The Midnight Rogue’s Broken Mate

It’s Always My fault

[Celeste]

The bus hissed to a stop just outside the last stretch of town. I looked out the window, noting that I was the last person on the bus and the road ahead was empty as the streetlights stretched on. If I could guess, I'd say everyone was scared stiff after so many bodies turned up last night and no one was willing to step out tonight. My fingers clenched around the bottom of my damp shirt as I got up to leave.

The bus driver, a kind-faced woman with dark curls poking from under her cap, twisted in her seat, eyeing me with concern. "Are you sure this is where you want to get off, miss?" Her voice was warm, but I could hear the hesitation there though she forced a smile. "It's not safe out here at this hour. Hardly anyone goes past this part of town, especially after what happened last night."

I gave her a small smile, grateful that a stranger would bother with my wellbeing. "Don't worry. I'm just heading home. It's not far from here."

She hesitated, staring out the glass at the downpour, but after a moment, she nodded. "Alright, but please take care."

"I will," I said, stepping off the bus and into the cold rain.

The door groaned shut behind me, and the bus drove off, its taillights quickly swallowed by the storm. I was alone. Completely alone. But surprisingly, I wasn't scared.

The rain hammered against me, soaking me in seconds. I raised a hand to shield my eyes, though I knew it wouldn't help. It didn't stop the cold water from seeping into my clothes, didn't stop the wind from stinging my cheeks. My oversized slippers splashed through puddles, and my trousers quickly became drenched. My mind was fixed on one thing: the walk ahead of me. It would take hours to reach my destination on foot, and the rain wasn't about to let up.

I ran, leaving the bus stop behind, desperate to outrun the chill before Mr. Ryder noticed what was missing. By the time I reached a phonebox, I ducked under its modest shelter. It wasn't much—but at least it was shelter. My toes were freezing while I shivered uncontrollably, my teeth chattering as I hugged my arms.

I didn't want to fall into self-pity, wishing I was half the wolf my pack members were so I wouldn't feel so cold. This was one of those times when I wished to be held by someone—someone who loved me. I tried to distract myself. I hummed the soft melody of 'Snowman' by Sia slipping from my lips. It was a sad tune and made me teary.

I hated Mr. Ryder for taking my necklace even after hearing my story. It was a touching topic that even the pack who raised me never got to know. He simply had no right—that was why I'd taken his. It was a childish thing to do, but I hoped that once he noticed it was gone and came after me, I'd be in the care of the Silvermoon pack and he'd be forced to make a trade for his talisman.

My fingers found their way into one damp pocket, closing around the talisman. I pulled it out—God, it was hideous! Just like me.

A bitter smile tugged at my lips right before shoving it back into my pocket. Just as I was about to lift my gaze to the road ahead, a voice called out.

"Cici?"

My heart froze. That name. There was only one person who used it.

My eyes darted toward the source of the voice, and there he was. Alpha Rafael.

I blinked twice, wondering if the cold had gotten to me, but it was all real. The rain soaked him through, his brown hair plastered to his forehead, his clothes clinging to his lean, muscular frame.

My first instinct was to run to him. To reach out to my childhood friend and pour my heart out. Tell him how the others died, how I was abducted and what was taken from me. But then, his earlier words echoed in my mind.

'You're an eyesore. You don't belong in the pack. Just disappear.' He had said.

'Stop playing the damn victim! Did you truly expect me to reject my fated mate for a wastrel, a wolfless omega? A woman who can't even shift, who's practically human?'

'Leave the pack while you still have some pride. You're not one of us.'

The words replayed and I hugged my arms as if to shield myself from both the cold and him. He might have been my childhood friend in the past, but now, we were just strangers.

He stared as though he'd seen a ghost, taking slow steps closer without breaking our gaze.

I forced a casual tone, though it felt like my throat was closing up as I exited the phone booth. The rain had ended a few minutes ago and it was snowing now. "Back from your hunting trip already? I'm guessing it's because of what happened at the pack—the raiders, I mean." I tucked damp strands of hair behind my ear.

He didn't answer right away, but his expression hardened as he quickened his steps.

I shifted uncomfortably under his gaze. I was still damp and trembling when he paused two steps away from me.

"Look, if you're going to start with the insults, save it. I'll leave the pack sooner or later. Please don't force me to. I'm working on it, okay? I have nowhere else to go." I frowned.

His eyes glowed a bit and he lifted his chin to howl. I looked around quickly, my stomach tightening as three wolves stepped out of the shadows, their hulking bodies moving with slow, predatory intent. Their glowing eyes locked on me. One was a beta, and the other two were regular-sized wolves.

I took a step back, my heart pounding. "Rafael?" What was the meaning of this? Weren't they glad to see one of the pack's omegas still alive? Even if it was the weakest one...

He stepped closer, slapping across my cheek with so much force that the side of my head slammed against the phone box's exterior.

"Arghh!" I groaned, clutching the side of my skull that bled out. I could tell he'd held back unless I would be unconscious, but what did I do to deserve such treatment?

"Celeste Winter, you're under arrest for bringing raiders to s*******r the pack. Your punishment will be decided in the pack but I assure you, you will die for harming my children."

My heart slammed against my ribcage. My head was aching and it took a few seconds to form words. "What? That's insane! I had nothing to do with—"

Before I could finish, he gripped my throat and I struggled for air, clawing at his forearms. I could see the spite in his eyes. "You’ll burn for what you did..." He whispered.

He wanted to kill me without hearing my side of the story. It was a sad way to go and maybe I'd deserved it since I was responsible for leading those children to capture.

It was my fault. It was always my fault. They were dead because of me.

My hands dropped down as my vision blurred, my body failing me as I lost the will to fight. I didn't want to die, but struggling was futile with three other wolves waiting to rip me to shreds. But just then, I heard Rafael's voice mumble, "No. A quick death is too easy for you." With a snarl, he let go.

I slumped to the ground, gasping and choking as my lungs burned for air.

"Take her," Rafael ordered and the trio rushed towards me.