AVA

"You ungrateful slave!" Alpha Benjamin howled at me, hitting my bare back with his black, sharp knout.

A thousand ice needle pricks hit my skin as the blade stuck shut against my spine. This time, Alpha Benjamin struck me with the bullwhip at the side of my waist. I tilted my head and slumped my back, biting my upper lip to keep from screaming.

"Is this what you call a meal, huh?" He yelled at me, tossing the serving dish I had just prepared for the pack's dinner. "You've just burned the meat, you dumb Omega! Have you any idea how much those things cost?" Alpha Benjamin seized my chin, forcing me to face his grim, spiteful expression.

"I'm sorry, Alpha. It won't happen again," I said quietly, my voice breaking into an audible creak.

He drew out an airy breath, scoffing at me. Holding a tight grip on his knout, he austerely warned, "Of course, I'll make sure it won't happen again! You've already caused a lot of trouble in my pack, Ava! And for the rest of your fucking life, you will pay for all the crimes you've done to me!"

Alpha Benjamin beat me again, flogging his bullwhip on my back, arms, and legs. My body shook as the stinging pain in my posterior became unbearable.

My name is Ava Carter. I'm a pack member of the Crystal Blue Pack, or, more specifically, an omega slave of the pack. Heck. I wasn't even sure if I could call myself part of the Crystal Blue Pack, which tortures its members to satisfy their malign gratification.

"You're the curse in the pack! It's all your fault, bitch! You've ruined everything!" he shouts, his eyes longing to slay me.

Alpha Benjamin didn't use his bullwhip on me. Instead, he hit me in the face with his fist, which threw me onto the slightly damp kitchen floor.

"Please, stop! I promise I won't do it again, Alpha!" I begged him as he continuously hit my face and kicked my limbs. The bones in my arms broke under his relentless attack as he treated me like a worthless sack.

I was Alpha Benjamin's punching bag. Worse yet, I wasn't even his only human speedbag. Any time some high-ranking members were in a fury, they would use me as their body bag to take their aggression out.

Having to spend every day with people you foolishly thought would help ease your pain was mental torture. Each day I had to live in the pack house was another day of suffering.

It never got better. And I'd already given up hope of it happening.

And just like now, Alpha Benjamin's punishment grew intolerably severe. He continued to pound and beat my body with whatever he could get his hands on. Goddess! I even wondered how I had overcome the beatings every day. But I had to endure it.

If I had let death take its toll on me, I would probably be dead by now.

"Alpha, please stop! It hurts so much!" I cried at him, raising my quivering arms.

"And just as it should be, slave! This is for all the damnation you've inflicted on my family!" He grabbed a section of my hair and yanked me back before slamming my body into the wall.

I couldn't take the pain any longer and let out a piercing scream. As the excruciating pain cramped my muscles, I felt my body collapse, hearing a whack from my distended arm on the ground. A loud smacking sound reverberated on the kitchen floor as the shattered tiles fell from the wall.

"You will not leave this room until you've compensated for every meal you've wasted away, Ava!" he growled in his Alpha's voice. "I'm warning you, right now, slave! If you don't fix this mess, you know what will happen next."

He slapped my bruised cheeks before leaving me alone in the kitchen. "I need the pack's dinner by nine, Ava! Don't make me wait!"

Despite my best efforts, I was still too weak to stand, so I crawled to the counter and used it as a foothold. As though nothing had happened, I resumed my pack duty and continued cooking for the pack members.

There was no one else in the kitchen to help me cook. It wasn't because I was a loner or refused anyone's help.

On second thought, though, maybe I was a loner. Yet, it wasn't by choice, in my defence.

Because I was the weak one, everyone took advantage of me. I was the lowest-ranking member of the Crystal Blue Pack. I wasn't always frail, though, at first. But as time passed and the beatings of Alpha Benjamin and the pack members became more severe, I lost communication with my wolf.

Her name was Shiela.

I'd gotten her the night I'd turned sixteen. She was there for me in the first few months. After she became furious with me for allowing the members of Crystal Blue to beat me to death, she vanished without a trace.

I could still recall our last conversation before she left me. The agony of realizing it would be my last time with her was as fresh as if I were experiencing it again.

"You never stood up for yourself, Ava! How can you let them hurt you like that?" Shiela argued. "Why don't you fight back?"

I shook my head. "I can't, Shiela! You know why! I owe Alpha Benjamin and the Crystal Blue Pack!"

"But it's not right anymore, Ava! Their beatings have already gotten out of hand! Why can't you see that?!"

"I have, Shiela! Don't you think I know that? Every time they hurt me, all I can do is keep my mouth shut and endure it!"

"So why don't you defend yourself?" Shiela growled.

My patience ran out, making me burst out, "It's because of her, okay?"

Following that incident, Shiela never contacted me again. I tried to communicate with her in my mind, but she abruptly left without saying goodbye. After she abandoned me, I became wolfless. I had no wolf to protect me whenever someone beat me up on a whim.

There was nothing I could do but rely on myself to protect myself from the Crystal Blue Pack's brutality.

But there was a time when I felt at least a little bit of comfort.

As soon as I was old enough to understand, the ones who adopted me told me that my parents had abandoned me in a basket on the edge of the pack's territory. The border patrol found me and took me back to the pack house.

It was Luna Caroline who raised me like her own child. Before having me, she had one son. She had gotten pregnant after a year. Unfortunately, Luna Caroline lost the child. The Alpha took her to a healer from a distant pack and informed her that her miscarriage affected her ability to conceive any more children.

That might have been one of the factors that convinced her to take me in.

Back then, living with Alpha Benjamin, Luna Caroline, and their son Caleb made me very happy. It was Luna Caroline who gave me their last name, Carter. She loved me like a mother and treated me like a part of their family—the Carters.

They were loving, kind, and gracious to every member.

The Alpha's family always prioritized the Crystal Blue Pack members. Everyone was given the same respect. But, like my joy, that brief period of peace did not last long. When I turned six, Luna Caroline passed away, and along with her was my joy.

In the wake of her death, Alpha Benjamin and the Crystal Blue Pack blamed me for killing her. Until now, her face still remained in my mind. Memories of her lifeless body and blank, frozen expression plagued me every night.

"Stay here, Ava! Don't go out until I say so, okay?" Luna Caroline instructed me as she hid me in the secret passage of the packhouse.

"Don't leave me, mama!" I cried out, afraid of the bad wolves who were hurting us.

She leaned toward me and kissed my forehead. "I'll be back, honey. I promise."

Before I could speak, Luna Caroline transformed into her wolf and stormed out of the tunnel. The croaking and hissing noise grew louder as I stood in the hidden passageway beneath the shaded walkway. I couldn't bear to be in the tunnel alone, so I fled to track Luna Caroline down.

"Mama! Mama! Where are you?" I burst into tears, running back to the packhouse.

I saw Luna Caroline fighting two black wolves with her white wolf. Wanting to get close to her, I shouted her name, catching her attention.

She turned to me as she transformed into her human form, carrying me away from the fight. "Oh, dear! I told you to stay there! What are you doing here? It's dangerous for you to be out here!"

"I don't want to stay there anymore, Mama! It's scary! There are many evil monsters inside." I bawled out of tears as I hugged her.

Luna Caroline held me close and calmly whispered, "They won't hurt you, baby. Mama is here to protect you."

I was initially reluctant, but a carnivorous wolf stopped us when we headed back to the doorway of the secret passage.

Alarmed, she pushed me to the corridor where the entryway to the tunnel was located. "Go back to the tunnel, Ava!"

I was about to return inside when the wolf suddenly rushed toward her. Turning back in Luna Caroline's direction, I rushed to her side, yelling, "Mama! The monster!"

A second was all it took for one of the rogue wolves to rush at her and sink his teeth into her neck.

I could only watch in bafflement as the life in her once bright eyes slowly left her face. As I ran to her motionless body, I screeched in anguish. The rogue wolves ran away when she hit the floor with a thud, blood gushing from her neck.

"Mama! I'm sorry! Please come back." I sobbed as I embraced her blood-covered body with my small hands. "I'll listen to you, promise."

"Ava..." That was the last word I'd heard before her eyes froze shut.

I couldn't blame them. They were right. I killed Luna Caroline. It was my fault that we lost her. She died because of me. And carrying that burden painstakingly every day was killing me.

To my shame, it all went downhill for me after a warrior present at the time told Alpha Benjamin what had happened. As though it had happened yesterday, I could still see the rage in his eyes when he knew I'd brought Luna to her demise. Because I had stolen his mate, I was held responsible for what had happened.

From that point on, he became distant and cold. After Luna Caroline passed away, he became very vengeful and beat me over the smallest things, like when I forgot to clean a room in the house. As my punishment for Luna's death, I had to clean the entire pack house with at least fifty pack members and cook for them.

But even with all the work they'd thrown at me, I never once whined because I knew I deserved their cruel treatment.

After all, I was Alpha Benjamin's constant reminder of Luna Caroline's death. If I had just listened to her, the Crystal Blue Pack's Luna and the woman I once called Mom would still be alive.

I would still have my mother, and the pack wouldn't treat me with indifference. Yet I knew I couldn't bring back the past. All I could do was pay for the sins I'd caused.

And no matter how long it would take, I'd have to live with the guilt of my actions until they forgave me.

***

AVA

My heart pounded as I pleaded with my mother to stay, tears streaming down my face. I sniffled and trembled with fear as I stammered, "Mama, don't leave me, please!" Sniffing my runny nose, I insisted, "I'll go with you! I don't want to stay here! It's scary!"

"I'm sorry, darling. You can't come with me." She hugs me tightly and kisses my forehead while cupping my cheeks. "You must stay here and don't leave the tunnel until I say so, Ava," Mommy Caroline instructs me, her voice laced with calmness.

She closed the door softly and walked away, but I stayed in the tunnel and hugged myself as my eyes darted around the creepy area. My terror grew with each passing moment of being alone in the dark, cramped space, which only amplified my fear.

All of a sudden, screams echoed outside the door, causing me to panic. What if something terrible happened to mommy? Should I stay put or try to help her?

I need to help her! She's alone in the packhouse with bad wolves surrounding her!

The thought of my mother being in danger was almost too much to bear, and I wrestled with deciding what to do. Eventually, I bolted into the corridor, hoping to help her somehow. I arrived just in time to see her surrounded by a pack of black wolves, yet she remained composed. While the pack warriors around her lay dead, she had already transformed into her white wolf form and was defending herself.

"Mama..." I muttered as I stepped closer.

She transformed into her human form and pleaded, "Go back, Ava! Don't go here!"

"No! I'm staying!" My fear kept me rooted to the spot, my eyes widening in terror as I watched the scene unfold.

As she pulled me towards the tunnel, a sudden attack shook us. A wolf pounced on her from behind and clamped its teeth on her neck. The piercing scream of terror escaped my lips as I stood frozen with fear. I heard the sickening sound of bones cracking as the wolf snapped her neck and retreated, leaving her lifeless body to hit the ground with a thud.

Mama Caroline's eyes stared back at me, devoid of life, as I ran over to her and held her close. Blood soaked my clothes, but I didn't care as tears streamed down my face.

"NO!" I screamed, shaking her body with all my might, tears cascading down my face. "Please come back to me, Mommy!" I begged, clutching her body and crying even harder.

Right then, Papa came with his pack warriors. One pack soldier went toward him, whispering something. The clarity in his eyes changed into a foreboding grimness as he saw me holding Mommy Caroline's dead body.

His muscles tensed in rage as he rushed over us, snatching her body from mine. Papa got down on his knees and wrapped his arms around Mama's lifeless body. He cried out in pain as he did this. "NO! Caroline! Please come back to me!" While tears flowed down his cheeks, he brushed her pale skin and begged, "Come back, Caroline! You're not dead! You can't die!"

"Papa..." I crawled toward him, reaching for his arms. However, the moment I came closer to him, he glared at me, shoving me away.

"Get out, you spineless child!" Papa shouted. "This is your fault! You killed her!" Standing on his feet as he carried her, he said, "Get away from me! I don't want to see you here!"

"Papa! I'm sorry!" I sobbed as I moved up.

He turned to the pack warriors and commanded them, "Take the kid away from me right now!" Gritting his teeth, he growled, "You will pay for this, child! I swear in my soul that you won't get away with this!"

"It not me, Papa! I didn't do it!" I wailed as I rubbed my tears away.

"It's your damn fault!" He came to me, lifted his hand, and hit me in the face. "You're the curse in this pack!"

The pack warriors grabbed my arms and dragged me outside of the packhouse. They threw me inside the dark dungeon—much like the tunnel where Mama had brought me. Papa was behind the warrior, watching me gravel while the warriors cuffed me.

Crying relentlessly, I begged, "Papa, please! Don't do this! I didn't kill Mama! Please!"

"Tie her tightly! I want her on all fours!" He commanded as he moved forward with a whip in his hand.

As soon as I saw what he was holding, I cowered in fear. "Please! It's not my fault, Papa! I didn't do it!"

"Shut up, child! I don't need to hear your explanations!" He hit my arm with a whip.

"Papa, no! Please no! It hurts!" I screamed, my voice shrilling loudly as the first pain of the lash struck my skin.

"You ungrateful wench! You'll pay for what you did!" Another whip slashed my backside.

"I didn't do anything! No! It hurts, Papa!" I screamed, drenched in sweat.

Gasping for air, I sat in bed and felt my body shudder. As if the nightmare were still hunting me in damnation, my entire body was still trembling with fear. The room was pitch black, except for a faint light filtering through the window, casting eerie shadows on the walls.

I shivered and pulled the covers to my chin as the darkness filled my cold, tight room. The nightmare had been so vivid and terrifying. As though it had just happened yesterday, I was back to that day when Alpha Benjamin accused me of my mother's death. No matter how hard I tried to defend myself, they wouldn't listen. He was screaming at me, blaming me for everything that had happened.

After realizing it was already morning, I checked my phone and saw the glowing number three a.m. I couldn't get to sleep since my heart was beating so fast. In an attempt to control my breathing, I sat up, hugged my knees, and tried to relax.

As the hours ticked by, I lay in the darkness, lost in my thoughts. When the alarm finally rang at five, I stumbled out of bed and began my morning routine. I dressed quickly, trying not to think about the nightmare that still lingered in my mind.

Everyone else in the house would soon be up, rushing off to school or work. But I was different. I wasn't allowed to attend school and had to educate myself at home. It was a lonely existence, and the only time I felt alive was when I was lost in a book at the library.

Living in the dungeon, away from everyone else who looked at me with hate and disgust, my life was a constant struggle. The walls were old and dilapidated, and the ceiling leaked whenever it rained. My only solace was the small window that let in a sliver of light but also allowed in the chilly air that made me shiver in my thin clothes.

Learning to read was a challenge that I had to face alone. I scoured through old books and papers, squinting to decipher the words. My clothes were a patchwork of rags that I scavenged from the trash cans of the others in the pack house.

It was humiliating, but it was all I had.

As I cooked breakfast for everyone, the sizzle of bacon and eggs filled the air, making my mouth water with hunger. I ate whatever scraps were left, never daring to ask for more, as the others in the pack house always made it clear that I was not welcome.

"Hey, slave! I'm done! Clean the mess up!" Brittany shouted across the room. She was the worst of them all. Once in a while, she'd deliberately make a mess so she could mock me.

"Coming!" I answered as I scrambled back into the dining area.

I could only sigh when I observed the disorder she had created. Brittany spilled her juice on the floor so she could watch me clean it up on my knees.

"What are you doing standing there, slave?" She raised her eyebrows and smirked haughtily. "Are you deaf? I said clean that shit up!"

I didn't respond to her and went to get a mop from the cupboard. Trying to hide my anger and frustration, I lowered my head as I returned to the dining hall. I cleaned up the spilled juice as soon as possible and headed back to the kitchen.

Even after I was publicly shamed, she persisted in making a mess, which I had to clean up repeatedly.

"Oops! Sorry. I must have a clumsy hand." She laughed as she let her juice spill again on the floor.

'Oh! Yeah, that's just great!' I grumbled inwardly as I made my way back to the spilled juice and mopped the wet floor for the third time.

She believed her relationship with Alpha Benjamin's son authorized her to treat others contemptuously. But little did she know I was biding my time, waiting for the moment when I could finally stand up for myself and show her that I was no longer afraid

"Pathetic Omega! " Brittany hissed, hurling the juice in my direction.

The juice hit my face, and Brittany's snickering laugh echoed through the kitchen. I wiped the sticky juice from my face with the back of my hand, feeling the wetness soak through my clothes. I could feel my face reddened with anger, but I forced myself to remain calm. I grabbed a nearby cloth and began wiping the juice off the floor, trying to ignore the burning sensation in my eyes.

As I cleaned up the mess, I couldn't help but reflect on the unfair situation. Brittany always acted entitled, as if she was better than everyone else. She had a way of getting what she wanted, and it made me sick. But I knew that complaining would only make things worse.

Once everyone had finished eating, I quickly cleaned up the kitchen and headed upstairs to my room. I stripped off my sticky clothes and took a refreshing shower, feeling the water washing away the remnants of the juice from my hair and skin. I dressed in my usual attire, which was comfortable and practical for my daily activities.

As I read, I gathered my hair into a messy bun to keep it out of my face. With a deep breath, I left my room and headed to the library, hoping for a quiet and peaceful day.

I found a secluded spot at the back of the library, hiding from the critical gazes of others. I picked up a book, opened it, and immersed myself in its world. The hours ticked by in silence. I was interrupted only by the occasional sound of turning pages.

Suddenly, the noise of a chair dragging along the floor broke my concentration. I saw Josh, my brother's best friend, sitting before me. My heart skipped a beat. I had been crushing on him for as long as I could remember.

He had piercing silver eyes that sparkled like diamonds, sandy blonde hair that appeared to have received a sun kiss, and a straight nose that complemented his strong jawline. Girls couldn't get enough of his good looks and never stopped gushing over him.

I pretended to read, but my cheeks were ablaze with heat, trying to suppress the blush that threatened to give me away.

"What book are you reading?" he asked, breaking the silence.

I turned my head and looked around the library to find the person Josh was talking to. Was he talking to me? Or was Josh asking someone? Then, as my head jittered around, a soft chuckle escaped him as he pointed the finger at me, his smile showcasing his charming dimples.

"Yeah, I'm talking to you," he said, his eyes lingering on mine as he licked his lips.

"Um, Shakespeare," I whispered, feeling my cheeks warm under his gaze.

"Cool," he replied with a boyish grin, leaning forward and resting his hands on the table.

"So I hear that tomorrow is your birthday," he continued, his face inching closer to mine, and I felt a flutter in my chest in the proximity.

"Er, yeah," I stuttered, feeling awkward, but I couldn't take my eyes off his silver, grey eyes.

Josh's question caught me off guard as he sat beside me, his warm presence making my heart race. I tried to avoid his piercing gaze, but his charm was too much to handle.

"So... What are you doing tomorrow?" Josh's voice was smooth like honey, and his eyes sparkled with mischief.

"No-nothing," I stuttered, my cheeks turning a deep shade of red.

"How about I take you out... on a date?" Josh's suggestion surprised me, and I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Was he really asking me out?

"I don't know," I murmured, fidgeting with a strand of hair that fell over my face.

"Come on. Go out with me." His smile was like a magnet, pulling me closer to him.

"Sure," I said, my voice trembling with uncertainty.

Suddenly, I heard laughter beside me, and I turned to see a group of people holding up a phone, laughing uncontrollably. My heart sank as I realized they were making fun of me. I looked back at Josh, hoping he wasn't a part of it, but he struggled to hide his laughter. It was all a joke. I was just a joke to them.

"Really, you should have seen the look on your face. Don't think for a second that I'd ever consider dating a schlub like you," Josh said with a mocking smirk.

Josh's cruel words echoed through my ears as I stood frozen, feeling the weight of humiliation crushed me.

"Sucker!" the other guy said behind me.

"Dream on, slut! He's never going to like you!" the other girl derided.

"Aww! You gonna cry, bitch?" The girl pouted, taunting me.

Everyone laughed with Josh in the center. He gave his friends a high-five, taking pride in bullying me.

My hands trembled as I tried to hold back the tears that were about to fall. With every step I took, the joshing laughter of Josh's friends seemed to get louder, making my heart race faster. I quickly gathered my belongings, my backpack feeling heavier than ever before.

The tears that had gathered in my eyes now fell freely down my cheeks as I bolted out of the library. My vision blurred, but I didn't stop wiping my tears. I just needed to get out of there, away from their cruel taunts and laughter.

***

AVA

As I gradually stirred from my slumber, I opened my eyes to the familiar sight of my bedroom. The soft glow of morning light filtered through the window, casting a warm hue on the walls. I sat up, rubbed the sleep from my desk, and gazed over to my desk, where my calendar lay open. My heart sank as my eyes landed on the bold, red circle drawn around today's date—my birthday.

I sighed heavily and said, "Happy Birthday to me," under my breath. The words were full of sarcasm.

Another year had passed, and yet again, nothing was positive about it. Instead, it reminded me of my tragic loss. I was still here, but my mother was not.

Alone and isolated, I had no one to share this day with. The only company I had was the bleak four walls surrounding me. I felt like an outcast, a girl forced to navigate life with no sense of belonging.

My thoughts drifted back to the memories of my mother, and I felt an overwhelming sense of guilt wash over me. I couldn't help but think she would still be here today if I had done something different. Despite knowing deep down that it wasn't my fault, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was somehow responsible for her passing.

I pushed those thoughts aside, forcing myself to focus on something positive. As I scanned my room, my eyes fell upon the modest surroundings that constituted my living space. A small single bed was pushed against one corner of the room, and the walls were peeling from years of neglect. My clothes were crammed into boxes, and the only decoration in the room was a full-length mirror.

As I sat there in contemplation, I realized that I needed to find a way to move on from the past and make a better life for myself. I deserved to live a life filled with happiness, and it was up to me to make that happen.

The attic was a dimly lit space, filled to the brim with piles of old and unwanted belongings carelessly stacked on each other. There was no order or organization—just an assortment of items no longer in use.

It was as if the attic was a dumping ground for anything that no longer had a place in the house. The stale air was thick with the scent of dust, and the cobwebs that hung from the ceiling gave me the creeps. I couldn't help but wonder why they had stored so much unnecessary trash up here, as most of it was utterly excessive.

As for showering, I had no choice but to use the bathroom everyone else used. It was always an uncomfortable experience for me, trying to time it just right so that I could avoid bumping into anyone else. I didn't want to draw any attention to myself, especially since I already felt like an outsider.

I dragged myself out of bed and into the day, weighed down by the persistent feeling that nothing was changing in my situation. It was a constant cycle of cleaning up after everyone, doing their laundry, and cooking their meals.

My life felt like a dead end.

But today was different—it was Saturday—everyone was home. I quickly got to work, making breakfast and cleaning the house from top to bottom. It was gruelling, especially since they watched my every move while I cleaned. It was as if they were waiting for me to make a mistake so they could criticize me.

Finally, after hours of cleaning, I finished all my daily chores. Fortunately, cooking dinner today was missing from my to-do list, so I had the rest of the day to myself. I returned to my room, keeping my head down and avoiding eye contact with anyone on the way.

But as I walked past Caleb's room, I heard my name mentioned. Curiosity getting the better of me, I stopped outside the slightly ajar door and listened intently to what they were saying. I knew it was wrong to eavesdrop, but I couldn't resist the urge to find out what they were saying about me.

Their crude conversation made me uncomfortable, and I tried to ignore it, but their words were too vulgar.

"I'm going to fuck her tonight, and when I'm done, she's all yours," Josh said confidently.

"Right on that, Josh! I wanna tap her ass," another voice chimed in. As I listened further, I could feel my face turning red with anger and disgust.

"We could spice it up by taking turns with her at the same time. Ya' know, for added excitement, I wanna see the bitch beg for us," someone suggested, and the group laughed.

"The fuck, bro! You porno-addict, that's sick!" another voice said, trying to diffuse the situation.

But Josh was persistent. "Come on, man; let the guy have some fun.," he complained.

The others seemed hesitant at first but soon warmed up to the idea. "Josh is right, dude. It could be fun," someone else suggested.

"You fucking want an orgy with your friends while gangbanging that poor girl?" He scoffed. "I can't believe you."

"And why the hell not? It's fun!" Josh retorted as I heard hoots and claps accompanying them.

"Yeah!" another person agreed. "Let's fuck that swot! I wanna pop her damn cherry, bro!"

While listening, my heart raced erratically. Hearing these guys discuss their plan, as though I were a commodity to be traded, made the hair on my nape stand on end.

"Guys, chill out," Josh interrupted. "We'll all get our turn. If she protests, we'll have to force her to give us what we want."

As soon as I heard him, my stomach churned in fear. I wanted to confront Josh and his friends and warn them against such a horrendous thing, but I knew it wouldn't do any good. They wouldn't listen, and I didn't want to endanger myself. Instead, I quietly walked away from the door and retreated to my room, feeling violated and helpless.

I wasn't just going to let them take away the only precious thing I had left. I was saving myself for my mate when I found him. They could ruin me if I just sat and did nothing.

As I stood frozen in the hallway, I heard Josh calling out Caleb's name. My heart raced as I listened to their conversation, not daring to move an inch.

"You alright with that, Caleb?" Josh asked, his tone low and conspiratorial. I held my breath, waiting for Caleb's reply.

"What the hell you want to do with her is none of my business," snarled Caleb angrily. "My mom would still be alive if that whore hadn't killed her."

I felt a lump form in my throat as I realized what they were discussing. It had been two years since Luna Caroline had passed away, but the wounds were still fresh. Like how his father, Alpha Benjamin, despised me, Caleb hated me to the core.

"Good," Josh said, and I knew I had to act fast.

I hurried back to my room, my mind racing. With the danger looming over me, I couldn't stay here any longer. I quickly grabbed an old duffel bag from under my bed, throwing in only the essentials I would need. I knew I had to travel lightly to scurry and stay ahead of them.

As I waited for nightfall, my nerves were on edge. Before they executed their plan, I had to leave. I sat in my room, nervously thrumming my fingers against my thighs, my heart pounding. I couldn't stay here any longer, not with the threat that now hung over me.

When the sun finally set, I threw on an oversized hoodie and pulled the hood up over my head. I took my bag and entered the corridor with my head bowed to blend in with the shadows. My senses alerted me to any sign of danger as I moved quickly, my footsteps light and silent. I wasn't taking any chances—Josh and his friends could be anywhere, and I knew they wouldn't hesitate to do whatever it took to get to me.

The harsh truth was that if they tried to take me away by force, no one would step in to help me.

I was an outcast, a lonely soul, and no one cared for me. Their apathy was evident, as they wouldn't glance in my direction.

Covertly, I sneaked out of the premises without anyone noticing my absence. My feet led me down a path to the woods, but a conversation in the distance stopped my progress. I crept closer, pressing myself against a tree, and cautiously peered around it to determine who was the source of the disturbance.

"Where is he, and why is he taking so long?" An irritable voice complained, releasing a cloud of smoke into the air.

A second voice, which I recognized as coming from Josh, my tormentor, responded, "The fuck do I know?"

The sound of approaching footsteps and raised voices caused me to draw back. However, I paused for a moment when I overheard them discussing me.

"So, where is she? Did you find the bitch?" Josh demanded impatiently.

"We've looked everywhere in this house and still can't find it. There are no signs of the bitch anywhere, bro." someone responded.

"Damn it! Where the fuck did that slut go?" Josh cursed, his hands flailing upward.

"What are we going to do now, bro? That slut might be hiding anywhere," another person asked.

Josh audibly respired. "She's just around here somewhere. Let's split up and look for her. We'll meet at the cabin before sundown."

After Josh gave the order, everyone went in separate directions.

I ran as soon as I realized they were out of sight. My legs pounded against the ground as I ran as though my life depended on it, which, in reality, it did. If their plan worked, I would be a hollow shell of the person I used to be, without hope or joy.

My legs burned as I stormed into the woods, driven by fear and desperation. The night was alive with the sounds of creatures—wolves howled, owls hooted, and indistinguishable noises echoed through the trees.

Every hair on my body stood on end, and I couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. But as scared as I was of the woods, I was even more terrified of being caught. That fear was all the motivation I needed to keep moving and running without a glance backward.

Hours passed, and I found myself far beyond the borders of the pack's territory, panting for breath and unsure of where to go next. I had heard that the unmarked territory was full of dangers I didn't even know about, like rogue wolves that killed for no reason. I recognized how scary they could be because they were the ones who killed my mother years ago.

So, I moved carefully and tried not to be heard or seen as I made my way through the new area. The rogues were volatile, unwilling to follow anyone's lead and always causing trouble. Their unruliness had gotten them kicked out of their pack, left to fend for themselves in a world that saw them as dangerous outcasts.

And now I was one of them. A rogue by circumstance. A threat to anyone who would be crossing my path.

Despite being innocuous, I knew anyone who saw me wouldn't hesitate to kill me on sight. As a result, I kept moving—walking and sprinting—until the morning light replaced the darkness.

My heart pounded as I continued running. It was then that I froze as a voice cut through the silence.

"Someone is over here."

Panic set in as I frantically searched for a place to hide, but there was nowhere to go—I was standing alone in the middle of an open field.

'Shit! What am I going to do?' I nibbled my teeth as I stood like a rock in my spot.

"Stay still," a commanding male voice boomed behind me.

When I saw the enormous brown wolf walking toward me with authority and power in every step, my eyes grew wide with fear. Gripping my bag straps tightly, I followed its movements with wary eyes.

"Who are you?" I gulped as I hugged my bag to my chest. Extending my hand, I stepped back and warned him, "Don't come near me."

"I said don't move," he warned as his foot padded toward me deliberately.

As the wolf circled me, I couldn't tear my gaze away from its ocean-blue eyes. I was completely mesmerized. As our eyes met, I was under a spell, and the world around me faded. Something was echoing in my mind, some primal understanding I couldn't grasp.

I felt a surge of heat, and a shiver ran up my spine as the wolf stared at me intently. The wolf tilted its head inquisitively, and I couldn't help but find the simple gesture adorable. Despite my fear, I couldn't shake the strange sense of connection between us, as if, for a moment, we were the only two creatures in the world.

The wolf lunged at me, sending me tumbling to the ground. But when I looked up, I saw a man—a naked man—straddling me. My face burned with heat as my gaze flickered across his sculpted features, unable to look away from his chiselled jawline and full lips.

His deep blue eyes gazed down at me, frowning with confusion. I couldn't help but notice how his black hair fell messily around his face or how his long lashes brushed his cheeks.

It was as if time had frozen, and nothing else mattered at that moment but him. His prominent cheekbones, chiselled jawline, and full, lush lips caused my throat to dry.

Dear Moon Goddess! Help me! He was flawless in every way.

Without thinking, I reached up to touch his hair, running my fingers through the soft strands. He closed his eyes and let out a low groan, and as he opened them again, they were rimmed with gold.

The man's lips parted, revealing his sharp canines as he emitted a low growl. With a deep intensity, he spoke a single word, only four letters long, that made me tumble into discombobulation.

"MINE."

***