CHAPTER FIVE
1026 Words
Harper's POV
I run as fast as I can, to my house, which is outside the pack's territory. I'm still reeling from Jace's rejection after our one-night stand, and now he's banished me for disrespecting the Luna? It feels like a double blow.
What f*****g Luna?
I hide behind a tree when I notice a rogue wolf lurking around, sniffing the air for my scent. My scent is weak, so it could have found me easily. But it swirls its tail and leaves. I gasp as I make my way to my house. I walk in, feeling unsteady, as my stepdad rolls his eyes at me in a mean way. I slightly bow my head to him and my mother, who is resting her head on his lap.
I walk towards the stairs to get to my room but he shouts me down.
"Stop there!" He orders, "I swear by the moon goddess that I'll kill you if you dare make one move."
I stay fit, not saying any more words as he begins to rain insult on me.
"I knew you were not going to mention it to us. You won't ever want to," he says and continues as Mom joins him, rolling her eyes defiantly at me.
"It's time to say goodbye," he says, his words shocking me. "Your earnings from the pack are minimal, unlike your stepsister's," he explains, his tone harsh.
"In fact, she's been named Luna, and we'll be attending the ceremony soon. She'll bring in far more wealth than you ever could."
My heart breaks with every word, and I wonder if I've done something wrong or if my ancestors had issues with the beta wolves. I'd never choose to be a weak wolf, if only we are being given chance to choose. It seems the moon goddess has deemed my life worthy of even more suffering. I burst into tears, but he sternly tells me to stop, saying I'll need my strength soon enough.
"We pay the rent here, and you're broke. You can't afford to live here, understand? The cost of living is too high, and you need to leave."
My voice trembles as I ask, "Sir?"
He ignores me, goes upstairs, and returns with my backpack, which he tosses at me roughly.
"He's right," my mom says, her voice soft but firm, her eyes apologetic. "You need to leave, dear."
I look at her, searching for a glimmer of the love and support we once shared, but her eyes are now clouded by her loyalty to her new husband. I feel a pang in my heart, knowing she's choosing him over me. I take a deep breath, clutch my backpack tightly, and slowly walk towards the door, the pregnancy test result still hidden in my pocket.
"f****d. Rejected. Banished from two places. You have no future. It's time you give up." He insults, and kicks me out as I fall to the ground while he shuts the door and locks it behind. I can hear mum's muffled voice, and his threats at her. I really wish she can volunteer to be banished as well but maybe she's not that caring mother.
It reminds me of some certain students in high school whose mothers sacrificed thier lives to save them when they were to be killed because they killed some people on their first shift. My mother isn't going to do that, but to hold me back to the house or disagree with him holding her back? It seems so difficult to her to do? It exactly seems like she's had me in mind for a while now but won't speak up.
My eyes are set towards the woods but it's not a place I can live. It's very dangerous and meant for rogues. I am a rogue now though, a banished weak wolf. Where will I head to?
My heart shatters with each reminder that I'm alone and no one will ever come to rescue me. Rogues can take me down while trying to hurry out of this vicinity and I might be killed and forgotten forever while the wicked remains on the throne.
"I try to let my wolf take over, but it won't budge. I grip my backpack tight and run as fast as I can through the woods, pursued by ominous shadows. Adrenaline fuels my flight. Finally, I reach the edge of the woods, gasping for breath. I head right, towards the bustling human streets, away from Jace's pack, which lies in the opposite direction. It's a long, treacherous journey, but I must escape.
I begin my journey, filled with hope that my true nature as a werewolf remains hidden. I struggle to control my shifting, knowing that my eyes can change color and I can growl if I'm not careful.
As I finally reach the streets, I attract curious stares - my torn and tattered clothes making me stand out. Some people even record me with their phones, making me quicken my pace to escape the shame and avoid drawing more attention. I fight back tears, afraid to be stopped or questioned.
I spot a nearby bar and dash towards it, seeking refuge from the jeering crowd. I collapse onto a stool, exhausted.
With no money on me, I rummage through my backpack and find Spencer's purse, mistakenly packed by my stepdad. I smirk, finding a few dollars inside. As I ponder what to order, the bartender approaches, and I request shots of tequila, seeking a numbing escape from my woes.
The shots arrive, and I down them quickly, seeking oblivion. As I start to feel the effects, a kind-faced woman sits beside me and smiles compassionately.
"Honey, you shouldn't be drinking like that. What's wrong? Tell me what's going on," she says, her voice gentle and concerned.
I try to speak, but my words are slurred and incoherent. My eyelids grow heavy and my vision is blurry, and I can't make out the faces around me. Everything feels hazy and uncertain and I feel myself nodding off. The next thing I know, I'm in a car, being driven to an unknown destination.
- Writer
