Cast aside by the pack

                            ~ELARA~

Just like that, my miserable life continued. I woke up in the morning feeling the pains of yesterday and still go about scrubbing, cleaning and washing plates with little or no food, then retire back to my room at night to sleep on the cold floor and cry myself to sleep almost every night.

That particular night was different. I had been so tired, weak and drained that I fell asleep immediately when my body hit the ground. I didn't do my usual routine of crying myself to sleep.

I didn’t know how long I slept, but I woke to the sound of footsteps pounding down the hall. The Omega Masters burst into the room, their voices sharp and commanding.

“Up! All of you! Get up!”

The omegas scrambled from their mats, bowing their heads. My body ached as I stood, every joint protesting, but I obeyed.

“You,” one of them snapped, pointing at me. “Come with us.”

My stomach twisted.

I followed them through the dark corridors, my bare feet cold against the stone.

They led me outside…. to the clearing near the ceremonial pyre.

My breath caught.

The pack had gathered there, the air heavy with the scent of smoke and grief. Torches blazed, their light flickering across the faces of the wolves who had once smiled at me with respect and warmth. Now, they looked through me like I was nothing.

In the center of the clearing lay the pyre. My father’s body rested on top, wrapped in white cloth.

I couldn’t breathe.

“Papa…” I whispered, my voice cracking.

A hand clamped around my arm, forcing me to my knees.

I wanted to run to him, to see his face, to touch him one last time, to say goodbye…. but I was held there, forced to watch.

The Alpha stepped forward, his expression as cold as stone.

“Beta Darius was a loyal warrior,” he declared. “He gave his life for this pack.”

A murmur of agreement rippled through the crowd.

“He had died a hero. He had died while protecting the pack, so we've come to pay him some last respects” the alpha continued.

 There was silence. I looked up and scanned everyone with my eyes.

My eyes rested on Azrael, with Lyra beside him, crossing her arms over his and staring at me with a smirk of victory.

Memories of Azrael and I together and happily in love rushed to head and I blinked twice to stop my tears from falling.

I wanted to reach out to him, plead with him to help me out, to give me a chance to go close to my father, to beg his father on my behalf, but I couldn’t speak. 

My throat was tight, my words trapped. Azrael looked away.

The Alpha raised a torch.

“May his soul return to the Moon Goddess.”

The torch touched the pyre, and flames roared to life, consuming the white cloth.

The pyre burned hot, sparks rising into the night as my father’s body turned to ash.

 The pack remained in silence, heads bowed, but I felt no warmth in their presence. Only cold. Only distance.

The smell of smoke filled my lungs, hot and suffocating.

My hands clenched as I knelt at the edge of the clearing, the firelight flickering across my tear-stained face. 

He was gone. My father…my protector, my shield, the only parent I had in this world….reduced to smoke.

I couldn't cry, even though I wanted to cry, scream and yell at the top of my lungs.

But I just bit my lip until it bled, watching the fire devour the last piece of my world.

When it was over, when all that was left were glowing embers and ash, the Alpha stepped forward again and turned to me.

 His voice cut through the night, sharp as a blade.

“Darius was a loyal Beta,” he started and paused as his eyes found mine. Cold. Unforgiving.

“But his daughter…” He let the words hang, his lip curling. “Wolf-less. Worthless. She carries none of his strength, none of his honor.”

The words hit like a blow.

The crowd shifted, whispers hissing through the air.

“She’s dead weight.”

“She should have been taken by the rogues instead.”

“Why keep her?”

My throat tightened.

Taken by the rogues??? Hell, no.

 “I— I can work, I can…” I stammered.

“Work?” the Alpha spat, cutting me off. “You’ve been nothing but a burden. Your father’s sacrifice means nothing if you continue to leech off this pack.”

Gasps. A few cruel laughs.

My knees trembled, but I forced myself to stand tall. I was suddenly angry at the betrayal from the pack.

I never expected to be cast aside, not after everything my father had done for the pack.

“My father loved this pack. He died for it. And you dare to call me worthless?” I said loudly.

The Alpha’s eyes burned with disdain. “Your father’s bloodline died with him. You are nothing.” 

I turned, my jaw tight. 

“You dishonor my father by casting me aside” I told him.

The Alpha sneered. “Your father died because he had a cursed child. A wolf-less Beta’s daughter is nothing but a shame to this pack.”

The words burned through me, but instead of lowering my head, I lifted my chin. 

“Say what you want about me, but do not speak ill of him. He was twice the Alpha you’ll ever be” I said aloud.

Gasps echoed from the crowd. Silence fell heavy as the Alpha’s eyes blazed with rage. No one had ever dared to defy him so openly.

He stepped closer, his aura pressing down like a storm. “You dare challenge me?”

“I dare speak the truth,” I shot back, my voice trembling but fierce. “My father’s blood is on your hands. His death wasn’t my curse…..it was your cowardice! You allowed him to take! on most of the fights while you hid behind him.”

The slap came fast, the sting hot across my cheek. I stumbled but did not fall.

The Alpha’s voice was a growl. “Enough. You’ve shown your true colors. Ungrateful. Defiant. Dangerous.”

 He raised his hand, signaling his guards. “Take her. Throw her into the dungeons. Let her rot until I decide how to dispose of her.”

Two wolves seized my arms, their grips like iron. 

I thrashed, fury and grief mingling in my chest.

“You’re nothing without my father!” I screamed, my voice raw. “He was the strength of this pack! Without him, you’re just a tyrant hiding behind power you don’t deserve!”

The Alpha’s lips curled into a cruel smile. “And soon, the pack will forget both of you.”

They dragged me away as I kicked and clawed, my cries echoing into the night. 

“No! He died for this pack! He was loyal! You can’t do this!”

But no one listened.

No one looked at me.

The path down to the dungeons was cold and damp, each step sinking me deeper into despair. The torches flickered against the stone walls as the guards shoved me into a dark cell, the iron door clanging shut behind me.