CHAPTER SIX - THE ALPHA'S CLAIM

"Get your hands off me," I hissed and snatched my hand away from his touch because disgust clawed at my heart.

"There's no point fighting back because nothing is within your control any more," Kael said coldly with a blank face.

My eyes blazed as I bit my inner cheek to hold back my tears. He doesn't deserve it. None of them deserves it and I'd rather die than give him the satisfaction that could break me a second time.

"So you expect me to follow him like a pathetic puppy? I'm just a lowly omega, not some slave whose life is decided by others." I sneered as I dug my nails into my flesh.

I glared at Ronan, while his eyes pierced mine in return like he was searching for some hidden secret.

Oh, if only he knew just how much hatred I have for him. The way my stomach twisted at the mere sight of him. The way my hands itched to strangle him and snatch life away from him.

"Selene, please calm down." Bess whispered with a worried voice but I didn't spare her a glance.

Calm down? How was that possible? I must seem like a crazy person. Well, anyone who experienced the cruel things he put me through wouldn't blame me for acting up.

Ronan brushed his hand through his hair. A mix of irritation, anger and confusion flashed through his eyes but disappeared as soon as it came.

Then he took slow and calculated steps towards me and I retreated. However, that didn't deter him as he stalked closer like the predator he is but this time, I refuse to be a prey he could toy with whenever he pleased.

"I already claimed you. That is final," he growled coldly.

Unfortunately, I stumbled on a brick behind me and I closed my eyes ready to hit the ground when a strong muscular hand wrapped around me.

I knew it was him before I could open my eyes. I hated how I remembered tiny things about him. I would give anything to get rid of my memories of him but I'm also grateful that I have past memories of him. That way, I would think with my head and not my heart.

The heart was unpredictable, and that was precisely what frightened me. I couldn't allow mine to forget what Ronan had done simply because my wolf recognized him as its mate.

His grip on my waist tightened and my hopeless wolf purred in my head. I gritted out of annoyance. How could she react to his touch, knowing full well that he was our sworn enemy?

With all the strength I could muster, I shoved him away and that sudden movement sent me stumbling backward, and landed on the ground with a painful thud. 

My skin scratched the rough ground and I shut my eyes tightly to swallow the pain but never making a sound.

"Selene! Are you okay?" Bess gapsed and I nodded.

"Leave!" Ronan suddenly commanded and immediately the others ran out without thinking twice.

I snapped my eyes open. I didn't want to stay in the same space with him, not even as a corpse. The thought of it alone repulsed me.

"Why?" I hissed sharply and stood up. Ignoring the blood seeping out of my skin. "You don't want them to know who you really are?" I questioned.

I waited for an answer but his eyes were fixated on my bruised hand. Of course he was pretending to care. He always knew exactly how to wear the mask of a man who cared.

Ronan was just a self-centered man who doesn't care about anybody but himself and his reputation. All the words and actions that the world could mistake for care and affection are all fake. A ploy to capture his prey before tearing them apart in the worst way possible.

"What gave you the right to argue with an Alpha who has claimed you directly?" A voice thundered and we all turned to look at the person.

It was none other than Alpha Gregory, the Alpha of Willow Creek Pack.

Everyone except Kael and Ronan bowed in courtesy. My hands balled into fists behind me.

Why did he have to come now? If anyone was to defend or protect me, it was definitely not Alpha Gregory because just like the members of his Pack, he doesn't like me either.

"I heard commotion and decided to check out what's going on. Turns out, it's no other person than..." His eyes scanned me from head to toe. "...You."

My nose flared and the veins in the nape of my neck pulsed violently. In this life, why do they have to trample upon me again? I refuse to accept this destiny. My life is mine and I would be the one to control my destiny, so I'm changing it to suit what I want.

"It's either you accept the decree and escape the treason accusation or you lose your life," Alpha Gregory said with a cold voice but his eyes blazed.

Goosebumps filled my skin and my heart pounded against my chest as I heard the word 'treason'. It was the reason I lost my life and I don't plan on the same thing happening again.

Unshed tears stung the back of my eyes but I blinked slowly to push it back. Why does Ronan get treated like he was some perfect man? Was it because of his title? Otherwise there was nothing special about him.

As I have decided to take charge of my life, death was not an option. I still have to make Ronan pay with his life.

"Will you obey or not?" Gregory raised his eyebrows as the question rolled off his mouth with ease. The question sounded simple but the underlying threat didn't go unnoticed by me.

It was obvious that I couldn't escape going to the Royal Capital this time. The timeline was different, so maybe I could get to decide where the storm leads me.

I swallowed the gulp in my throat and took a deep breath. I shifted back my gaze to Ronan whose eyes didn't leave me.

I pinched myself so hard but it was nothing compared to the pain and hate in my heart.

"I will obey the edict.”