CHAPTER 2. Running to a new city.

I was woken up by the sharp ray of sunlight directly on my eyes. 

"Are you okay?" I heard a blurry voice, and as I made to lift up my head, I felt a sharp ache on my head. 

My head was really hurting.

"Where am I?" I asked with an overwhelmed voice. 

"Stay still, Rory..." I heard Becky's voice. 

Slowly, I was able to regain my sight, but I was shocked to find out that I was in the inn. 

"What happened to me?" I asked with a tired voice. 

Soon, I began to have a mental flashback of what happened, yesternight.

"You fainted after he rejected you." Becky said with a faint voice, and I burst into tears.

What did I do to deserve his rejection?

Why did he reject me?

"But, why...?" I began to cry. "Why would he do that to me? What comes next for me?" 

It was so hard for me to bear. 

In our city, rejections were seen as curses. Now, no one was going to associate with me, anyone. The laws which were made by our ancestors, were pretty much dangerous. 

To make matters worse every rejected mate, was ostracized with immediate effect. However, if you aren't ostracized, you'd die from depression. 

"Rory, you're bigger than this. I just want you to be strong. Do you understand?" She assured me, and I nodded.

_____

My name is Aurora Devine Wood, and this is my story. 

My mother died when I was just three years old. She died when she was pregnant with my immediate younger brother, who unfortunately didn't also survive. 

After three years, my father remarried. He got married to the most evil woman who I have ever crossed paths with. Lady Tati, was a thorn on my flesh. She had constantly abused me in the past, and even till now. 

The last time she smashed my back with a hot rod, and that was exactly what broke the camel's back. I stood up for myself. 

"You're not my mother, and you can never be. One day, karma will hit you, and you might not be alive to tell the story." I screamed at her that night, and her eyes flickered. 

That night, my father flogged the fuck out of me, and said something that marked me. "You're a cursed child. You caused the death of my wife, and I hate you for it. I long rejected you and your curse, but... I'm waiting for the right time to feed you to the wolves where you belong."

My story is complex.

The only person who has stood by me since the beginning of time has been only Becky. She's been my best friend. 

Now, I have to scale through another hurdle. I have to run for my life. I have to flee to a far away land where no one knows about my identity. 

I know that by now my evil step mother, Lady Tati, will be celebrating her victory, since she's been plotting my downfall.

Suddenly, I felt a strange movement around my abode. I couldn't fathom what it was, but I knew that it was from the direction of the left window. 

"Who is there?" I asked with a shaky voice. 

As I walked over to the side of the window, I could hear the sound of the rustling leaves. The waves of anguish were built and embedded deeply into my heart. 

"Rory, we need to discuss, right now. It's really urgent." I heard Akira's voice, and my heart froze.

What did he want to talk about?

"Are you hear to mock me or...?" I asked with a bitter voice, as I gulped down the lumps of saliva which had formed inside my throat. 

Suddenly, there was a wave of silence between us.

"I know the secrets that surrounds your rejection, but right now, you need to be at alert. They want you life!" He announced, and I gasped.

What was he talking about?

"Wait... Who?" Before I could complete the question, he had already fled.

In frustration, I collapsed on my bed with tears in my ears.

'Dear moon goddess, why must I battle rejection throughout my life? Why?' I pondered in soliloquy.

Then again, I felt a strange presence around the atmosphere. I could perceive a familiar scent around my abode. 

"If you want to save your life, you must heed my warnings." Akira's voice suddenly brought back life to my being.

"What must I do?" I asked him with an urgent tone.

As I spoke to him, I could feel the wave of fear in me. There was a big problem, my biggest fear was hovering around me.

"By midnight around 12am, meet me at the back of the abandoned black sanctuary." He announced, and disappeared before I could say Jack. 

As I walked through the lonely paths of this city, I knew that my life was at great risk. Each step I took was a great reminder that my world was about to crumble. 

Finally, I got to the agreed spot. It was airy, but I was scared to the core. 

The abandoned black sanctuary was actually home to most of the evil sacrifices of our community.

Suddenly, I felt the silhouette of a familiar wolf scent.

"I'm glad you came..." His voice echoed through the silent night. 

"Tell me what I need to hear." I began. "What do I need to do?" 

My question was met with silence. 

"Rory, you need to run." Akira's eyes flickered with tension as he spoke. "You're surrounded by many enemies who want you dead. They intend to capitalize on your rejection to kill you." Each words that came out from his mouth was laced with sharp venom.

I was mortified. 

"Who are they?" I asked in fear.

The atmosphere intensified in silence. Akira, began to growl in silence. 

"There's no time... You have to run now. They're almost here. Rory, run for your life!"

Without any further hesitation, I ran towards my abode to pick up a few of my important accessories.

I have one direction in mind, and I intend to start a new life there.

I'm going to a place where I can never be rejected.