CHAPTER 4: Outcast

 I feel cold water splash on my face, jolting me awake. My eyes flew open in shock and the face that greet me is one I barely want to see.

“Get up, you filthy whore,” my stepmother spit out, and the empty bucket drops on my head. Her eyes that are always hard on me were now filled with a poisonous glee. My half sister, Lucia, stood beside her with a smirk on her face, crossed arms watching me with disgust like I am some dirt.

“So pathetic” Lucia said, her voice dripping with disgust. “Here’s your supplies, that should be enough for you” She said, nudging a small sack to my side with the toe of her boot. 

I sit up slowly even though my whole body ached badly from last night's event. I pick up the sack with my trembling hands. The sack is light weight and I wonder how many useful things it contained.

“Are you really throwing me out?” my voice cracks. My eyes filled with tears as i desperately look from one to the other. 

“Are you deaf or aren’t you aware yet?” Lucia  asked with a cruel smile splattered on her face. “You, my darling, are no longer a pack member. You’re not a part of this family. You’re absolutely nothing, but a disgrace, Phoenix.”

“You’re nothing but a traitor who can’t keep her legs closed” she spit out

“I didn’t do it,” I say inaudibly. “ I swear, I don't remember anything that happened, but i’ll never betray the pack.”

My stepmother breaks out in laughter, very sharp and cold laughter. “And what makes you think we’ll believe you? The whole pack knows of your deed, you are nothing but trash now,  Take a look around.”

I glance around, and I see that everyone has gathered. Pack members I’d known my whole life stared at me in disgust. Whispers flying from different angles.

“Whore!”

“How dare she do that?!”

“Such a disgrace”

“She has ruined us”

My heart break in pieces as I pick up fragments of what they were saying about me. I look around and the hate was glaring, I was desperate to find someone who had a hint of compassion on their face but there was none. Everyone glared and sneered in disgust.”

“You heard mum,” Lucia  said. ”Pick up your things and leave, here never to return.”

“No, please,” I beg, trying to stand but my legs shook beneath me. “Please let me speak to my father , he has to hear me out.”

“You father,? You must be dreaming.” My stepmother scoffed out. “Do you think he wants to see you too? After everything you’ve done and the shame you’ve brought us?”

I shake my head in desperation, “Please let me talk to him. I just really want to speak with him, he has to hear me out. Please let me try, please.”

She scoff as she steps closer a few inches from my face. “Your father is done with you, Phoenix. The pack is also done with you. If you go back, they’ll tear you apart. The earlier you know this, the better for you.” 

My breath is very heavy and my heart threaten to tear apart as well. Gathering the little courage left in me, I stand up stumbling towards the door to  the pack house. My eyes sting with tears but I hold them from falling, my heart continue to pound heavily with every step I take forward. 

When I got to the front door, I find a handful of pack guards blocking my way. I look at their eyes in search of sympathy. “Please let me speak to my father…just this last time” I beg with my hoarse voice. 

“You’re not going anywhere near him, Phoenix. Not a chance for you, not after what you’ve done.” One of the guards who I've known since my childhood say in a hard tone.  

My knees hit the ground as i stumble back. “ Please...let me see him,” i beg. “You have to believe me, i didn’t do anything, i don’t know what happened. Please i’ll never betray my pack, you know me.” I say in a low tone

“Not anymore, Phoenix,” One of the guards sneer, shaking his head. “You are no longer part of us.”

I try to push forward again but the guards hold me down with their strings and push hard at me and shoved me away, so hard I fall on the ground. My head begins to spin and a pain shoot through my body, but I force myself to get back up.

“Get out of here, now.” someone shout from the crowd of pack members gathered. “You’re a disgrace.” They said with their voice full of venom.

“We don't want you here.” Another voice chimed in

As i try to stand, a kick lands on my back and hands push me back down. I crumble to the ground, holding my hurt ribs. My body ached even more, but the pain is nothing compared to the betrayal and humiliation that has enveloped me.

“Just leave here, there’s nothing for you here anymore.” My stepmother’s voice came echoing above me, cold and firm. 

The tears finally came pouring down as i look up. “Please just give me one chance. I swear I don't remember. I would never hurt this family.”

No one listened to me, all I received is cold snares and jeers. I have become nothing but a disgrace and a bad memory to the pack. Lucia and her mother both have their  lips twisted in a smirk.

I spent hours pleading, crying, being pulled around, punched, kicked, and no one took my words. My pleas fell on deaf ears instead. As my voice grew hoarse, my plea became weak and I pick myself up with the last hope in me. My legs are trembling as I pick up the small sack and clutched it to my chest.

“Just go away,” Lucia sneers. “Go back to your rogue lover. Maybe he will take you in with pity.”

My heart shatters in pieces as I stagger towards the end of the house, my legs are barely carrying me but I knew I was moving. The jeers and whispers follow me as I make my way out in shame.

When I finally reached the tree line, i glance back at the house one last time. I saw no sympathy in anyone’s eyes, all I saw was cold, hard stares and turned backs.

My whole body ached as I took more steps forward into the forest, the trees swallowing any sight of my body. I clutched the small sack tightly and my eyes burn with hot tears. 

Till now I wasn't sure what led me to this humiliating event but one thing Is sure, one very terrifying thought remained and sends shivers down my bones.

 I am alone.