Painful Aftermath

Alexandra POV

I ran out of the professor’s office with a bleeding heart and an empty place where my wolf was supposed to be. I didn’t want to be at this party anymore. I ran past the lecture rooms and courtyards.

Running in heels was no easy feat. I stumbled just a few feet from a large wolf fountain in the open grounds.

Tears stung my eyes. Was I dumb to believe a relationship between us could last? He was the Alpha of the second-largest pack in the shifter region. I would always be seen as the girl with human blood.

I didn’t know who my parents were; just one of them made a fatal error by procreating with a human and bringing me into the world. The error was so great that my wolf parent chose to give me up and remain anonymous

“Oh, there she is,” a familiar taunt came.

I looked up to see Faye and two other young women, each dressed in costumes that resembled lingerie. 

I rolled my eyes and attempted to stand on wobbly legs.

“Leave me alone. Haven’t you done enough?”

Faye laughed. “Being heartbroken makes you feisty, doesn’t it?”

The girls behind her snickered. Faye was one of the few powerful she-wolves in the shifter region. It made her popular, protected and entitled. She was my polar opposite.

“I can’t do this right now, Faye,” I spat.

She crossed her arms over her red bunny bodysuit that had been discarded on the floor while my mate rammed her from behind. The images flashed in my mind, creating a new wave of nausea.

“Did you really think it was going to last?” She spat.

I swallowed the lump that formed in my throat.

“An Alpha like him would only use you as a sloppy fuck. How many girls do you think he’s slept with since you two got together?”

“I-I…” I stammered.

“Exactly!” Faye snapped. “You’re worthless, a pathetic human! I blame the Supreme Council for letting you into the shifter region in the first place.”

Her voice rose above the music in the short distance. Her rant drew a crowd, which was just what Faye wanted. I  attempted to walk away. I wouldn’t give in to her antics.

“Where do you think you’re going, runt!” Faye shoved me so hard my shoulder ached.

“You can’t make me stay.”

“Have you forgotten who you’re talking to? The only thing that kept you alive was Xavier’s interest in you. Now that it’s gone, you’re fair game.”

More people formed a circle around us. I clenched my jaw. I searched for a gap to escape, but more people came to watch.

The smirk on Faye’s face made a shiver run down my spine.

“I haven’t done anything wrong,” I stated forcefully.

Faye wasn’t just a powerful she-wolf, she belonged to the Onyx Pack. An ancient pack known for hunting humans. Killing people like me was in her blood.

“Bitch!”

Her palm connected with my face. Her wolf strength sent me to the ground. Gasps and laughs came from the crowd. A flashlight landed on me. Someone was taking a video.

Faye pinned me to the ground and repeatedly pounded me with her fist. I wiggled and clawed at her, but barely made contact. I felt my face swelling up with each pummel.

“Get her!”

“Stupid human!”

Faye straightened her spine and flipped her golden blonde hair behind her shoulder.

“Stop, please,” my voice cracked.

“You heard Xavier. You don’t have any protection anymore. That’s right, everyone! Alpha Xavier finally dumped the human garbage. Don’t worry, I won’t have all the fun! Finish her off, girls,” Faye ordered.

My eyes widened. I stood as fast as I could despite my aching bones. I was sent back to the ground by a girl in a fairy costume. Their wolf strength made them invincible. Soon, I was tasting my own blood.

“Hey, stop!” My best friend came running.

The girls who pounced on me ripped my costume to bits. I struggled to hide my body.

“Let her go! I’ll call the Dean! I’m calling the dean!” Emmie yelled.

The girls laughed as they eased up on me.

“Run, Alex! Get away from here!” Emmie yelled.

I got up and stumbled away to safety. My eye was shutting as I limped away. I couldn’t get away fast enough. It was too much, and it was just the beginning.

How could I endure this? I’d gotten used to the insults. Xavier was right, I wasn’t one of them. I didn’t have their strength and speed, and most of all, I couldn’t heal myself.

“The moon bath,” I whimpered.

It had healing properties. It was my only option, or else I’d have to explain this beating to my godmother, and I’d managed to keep the abuse I suffered to a minimum.

I dragged my broken limbs to the moon bath I struggled to keep my costume from falling off my body. So many people watched me limp, but no one offered me a hand.

I had no time to cry, I dragged myself until the scent of salty pool water filled my nostrils, and then I realised I had a major problem.

It was a seven-foot drop. I’d found the wrong entrance to the pool. I stared down at the sparkling, deep blue water, semi-covered by trees and rocks.

“I can’t get down there,” I said.

I couldn’t walk down there without fainting. My whole world crashed before my eyes. I couldn’t sweep this under the rug. Blood oozed from my nose, my head pounded, and I might have broken ribs. I didn’t want to die like this. I just wanted the spotlight off me.

In a wicked turn of events, the ground beneath me crumbled. I screamed, and my arms flailed.

The water below welcomed me with open arms and a wicked grin. I braced myself for impact.

“No!” Someone yelled.

I landed with a hard splash.