Chapter 2
566 Words
"I already explained this. What happened before was an accident. Why can't you understand that?" Kael walked up to me and grabbed my arm, hard. "You should be grateful I'm still willing to give you this chance. If I had just turned you down outright, what could you do about it? Drag your parents back to that tiny scrap of territory you have left? Don't tell me you're jealous of a rogue you took in yourself."
My body wouldn't stop shaking.
The first time I met Rosaline, she had a wound so deep I could see bone. Kael told me she had been his companion during his rogue years and that he hoped I would take her in. I didn't hesitate. I said yes.
If I could go back to that moment, I would still take her in.
I shut my eyes and breathed deep, fighting to steady myself.
"Kael, stop fighting with her. You're scaring the baby." Rosaline held the child, her voice dripping with wounded innocence.
"I don't want a mate like you." I forced the words out with everything I had.
"I suggest you think very carefully about what you just said." Kael let out a cold laugh. "Don't forget, you're barren. Who else would put up with a mate like you?"
I lifted my hand and placed it over my stomach.
A month ago, during a fight between wolves and vampires, a vampire's claws tore through my abdomen. The pack healer gave the diagnosis right there. My womb was damaged. I would never have children of my own.
"I don't want to take away your chance to be a father, Kael. Let's end this." I had held his hand weakly back then.
"What does that matter? You were hurt. It will never change how I feel about you." Kael had brushed it off without a second thought. "We can stay together and look after the pack. When we grow old, we can choose a strong alpha from the warriors. Just like when you chose me."
But the gentle Kael I remembered had turned into this cruel stranger standing before me.
"You think you have the right to say no? If we separate, who else would ever want to be with you?"
Kael's voice rose sharp and loud.
The wolves gathered for the ceremony muttered among themselves.
"Poor Nora. Can you believe this? I wouldn't agree either if it were me. But she's definitely getting kicked out for it."
"She should just accept Rosaline and Alpha Kael's child. At least she'd still be the pack's luna."
"My poor girl. Look at what they've done to you. I told you from the start, this man is not to be trusted. He showed up for the pack, not for you. And this child, it's the same thing. Why wouldn't you listen to me?" My mother clutched my hand and wept, helpless.
My father looked at me and sighed. "How could you throw away your own pack for someone like him? Have you thought about what happens to our people?"
I stood where I was, head lowered, letting my hair cover my face as I fought to keep the laughter from spilling out.
I knew exactly what I was doing, and I would not change a single thing.
While their voices buzzed around me, I looked down at my watch and watched the time tick forward.
- Writer
