RUNNING

One Year Ago

I finally did it...

I shifted...

As the weakest omega in Willow Tree Pack, I have always been bullied. I had no parents, my wolf was practically useless and I was just a weakling overall.

But then when I found out that Alpha Brook was my mate, everything changed. I became determined- I could not afford to be weak. 

Since the mating ritual, I vowed to myself to get stronger. 

Now, I'm standing in the middle of the pack fields, claws drawn.

I shifted...

Even though it is just a bit. Progress!

My heart skips with joy and my mind flutters to my mate at this moment. Brook would be so happy. 

He was such a supportive partner. Even when the elders outrightly rejected me to be Luna of the pack, he stood by me. He believed in me.

Something is tickling me from the inside so I laugh. This is what it felt to be happy?

I can feel the weak presence of my wolf for the first time in years. 

"I have to tell Brook!" 

I turn on my heels and sprint through the tall grass field. Some pack warriors follow my movements with sneers on their faces. Brook might have accepted me, but his people have not.

It will all change soon!

The pack territory was so huge. It takes me quite a while before I can even reach the mansion's doors. 

Naturally, the Alpha's chambers were situated at the very last floor of the great pack house. 

My heart is pounding from joy. All the abuse, all the insults.

Weak. Useless. Wolfless. 

I will show them how determined I am to become stronger.

I will become fit to rule the pack...

My feet slap against the floorboards as I dash through the corridors. His room is just up ahead so I pick up the pace.

I arrive before the huge doors and pant softly from all the running. There's a wide smile on my face and my stomach is fluttering.

Before I can push the door open, I hear the muffled moan of a lady inside. 

"...uuu. Oh, Brook! Ohhhh." 

What is this?

Am I dreaming? Convinced I'm hearing things, I press my ear against the wooden door. 

"Shhh, Seline...don't be too loud."

That's Brook's voice. My mate.

"Ooouuu. I c-can't! Ar-ar-arghh. Yes...fuck me!"

That voice...

It belongs to my best friend. I pray to the gods that this is all a dream because if not...

My heart is racing faster and it's not from joy. No. It's from something else. A lot of emotions are passing through my heart at this moment; confusion, disbelief, anger, hatred, anguish.

"Ouuuu Alpha! F-f-fuck me faster!" 

I start to shake my head and back away. Tears are streaming down my face, leaving behind a burning wet streak. What did I ever do to deserve this?

Why?!

With every moan of pleasure I hear, my world crumbles a little more.

I don't know when it happens but I break down, falling to the floor and wailing.

"Stop it! Why?! Why?!!" 

I grip my ears with my claws that have grown out now. My wolf is clawing beneath me, scratching with such force I feel I might lose my mind. 

"WHY?!"

The chamber doors open and I look up to see my mate standing before me. He's shirtless and sweaty; I can't help but notice how much he reeks of sex. I can smell the arousal in the air and I want to vomit.

"You..." 

My eyes are burning; my vision is blurring.

"Oh get a grip, Gemma. It's not like we were fucking or anything."

Oh? Like that makes it better?

I clench my fists and I watch his eyes dart down to them.

"So you've made progress-"

"Don't! Don't say a word, Brook!" My knees are weak but I force myself to my feet. Behind his huge frame, I notice Seline. She looks nothing like the best friend I knew over the years.

Her lips are curved in a sick smile. 

"Oh, poor you. There are some things an omega like yourself can never do in bed."

I glance back to my mate, see all the bite and claw marks. My breath hitches.

"Brook...can we continue? I'm getting excited from all this..."

My eyes are turning red from anger but there's nothing I can do. The Alpha smiles; "I'll be right there. First I have to take care of this nuisance. I can't let her tarnish our images..."

Before I can say a word, my mate opens his filthy mouth.

"I, Alpha Brook of the Willow Tree Pack, rejects you, Gemma of the Willow Tree Pack. I revoke the mate bond."

It's like the world goes silent for a second.

Then pain.

So much pain. It's like a fire has been lit inside of me and there's no way to let it out. I cry aloud and fall to the ground, breathless.

In my confusion and pain, I hear Seline laugh. 

"I will make you pay!" Still burning from the inside, I spring to my feet, planning to detach my best friend's head off her neck.

I don't make it far into the room; Brook catches me by the hair.

He growls at me and slams my face into the floor. "Die you wretched creature! Having you for a mate was the worst curse in my entire life! Die!"

My face feels numb; he's slamming it over and over again. Seline is laughing; the wind is blowing from a window nearby.

Run.

The weak voice of my wolf.

Run.

So I do just that, using my last strength to push the alpha off me and darting to the window. 

I fly through the opening and fall from the top floor to the ground. The pain knocks me out for a second but I don't stop. 

I get up and I run.

I run.

Oh what a cursed life I live...

I don't stop running.