Two

TIA'S POV

The next day was the weekend, which meant

I didn't have to go to school or face the pack.

I locked myself in my room, not crying but too embarrassed to step out.

I only stepped down from my room when I was sure there was no one in the house. I didn't know how to live with the embarrassment of being rejected or how to face my parents.

They saw me get rejected. And the last thing I needed was for them to make me feel worse than I already did.

I stepped into the kitchen, and my mother had left food in the microwave.

I turned it on and went back to my room to brush my teeth.

I returned after a few minutes but the food was still not warm so I had to sit down and wait a little longer.

I turned the microwave off after some time and started eating.

My chest suddenly tightened as I recalled everything that had happened.

I bite into the bread, my vision blurred with tears.

After a few bits, I emptied my plate in the bin and washed the plates in the sink before tossing them into the top shelf.

I was in my room when I heard the sound of the main door being opened, the click, and the tiny footsteps told me my parents were back.

I listened silently but they didn't say anything, they just walked into their room and shut the door.

I wondered why my father was home at this time when he should be out there discussing pack issues with the alpha.

While my father was a full-time gamma of the pack. My mother runs the pack's school. She was the assistant head teacher.

It was midnight when my eyes flipped open.

Voices rushed through my ears and as I listened closely I figured it was my parents. They were in the living room discussing a date and how to move everything in the house. I didn't know what it was about even though I could hear them clearly from my room and from the comfort of my bed.

It was strange for someone who didn't have a wolf but I loved it.

I nudged into my pillow and fell asleep. The next day was Monday and I was tired of hiding in my room.

I didn't want to hide anymore. I didn't want anyone to pity me because I was done with pitying myself and locking myself in my room.

I was almost done getting ready when my mom walked into my room.” You can take the week off.” She suggested and I knew it was because of Cade.

We were in the same school and it was possible we would bump into each other but I wasn't going to let him harm me more than he already had.

” I want to be in class like everyone else.” I responded in a low tone as I applied mascara to my eyes.

“ Listen, Tia…”

“ No, Mom, not this time.” I looked her in the eyes and something weird happened.

I saw her pain and the anger boiling inside her.

I blinked a few times, trying to understand what was going on but I didn't know what was happening.

First, it was my sudden sharp hearing and now I was seeing thoughts here like an open book.

Confused, I picked up my bag and ran out of my room.

I waited for her in the car and after a few minutes she arrived in her usual formal outfit, a pair of pants, and a blouse. And without a word, she started the car.

Did her anger have anything to do with me?

I stepped out of the car as it halted at the parking space.

The hall suddenly turned silent as I walked in. Everyone stared silently at me as if they weren't expecting me to be in school.

I guess that was it. They expected me to lock myself in the house because I was rejected by Cade, my supposed fated mate.

As I looked around the hall at the students staring my way, I couldn't help but see through them, they shared the same level of happiness.

And that was weird!

My present felt like a diet on their white and I couldn't imagine how this would have turned out if my mom wasn't the assistant headteacher and one of the strongest females in the pack.

I bet I would have been a laughing stock but anyway, I was glad no one was talking about my rejection.

“ Tia,” my mother's voice rang through the hallway, and I turned towards her at the door. All the students in the hallway cleared themselves in a minute.

She has a reputation in the school even parents didn't question her for punishing their pups because the alpha has given her that power.

“ I will take you back home if you want.” She walked over to me and whispered.” Are you ashamed of me, Mom?” I narrowed my eyes.” No, Tia.” She shook her head, trying to hold back her tears.

“ You are ashamed to have a wolfless daughter like me. A daughter who can't shift or have any of your gamma traits.” She was strong and so was my dad yet I was the weakest in the pack, their daughter!

“ I understand if you are ashamed of me.” I whispered, my voice soft and sad.” Don't talk like that Tia. You are my daughter and I can never be ashamed of you.” She said and I believed every word that came from her.” Then tell me what you are hiding from me." I demanded.

" I'm trying to protect you."

" From who mom. I'm fine and I promise to not make you worry about me " I knew she was painted because of me but I was done crying over a mate who didn't want me.

“ I just wish you would take time off and focus on healing.” She explained and I wiped my tears.” Don't worry, I'm fine. I'm heading to class now.” I turned and left.

The instant I stepped into class everyone turned their gaze towards me as the room turned dead silent but it didn't take long before everyone turned back to what they were doing.

I felt as if everyone had forgotten about what happened and it was a good thing. The last thing I needed was everyone staring at me like I had lost an eye.

I sat down. The day went by slowly with everyone minding their own business. I couldn't help but feel invisible.

I didn't step out of the class when it was lunch especially not after I heard about Cade choding a mate to be his Luna.

I guess he would rather choose a random mate than be with a wolfless fated mate.

I thought the day couldn't get any worse but I was wrong.

Everything about today was wrong for me. First I heard the news of Cade choosing a fated mate and second I heard Leona bragging about being the next Luna of the Down pack.

" Leona is so lucky. I wish I could be her." Two she-wolves walked into the class. " She is beautiful." The other said and I lowered my head, my chest squeezing tightly.

" Honestly, if you ask me. I think she deserves the title after all she is a beta." The other said. I shut my book and ran out of the class for fresh air.

I was still trying to process everything when Cade's car pulled over in front of the school. I knew he never eats at the school cafeteria for some reason.

I turned to head back inside when I heard the familiar feminine voice." Cade, when is the Luna ceremony?" I turned abruptly and it was Leona.

She was coming out of Cade's car." A few days after my father handed over power to me." Cade replied, his eyes meeting mine." I can't wait to be your Luna and bear your mark." She kissed him on the lips.

Tears filled my eyes.

I turned and ran back inside the school. Why did it hurt so much to see him with another person?

Wasn't our bond broken do why was I feeling this pain in my chest?

I didn't go back to class, I went to the basketball court to be alone.

I was sitting on the bench alone, my eyes blurred with tears when my cell phone suddenly rang.

“ I'm outside.” My dad said and I got up from my seat. I cleaned my face with my hand before leaving the court.

My father was standing beside his car in the parking space. He opened the car door for me as I walked over.” We have to leave.” He said and I frowned.

" You knew." I wasn't asking. He was the gamma of this pack and there was no way he wouldn't know such big news.

" Everyone is talking about them. And how they deserve each other." I added with tears in my eyes.

" Everything will be fine, I promise." He pulled me into his chest.

" It hurt, Dad," I murmured, sobbing silently into his chest." I know. It will be over soon. I promise."

I pulled back, my face wet with tears." Where are we going?" I asked him and he nodded for me to get into the car.

He shut the door after me and took the other door to the driving seat.

It was usually my mother who dropped me off at school and picked me up from school. And besides, school was not yet over.

” Where is mom?” I asked after a few minutes and he turned his head to look at me briefly." We will be home in a few minutes." That was all that he said.

I jumped down the minute the car halted in front of the house. I noticed my mom's car parked outside at the usual spot.

I looked back at my dad, not sure what was going on.

I frowned the moment I entered the house. My mom was dragging a large suitcase down the stairs.

“ Mom?” I turned back to my dad who was standing behind me before focusing on my mom again.

“ What are you guys not telling me?” I tried to look my mom in the eyes and understand what was going on but it was all pain and anger.

What was bothering her?

“ I have already packed your bags. We are leaving this pack.” My mom said in one breath as she set the suitcase down on the floor beside two others.

“ We all need a fresh start.” She added and tears filled my eyes.“ Did the alpha banish us?” Tears pooled in my eyes.

“ Cade doesn't deserve you and no, the alpha didn't banish us.” My father chipped in. I shook my head." Then when do we have to leave?" I turned back to my mom.

“ Mom, you can't give up everything.“ I stepped closer to her.” I will get the rest of our things from the room.” My dad left and my mom grabbed both my shoulders.” You are our girl and we are ready to give up everything including our lives for you.” My tears dropped and I let out a shaky breath.

The furniture in the house was all gone.

“ You deserve our sacrifice. We can't let you go through everything alone.”

“ Look at me, Tia. We love you.” She reminded me.” You will always be our little girl.” She whispered before pulling into her chest.

” I love you too, Mom.” I said, looking up with tear-filled eyes.

“ You will always be our first priority.” She added and I inhaled her scent to help me calm.it always works.

“ We should leave before nightfall.” My dad's voice came from the door, the suitcases were already stuffed into the car. “ Let's get out of here, baby.” My mom said and I nodded with a small smile.