Chosen By Fate, Rejected By Hate

Chapter 17

Mavi Pov

"Stop it, Mavi. You are not used to drinking. You will get drunk very quickly if you keep going like this," Lotlot said as she gently caught my hand just as I reached for the glass of alcohol set down in front of me.

We were sitting inside a bar now. I had invited her here to drink with me right after I left Alpha Magnus’ house. I had not even gotten the chance to say a proper goodbye to my child before walking out, and that thought alone felt like a sharp twist in my chest. I knew for certain that Moses would cry when he woke up and found me gone, especially since I had not even told him I was leaving.

"My heart hurts so much, Lotlot. I am angry. I am so angry, but I cannot find a way to let it all out," I answered her, pressing my hand firmly against my chest because it felt as though my breath was getting stuck and my chest was tightening with every word I spoke.

"What exactly are you so angry about?" Lotlot asked, looking at me with clear doubt and concern in her eyes. "Is it because Alpha Magnus kicked you out of his house just like that, or is it because he chose to believe Sonia’s lies over your word?"

"Of course it is because he threw me out," I replied quickly, though my voice wavered just a little. I reached for the glass again, but my friend was faster this time and moved it far out of my reach. "I would not have minded being sent away at all if only I could have taken Moses with me," I added quietly, wiping my palms over my face as frustration washed over me.

"Is that truly the only reason? Or are you hurting far more because Alpha Magnus trusted her over you?"

"Who would not be angry when they are falsely accused of something they never did?" I said, shaking my head slowly. "But why should I feel hurt because of his actions?"

"You are hurting because of what he did, Mavi. You are hurting because you have feelings for him," Lotlot said softly but firmly.

I looked up at her sharply, my eyes widening at her words.

"Me? Have feelings for Alpha Magnus? I think you are the one who has had too much to drink tonight, Lotlot. How could I ever possibly like that arrogant man? He is rude, cold, and I have never once seen him smile," I laughed, though I did not realize at that moment how defensive and sharp my tone had sounded.

"But I still think—"

"I do not like Alpha Magnus, okay?" I cut her off before she could finish speaking. I knew exactly what she was going to say, and I knew she would only keep insisting if I let her.

I do not like him. I do not like him. I do not like him, I kept repeating over and over again inside my mind, as if saying it enough times would make it true.

"Alright, alright. I will stop pushing you to admit you have feelings for the father of your child," Lotlot said with a sigh, shaking her head gently. "So what do you plan to do now? You can stay at my place for as long as you need. I know you have nowhere else to go here in the city."

"I need to find work, Lotlot. I need something to keep my mind and my hands busy. If I sit around doing nothing, I feel like I will go crazy thinking about Moses all day long."

"If that is what you want, then I can help you. I have a family friend who is looking for a personal assistant right now. I can definitely recommend you for the job."

"Thank you so much, Lotlot. You are truly the only person I can turn to when everything goes wrong," I said to her sincerely. I felt incredibly lucky to have a friend who stood by me no matter what happened.

"Of course you can count on me. Who else are you going to turn to anyway? I am the only one who knows the truth. I am the only one who knows that you and Mavi, Alpha Meynard’s daughter, are actually the same person. No one else will help you because they have all turned their backs on you—"

I quickly pressed my palm over her mouth and glanced nervously around the dim bar, checking if anyone was listening or watching us. I was terrified that someone might have overheard what she had just said and that word would eventually get back to my father and my sister. They would be furious enough as it was once they found out I had changed my appearance and hidden my identity, but if they also learned that I had a child from a one-night stand, I knew they would never let me live in peace.

"Keep your voice down. Someone might hear you," I whispered sharply as I slowly removed my hand from her mouth.

"I am sorry. I did not mean to say it out loud," she apologized immediately.

I let out a long, heavy sigh as I spoke sadly. "No one would ever help me even if they knew who I really am, Lotlot. My own father disowned me and cast me out of the White Pack. What other help could I possibly hope for?"

"I am so sorry, Mavi. I should never have brought up your true identity. It only makes you feel even worse," Lotlot apologized again, and then her expression suddenly changed as a playful, mischievous smile appeared on her face. "You know, Arthur is very handsome and kind. He is the family friend who needs an assistant. Who knows what might happen? The two of you could end up liking each other."

I frowned deeply at her teasing. "I am looking for a job, not a boyfriend or a husband, okay? Let us just go back to your house now. If we stay here any longer, I might just end up drinking anyway."

Lotlot simply shrugged her shoulders and stopped teasing me about my future boss.

After she settled the bill for the drinks, we stood up from our seats and walked out of the bar together. As we headed toward the parking lot where Lotlot’s car was parked, three men suddenly stepped out from the shadows and blocked our path. My heart skipped a beat. I could tell right away from the look in their eyes and the way they carried themselves that their intentions were far from good.

"Hello there, beautiful ladies. Why do not you let us give you a ride wherever you are going?" the slightly chubbier one of the three asked with a leering smile.

"I think I left my wallet back at the bar, Lotlot. We need to go back inside right now," I said loudly, pretending to speak to my friend as I tried to think of a way out. Lotlot nodded quickly at my words, but her face had turned pale, and her hands were trembling visibly with fear.

"Now where do you think you are going?" another man asked, stepping closer to us immediately.

I tried my best to look brave and unshaken, but my throat went dry, and I felt as though I had swallowed my own tongue when the heavier man suddenly pulled out a gun and pointed it straight at Lotlot. Her face turned even paler, and she looked like she was about to faint right there on the spot as her eyes went wide, staring at the weapon in his hand.

"W-What do you w-want from us?" Lotlot stammered, gripping my arm so tightly her nails dug into my skin. I was terrified too, but I knew I could not show it. If they saw that both of us were shaking with fear, it would only give them more courage to hurt us or do whatever they wanted.

"Is it money you want? Take all the cash and our phones, just please let us go," I said bravely, even though my heart was pounding so hard against my ribs I was sure they could hear it.

"We do not just want money from you, ladies," the thinnest man replied with a wicked, devilish grin. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small cloth, then moved so fast I barely had time to react before he pressed it firmly over my mouth and nose. It was only after I breathed in the sharp, chemical scent that I realized it was a handkerchief soaked in chloroform. I struggled and tried to pull away for a few seconds, but my limbs grew heavy, and my vision blurred until I finally slipped into unconsciousness.