Chapter 4: I will leave the pack

“Let’s go,” I whispered, clutching Richard’s hand.

But he yanked it away. “We can’t just leave like this. Please, Lisa. We need to see the Alpha.”

“Let’s gooo!” I snapped—louder than I meant to. The pain cracked through my voice like glass shattering.

The door creaked open.

Simon stepped out, shirtless and calm, Mira draped behind him like a poisonous shadow. Her smirk was pure venom, her eyes sharp enough to cut.

“What’s all this noise?” Simon asked like we were strangers—not the people he once promised forever to. His voice was cold. Indifferent. Like I was just another burden to swat away.

Mira stepped forward, her tone laced with contempt. “What are you doing here? Didn’t I tell you to stay away? Showing up like some pathetic stray.”

“We came to see the Alpha,” Richard said bravely, stepping in front of me like he could shield me from their cruelty.

“And what for?” Mira sneered.

“To ask for his help.”

“Richard, stop,” I whispered, pride crumbling into dust.

Mira’s gaze shifted to me, full of loathing. “Listen, Lisa. I don’t want you anywhere near Simon. Ever again.”

“Is that why you called me a fool?” I asked, my voice trembling.Her smirk twitched. “W-What are you talking about?”

“Because I trusted you?” I pressed, the knot in my throat twisting tighter. “I thought you were my friend.”

She rolled her eyes. “And how is that my fault? I tried to warn you. But Simon insisted we give you time—to realize you were never worthy of him. But you just wouldn’t stop dreaming. So we sped up the Luna announcement.”

My chest caved in.

She knew. All along. She watched me fall… and never tried to stop it.

“Oh,” I muttered. “I get it now.”

I lifted my chin. “Then why did you let the Beta throw us out?”

Her eyes flashed. “Because your existence is a threat. You carry the bloodline of a disgraced Alpha. That blood has no place near Simon. As long as you're here, I’ll never feel secure as Luna.”

Something inside me broke.

I’d lost everything—my title, my family, my worth. Now, even my blood made me an enemy.

I dropped to my knees.

“Please…” I choked, tears burning down my face. “I’ll leave. I’ll go far away. Just… let Richard stay. Please. I’ll be grateful forever.”

Mira crossed her arms, clearly enjoying the sight of me on the floor. “The Beta gave his verdict. My hands are tied,” she said with a mock sigh.

“Simon,” I begged, turning to him. “Please…”

He paused—just long enough for hope to rise—then finally nodded. “He can stay. But not with the Beta. He’ll stay here… as the Luna’s personal aide.”

My heart cracked. That wasn’t mercy. It was punishment dressed as kindness.

“Thank you,” I murmured. “I accept. I’ll be on my way.”

“No!” Richard cried, stepping forward. “I’m not going anywhere without you!”

“Richard,” I said softly. “I’ll be fine. This is the least I can do… for you.”

I turned away before my resolve could break. I heard him sob behind me, but I didn’t look back.

I couldn’t.

He’d be safe. That had to be enough.

I walked for what felt like forever.

The trees thinned. The night grew colder. Moonlight guided my steps, casting long shadows across the empty road.

Eventually, a small flickering light appeared ahead—a modest building, nothing more than a roadside bar.

I pushed the door open.

It smelled of sweat, stale beer, and cheap perfume. Humans.

Laughter and muffled music filled the room. A jukebox buzzed lazily in the corner. No one looked twice at me. I sank into a plastic chair near the back, curling into myself.

I had no money. No plan. No pack. I just needed to rest. To disappear.

Then I heard a sharp voice.

“Hey. You.”

I looked up.

A lanky man with a mean face hovered over me. Greasy apron. Yellowing teeth. A nasty attitude leaking from every pore.

“No idle sitting,” he said, jabbing a finger toward a hand-written sign. “Order or leave.”

“I’ll leave soon,” I said quietly. “Just catching my breath.”

“Who cares? Get out.”

I stood, slow and weary. “I said I was leaving. Why push me?”

He shoved me anyway.

I stumbled, palms scraping against the dusty floor. The pain barely registered compared to what I'd already endured.

“What are you staring at? Get up!” he barked.

I could have killed him. Right there. My wolf stirred. My blood roared.

But I couldn’t shift. Not here. Not in public.

So I walked out, humiliated. Burning inside.

I sat on the cold pavement outside, breathing deeply.

Ten minutes passed.

Maybe more. My fingers tingled with restraint. I stared up at the sky, hoping the stars could swallow me whole.

Then he came again.

“Didn’t I tell you to leave?” His voice was louder this time, drunk with power. “Get your dirty self out of here!”

Before I could react—he slapped me.

The sound cracked across the night.

Something inside me snapped.

My vision blurred.

My heartbeat slowed.

My eyes burned silver.

He stepped back, startled.

I stepped forward.

I shoved him—hard. He hit the ground with a curse, coughing and swearing.

Claws erupted from my fingertips.

I was shifting.

My bones cracked beneath my skin, limbs trembling, rage ripping free.

But then—someone grabbed me from behind. Strong. Swift.

I barely registered the movement before a flash of pain burst through my neck.

One blow.

And everything went blank.

Her eyes flashed. “Because your existence is a threat. You carry the bloodline of a disgraced Alpha. That blood has no place near Simon. As long as you're here, I’ll never feel secure as Luna.”

Something inside me broke.

I’d lost everything—my title, my family, my worth. Now, even my blood made me an enemy.

I dropped to my knees.

“Please…” I choked, tears burning down my face. “I’ll leave. I’ll go far away. Just… let Richard stay. Please. I’ll be grateful forever.”

Mira crossed her arms, clearly enjoying the sight of me on the floor. “The Beta gave his verdict. My hands are tied,” she said with a mock sigh.“Simon,” I begged, turning to him. “Please…”

He paused—just long enough for hope to rise—then finally nodded. “He can stay. But not with the Beta. He’ll stay here… as the Luna’s personal aide.”

My heart cracked. That wasn’t mercy. It was punishment dressed as kindness.

“Thank you,” I murmured. “I accept. I’ll be on my way.”

“No!” Richard cried, stepping forward. “I’m not going anywhere without you!”

“Richard,” I said softly. “I’ll be fine. This is the least I can do… for you.”

I turned away before my resolve could break. I heard him sob behind me, but I didn’t look back.I couldn’t.

He’d be safe. That had to be enough.

I walked for what felt like forever.

The trees thinned. The night grew colder. Moonlight guided my steps, casting long shadows across the empty road.

Eventually, a small flickering light appeared ahead—a modest building, nothing more than a roadside bar.

I pushed the door open.

It smelled of sweat, stale beer, and cheap perfume. Humans.

Laughter and muffled music filled the room. A jukebox buzzed lazily in the corner. No one looked twice at me. I sank into a plastic chair near the back, curling into myself.I had no money. No plan. No pack. I just needed to rest. To disappear.

Then I heard a sharp voice.

“Hey. You.”

I looked up.

A lanky man with a mean face hovered over me. Greasy apron. Yellowing teeth. A nasty attitude leaking from every pore.

“No idle sitting,” he said, jabbing a finger toward a hand-written sign. “Order or leave.”

“I’ll leave soon,” I said quietly. “Just catching my breath.”

“Who cares? Get out.”

I stood, slow and weary. “I said I was leaving. Why push me?”He shoved me anyway.

I stumbled, palms scraping against the dusty floor. The pain barely registered compared to what I'd already endured.

“What are you staring at? Get up!” he barked.

I could have killed him. Right there. My wolf stirred. My blood roared.

But I couldn’t shift. Not here. Not in public.

So I walked out, humiliated. Burning inside.

I sat on the cold pavement outside, breathing deeply.

Ten minutes passed.

Maybe more. My fingers tingled with restraint. I stared up at the sky, hoping the stars could swallow me whole.Then he came again.

“Didn’t I tell you to leave?” His voice was louder this time, drunk with power. “Get your dirty self out of here!”

Before I could react—he slapped me.

The sound cracked across the night.

Something inside me snapped.

My vision blurred.

My heartbeat slowed.

My eyes burned silver.

He stepped back, startled.

I stepped forward.

I shoved him—hard. He hit the ground with a curse, coughing and swearing.Claws erupted from my fingertips.

I was shifting.

My bones cracked beneath my skin, limbs trembling, rage ripping free.

But then—someone grabbed me from behind. Strong. Swift.

I barely registered the movement before a flash of pain burst through my neck.

One blow.

And everything went black.