FOUR: GOODBYE

Valerie

I reeled back in shock. Impossible. I got my wolf and the first thing she says is 'Mates!'?. My heart shattered as I stared back at the three Alphas who were looking at me with equal shock and desire. I prayed to the moon goddess that it was just a terrible dream but the insane desire that raked through my body told me this was all too real. My wolf buzzed with happiness and desire.

Finally, Grey laughed "This has got to be a joke"

"Does the moon goddess play pranks?" Ansel asked, his face twisting in discomfort from trying to fight the desire gushing in his veins.

I could ask the same question. Of all people, it just had to be them. I know of no one that has worse luck than I do.

I just stood there stunned and against my will, almost ready to strip for my mates.

"Do it" My wolf finally spoke up again.

"Are they really my mates?" I asked

"Well, what do you feel right now?" She asked me

I sighed in frustration and answered "Insane blinding desire"

She agreed "Exactly"

Kaden finally spoke up, shutting his laughing brothers up "There's really no reason to stretch this on. She cannot possibly be Luna. She's way too weak and unworthy"

Grey hummed in agreement and Ansel could barely control his laughter.

My heart broke. I was right there and they were talking like I wasn't. This is what I wanted but the feeling of being rejected over and over again was just terrible. I just kept quiet, rooted to the ground, eyeing my things on the floor. They must have followed the scent.

It felt like a wicked prank. My biggest bullies are my mates. I just wanted to run as far as I possibly could from all this. I hated them and I would never stand for this.

"We'll never accept you." Grey said with a blank face.

I knew this but why did it still hurt so much? My wolf whimpered in pain but I ignored it.

"Glad we're on the same page" I said. Being their mate? Never! They are literal devils.

Ansel stepped forward "Did she just?..."

He looked at his brothers but they were already staring at me, burning holes through my skull.

"An omega like you can never be loved. Talk less, of being a Luna. Being mated to us? Consider it an honour. An honour you don't deserve, you weakling" Kaden said.

I stayed quiet. As much as I'd love to give them a piece of my mind, I knew the consequences that came with it and it would mess up my escape plan.

"Are you deaf?" Grey asked and Ansel answered, with a hint of mockery"She's so stupid"

I looked up and involuntarily cocked a brow.

Then, all of a sudden, I felt a hand wrap around my neck and my skin sizzled with a mix of fear

want. I could die right now and nothing would happen. I looked up and stared straight into Grey's eyes and gulped involuntarily. He was so incredibly handsome and I had the urge to push behind the dark strands of his hair that had fallen over his eyes.

I was struggling with the skin contact and he looked like he was too but he shook it off quickly "If you ever tell anyone, we'll make sure you never see another day and it won't be an easy death"

My heart shattered. They'd go that far just because they didn't want anyone to know that I was their mate. Am I really that unworthy?

"Do you hear me?" He asked, his voice deepening noticeably.

I gulped and whispered "Yes Alpha"

He retracted his hand and wiped it on Ansel's back, disgust lacing his features.

"Hey!" Ansel exclaimed and shrugged his brother's hand off.

"Let's get out of here. There's no reason to be seen with her" Kaden said to his brothers.

Without sparing me a single glance, they all went back to join the party. I fell to my knees and broke down. Why me? I stared up at the sky. Why me, moon goddess? Of all the people you could have paired me with. My biggest bullies? My chest felt so heavy as I cried my heart out. I could feel the sadness coming off in waves from my wolf.

She finally spoke up "Crying won't do anything. Get up"

I sighed but listened. I managed to stop crying, wiped my face and got up. I just needed enough money to run away from this life.

"What's your name?" I asked her

"Kieran" she replied.

I sniffed "We're running away"

"I know. I know everything" she replied

I nodded and headed back inside to complete my job, try not to get whipped and finally get paid. As soon as I stepped inside, the head maid pulled me aside, looking nervous "What did you do to the Alphas?"

I stammered in confusion "N-nothing, I couldn't find them"

She sighed in confusion, then immediately straightened "Whatever, get to work. Leave the Alphas to me"

I sighed in relief. They obviously don't want me around. Well, it's a win for me too "Okay madam"

And that's how I escaped getting whipped that night.

I got paid with no issues. Thankfully. I immediately went to where I kept my things, grabbed them and ran so fast without looking back once. I sneaked through the bushes following a trail that was barely used. When I eventually got to the exit, the guard was already waiting for me.

He opened the gates and let me out without any issues. I couldn't risk talking because anyone could easily hear but my eyes showed how grateful I was and he just offered a small smile in return.

As soon as I stepped out of the borders of the pack, the air was so different. It felt like I hadn't breathed properly for ages and my nose was finally clearing. I took in a selfish whiff of air as I slowly made my way towards the docks.

There was a man there that was always on stand by for people who wanted to run away. The only condition was to pay him. Luckily, I had enough.

I finally got to the docks and located the man.

"Where to?" He asked

"Somewhere safe for a rogue" I replied.

I didn't know anywhere outside the pack, I had never been out.

He nodded "Money?"

"I have it" I said as he told me the amount and I counted it out of the money I had earned and handed it to him.

He counted it again and nodded in satisfaction "Get on"

I quickly scrambled on to the boat and released a nervous sigh as I settled in.

The possibility of being caught started to get to me and my leg bounced nervously.

Finally, the boat started to move and the further we moved from the docks, the more ease I felt.

The wind whipped by, blowing strands of hair against my face. Cold pricked my skin and I reached into my bag to grab a tattered cloak that I quickly wrapped around my body.

I slowly lost the scent of my mates, and my body grew weary against my will. I could feel the sadness radiating off Kieran in waves.

I took one last look at the city which now looked really tiny and far away. It felt good to say goodbye to everything and everyone that has hurt and damaged me to this point. My own personal hell.

I hope I never see you again.

And then the happiness rolled in.