6

Chapter 6

The pains was unbearable for me to handle and endure I felt like my whole world was crumbling I can’t believe that Alpha Jaxon did this to me but initially I expected this a long time ago from the start

Blood dripping from my gown I didn’t want to go through the main entrance so I had to follow the back door my father and every other person should not know about this I said to myself

Immediately I entered my room I headed straight to the bathroom and had a warm bath tears crawling down my face all through I was in pains I shouldn’t have believed him

15 minutes later I stepped out and wore my clothes when Lisa entered and she noticed my mood immediately “You look glumly and sad is there any problem? And besides when did you get home we came to your room last night but it was locked she said and I forced a smile

“I came back late so I had to sleep what’s for breakfast? I’m starving, I said jokingly and she said spicy pasta and plantains! Your favorite I smiled at her

I will come downstairs to eat I told her and when she left I couldn’t help but think about Alpha Jaxon’s resounding warning to me “This never happened I reject you Elena” I could feel tears drop from my eyes i wiped my tears and stepped outside i headed to the living room because our dining table is in the living room adjacent and my dad kissed my forehead

I stared down at the plate of food in front of me, but the scent of the fried plantains and tomato stew turned my stomach. My hands trembled slightly, fingers brushing against the cold ceramic, but I couldn’t lift the spoon. My thoughts weren’t here, not really. They were stuck in the nightmare I had lived through — the rejection, the humiliation, the pain that clung to me like a shadow.

“Eat, my daughter,” Mama said gently, nudging my arm.

I nodded absently and forced a bite into my mouth. It tasted like sawdust. My throat tightened, but I swallowed anyway. Papa watched me closely from across the table. His brows drew together in concern.

“Elena,” he said, setting his spoon down. “You haven’t said a word since we sat down. What is wrong?”

My lips parted, but the words tangled in my throat. I couldn’t tell them everything — not the way Alpha Jaxon’s cold eyes burned into my memory, not the way his words still echoed: “You’re not my mate. You’re a mistake.” I couldn’t tell them how I crumbled inside, how each breath since then felt like a betrayal to myself.

“I’ve just been thinking,” I murmured.

Papa exchanged a glance with Mama. “About what?”

I took a deep breath and raised my eyes to meet theirs. “I think it would be good if I go back to school.”

“Of course,” Mama said quickly. “Is there a problem with your current school?”

I shook my head. “No. I just… I want to go to the city. Elizabeth invited me. She said I could live with her while I go to school there. The schools in the city are better, and it might help me clear my head.”

Papa leaned back in his chair, stroking his chin thoughtfully. “But why all of a sudden, Elena?”

“I need a change,” I whispered. “Please.”

Mama hesitated, but then reached out to squeeze my hand. “If it’s what you want, we support you.”

Papa sighed and nodded slowly. “When do you want to go?”

“Tomorrow.”

Both of them blinked.

“So soon?” Mama asked.

“I’ve already made up my mind,” I said. “But there’s something I want you both to do for me.” I hesitated, my heart pounding as I met their eyes. “Promise me you won’t tell anyone where I’ve gone.”

“What?” Papa frowned.

“Mama, Papa… people are not happy for us. They talk. They judge. They envy. You know this. If they hear I’ve gone to the city for school, they’ll start saying terrible things, start questioning everything.”

“Elena…” Papa’s voice was low. “What are you hiding?”

“Nothing,” I said quickly. “Please, I just want to focus. I want to go to school, finish, and come back as someone new. Someone they won’t recognize.”

Papa’s face twisted in confusion and a little fear. “But what will I tell people? You want me to lie?”

I hesitated again, then said quietly, “Tell them… that I got terribly sick. That I didn’t survive.”

His spoon clattered against the plate. “What?”

“Please.” My voice broke. “I know it’s wrong, but I don’t want anyone looking for me. Not Alpha Jaxon. Not the pack. No one.”

“Elena…” he whispered, pain in his eyes. “Why would you ask us to say such a thing? You’re our only daughter. How do I lie to people that you are dead?”

“I’m not dead, Papa. I’ll call you both. I promise. But if they think I’m dead, they’ll stop prying. Please, just trust me.”

He looked at me, eyes searching mine, jaw tight. I forced a smile, but even I could feel how brittle it was. My chest ached from holding back the truth.

After a long silence, he finally nodded. “Alright. I’ll do as you ask. But, Elena… if there’s anything, anything at all that you’re not saying, please… tell me. We love you.”

Tears filled my eyes, but I blinked them back quickly and whispered, “Thank you, Papa.”

That night after dinner, Papa gave Lisa some money and asked her to take me shopping for the things I’d need — a few new clothes, shoes, and money for my hair. Our family wasn’t rich, but they had always managed. I appreciated every sacrifice they made.

As we walked into the small town boutique, I kept my head low. I didn’t want to bump into anyone from the village. My heart was still raw.

Lisa was flipping through a rack of dresses when she looked over at me. “You know you can lie to Papa all you want,” she said. “But I’m not him.”

I looked at her and tried to smile. “I’m fine.”

“No, you’re not.” Her expression softened. “What happened, Lena? Did something happen when you stayed with the Alpha?”

My breath caught.

She saw it.

“Elena?” she whispered.

I turned away, pretending to look at a pair of jeans. “Nothing happened,” I lied.

“Elena,” she said again, stepping beside me. “I’ve known you since you were in diapers. You’re shaking. Did… did he hurt you?”

I closed my eyes. His voice echoed in my mind again, “You’re nothing to me.” The way he tossed me out of the packhouse like I was some broken thing.

“No,” I said stiffly. “I just want to be alone. I just want peace.”

Lisa exhaled and hugged me. “Whatever it is… you’ll heal. You hear me?”

I nodded into her shoulder, trying not to cry. “I just need to disappear for a while.”

After shopping, I went back to my room and locked the door. I sat on the edge of my bed and pulled out my phone, hands trembling slightly as I dialed Elizabeth.

The line rang once. Twice.

Then she answered.

“Hey girl! Elena?! It’s been ages! Thank God you remembered me!”

Her warmth poured through the phone and cracked something in me.

“I… I need a favor,” I said, voice shaking. “Can I come stay with you? Just for a month. Please.”

There was a pause. Then laughter.

“A month? Girl, you can stay for twenty years if you want! I’ve been telling you to come to the city forever. I’ve got space. Don’t be silly!”

A sob nearly escaped me, but I bit it back. “Thank you, Elizabeth.”

“Stop being formal! I’m your girl. When are you coming?”

“Tomorrow.”

“I’ll be waiting.”

When the call ended, I sank onto the bed and finally exhaled.

Thank God for Elizabeth.

At least one person in this world was still on my side.