my head, I smiled wider as my gaze never left his eyes. “You rejected me and I accepted it.”, I began. “But my world doesn’t rotate on you, Alpha. I am meeting someone who loves me unconditionally.”, and I lied. His eyes, blazed. Anger and an emotion I can’t quite name reflected on them. He pulled me, harshly by both arms to him as his face dangerously close to mine. I glared back. “No one disrespects me. Not even you, Omega.”, he said, stressing each word, “And whoever that asshole is, I know you are bound to be rejected by him again.” I raised a brow at him, challenging him despite my disadvantage. “I don’t care.”, my voice was surprisingly soft and low. “Then, I’d better enjoy his company before it lasts.” “w***e!”, he said, enraged as he pushed me on the wall painfully. I whimpered. He didn’t just end there, he pulled me by jaw, clenching and digging his fingers on my face and pushing me again on the chair. “So I heard.”, I whispered despite my hisses of pain. He stormed out of the small room as he closed it with a lock. I am then again a prisoner. When will he stop? Why does he bear so much hate on me? When I was sure he is not coming back any minute, I let my tears escape and scooted farther on the side. Again, I’m alone. No one will save me. Not even my mate will change his mind and save me. With all the bruises and pain I received that day, I felt myself drifting into a long deep sleep.