CHAPTER3:
1037 Words
Seraphina's POV
My heart slammed violently against my ribs, beating wildly and I had no way to stop it. I started to hyperventilate, seeing as everyone was shouting and demanding for my head because I had failed at the one thing that should have been easy for every wolf.
My father stood up from the table of the alphas and began to walk towards the altar. I could see it written all over his face. He was mad.
My fingers trembled, and I dropped the knife. He stopped in front of me and picked it up, then he shoved it violently into my hand.
"Even this is too difficult for you to accomplish?" He demanded.
There was pain in his voice. At this point, I could stop the tears from flowing. My heart cracked open and released the dam inside me.
"I'm sorry, I don't know what went wrong." I pleaded.
"You are what went wrong. You are defective! Not worthy to even have the place of an omega. You have brought shame and disgrace to the family."
My father turned to the priestess.
"Shania, what is the way forward from here? What should we do?" He asked.
The priestess looked at me and looked down at my blood that was still on the ground. Then, she scrunched up her nose.
"The goddess rejected her. Her blood is tainted," she answered.
"She is my daughter. How is her blood bad?" My father asked. "My first daughter was able to wolf out."
"Everyone doesn't have the same destiny, Alpha Jonathan. Your first daughter may be favored by the goddess, while this one is despised. We can't choose our fate. If the goddess has found her unworthy, then there's nothing to be done except to find a rank that shits her dirty blood." The priestess explained.
The way she said it, it was like she hated me and I didn't know why. I've never met her in my entire life, so what did I do to deserve the hatred?
"I regret the day I birthed you." Jonathan spat.
I shook my head as his words hit me like heavy machinery.
"What am I going to do with you now? You're not fit to be an omega. You heard the priestess, your blood is tainted. Do you think anyone would accept a defective wolf? No one wants to be saddled with a curse."
I didn't want it to be true. Marcus Blackthorn had already shown me his kindness once, and I knew deep in my heart that he would do it again.
As if on cue, he stood up from the table and came to meet us at the altar. I couldn't bear to look into his beautiful blue eyes that were full of compassion. He touched my jaw gently with a finger and tipped my head up to look at him.
Then, he smiled. I couldn't help but smile back. He held my hand and led me off the altar down to the central stage.
By now, the other felines were returning with the games they killed, and they began to transform back to their human nature. Their families and friends rushed forward and wrapped them in silk clothes to cover up their nakedness.
Sandra looked at me in mock pity. Lydia came to stand by her and congratulate her. I tried to swallow the pain that followed, knowing I would never earn the same respect.
"I told you, you were worthless. From the moment you fell off the carriage, you should have known you were cursed." Lydia whispered.
She looked up at Marcus and smiled, but he didn't pay her any attention, and then she walked off with her friend.
Marcus held my hand the entire time, and we stood there waiting for the commotion and the high of transforming to die down.
When everyone had calmed down, he raised his hand as a gesture that he had something to say. Just like the last time when I fell, and he had defended me, I knew he was about to do it again.
"Everyone already knows the Ashwood family, the oldest and purest bloodline in our beloved Ashwood pack, and it is no secret that I, future alpha Marcus Blackthorn, I'm betrothed to Alpha Jonathan's youngest daughter and heir." He raised my hand.
Everywhere was quiet.
"Today should have been a great day, with Seraphina getting her wolf and with me claiming her as my mate. But things don't always work out the way we plan."
So far, his speech has been very straightforward. My heart finally started to calm down.
"But from the times of old, we all know the implications of not having a wolf and we all know what that means for a pack. Now, imagine your alpha, presenting you with a Luna who is defective."
My heart plummeted, and I looked up at him. His face had hardened. Traces of the kind man I met earlier were gone and I couldn't believe the callous man who was standing in his place.
"Marcus, what are you doing?" I whispered in fear, but he ignored me.
"Wolves of Ashwood pack, I will not be the first alpha to defile you."
Then, he turned to me. And I saw it in his eyes even before he said anything.
"Seraphina Ashwood, I reject you, and I reject your bond." He deadpanned and let go of my hand.
Everything crashed into me all at once.
"The Blackthorn legacy will not be tainted by a defective wolf-less girl." He finished coldly.
My father looked away in disgust. I could see the elders whispering among themselves as they say on the alpha table.
The head of council, Elder Grover, stood up and cleared his throat. His eyes bored into me as if he wanted to tear me apart.
He then looked over at my father.
"Sorry, Jonathan, but in the light of all these events we cannot allow your daughter to remain in our midst."
My father didn't say anything. Grover turned towards me again.
"From henceforth, you are no longer a member of the Ashwood pack and you, Seraphina Ashwood, have been exiled."
The words sounded absolute.
My heart sank.
- Writer
