Chapter 5

The street buzzed with life and I hummed a tone, feeling lighter after seeing the smiles and laughter of everyone back at the shelter. Through I knew my happiness was borrowed at best but we should enjoy the little we get, right?

“Scar,” Lilly’s voice cut through my thoughts.

“You can fool them,” she said, her voice low, almost conspiratorial. “Not me. Where did you get all those coins, Scar?”

Busted.

We had been together since we were 7 at the orphanage. Of course she would know.

“I didn’t do anything wrong, Lilly. I swear,” I said quickly, holding my hands up in defense.

“Did you steal again, Scar?” Her voice was steady, but her suspicion was a blade, her eyes narrowed at me.

I sighed, stepping closer to her and sliding an arm around her neck, gently tugging her toward the side of the street, away from prying eyes.

“Stop overthinking,” I said with a small grin.

“How about I treat you to drinks and some yummy food? My treat.”

Her expression softened slightly, though her skepticism lingered. “You’re just trying to change the subject.”

“Maybe I am,” I admitted, smiling sheepishly. “But I’m serious, Lil. Trust me. I didn’t do anything wrong.”

She stared at me for a beat longer before tapping my chest with her fingers. “You’re lucky I trust you. For now.”

I exhaled a quiet sigh of relief. Saved. We walked together, and I treated her to her favorite ice cream, watching the earlier suspicion melt away like the dessert in her hands.

But then, as we strolled down the street, her tone shifted.

“A news came,” she said quietly, her voice barely above a whisper.

I tensed. “What news?”

“Those without a residence emblem will be searched for and deported soon,” she murmured, her eyes darting nervously around as though someone might overhear. “It’s not official yet, but it’s coming.”

The weight of her words sank into my chest like a stone. My stomach churned as panic threatened to bubble over. Years of living in the Royal Kingdom illegally, surviving on the fringes of society, flashed through my mind. If we were caught, if they deported us…

“Why?” I croaked. “What’s the point of forcing people out?”

Lilly’s expression darkened, her lips pressing into a thin line. “It’s his doing,” she muttered. “The Alpha King’s subordinates proposed it, and he agreed. They’re tightening everything, Scar. Soon, there won’t be any place for people like us.”

My throat felt dry as memories of cold gray eyes flashed in my mind.

If only he had a little mercy for people like us.

But then what can one expect. All rogues aren't like us. Majority are dangerous.

Lilly shook her head bitterly, her voice thick with disdain.

“And yet women still worship him like he’s some kind of god. They see his beauty and ignore the rest. It’s disgusting. That man is pure evil.”

I didn't know what to say.

Unlike Lilly, I don't despise people so easily.

Everyone has their own story, right?

“Maybe we’re the ones in the wrong, Lil. We don’t belong here. We’re intruders.”

She hesitated, her resolve wavering.

“So what? They think we’re supposed to survive as rogues? There’s no humanity in this. None.”

The conversation lingered in the air between us like a bad taste. I tried to shake it off as we reached a diner and pushed open the door.

“Okay forget about it. Lets celebrate today. Order whatever you want, Lil,” I said, forcing a smile. “I’ll be right back.”

Her eyes lit up, and she grinned. “Oh, it’s my lucky day!”

I slipped away to the restroom, needing a moment to collect myself, but when I returned, the air had shifted.

Lilly sat stiffly at the table, her face pale, her earlier joy completely gone.

Behind her, three men lounged at a table, their eyes locked onto her like predators sizing up prey.

Like they haven’t seen a woman before in their life.

“Come on, sweet cheeks. Join us for a meal. We’ll treat you, and maybe you can treat us too..." One of them grins, his voice sleazy and dripping with entitlement.

Another laughs. “Damn, look at that ass. She’s full.”

“I can’t wait to get my hands on her—”

I feel my blood turn cold, my fists clenching. These bastards have no shame.

“Scar, just ignore them,” Lilly says, her voice strained, trying to keep the peace. She places her hand on mine, but I can’t let it go. I won’t.

“Hey, sweet cheeks. Don’t ignore us. You’ll have a good time, I swear. Come on—”

“She’s not interested. Can’t you get the clue?” I cut in, my voice sharp.

The leader’s face twists into a snarl. “We’re not talking to you, you ugly bitch. We want her.”

The insult didn’t sting as much as the way they looked at Lilly. Like she was something to be claimed, something they could take without consequence.

Lilly tugged on my arm, her voice trembling.

“Let’s just go. Please. They are too strong.”

All the men had the same tattoo on their necks. They are warriors of some pack, but this doesn't mean they can do whatever the hell they want!

My blood boils. I have to keep it together. Just breathe, Scar.

We get up to leave, but when I turn to make sure she’s behind me, my heart stops.

One of those bastards has his filthy hands around her waist, tugging her back into his lap. Lilly struggles, her face twisted with fear.

“Ah, let me go!” she cries, but he doesn’t let go. He just laughs, his hands roaming, trailed over her as though he had every right, and my blood boiled.

“Stay still, baby, we are gonna have so much fun tonight.” he murmured, his voice low and sickeningly smooth as his disgusting hand grabbed her ass and she cries.

“ Aghh! Please!”

The other men cheered him on, their jeering voices fueling the fire in my chest.

And that was it.

My patience snapped.

I lunged, grabbing his arm and pulling with everything I had. “Let her go!” I screamed, my voice raw with desperation.

He shoved me back with ease, and I stumbled, but I didn’t stop.

Everyone at diner was watching us and I turned around to them.

“Help us! “Please, someone help!”

No one moved. They averted their eyes, murmuring quietly among themselves.

And my heart sank.

I was helpless.

These men belonged to a neighboring pack, high-ranking warriors untouchable by anyone here.No one would get in trouble for us.

The realization hit me like a slap, but I didn’t care. I threw myself at them again, clawing and fighting with everything I had.

The leader growled, grabbing me by the collar and throwing me to the floor. Pain erupted through my back as I hit the wall, bringing down the tables and chairs.

“ Scar! Noo!”

My mind goes numb as I feel something wet dripping down my forehead.

Blood.

But I didn't care.

I look up to see Lilly screaming, tears streaming down her face as they dragged her toward the door.

“Scar! Please, no! Don’t!”

I clawed at the floor, trying to pull myself toward her, but another one of them kicked me in the ribs, the impact stealing my breath.

Through the haze of pain, I saw her being dragged out into the night, her cries fading as the door slammed shut.

No… Lilly... Stop…

“ Leave her… take me… leave her please…”

The leader crouched down beside me, his smirk cold and cruel.

“ Who would take an ugly bitch like you, slut?”

Something wet hits my face and I realised the bastard had spit on my face. My fists clenched but I was too weak to even move.

“ Hideous things like you don't even deserve to breathe the same air as us let alone be looked at.So why don't I relive this world of your pathetic existence.”

I watch his mocking hazel eyes through my blurred vision, my mind was numb, and my body had long surrendered to this.

And then I feel it.

His hands around my neck. He was choking me. Cutting my air supply.

My lungs started protesting, limbs kick and squirm. But soon darkness crept in at the edges of my vision, and the last thing I saw before everything went black was his laughter ringing in my ears.

“ Die bitch.”