Chapter 2

Samantha’s Pov

He had no right to say that! How dare he toss me aside after everything? He claimed he loves me!

After Killain’s announcement, I ran out of the room because I couldn’t stand it—I couldn’t stand him! I bumped into Korra down the hall, and she dragged me inside one of the rooms the minute she saw my teary face.

“Sit,” she urged and ran out. She returned with a glass of red wine.

“What’s wrong?”

“It’s nothing…”

“You’re lying, Sam. You’re crying. Where is Killain?” she asked.

I aggressively swiped my hands over my cheeks in an attempt to clean my tears.

“It’s nothing…just drop it.”

Korra glared at me with a curious look on her face. “You look miserable.”

My stomach churned from her truth. I am miserable. My boyfriend slash mate just rejected me!

“Wait…don’t tell me,” realization dawned on her face. “Did he?”

I stood up to avoid her next question. The truth burned like a bitch. His rejection hurt so much that I couldn’t even come to terms with it.

“Did Killain reject you, Sam?”

I kept quiet. Breathe, Sam, breathe.

“We will be fine, Sam,” Aldrina supported.

“Yes. We were mates, and he rejected me.”

“Oh, dear.” Korra embraced me in a tight hug and patted my white curls— the action made me tear up instantly.

“Come sit,” she carefully lowered me to the bed. “You don’t have to think about it. Killain could be our alpha, but you are my best friend. Just breathe, okay? I’m here for you.”

She is right. Fuck Killain and this stupid mate bond—I didn’t even believe in it anyway. Korra handed me the glass of wine, and I downed the entire glass, not minding the bitter aftertaste.

“Are you feeling better now?” she asked with an emotionless face.

“I’ll be fine. I don’t think I can go to the ceremony. I can’t look at him right now.”

“Yeah…you should probably stay here. You won’t be of use anyway.”

Wait. What? I didn’t quite catch that.

“What did you say?” I asked Korra. She had already sat down beside me on the bed.

Korra looked at me—first with a pitiful face and then with disgust. She smiled and tucked my hair behind my ear.

“Now that you’re of no use to Killain, I guess it won’t be so bad to hurt you.”

“What? If you’re trying to make me laugh, just stop—it’s not working…” My voice strained through my throat. My vision blurred immediately, and my throat felt like it was on fire.

“Oops. I guess I forgot to warn you that I poisoned your drink.”

“W-what’s happening to me?”

Korra calmly shifted the moment my hands rested on hers. I clutched my throat, desperate to rid it of the burning sensation. My attempt to rise from the bed failed, and I limply dropped to the floor.

“Korra, please help me,” I begged. But Korra sat there, relishing my pain.

“Help you? I’d rather see you die, Sam. You think you can have Killain? You think you’re good for him? You insufferable fool and weak wolf!”

No. No.

“Korra, I can’t… I can’t see.” I blinked repeatedly, but my vision remained blurred. Sweat trickled down my face, stinging my eyes.

“You thought you could marry Killain and become Luna of this pack? What’s funny is that you thought Killain would ever make you his Luna. You’re not even supposed to be here. God, I hate all the times I had to pretend to like you! You can’t even be called a wolf—you’re just existing, taking what’s rightfully mine!”

“Help me, please, Korra. Please, I’m dying.” I stretched out my arms, but she shifted, moving as far away from me as possible. My nails elongated—the pain stung the corners of my fingers.

‘It hurts, Sam. It hurts… arghhh!’ Aldrina cried.

“I thought you were smart, Sam, but you didn’t even notice the wolfsbane in that drink. How stupid can you be? Oh well, it just made it easier. I’ll feel so bad when you die, but you don’t have to worry—I’ll be here to keep Killain happy.”

She turned her back to me and strode toward the door.

“Please, Korra. Please help me, it’s hurting.” I called out one last time. Korra walked out of the room without a glance back, leaving me to die.

I trusted her. I trusted everyone! I struggled to get on my feet, using the bed frame as a support. I don't want to die—I can't. My head felt like it was spinning, and I felt like I was in no control of my body.

“Aldrina,” I tried to whisper, but she didn’t respond. She was hurt—I could feel it. I staggered toward the door, whispering helpless pleas. Luckily, I made it to the ceremony hall where everyone was gathered. I pushed through the chairs, and kicked the little wolf statues that stood as a symbol of Blood Rose in front of the hall.

What was happening to me? Why weren’t they helping?

The room spun. I wasn’t in control of my body. Even with my blurry eyesight, I could see the shocked expressions on everyone’s face. I was hungry—and tired—and in utter pain. I launched at one of the servants, sank my teeth into his flesh, and tossed his lifeless body aside.

I could hear everything, even with my poor vision. I could hear their horrified gasps and the curses they rained on me.

‘She’s a murderer!’

‘A pack slut and now a murderer! She needs to leave! We can’t live in fear in our own pack!’

Their curses overshadowed my pleas. This isn’t me—I don’t kill. I would never kill one of my own. I staggered toward where Killain stood—he was shocked. He agreed with them.

“Please help me, Killain,” I begged, but he only stared. I couldn’t even look back at Korra, who faked innocence beside him.

“You have done nothing but brought shame to this pack, Samantha,” Killain began. “Tonight was an amazing day—a celebration for the Blood Rose Pack—yet you have decided to bring shame and disgrace in front of our guests. You give me no choice…”

“No, no, please don’t do this to me again. I’m hurt, I’m hurt…please help—”

“I, Killain Black, Alpha of the Blood Rose Pack, banish you, Samantha Forbes, from the Blood Rose Pack. You have done nothing but bring shame and disgrace to this pack, and from now on, you will not be associated with Blood Rose.”

My insides clenched in hurt. The pain wasn’t torture—my mate rejecting and banishing me on the same night was torture. I was still badly hurting from his rejection, and now—

I fell to the ground and clutched his robe. “Please, don’t chase me away.” The guards dragged me out of the crowd and deeper into the woods. They were taking me to the border, and all my pleas fell on deaf ears.

“This is where you belong! Disgrace!” They dropped me roughly and left. I staggered and tried to get up with the little strength I had left.

‘Stay with me, Sam. We’ll be fine, we will get ourselves to safety,’ Aldrina assured.

I was in extreme pain. I walked weakly, then dropped limply to the floor. My eyes landed on the red stain flooding the front of my dress.

No, please. My stomach twisted, and I screamed in pain. My babies—not my babies, please. I can’t lose them—they’re the only thing I have left.

I need to live. I can’t die—after everything.