I can't accept this

CLARK POV

Constant buzzing and noise, a cacophony of chaotic thoughts, followed by silence.

*‘I, Alpha Lucian Pascal, hereby banish you from this pack. I never want to see you anywhere near me or my pack again. I also accept your rejection—you now cease to be my mate.’

*‘Oh, because you wanted him to be yours, right? No, he’s mine and mine alone. No one else can have him, not you… not your unborn bastard… Do you hear me?’

*‘Listen to me, Clark. You’re the only woman I seek, and I would never let you go. I promise to never misunderstand you. I will always listen to you, trust you, and be your confidant.

*‘You are nothing more than a pathetic weakling. So what if you’re a healer? Can you heal your soul? Can you truly be happy knowing you’ve stolen another wolf’s betrothed? I hate you, Clark. I hate you, and you hereby cease to be my twin sister!’*

The memories replayed in a maddening loop, each word piercing deeper than the last. My hands clenched involuntarily around something soft, and I jolted upright. My chest heaved as I gasped for air, my body drenched in cold sweat.

“Finally awake, you spoiled brat?”

The raspy voice startled me, and my eyes snapped at the source—a grumpy old man glaring at me.

I scanned my surroundings, my heart pounding as confusion set in. Where was I? The unfamiliar room reeked of herbs and old wood. My gaze returned to the man.

“How am I alive?” The words tumbled out, shaky and raw.

“Ask the Moon Goddess, brat,” he growled, his tone harsh.

I swallowed hard, feeling the sting of his dismissive reply. “Did you save me?”

“Are you dumb? Do you see anyone else around here? Do you think you magically survived death? Even being a renowned healer, I had to spend days here! Stop bombarding me with questions and get out of my cottage!” he barked.

Despite his abrasive demeanour, a small smile tugged at my lips. “Thank you, Grandpa,” I said, bowing my head slightly, my tone soft.

“I’m not your grandpa! Do you even know your own family? Call me Fritz!” he snapped, his saliva splattering my face.

“Alright, I will—” My sentence was cut short as he kicked me off the bed. I landed on the floor with a thud, clutching my stomach.

“Watch my baby, old man!” The words slipped out before I could stop them. His expression froze in shock, and I instantly regretted it.

“I’m sorry,” I mumbled, scrambling to my feet and brushing hay off my dress.

“Keep your apologies to yourself, brat. Drag your lazy feet and follow me. It’s time for training,” he muttered, already heading out.

I expected him to move at a snail’s pace, but to my astonishment, he was as swift as lightning. Grabbing a walking stick as he moved, the old man disappeared into the distance, forcing me to run after him.

“Wait!” I yelled, only to collide with his back when he stopped abruptly.

“You brat!” he spat, his saliva showering my face yet again.

Before I could react, his walking stick smacked the side of my head. Stars exploded in my vision, and I wobbled unsteadily.

“Get down and give me twenty push-ups in a minute!” he barked.

My jaw dropped. Was he serious? “Grandpa—”

“Now!” His stick came down again, landing squarely on my head. Without another word, I dropped my arms and gave out, and I collapsed, panting.

“I can’t do—”

Another sharp crack of the stick silenced me. “Restart! I don’t condone failure,” he growled.

After several more attempts, each accompanied by a generous helping of pain, I finally completed the twenty push-ups. Barely clinging to consciousness, I rolled onto my back, hoping for mercy.

The old man’s unimpressed gaze bored into me. “Pathetic,” he muttered, pointing to a fallen tree nearby. “Carry that to the cottage. You have thirty minutes, or you fend for yourself tonight.”

I stared at the massive trunk, my heart sinking. It was easily three times the size of a gorilla.

Determined not to give up, I approached the tree and tried lifting it. It didn’t budge. Exhausted and defeated, I turned my gaze to Fritz’s retreating figure.

He had saved my life, but his insensitivity and absurd demands were unbearable. I couldn’t stay here, not like this.

Grabbing a headscarf to secure my belongings, I walked away, ignoring the throbbing in my arms and legs. I didn’t know where I was going, but anywhere far from him seemed better.

______

It was already dark, and my stomach growled painfully. I hadn’t eaten all day—not for lack of hunger, but because there was nothing to eat. Worse still, I had nowhere to rest my head.

The night was eerily silent until the faint rustling of leaves broke the stillness. Movement behind me. I spun around, ready to defend myself, but the sight before me froze me in place. My breath hitched, and my heart thundered in my chest.

A wolf.

Its low growl sent chills racing down my spine. The glint in its eyes was enough to terrify anyone, and I felt my legs trembling beneath me. Instinctively, I staggered backwards, my mind racing with panic. My foot caught on a branch, and I fell flat on my face, mere inches away from the beast.

I lay there trembling, every part of me screaming to move, to run, but fear held me captive. The wolf lunged at me, and I braced myself for the end, the image of death clear in my mind.

Suddenly, a heavy wooden object struck the wolf, the impact powerful enough to send it sprawling. A sharp weapon—crafted from wood—pierced its chest, silencing its growls. It twitched for a moment before going still, lifeless.

“You going to lay there all night, or are you going to get up, you brat?”

The familiar voice made my head snap up. I immediately recognized him.

"What are you doing here?" I spat, anger overtaking my initial shock. Scrambling to my feet, I dusted the leaves off my clothes, glaring at the man before me.

"Oh, you know, just playing hide-and-seek with you in the woods," he said, sarcasm dripping from every word. His eyes narrowed. "Are you nuts? I just saved your sorry butt, and all you’ve got for me is some stupid question?”

His face was inches from mine, and his spit flew as he shouted. I wiped my cheek with the back of my hand, my patience snapping.

"I didn’t ask you to save me!" I yelled. "It was your choice—both times! I appreciate it, sure, but that doesn’t give you the right to dictate my life, you cranky old man! And stop following me!" Turning on my heel, I stormed off into the darkness.

"Fine!" he bellowed after me. "Go ahead—head deeper into the wilderness. There are plenty more beasts out there just waiting to tear you apart. Do you think this wolf was bad? Oh, they’ll make you miss our kind—or should I say, your ex-kind. Wolfless, weakling, a pathetic healer—a stupid, pompous brat!"

I froze, his words cutting deeper than I wanted to admit.

"You’re going to let their words define you? Prove them wrong. Show them what you’re made of. Make them fear you, beg for your mercy, crave your approval. Make them pay for everything they’ve done. You think I don’t know what happened? Whoever injected you with wolfbane and killed your wolf, leaving you wolfless, they deserve to pay. Not for anyone else—but for your child."

His words kept replaying in my head, no matter how much my heart was trying to push it away, my mind knew he was right.

I would triumph. They would beg for my forgiveness. They would kneel before me.

My jaw tightened as I turned to face him, my voice steady but icy. "I agree. When do we start training?"

A newfound determination surged through me, hardening my gaze and numbing my heart. I allowed the last vestiges of weakness to drain away. It was time for a new me—a better me.