Escaping Rejection

11 . Betrayals and Sacrifices

Ionora's POV :One minute I was suspended in darkness and the next minute, I find myself in the woods. Dusk had descended upon the woods and the moon shone bright in the night sky making the trees cast eerie shadows on the ground. I listened carefully for any sounds indicating that I wasn't alone but there were none save for the gush of water and the crickets chirping.The place seemed familiar and I was right as I noticed the familiar cliff and waterfall I had jumped off just a day ago.Looking around, I was confused as nothing seemed out of place. Why was I here then? Did the Moon Goddess want to show me something? If yes, then what?I didn't have to contemplate any longer as I heard the distinct sound of people approaching. I had no ideaif I was visible but I didn't want to take any chances. Backing off from the cliff, I quickly made my way behind the tree beside the trail which gave me a perfect view of the clearing. It was close enough for me to listen in without getting caught. But who were the people coming here in the middle of the night?I had my answer as I saw three people coming towards the cliff. They were coming from the other side of the pack house which probably meant that they weren't from Zayden's pack. I could also tell that they were not ordinary wolves or rogues from the immense power they radiated. Soon, I heard footsteps coming from the woods and three men steppedout and walked towards the other three men, One of the men being to familiar to mistake."Zayden." I whispered, shock and confusion laced my voice."Alpha Zayden." The first three men greeted my mate. They also greeted the other two men with him. They must be his beta and gamma."Alpha Trenton. Alpha Roman. Beta Jake." My mate wished each of them, shaking their hand. What the hell was he doing? Holding a secret meeting with two Alphas in the middle of the night? Was he crazy?"You need to make this quick. Those traitor witches just killed two of our pack members. If we don't take action soon, then they would wipe out our entire species." One of the men who I guessed was Alpha Trenton spoke with pure anger in his tone."I know, which is why I have called you here. I have something of theirs which can be used as an advantage."

Zayden told him and the other men."What is it? Is it enough for us to get leverage over them?" The other Alpha asked, seeming unsure.

Zayden looked troubled now, it was like he was fighting an inner battle. But he said it anyways."I have their daughter. She is at the pack house right now. We know that they have been searching for their missing daughter so we can use her as a bait and capture them, or at least annhilate them somehow."

Zayden said with a blank face, no hint of remorse or pain at the thought of using me.If my heart was broken before, now it was certainly shattered beyond repair. All my pain and insecurities hit me full force and it felt like I was choking. My mate, the one person who was supposed to love and cherish me, was not only going to reject me, but was willing to sacrifice me, use me as a bait to lure my parents. A strangled sob escaped my mouth and I clamped my mouth shut with my hand, praying that no one had heard it.My prayers were heard as the men continued conversing, no doubt about how to use me to bring my parents down. I couldn't bear standing there any longer, listening to my traitorous mate, so I ran making sure I didn't make a sound. Running in the direction opposite to the pack house, I reached a deeper part in the words where I sure no one would find me. I sat down, leaning on a tree, wondering when and why had my life taken a turn for the worse. I soon feel asleep, wishing that I could drown in my own tears so that I didn't have to face another day filled with betrayal and hurt.----×----×----×----×----×----A sharp slap to my face woke me. Opening one eye, I see the faces of Ian and Vivian staring down at me with worry and concern. I must have sobbed in my sleep then. Not wanting to explain my sob story so early in the morning, I just closed my eye and pretended to sleep again.Slap.I didn't move.Slap.Control Nora.Two slaps.In no time I had Ian pinned down and started slapping him repeatedly left and right."No one disturbs me while I'm sleeping." I said, glaring at Vivian and him."Okay, stop. STOP." Ian shouted, holding both my hands so that I couldn't slap him any more. "We were just worried about you. You were sobbing in your sleep."I sighed. "I know. I'm sorry. It was just a bad dream."

I said, getting up and helping him up as well."It was more than a bad dream Nora. You kept crying and muttering that assholes name." Ian shouted.I cringed. We hadn't even kissed and I was already muttering his name in my sleep. Okay, that sounded wrong."It's nothing." I told him, not wanting to piss him off further."We know it was not nothing Nory. We are your family now and you can tell us anything and everything. We weren't there for you before so let us make up for it." Vivian said, coming over and holding my hand.I gave up and told them about my vision. To say both of them were pissed was an understatement."That bastard. How dare he even think of handing you over to our shitty excuse of parents." Hatred was rolling of Ian in waves and I didn't know who it was directed to, my mate or my parents?"We have to inform my mother about their plan. ASAP. So come on." Vivian told Ian."What about me? Can I come with you?""No.Mom has made you breakfast. So go eat up. You need some food in you if you want to hear what we have to tell you. We will meet you in the dining room with mom." She said, giving me a sympathetic smile. So whatever they had to tell me was bad then? Yay me.Kissing my forehead, Ian left with Vivian to find and tell Aunt Marrise about my visions. Getting up from the couch, I walk towards the dining room and wash up in the sink there. Looking at myself in the mirror above the sink, I cringe, noticing how shitty I look. My eyes were red and puffy from all the crying and dark circles traced the outlines of my lower lids. I looked like I had aged 10 years from the last time I saw myself which had been just 2 days before.Coming to the dining table, I notice that almost every breakfast available was laid out for me. Pancakes, waffles, cereal, eggs, bacon, yogurt, fruit, and milk. My mouth salivated at the thought of eating all that food.In five minutes, the plates on the table were squeaky clean with me not leaving even a crumb behind. Okay, Can you blame me? I survived on stolen food which tasted bland and stale most of the time.Seeing that Vivian and my twin were not back yet, I decided to explore the hallway which was adorned with beautiful but creepy paintings. There were vases and other artifacts kept on tables which added to the museum-like feel of the hallway. It looked like one of those place in movies were the character walks admiring the paintings and someone pulls them inside a nearby room and murders them.Don't jinx it now.

Liane whispered in my head.But I paid no heed to her as I was frozen in shock and fear staring at the woman in front of me holding a gun aimed right at my heart.Uh.....too late Lee.Seriously, when can I catch a break?