Episode 2
1285 Words
Elaine's pov
Ever since my humiliation at the party, the whispers have increased.
They slithered through the pack like poison, slipping into conversations, the gaps between laughters and my name was the subject of it all.
The whispers evolved into rumours — rumours that started off as snide comments exchanged behind my back until it grew into accusations and hisses.
The rumours spread like wildfire especially when the spark came from someone like Loretta.
“Elaine is so lame. Did you see her at the party last week? So pitiful.”
“She is too jealous. Too emotional.”
“How can someone like her be our future Luna?”
“She doesn't deserve Alpha Damien.”
And the worst part of it all was Damien even when he heard them all, didn't even defend me. He didn't care.
I stood outside the packhouse now, my fingers curling into fists as I watched Loretta laugh at me with her friends. She had perfected the role of the victim — the way she lowered her eyes just enough to seem vulnerable, the innocent smile that made people believe every lie that dripped from her lips, the way she spoke in a soft, liquid voice.
She was winning.
And I…
I was losing.
Night came sooner than I expected — cold and alone.
The scent of burning wood filled the air as the bonfire crackled behind me. Wolves stood around in groups, their eyes flickering towards me before looking away.
Cowards.
I took a deep breath. “Loretta.”
She turned, her eyes widened as if she was surprised to see me. “Elaine. Oh… I wasn't expecting you here.”
Of course, she wasn't. She was expecting me to be locked up in my room, crying over the pack's betrayal.
“I need to talk to you,” I said with a fake smile.
She clasped her hands together, looking around as if she was embarrassed. The mere act infuriated me.
“Elaine, umm, now's not the time. Everyone's watching.” She said in a whisper.
“That's the point!” I snapped, earning a flinch from her. I took a step closer, not taking my eyes off her. “I want everyone to hear what I have to say.”
The entire pack shifted uncomfortably. Even Damien, standing a few feet away with his arms crossed, looked annoyed.
“Elaine, don't do this.” He said with a deep sigh like I was some nuisance he had to deal with.
“Don't do what?” I shot back. “Defend myself? Tell the truth?”
He froze but I continued, not caring who saw me or heard me. “Loretta's been spreading lies about me. She's been making everyone believe I’m some jealous, power-hungry woman who's unfit to be Luna.”
Loretta gasped, her hand flying to her chest. “Elaine, I would never…”
“Cut the bullshit, Loretta!” I again. “You've been poisoning Damien and everyone else against me. You're just an Omega for Heaven’s sake! What's your business with me!”
She looked around, as if seeking protection and of course, Damien stepped in.
“That's enough for you!” He barked, reaching for Loretta. “You're embarrassing yourself!”
My heart clenched in my chest. “I'm embarrassing myself?”
Loretta began to tear up fake, agonizing sobs. “Damien, I… I didn't…”
Damien's hold around her tightened and he yelled at me. “Look at what you've done! You've hurt her!”
I was stiffened with shock. I knew of Damien's infidelity but publicly displaying it was beyond my expectations. “Damien, you're really believing her over me?”
He scoffed. “Believe her? Elaine, why wouldn't I? Everyone can see what's happening here. What the f**k is wrong with you? What are you so obsessed with making Loretta look like the villian! Can't handle that I've moved on from you?”
Moved on from me?
“What?” My eyes filled. “Damien, I… would never want … I would never want her to look bad ever!”
“It's over, loser.” I heard Loretta whisper.
And at that moment, I lost it.
“I hate you!” I yelled, reaching for Loretta.
“Let go!” She screamed as I yanked her wrist. “Leave me alone!”
“Say the truth! Tell everyone how much of a liar and skank you are!” I yelled. Deep down, panic clawed at my throat. I never wanted to do this but she forced my hand.
Suddenly, Loretta pulled her hand away and stumbled backwards.
She landed on the ground and let out a sharp cry, clutching her stomach.
What just happened?
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
It happened so fast. I didn't even understand what was going on.
Damien's eyes flared in horror and rage and he rushed to Loretta. “Loretta! Baby, are you okay?!”
Loretta's face contorted in pain. “It hurts. Damien, it hurts.”
“It's okay. It'll be okay.” He pulled her into his embrace and whispered to her.
Loretta let out a soft sob and she shot me a disapproving look. “Elaine, push me!”
The crowd went wild.
Me? I pushed her?
I never pushed her!
I tried to defend myself. “That doesn't make any sense. Loretta pulled away on her own! I didn't —”
“Shut up!” Damien roared, interrupting me. Then he turned to the others. “Get the pack healer! Now!”
Panic erupted around me. Wolves rushed forward, some murmuring in shock, others already glaring at me with disgust.
“She fell!” I tried to explain, my voice shaking. “I didn't push her!”
But non one was listening, especially Damien.
He rose to his feet with Loretta in her arms, his chest rising and falling rapidly. He looked at me like he wanted to kill me.
Murmurs, whispers, and shape, venomous words hissed through the pack.
“Murderer!
The word slithered through the air and my pulse pounded in my ears.
Murderer? What were they talking about?
I looked down at Loretta in his arms and I realized why they were calling me a murderer.
Loretta’s pale hands clutched her stomach, her lips parted in pain. A small, strangled sound escaped her throat before she went limp against Damien.
My eyes landed on it and my body locked in horror.
Blood.
There was blood on her.
A dark, seeping stain spread across her dress.
Oh no. Oh Goddess, no!
Then came a chilling, ear-piercing scream that shattered the whispers.
“She killed my baby!” Loretta sobbed. “Elaine pushed me! She mur- murdered my baby!”
I staggered back. “No. No, I…”
A growl ripped through the air.
Damien.
“How could you!” His voice that whispered sweet things to me now shook with rage. “How could you do this to her!”
“I didn't push Loretta!” I tried to defend myself again but it wasn't working.
Loretta let out another broken sob. “She hates me, Damien. Elaine never wanted me here. She’s trying to kill me.”
Something inside of me shattered.
What?
The crowd relapsed into loud whispers. Everyone stared at me, accusingly. In their eyes, I was guilty.
“Elaine's dangerous!”
“She doesn't deserve to be here!”
“Get her away from here!”
I looked at Damien , pleading but there was nothing left in his eyes, only disgust.
I took a step back, fear clouding my heart. They… They wanted me gone!
“Make her pay!” Damien barked.
- Writer
