The Search

Amelia's Pov 

I ran as fast as I could. My heart was pounding in my chest and I felt like I had wings on my feet while I sprinted away from the humiliating situation. I could feel the embarrassment rising within me, but more than anything, I was determined to leave the scene. 

Glancing back over my shoulder, there was no one chasing me, but I kept running anyway, my feet pounding the pavement. I weaved in and out of alleyways, gasping for breath as I finally reached my hideout where I could finally catch my breath and relax.

I collapsed against the door, relieved I had escaped the situation. What was happening, who could have done that? Who else was there? I knew it was a setup but didn't know who was responsible. I never knew they would take bullying to this level.

I had thought it was all a dream, but here it was, a video of me having sex, viewed by the whole pack.

At that moment, I knew it was the end. I would be banished or worse executed. 

Few years before my birth, Alpha Verdran executed his daughter, born to him by his first mate after she was caught having an affair with the son of a defaulter. He had later placed an order to execute anyone caught having sex with a random person and not their mates.

I trembled with fear as I hid in the darkness of my cramped hiding spot when I heard the voices of the pack warriors outside. I held my breath, hoping, praying that they wouldn't find me. 

My heart beat faster and faster, my fear intensifying as the seconds passed, they were close. How did they find out I was here?

I tried mind-linking my mum, but she yelled at me, telling me not to come home if I loved my life. I knew she was also in danger, but will I be able to tell her I was innocent and would she believe me?

My heart raced as I heard the Warriors pounding on the door to the room I was in. I had nowhere to go and only seconds to react. Panic filled my whole being, yet I forced myself to remain calm and think quickly. With a burst of adrenaline, I grabbed my bag and ran to the old closet by the wall. I tucked myself into the corner and pulled the door shut. I kept still despite the bugs clinging to my legs, as I desperately prayed.

I could hear their voices drawing nearer. I closed my eyes and held my breath, trying to remain undetected. Then, with a loud crash, the door splintered open and the Warriors were in the room.

Fear escalated as the Warriors searched for me, but I managed to stay just out of reach. As they drew closer, I made a split-second decision and was about to dash out of the closet when everywhere suddenly became calm.

This was a trap, I thought as I stayed still.

"Are you sure she came this way?" The lead warrior asked.

"Very sure, unless she must have run out." A voice assured.

"We'll search here one more time and go into the town, we must not lose her." He commanded as I gulped nothing. They were going to find me. It was over. I hated my life, but I never knew it was going to end this way.

I trembled with fear as the telltale footsteps of a warrior got even closer. I held my breath and waited, expecting to be discovered. 

But then, something unexpected happened. The pack warrior opened the closet door and caught sight of me, yet instead of attacking, he merely made a finger across his lips in a gesture for me to stay quiet. 

Without uttering a word, he closed the door again, acting as though he had never seen me at all. 

I didn't quite know what to make of this otherworldly mercy from the pack warrior.

"Nothing to see here. Let's go." He commanded as the warriors walked out of the room.

I heaved in relief, but why would he do that? Why would he save me? Why was he putting his life and those of his warriors on the line?

I was suddenly overwhelmed with emotion as the tears left my eyes. All these are happening because my dad wasn't alive and fate wasn't fair to me.

I was scared to come out of the closet in fear of the unknown, danger might be lurking around. I decided to mind-link my mum but it seems she was blocking me off.

I immediately knew something was wrong as I feared for my mother's safety. She hadn't been the best, but she was always there for me.

I sprinted out of the closet in an attempt to save her, my heart raced as I ran faster than I had ever run before, dodging debris and people in my way.

The dark sky seemed to forebode danger, and I was terrified that something bad would happen before I could reach her. I desperately prayed under my breath as I continued to run till I reached the dark town sitting at the end of the pack.

I crept up the house, my heart pounding in my chest. I had suspected that the house would be locked up, and I desperately wanted to go in to know if she had been captured. I carefully scanned my windows, looking for a way in. 

Finally, I spotted one slightly open window. With great effort, I managed to squeeze through the small opening.

My clothes were ripped and my skin was cut by the glass as I made my way through.

I felt a stab of pain in my ankle as I accidentally caught it on a jagged piece of metal. But I kept going, determined to reach the other side.

Finally, I tumbled breathlessly into the room. I found myself in a strange new world and, despite my throbbing ankle, I was filled with shock and confusion as I surveyed the destruction that had been done to our room. All of my possessions were scattered around, and broken things littered the floor. I felt disbelief and fear.

I had always hoped I wouldn't cross the Alpha's path, but I was now in it.

I gasped in horror as I tiptoed down the stairs and saw a figure standing in the shadows with a smile spread across its face. 

What was I expecting? That he wouldn't be here? He walked to flick on the light switch as I turned to my left. But instead of discovering a torn sofa and broken chairs, I met the unexpected, my mom and Mr. Henry sitting across from each other, both unharmed. It was a pleasant surprise, and I couldn't help but feel relieved that they were safe, though I didn't like Mr. Henry much.

"What's going on?" I stuttered speaking for the first time, turning to look at my mum.

"It's okay, my dad isn't after you, and the video was deleted," Chris whispered, walking towards me with a beautiful smile.

"Deleted?" I whispered surprised at the events of the day.

"Yes, it's so obvious you were violated, we found the evidence in your room. Don't worry, the ones who did this to you will soon be caught and proper punishment would be given to them." Chris said as I stared at him, completely taken aback by his words. I was speechless, unable to form a word or even a coherent thought. Nobody but my late dad has ever done this for me.

I was shocked when he suddenly started moving towards me. I hadn't expected him to act in such a manner and couldn't help but feel surprised by his sudden actions. 

He stood in front of me, making me stare at his amber eyes. His hands trembling as he tries to speak, I had never seen him in such a situation before.

He looks into my eyes and with a deep breath begins speaking.

"I know this isn't the right moment to say it, but will you be my Luna?" He asked every word spoken with such raw emotion and intensity that it almost seems like a plea. 

I was taken aback by his sudden confession of love. I blushed and hesitated before responding. “I'm honored, but I must be your mate before I could be your Luna, and by the way, I don't have a wolf, I'm just an Omega, living with defaulters, and lastly I don't feel anything towards you," I said, trying to control my racing heart and not wanting to upset him. 

"It doesn't matter, you don't feel it because you're yet to have a wolf. I'm sure you'll shift soon, don't be bothered about that." He said calmly as Mr. Henry shifted his leg, it seemed he wasn't comfortable with Chris being around me.

"I'd be picking my mate in three days' time at the pack house, and you're invited. Please don't let me down." He tells me, standing still and awaiting my response, his heart in knots.

Not in my wildest fantasies did I think, I'd be going back to the pack house again. Not after the embarrassments, and here he was, the soon-to-be Alpha, begging me to be his Luna and inviting me over.

I didn't want to keep him waiting, so I stared at my mum but she just shrugged her shoulders. I turned to him and whispered.

“But I must ask for some time to think before I give you an answer.”

"There isn't time to think, it's in three days." He whispered.

"Well, why don't I give you an answer." Mr. Henry said, walking towards Chris.

"She won't be coming, I'm her dad and that's final." He spat, making Chris Beta punch him in the face. 

"You don't talk to him like that." 

"Well, let's see, he is the Alpha and I am her father, let's see how he gets her out of this house." Mr. Henry replied.

I was dazed to stand their arguments, I had been running for what felt like hours, and now this. I was so exhausted and disoriented. 

Mr. Henry didn't help matters as he kept claiming to be my dad. I was too weak to argue as I walked towards the couch when I tripped over and stumbled, my vision blurring and consciousness fading quickly. I fell to the ground, completely unconscious, unaware of the relentless chaos that continued to play out around me.