Chapter 3: The Fate was never Chose

On my way back to the pack house, a few kilometers away from the pack’s territory, the pain inside started to appear again…

No…no..no... I made sure to drink one before I left Zeus, why is it happening again?

“It’s not enough,” my wolf told me. “Drink more. Please.”

My breath became labored and my hand started to tremble. I took the pill out of my pocket and was about to pop one when the pain started to intensify, much more painful than before. The pill split from my hand and my knees started to give up like it couldn’t carry me anymore. This time, my whole body ached and my organs were also affected. I couldn’t breathe. Every breath I took was too painful. 

“Stop! Please stop!” I begged. 

“He’s marking her!” My wolf said, weakly. “We’re going to die soon, November.”

I didn’t know how long I had been in a fetal position, crying. All I knew was that something in my mind, pack link, was trying to enter my mind. 

“Where are you? The Alpha told us to be at the pack hall for the announcement. As a warrior leader, you should be here!” 

It was my brother but I blocked him off. He, of all people, had given me so much pain by praising Emerald and that she was fit to stand beside Knox. I couldn’t blame him, he doesn’t know after all. 

I rolled over onto my back and stared up at the starry night sky. Knox was like the stars. I could only watch him from afar but I couldn’t be with him. And then there’s the moon, Emerald. The stars represent Knox, twinkling and dancing in the midnight blue sky, clear of any clouds.  Performing the eternal court, praising the moon and its beauty. 

I turned to the side and used my two arms as leverage to push myself into a sitting position. My arms were still trembling slightly from the aftershocks of the pain, and with effort and final strength, I was finally able to stand up. My legs still feel like jelly underneath me, as if they barely had the strength to carry my full weight.  I swept back my long black hair off of my face. It was soaked from the sweat that had come pouring off. Some still matted to my forehead. I brushed myself off, hiding my dead face inside the hoodie.

I took my time walking back home, it gave me time to shake off whatever the effects the pain had on me. I masked it, and changed into the facade I always used.  A half-hour passed before the forest began thinning out, and the house came into view.  

At this time of the night, most of the pack members would be asleep but June told me that there’s an announcement tonight.  Silently, I crept through the backyard, and entered the backdoor of the house, making my way in the hall. 

I entered the door only to hear what Knox announced which made me stare at my heart that was broken in pieces before me. 

"You are my forever and the Luna of the Pack, Emerald. I will never love another as much as I will love you." 

His words peirce into my chest. I bit my lips to stop myself from crying. 

“Congratulations, Alpha and Luna!” I heard someone say and was followed by everyone. 

I watched as the two held each other like an inseparable pod. The pack members howled in joy after finally Knox already found his mate. I watched her head tilted back to look up at him with a smile on her face.

Emerald was laughing at something he whispered to her. And then Knox planted a kiss on her forehead and then to her lips, the pack members clapped their hands and whistled. Nobody suspected them. The whole pack considered Emerald must be Knox’s one true mate. 

“What about us?” My wolf whined, crying as her heart also broke just like mine. 

“We’re nothing for him,” I replied as I held back my tears. 

The sound of the pack members’ cheers and claps suffocated and fueled the pain I was suffering. 

I should have left and never asked for a release to escape away before but Knox forbade me. He said he needed me since I was the warriors’ leader. From the other pack member’s point of view, the scene was perfect for loving mates but for me, it was like watching a car wreck. Scared, but you couldn't turn your eyes away from it.  It was my nightmare, the same nightmare I see in my sleep repeatedly.  The same one that haunted my life in nights and my days.

“Packmates, I present to you, your new Luna. She will be leading with me. I hope you respect her the way you respected me,” Knox announced, making the crowd cheer.

I turned around, biting my lips, and let go of the tears that I had been holding. 

My hopes, my pride, and my fate were thrown away. It was the final blow.  It had taken two years to get here.  But here I was, and there was no turning back.  With that, I turned around and walked away from my future, my everything, to finally welcome the fate I didn't choose. 

But it was chosen for me.