WINTER ROGUE

CHAPTER 5 - BANISHED OR BRIDE? - JAYLA'S POV

Barret and I continued to spend the week together, and as the wedding day approached, I felt just the same as I has a month ago. This wouldn't break the curse, and every fiber of my being was screaming to trust my instinct.

The night before the big day, my family begged me to go through with it, their voices full of fear. If I didn’t marry Garret, I would be banished, and the thought of hurting them cut deep. I loved my family. I couldn't bear to see them suffer. I couldn't bare to be away from them, or without a pack. So, I decided to give in. I decided that I'd let him mark me, and once the curse didn't break, I'd risk my life to reject him, and at least if I did die. I'd die free.

''Thank you,'' My father said, as he hugged me, ''You're doing the right thing, Jay. Just wait and see, you're going to save the pack.''

I pushed him away, and shook my head sadly, ''No, I won't, because it won't work, and I can't wait to prove that to you all.''

I turned and walked away, leaving my family in the sitting room, while I went to soak in the tub, and allowed myself to cry in despair before climbing to bed, and re-reading the scroll about the curse. There had to be some sign in the wording that could get me out of this? But I found nothing that would help.

I didn't speak to anyone the next morning, and just nodded in response to their words, before I was dragged to the temple for the wedding, and forced to endure hair and makeup, before I was put into a dress. I hadn't chosen anything for today. Not the dress, not the decorations, not even the groom.

Willow was silent. She felt like we were being dragged to our deaths. I hated hearing all the women in room, chatting and laughing. They truly did believe this would be the answer to all their prayers. They all believed the curse would break, and my friends were talking excitedly about finding their mates. Did they not understand that I was being sacrificed so they could find their mates, and it was all pointless?

''I want to be alone!'' I called out loudly, as I stared out the open window, enjoying the cool, crisp air, a gentle reminder of the freedom I craved.

I didn't look at them, but I heard them leaving, and once the door shut, I walked over to the mirror.

I stood in front of the mirror, dressed in a gown of shimmering white. I never thought I'd be the one to walk down aisle, dressed in white, promising my life to someone I didn't love. But here I was, looking at myself in a wedding dress, summoning the courage to go through with this. I felt trapped, and my heart was heavy with the weight of everyone's expectations. When the curse didn't break, I wonder if they'll blame me, or finally believe me that they were wrong?

It was at least an hour later, when there was a knock on the door, and I turned to see my mother.

''It's time.'' She smiled at me, as she approached.

''Lucky me.'' I said numbly.

''I know this isn't what you imagined for yourself. I wanted so much more for you too, but think of everyone you're helping.''

''My goddess, you're all so damn stupid!'' I snapped, and she stepped back looking hurt, ''How many times do I have to tell you fools that this won't work, and I can't wait to prove it, and I hope you and dad feel terrible for what you've done to your daughter. You're both terrible parents.''

Tears filled my mother's eyes, but I didn't care, and just marched out of the room. I didn't wait for the music to start and just walked down the aisle, feeling my heart racing. Everyone looked shocked by my sudden appearance and the Priestess quickly took her place in front of Barret who was dressed in black and red robes.

I stopped in front of Barret, who smiled at me, but I screwed up my nose, he smelt like Mia. I knew instantly that they'd had s*x, although he'd tried to cover it up. However, white Lycan's could smell better than an Alpha. So much for his claim of loyalty.

''You looked beautiful.''

''For a prisoner,'' I responded, and looked at the Priestess, ''Can we get this over with?''

Priestess Armani looked affronted, but began the ceremony. With each word she spoke, I felt sicker and sicker. I couldn't do this. I wasn't wrong. This wouldn't work. Everything else faded away, I couldn't hear the words being spoken. I kept complaining that no one was listening to my instincts and trusting my powers, but neither was I... There was another Alpha, and it wasn't Barret.

''I can't do this.'' I whispered.

''What?'' The Priestess asked, as everyone started whispering.

''I said I can't do this.'' I said louder, ''Marrying Barret will not break the curse. And even if it did, I'm not marrying the b*stard that f*cked another woman not twenty minutes ago!''

''What?!'' Luna asked.

I turned to Barret, ''I can literally smell Mia on you!''

''That... that was nothing.'' He stuttered, ''We weren't married yet. I'll be loyal from this moment on. Let's continue.''

''Are you deaf? I said, I can't do this.'' I said again, before turning back to the pack, ''I know you all want this curse to be broken, but I know this marriage will not do that. Please trust my powers. This will not work!''

''ENOUGH!'' Alpha Percy screamed, as he marched over to me and grabbed my arm ''You are betraying your pack! I told you your options, marry my son and break the curse, or you are banished!''

''MARRYING HIM WILL NOT BREAK THE CURSE!''

''CHOOSE?!'' Alpha shouted.

I turned to Barret, ''You said you'd help.''

''Screw you.'' He snapped, and I could see rejection and embarrassment in his face.

''Dido.'' I snarled as tears filled my eyes, and I turned back to Alpha Percy, ''I choose banishment.''

Alpha shoved me back, and I stumbled before I caught myself.

''The white Lycan, Jayla Steele, has betrayed us all,'' Alpha Percy told the pack, as I silently cried and looked at my parents, ''She is banished to the Vauxstone Mountains as a rogue. Any contact with her is banned, and that includes her family. She will be contacted every year, until she changes her mind. Guards. Take her to the dungeons. She leaves at dawn.''

''Alpha wait, please,'' My mother said frantically, as she rushed over and knelt on her knees in front of him, ''Please don't do this. My daughter might be telling the truth. She is a white Lycan. They have instincts and powers we don't. If she says this marriage won't break the curse, then we have to believe her!''

''I DON'T HAVE TO DO ANYTHING!'' He shouted furiously, as the guards rushed forwards and grabbed my arms. I didn't bother fighting, even though I could. There was no point, there was no getting out of this banishment now. ''Say goodbye to your daughter, you will not get another chance.''

Everyone rushed forward, hugging me and crying as they told me they loved me and said goodbye.

''Jay, don't do this.'' Dad pleaded, ''Just marry him.''

''I will not betray my duty.'' I told him firmly, ''The Alpha is wrong. This wedding will not cure anything. It will only prevent me from finding the true Alpha.''

''Why are you so stubborn?!'' He complained, ''If you do this, you are no longer my child!''

I looked into my father's eyes, rage and betrayal filling my heart, ''So be it.'' I said before looking away.

''TAKE HER!'' The Alpha shouted, before leaving.

''Please Barret, do something!'' I heard my brother pleading as I was walked out of the temple, but I knew there was no point. His ego would never allow him to beg for mercy for me. This was going to be the last time I would see my family and my pack.

I woke up in the dark, damp dungeon in the early hours of the morning, the air thick with the scent of mildew, urine and blood. The sound of heavy boots echoed through the stone hall, and I realized that's what had woken me, it was finally time.

I braced myself for the guards, who swung open the cell door a few seconds later, and the light from their torches was flickering against the cold walls.

"Get up, and put on these clothes," One of them barked, and tossed me some pants and a shirt. I pushed myself off the cold stone floor, and began to dress, while they turned their backs. At least they still respected me enough to give me privacy.

Once I was dressed, they tossed a backpack at my feet, and I opened it and peeked inside,, where I found warm clothing, sturdy boots, a cloak, some camping gear, and food.

''What no pillow?'' I joked.

"You’re being banished," Another guard said with a smirk. "You’re lucky the Alpha allowed you to have anything. Most don’t get this much on their way out."

''Lucky me.'' I said angrily.

I felt a mix of anger and relief. I was free, but at what cost? The guards led me out of the dungeon, and through the city, but as we reached the city gates, I turned back, taking one last look at the place I once called home. And to my surprise, I saw my grandfather.

''I love you.'' He linked me.

''I love you.'' I responded.

I went to turn away, but the guard grabbed my arm, ''Drink this.'' He said, as he held up a vial of liquid.

''What is it?'' I asked suspiciously.

''It will prevent you from linking anyone.'' He answered, ''You'll be given one, once a year.''

I frowned and drank it, before throwing the vial on the ground, and listening to it smash, as my head swam, and I felt the connections to my family break.

''Let's get going.'' One man told me, ''I'm going to take you to the mountain.

I turned and looked over at the mountain in the distance, it was going to take all day to get there.

The world outside was bright and alive, a complete contrast the storm inside my heart. Trees swayed gently in the breeze, and the sun peeked through the clouds.

Hours passed as we walked in silence. The weight of the backpack felt lighter with every step, and I couldn't help but wonder if I had made the right choice. Would I regret turning down Barret?

We finally reached the mountain, and I felt an instant shift in the weather. It was winter on the mountains right now, and I quickly pulled on a cloak from my backpack.

''The Alpha has permitted you to camp here for the night, but you must enter the mountain tomorrow.''

''Whatever,'' I said angrily, as I unpacked the tent silently, and went straight inside, ignoring the guard, who was starting a fire.

That night, I slept horribly, but as dawn broke, I decided to give up, and I dressed, and repacked the tent in my bag. The guards was still fast asleep, but I didn't care. I just turned and entered the forest covering the mountain. This was my home now, and I needed to find shelter before nightfall.

''Did we do the right thing?'' I asked Willow, unsure.

''Of course we did,'' She said, ''We should go searching for the Alpha.''

''We're a rogue now, we'll start smelling like one soon, so no Alpha is going to come near us without trying to kill us. Let's just settle in first, and we'll work things out once we have shelter.''