CHAPTER TWO
1966 Words
“I gathered everyone here today to, according to the laws and customs of our great pack, present my new bride and Luna, Amaya Woods.”
And I thought my life could not get any worse. That the pain would not pierce deeper than it already had.
I could barely breathe, standing like a drained puppy in the midst of an overwhelming crowd that were surprised that their dear Alpha was choosing someone else as his Luna three weeks after discovering his mate — me.
The humiliation, the shame.
Amaya covertly passed me a victorious smile as she nuzzled closer to the Alpha, my mate.
Ex-mate since he had rejected me. No one knew, it had been a private affair but publicly doing this, everyone now knew.
Whispers and murmurs filled my ears. I dared to let my watery gaze roam those in attendance. The stares of pity, loathing, disgust, indifference, mockery shook me to my very core.
I met the spiteful glare of my father.
I traveled my gaze to Alpha Lennox but he refused to look at me.
“Oh…” Ayla whimpered sadly in my head.
Taking desperate steps back, I gathered my dress in my hands and fled the embarrassing, heartbreaking scene.
Where I ran to, I didn’t know neither did I care.
Why would the Moon Goddess give me a joy that didn’t last? That was cruel.
A sob left my lips.
Ever since he rejected me, I’d been indoors, refusing to talk to anyone or tell anyone.
When he’d announced a ball tonight, father had forced me to attend because it would be too painful to face him knowing he’d rejected me for the same reason I’d been bullied all of life.
I found a corner and ran towards it, crumpling to the ground, I wailed in agony.
For how long I sat there? I had no idea.
I just hugged myself in a pitiful manner and cried out my pain.
“Well, if it isn’t the weak, pathetic Omega.”
The familiar voice had me whipping my head up. I quickly wiped my tears, sniffling. “Please leave me alone, Amaya.”
She was here with two of her minion friends.
She kicked my side. I muffled a cry of pain, holding my side.
If I could fight back, I would but I couldn’t. Her wolf was bigger and stronger than mine. Attempting to face her would be risking Ayla’s life.
And mine.
“It’s Luna Amaya to you, b***h!”
Her girls laughed at me as she pulled me by my hair.
I yelped in pain, my scalp burning from the strong pull. “P-please, let go. Y-you’re hurting me.”
“Do you hear that girls?” She let out a mocking chortle. “The lowly Omega wants me to let go.”
They laughed even more.
“If you want to beg, do it properly.” She whispered loudly in my ear.
Willing to do anything at this point just so she could let go of my hair, I nodded. “I’ll d-do whatever you w-want.”
“Now that’s an obedient dog. On your knees!”
“W-what?” Anything but that.
In response, she kicked my knees, they hit the ground hard, I felt something sharp prick my left knee and winced.
“Good girl.” She let go of my hair.
I stayed that way, swiping persistent tears running down my cheeks with my head hung low.
“Now roll over.” She commanded.
I met her hateful gaze. “W-what have I d-done?”
“That’s your punishment for f*****g my Alpha.” She came near and pressed my chin so hard it hurt.
My cheeks reddened in embarrassment that they’d known what the Alpha and I had done in the privacy of his chamber.
But how?
She must have read my eyes because she was already answering my unspoken question. “Unable to believe he had accepted you and invited you into his private chambers, a place no one has ever been into except his maids, I had to eavesdrop.”
Her anger Increased as jealousy flashed in her eyes.
“You were moaning and enjoying every bit of my man knowing fully well that I’ve always wanted him.” She spat in my face.
“B-but…” I tried to talk but it was impossible with her grip on my chin.
“Now roll over or I’ll order my girls to beat you to death. Here’s a lonely place, no one will know and you’ll be gone forever. One less, stupid, disgraceful Omega to worry about in the pack.”
Fear gripped my heart and made it beat faster. I nodded, agreeing to roll over. Her wolf could devour mine in seconds.
She was from a family of Betas as I was. My dad used to be the Beta warrior of Darrel’s father until his passing.
By status, I should be able to fight and challenge Amaya but I could not.
It was why I endured her bullying all these years for fear of her wolf killing mine.
“I’m sorry I can’t fight, Flower.” Ayla growled in despair.
Tears fell down my eyes. “It’s okay, Ayla. I love you regardless. I’ll do whatever to keep us alive.”
She only growled heartbreakingly in response.
“Will you roll over or…”
I nodded for the second time. Then I dropped my body to the ground and rolled over as I sobbed silently.
She continued to make me roll over until she was satisfied.
By now, I was tired of crying, my eyes were swollen. My dress was dirty and ripped in some places. My skin was scratched by dry twigs on the ground.
I was in pain.
“You’ve been a very good girl and a good sport.” She stooped to my level and patted my cheek. “Until next time, my darling Omega.”
She stood and started walking but paused and turned. “Don’t let me catch you anywhere around the Alpha. If I do, consider yourself a dead dog. Got it?”
I was in too much pain to respond, so I nodded.
“I need a verbal response.” She picked a stone and flung it at me.
I was slouched on my knees. The stone hit my elbow as I tried to block it from hitting my face.
I rubbed that painful, bruised area. “Y-yes.”
“Yes who?”
My voice broke. “Y-yes, Luna Amaya.”
******
Finally, I was able to get home. I cleaned my eyes with my hands so father would not know I’d been crying.
He was aware of the constant bullying from members of the pack but he could care less. I also hoped he was not home yet from the event or even if he was, he should be in his room.
I didn’t want to see anyone, not even the maids. I walked into the house, passed the foyer into the living room.
There was my father with a stoic expression. It was as though he had been waiting for me.
As soon as his eyes met mine, they hardened and filled with the familiar disgust and anger always aimed at me.
“Hello father.” I greeted nervously, heading for my room as hale as I could so he wouldn’t ask too many questions.
Not that he actually cared.
“Flower.”
My heart skipped as I halted in my steps. I turned to face him. “Yes, father.”
“What happened between you and the Alpha?” His tone was cold as was his stare.
My stomach churned, pain enveloped me as memories of events from hours ago poured into my mind. “N-nothing.”
“One last time, I’ll ask you this question. What happened between you and the Alpha?!” He stood from the sofa and approached me menacingly.
I took fearful steps backward. Father had never hit me but his words were enough to cause scars and bruises.
Tears garnered in my eyes, I blinked them back, willing them not to fall. “H-he rejected me.”
A sob broke out.
“Why?” He asked. “No, I think I already know the answer to that. You’re a weak, worthless Omega!” He spat.
He usually said the word ‘omega’ like an insult. In this pack, it actually was.
I lowered my head so he wouldn’t see my tears.
“You bring nothing but shame to me! I can not believe I lost my wife only to be cursed with a child like you!” He bellowed.
I trembled at his voice. Father had a big, intimidating voice that had me cowering each time he spoke.
His words had me sobbing like a child. “It’s n-not my fault I-I was born an Omega.”
“You’re cursed! That’s why you have such a weak wolf. When the Alpha took you into his chambers, I thought you would make me proud just once but rather you embarrassed me further. The daughter of a Beta warrior was rejected to be replaced by the sister of a Beta! She has a Beta wolf. The second strongest wolf!” He queried and raged, his eyes flashing a blue color.
Betas’ wolves are usually blue.
Ayla was intimidated by his Beta wolf, she whimpered and cowered in my head.
I felt pity for her. For us.
“I’m your daughter, father!” I raised my head to retort not disrespectfully though, just pouring out my pain and disappointment at his treatment of me.
“I wish you weren’t! I lost my wife because of you!” Pain flooded his expression.
The story was that he’d loved my mom and after her death, he’d been in so much pain that he rarely cared for me.
Mother had died giving birth to me, father had thought I was a curse who had come to make his life horrible.
The spite for only grew when he realized I was an Omega.
“I lost a mother too!” I cried, tears freely falling.
“You don’t get to speak of her! You’re worthless! A shame! You brought disgrace upon the family today! I…I just wish you didn’t exist!” His face contorted in both agony and anger.
Startled by his words, I held my chest as they pierced through my already broken heart. He wished I didn’t exist, those were his words.
My own father wished I didn’t exist. Everyone hated me, even my own mate had rejected me.
Years of bullying and insults from members and abuse from my father flooded my mind.
The Alpha’s rejection of me after I’d given myself to him poured into my mind and brought me more pain.
I was not wanted here, that much was obvious now. Night Crest pack didn’t want me.
There was nothing left for me.
I watched his lips moving angrily, still saying hurtful words and blaming me for a rejection that wasn’t my fault but I wasn’t listening.
His words echoed but didn’t register. All that filled my mind was that no one wanted me.
A loud sob escaping my throat, I ran out of his presence, out of the house and into the night.
I had no idea where I was running to but my legs led the way.
I ran and ran, crying as my legs moved. My ripped, dirty dress was gathered in my hands to enable my legs move faster.
I wanted to be anywhere but here. In this pack where I wasn’t wanted.
When I finally stopped running to catch my breath, I realized I was surrounded by trees and shrubs.
Dense forest.
- Writer
