Chapter 5

Cora

I had never felt this hurt before. I knew it was only a matter of time before he would raise his hands on me but I didn't expect it to be sooner. The smile I saw on Zaria's face made me furious and I wanted to attack her but security came and dragged me outside. I felt humiliated. I let my guard down and let those idiots ruin my reputation. Now, I never want to show my face at the Tengen Awards again.

"The alpha said you shouldn't be let into the house." The guards said the moment I approached the gates.

"Are you okay? If you want to keep your jobs, let me through." I tried to force myself through but they blocked me.

"I said, let me through!" In the process of struggling, one of them pushed me back so hard that I fell to the ground. I hissed in pain as I felt I had strained my waist. But that was the least of my problems. I just hoped my child was safe. My hands went to my small stomach immediately.

"I'm sorry, luna, but we have a duty to our alpha." He said with pleading eyes.

"Your alpha and his mistress are going to pay for treating me like this. Same as everyone who is by their side. I swear on my life." It had begun to drizzle when I left the gate. My only hope now was Flora. I just needed where to spend the night and by morning, I would have left the pack.

Getting to her place, I knocked several times before she finally opened.

"Do you want to break my door?" We questioned rudely but I overlooked it. She was probably having a bad day. I wanted to walk past her but she blocked me.

"Where do you think you're going?" She folded her hands and walked outside, shutting the door behind her.

"I don't understand. I'm going inside, of course. I'm very cold and I can't stay out here much longer. What's up with you today? Who got you started on the wrong foot?"

"You know, I used to think you were some kind of saint but I never knew you could attack a pregnant woman. Is that how you really are?" She questioned. I was beginning to get pissed at her attitude.

"Where's all this rubbish coming from, huh? That witch stole my home and you support her? Are you really my friend?" I yelled.

"You know what? Just get out. I don't want to ever see you near my house again." Before I could say Jack, she went inside and slammed the door in my face.

"Flora! You open this door this minute!" I banged on the door like a mad woman, yelling her name. Passers-by were already whispering so I had to leave. I was wandering about, looking for where to crash when some of Liam's guards approached me with their weapons.

"I'm sorry, Cora but we have to follow the alpha's orders," Zion said with saddened eyes.

"Constrain her." He ordered, looking away.

"What orders are you talking about?" I asked while someone cuffed my hands. Zion sighed and turned his back to me.

"Let's go."

As we approached the boundary, I knew the alpha had asked them to throw me out. I didn't know he would be this ruthless not to let me stay the night and sort myself out. My tears began to pour when I thought of walking through the lonely road. There could be rogues waiting to devour me. How about my baby?

"You don't have to do this, Zion. Please, I'll leave very early in the morning." I begged.

"You should have thought about that before attacking the luna with a bottle." One of the other guards said and pushed me across the boundary. He uncuffed me but I wasn't moving.

"It's late already and I have family to return to. The earlier you leave, the better for all of us."

This was how low my rank had reduced. A mere guard talking to me like I was his 16-year-old daughter. I wiped my tears, determined not to die. It was just one night. How long could that be?

After prepping my heart, I turned and began to walk. The rustling of leaves and the tweaking of twigs made my heart jump occasionally. I was cold and was freezing to death but I couldn't stop. I didn't know if rogues were hiding somewhere. I made sure to maintain the road where I could see any truck or car passing by. I didn't know what time it was but I was sure it was past midnight.

I began hearing wolves howling. I knew they had spotted me. I began to run because my life depended on it. They followed me sharply, running through the forest. I couldn't shift into my wolf because I was too scared. I had always dreaded rogues ever since I was a child.

Unfortunately, I tripped and fell roughly to the ground.

"Aghhh!! My baby!!" I whispered. I got bruises as a result of the heavy fall but I didn't care. My baby comes first. Few wolves emerged from the forest, the same as some werewolves in their human form. My heart skipped several beats as they approached me.

"If it isn't the luna of that stupid alpha. What's her name again?" The one who looked like their leader banged his head as he tried to remember my name.

"Yes, Cora. That's it."

I knew I was done for. Liam always hunted the rogues and I made sure to stand by him. If I had known, I would have been more sympathetic toward them.

"Please, don't hurt me." I cried.

"I remember when my daughter cried like that to your soldiers. You lowlifes scarred her for life. Now, she can't even look at herself in the mirror. I've always dreamt of this day when I would return the favor." He walked predatorily toward me.

"Killing me would mean nothing to him. Didn't you see that he kicked me out?" I tried to reason with them. I was hit with a log of wood at the back of my head. I felt some liquid trickling down to my back. I didn't even have the strength to scream. I just collapsed to the ground. The leader of the group was still approaching me when I saw headlights. My vision was already blurry.

"We've been compromised." Before long, they were all gone, leaving me at the mercy of the driver. I didn't know if the car stopped or if it crushed me because I had already passed out.

I didn't know how long I was out but by the time I woke up, the sky was already very bright. My head was banging badly and my body ached sorely. I felt as though I was breaking apart bit by bit. A lady sat beside me on a chair, reading a particular book. I remember it to be one of my favorites.

"You're awake..." She made to help me when she noticed I was struggling to sit up.

"I'm so glad you're okay."

Although the lady was strange and it was my first time seeing her, I couldn't help but feel some kind of connection to her. What was it?