Chapter 2

Hot tears trail down my face as I run, my breath coming in sharp rasps. My legs burn with every step, but I don't stop. I need to put as much distance as possible between me and all of them, Layla, Aiden, the Alpha, and even the entire entire pack. 

I've always known the moon goddess hates me, but I didn't know it was this much. Because if it's not the curse of the moon goddess, why would I be the only werewolf without a wolf, and still lose the only thing that seemed to make me happy, my mate.

Images of Aiden’s tongue halfway down Layla’s throat play around in my head like tapes of a broken record. His hands gripping her, and the way he looked at her. It was as if he didn't have a mate, as if I wasn't his mate. Not that he ever made me feel wanted. He was always hiding from me, like I was a strain of stain no one wanted to be seen with.

And then, Layla’s voice, and her stupid face scowling at me as she said those words. “I'm pregnant.”

“He’s supposed to be my mate,” I whisper, my voice breaking. “Mine!”

But he never was. I was just a means to an end for him.

Tears pour down my face as silent screams rage inside me. My body curl in on itself as I cry, screaming into the emptiness of the woods. I don't care how pathetic I look or how weak I am, I just want it all to stop.

And eventually, as exhaustion claims me, it does.

I don't even know when my eyes slip shut, the sounds of the forest fading away. 

***

The world is awfully still when I wake up. The moon is already high in the sky, casting a silvery glow over the woods. Every part of my body aches and my face is sticky with dried tears. For a moment, I just lie there, staring up at the swaying branches as the memories slowly flood back to me again.

Should I just run away?

The thought hit me like a sudden gust of wind. I could just disappear and never look back. No more Layla, no more Aiden, and no more pack treating me like an unwanted burden. At this point, becoming a rogue isn't looking so bad, as long as I'm free.

But I can't. I’ll barely survive a day as a rogue. I don't have any supplies, no allies, and worst of all, no wolf. Alpha Terran wouldn't break a sweat before hunting me down.. And when he does, my punishment will be worse than anything I have ever been through. A shudder runs down my spine as I imagine the hell he'd put me through. 

I clench my fists, swallowing the lump in my throat as I push myself up, my body trembling from the cold and hunger. I have to go back, even though I hate to even think about it.

Pain shoots through my knees as I begin walking back to the pack house, fury and hatred coursing through my veins. The goddess knows I don't ever want to see any of those two mistakes of creation ever again.

“I hope she trips and falls to her death,” I mutter under my breath, kicking at the brittle leaves that scatter across my path. Every step I take feel heavier, it's almost like I'm dragging them. 

Just as the pack house comes into view, the low, rumbling growl of engines slice through my thoughts as a convoy of black SUVs speeds past me. 

“What the fuck?” I gasp. 

Immediately, I see a bunch of warriors running to the pack house, and my brows furrow in confusion. From afar, I see the cars pull to a stop at gates of the pack house. Goosebumps bloom over my skin like frost spreading across glass.

“I hope this is good,” I think. The Blueridge pack is a small one, and we barely get visitors from other packs. For a convoy like this to zoom in, it must be a very important visitor, maybe an envoy from another pack. 

Just as the vehicles park, Beta Jarek rushes to the gates, waving his hands frantically. His voice is too far away for me to catch, but I can sense the tension as he barks orders at the guards to open the gates. 

And just like that, it all comes to me.  

“Oh shit, the Scarred Alpha is here.”

My blood turns to ice as I remember the stories I’ve heard about him. No one knows his true name. It is even rumored that his face is so scarred from wars that no one besides his beta has seen it ever since he became the Alpha of his pack. Some say he’s not a regular wolf, they say he's a lycan, the most powerful of all werewolves. They say he was once forced into exile by his own pack... but then he came back. And when he did, wiped out half of them. 

My pulse thunders in my ears as I watch the gates groan open. 

“Oh fuck I have to go,” I mutter as I scurry to the gates. Although I’m not in the mood to see either Layla or Aiden's ugly faces, I have to be there to prepare her for her meeting with her new mate, the Scarred Alpha. 

A devilish smile appears on my lips as I try to imagine what her life with the most feared tyrant in the wolf world would be like. I guess karma really is real. 

I dart forward, slipping between two distracted guards at the gates as their focus remains on the convoy. My heartbeat grows faster, tension rising in my bones as I try to slip through. 

And just then, I see him.

His tall, huge frame is cloaked from head to toe. The way he moves sends a bone-deep chill crawling down my spine. Even without seeing his face, I can feel his powerful aura. 

“Oh Layla’s going to be dead when this guy finds out she got pregnant for someone else just so she won't be forced to marry him,” I mutter.

I can't stop the cold smile creeping onto my lips as all kinds of scenarios of how the scarred Alpha will punish Layla and his father played in my head, mate-thieving bitch.

I barely make it past the doorway when a familiar voice shakes me from my thoughts.

“Leah!”

I flinch, my body stiffening as Alpha Terran’s voice echoes through the grand hall. My stomach churns as I see Layla’s aggressive face standing beside him with her arms crossed.

“Where the hell have you been?” he snaps. I open my mouth to answer, but Layla scoffs before I can say a word, her lips curling into a cruel smirk.

"Probably rolling around in the dirt like the piece of filth she is,” she sneers, flipping her hair over her shoulder. 

Heat burns behind my eyes, but I swallow it down. “I'm sorry Alpha”, I mutter, my fingers digging into my palms. He clicks his tongue in irritation. 

“We have some important guests joining us for dinner. Go to the kitchen and make yourself useful.”

My chest tightens, but I bow my head, forcing myself to nod. 

Layla smirks as I turn to leave. “And try not to make a mess while you're at it. We wouldn't want you ruining anything important, again.”

My vision narrows, the world shrinking to a pinpoint of red as nod, her voice ringing in my ears. Before I take another step, the front doors swing open.

A man I had never seen before walks in. He's incredibly tall with a strong jawline and high cheekbones. He scans the room quietly. Without an introduction, I can tell he’s one of the Lycan Alpha’s men.

“Alpha Terran,” his deep voice echoes. “My Alpha requires your presence immediately. He will not be partaking in any festivities. He wishes to finalize the contract tonight so he can return with his mate by morning.”

“What?” Alpha Terran’s voice cracks, fear creeping behind his eyes. Knowing it's my cue to leave, I take my chance, turning swiftly before his frustration is redirected at me. As I hurry towards the kitchen, his voice, now shaking, rings out behind me.

“Beta Theron, your convoy wasn’t expected until tomorrow! We haven’t…”

His words fade as I disappear behind the kitchen doors, my heart pounding. From behind the walls, I hear our Beta’s voice joining the conversation. I exhale sharply, rubbing my temples.

“This is going to be a long night.”