The Ugly Luna

Chapter 7

Chapter 7

THALIA

"Looks like we're in trouble, Thalia. Alpha Aldric will surely be furious with us," Athena said to me while I sat in a corner, knees folded and chin resting on them.

I'm sure Alpha Aldric will be even more furious with me.

"You're the stubborn one. I told you not to cross the fence, but you insisted!" I blamed her.

"Of course, I wanted to help the one asking for help. If we didn't come, the rogues would have devoured that woman. Admit it, you wanted to help her too. We're definitely in for a scolding from Alpha Aldric," Athena reasoned, wandering around in my mind.

I rolled my eyes.

"I'll be the one getting in trouble, not you. It's good that he can't see you," I told her then pouted.

"Even if he can't see me, I can feel the emotions of his wolf; my mate," Athena argued.

I just shrugged at her but decided to ignore her. I can't win with her.

Moments later, a pack warrior arrived, opening my cell and taking me outside.

I was overjoyed to see Elder Imre. He was standing with his back turned, hands behind him. He faced me when he sensed my presence. I bowed my head shyly, unable to look directly at him since I had just broken their rules.

"Elder Imre, I apologize for my mistake," I immediately apologized, bowing my head. I couldn't look into his eyes.

"No problem, Thalia. Look into my eyes," he instructed. I slowly looked up at him, and I didn't see any anger in his eyes.

"What you did was brave and showed concern for others. You just wanted to help someone in need. However, I don't want you to get hurt, so don't do it again. Don't cross the boundary of the Blood Rose Pack, so you won't get harmed."

I nodded at Elder Imre's words.

"I will comply and won't do it again," I said to him while my fingers crossed behind my back because I knew I would do it again in a heartbeat.

He nodded and signaled to the Gamma of the Blood Rose Pack.

"Guard the boundary well and ensure no rogues enter the pack and palace," Elder Imre ordered Gamma Niel.

"It will be done, Elder Imre," Gamma Niel replied.

I was curious about Elder Imre's instructions to Gamma Niel. Then Athena suddenly interrupted my thoughts again.

"I know! There's a palace somewhere near the Blood Rose Pack, and it's probably close to the boundary," Athena excitedly informed me.

"Be quiet, Athena, okay?" I scolded her.

"Hmmph!" she responded indifferently.

When Gamma Niel left, Elder Imre turned to me, smiled warmly, and patted my shoulder.

"Prepare yourself, because the ritual to make you an official member of the Blood Rose Pack will be tonight," he reminded me.

I just nodded at him. Some pack members looked at me while Elder Imre and I talked, seemingly curious about who I was since they'd never seen me before. I saw disgust in their eyes, but I ignored them, used to being judged by others.

When Elder Imre left, Alpha Aldric arrived. I thought I would be spared from his piercing gaze, but I felt like he was looking right through me. Athena's blood suddenly came alive when she saw Alpha Aldric.

"Why is Alpha Aldric so handsome? It's like the Moon Goddess rained down handsomeness, and he caught it all. His wolf must be handsome too," Athena said, giggling.

"Stop it, Athena. Alpha Aldric is already looking at us disapprovingly, and you're still swooning over him!" I scolded her.

"What have you done?" Alpha Aldric snapped at me, grabbing my arm.

"Ow, you're hurting me!" I protested. His face was handsome, but his temperament was ugly.

"I don't care if you're in pain. If you want to put the Blood Rose Pack in danger, you might as well leave. Go join the rogues, since you seem to fit in with them!" he said firmly.

I felt like I'd been stabbed in the heart by his rejection. I thought he would defend me and thank me for helping his pack member, but it was the opposite.

The others were watching us, whispering among themselves.

"She's so ugly, that's why Alpha doesn't want to accept her as a pack member," one female wolf whispered to her companion.

I held back tears, not wanting Alpha Aldric to see me weak.

"I'm your mate, so you should be protecting me. But you're the one hurting me. If I leave this pack, do you think your wolf can handle the sadness?" I replied softly but firmly.

His teeth gritted in anger, and he tightened his grip on my arm. "I'll never accept you as my mate. And don't dare spread it around the pack that you're my mate, because I'll drag you out of the pack myself and leave you to the rogues!"

He glared at me, then flung my arm away. He turned his back and left quickly.

I felt drained. I couldn't blame him for not accepting me, but it wouldn't make me lose hope. I sensed Athena's sadness because of his words; she retreated to a corner of my mind. I let her be, knowing her sadness was temporary.

"Don't worry, Athena. Alpha Aldric will accept us," I reassured her, then left the area.

All pack members were busy with their daily activities. Whenever I encountered someone, they avoided me like others had when they first saw me.

I walked sadly towards my cabin, lost in thought. I collided with a figure and quickly apologized.

"Sorry, sorry, I didn't mean to," I said to the man I bumped into. When I saw his face, he was smiling at me.

"You seem deep in thought and didn't see me," Beta Ryker said.

"Beta Ryker, it's you. Sorry I didn't notice you," I apologized.

"It's okay. Nothing harm done," he dismissed. "By the way, I heard about your help with Omega Janet. That was dangerous, Thalia. You almost risked your life for a she-wolf you didn't know just to save her from the rogues."

I blushed at his words, sensing admiration for my bravery in his voice.

"News travels fast. Anyone would help someone in need if they heard them calling for help," I replied.

"Well, I just heard the report from Niel to Alpha Aldric. So, Thalia, do you have plans today?" he asked.

I shrugged. "Not really. Why did you ask?"

"Well, I was thinking of inviting you to join me to bathe in the stream," he said with a smile.

"Are you sure? Can I go with you?" I asked, grinning widely.

"Of course! I don't have anyone to go with, and Alpha Aldric is busy, so I thought I'd invite you," he replied.

I was thrilled by Beta Ryker's kindness towards me. Even though I'm not officially a member of the Blood Rose Pack, he treats me like family.

"Sure, I'll join you!" I agreed eagerly. Some pack members were staring at us again, probably wondering who I was.

"So, shall we go?" he asked.

I nodded and followed Beta Ryker. I couldn't stop smiling as we headed to the stream. When we arrived, a cool breeze enveloped my entire body.

The water here is so beautiful and clear compared to the stream in the Gold Heart Pack. Still, I miss that place; it was where Athena and I always hung out. No other werewolves went there except me.

"The water here is so clear. Many pack members must come here to bathe," I said to Beta Ryker with a smile.

"Yes, because this water has some kind of energy-boosting property. That's why Alpha Aldric often bathes here," he replied.

No wonder this place has some kind of power. I sense it the moment I step here.

Beta Ryker removed his top, and I quickly turned away. He laughed at my reaction.

"Sorry about that. Don't be shy. Let's go bathing," he invited and jumped into the water. I smiled watching him.

I looked around the stream, seeing the rocks at the bottom and the fish swimming. Amazing and inviting.

"Get in already!" Beta Ryker shouted, waving at me.

I slowly got into the water, not minding getting my clothes wet. I didn't sense Athena; she was hiding again, uninterested in talking to me.

The water felt amazing – not too cold, not too hot. I tried swimming towards Beta Ryker. It was fun, and the fish seemed to be swimming alongside me. The water wasn't deep where Beta Ryker was, only up to his chest.

"This water feels great!" I said to him with a smile.

"There's a place with even better water and clearer, but it's outside the Blood Rose Pack. It's dangerous to go there because rogues sometimes sneak in," Beta Ryker told me.

"Really? You know I'm a fan of streams? But I'm always alone. No member of my former pack would approach me because they were scared of my face. I'm surprised you're talking to me. Aren't you afraid of my face?"

He laughed at my question. "Why would I be scared of you? Do you eat werewolves for breakfast?"

I couldn't help but smile at his question.

I'm glad that in the Blood Rose Pack, many people accept me. Unlike in the Gold Heart Pack, where only a few accepted me. Even if Alpha Aldric doesn't accept me now, I'll ask the Moon Goddess to soften his heart towards me.

"You're kind to me, unlike others. My face might look scary, but I'm a good person," I replied sadly to Beta Ryker.

"Just ignore the others. Not all werewolves think the same. As long as you're not hurting anyone, just ignore those who mock you," Beta Ryker suggested.

I smiled, feeling grateful to him.

An hour passed, and Beta Ryker and I were having a great time bathing and chatting when Alpha Aldric arrived with Tamarra. Alpha Aldric's gaze towards me was piercing.

Beta Ryker waved at them, unaware of Alpha Aldric's reaction towards me.

"We're here! Come join us for a bath!" Beta Ryker called out.

"Oh, that ugly b***h is flirting with Beta Ryker," I heard Tamarra say to Alpha Aldric.

Suddenly, Athena's blood stirred, and she appeared in my mind.

"Who's the b***h? She looks like a prostitute in those clothes. Her cleavage is almost showing!" Athena commented sarcastically.

Alpha Aldric ignored Beta Ryker's invitation.

"Thalia, get out of there!" Alpha Aldric ordered firmly, using his Alpha command.

Even though it doesn't affect me, I have to pretend it does out of respect. I first noticed that Alpha commands didn't affect me when my former Alpha used them on pack members. It's been puzzling since then, but I pretend to be affected too. I asked Brianna about it too but she just laughed softly and told me, someday I will know why.

"I'll go ahead," I said to Beta Ryker, while he frowned at Alpha Aldric. He turned to me and nodded. I got out of the water, and Tamarra looked at me with raised eyebrows. Since my clothes were wet, they clung to my body, revealing its shape.

"No wonder she's bold enough to bathe with Beta Ryker, she's got a hidden beauty under that ugly face," Tamarra said sarcastically.

I ignored her and continued to get out of the stream.

"Who allowed you to bathe in this stream?" Alpha Aldric asked angrily.

I didn't answer, but Beta Ryker did.

"I invited Thalia to bathe in this stream," he replied. "Is there a problem, Alpha?"

"Yes! Because I didn't allow this woman to bathe in this stream. You should have asked me before inviting her," Alpha Aldric snapped at Beta Ryker.

"What's wrong with you, Alpha Aldric? All pack members can bathe here. Why are you forbidding Thalia?" Beta Ryker asked curiously, unfazed by Alpha Aldric's anger.

"And who are you to question the Alpha of the Blood Rose Pack?" Tamarra raised an eyebrow and snapped at Beta Ryker.