CHAPTER 3

I was still frozen in shock just looking at her and wondering what was going on. Why were they smiling at each other? Why... Why?

"Darren" I called weakly and his eyes snapped to mine. The cold fury directed at me caused my heart to break even further.

"How can you do this to me" I cried but they paid me no mind. He led her to the front of the crowd and the wolves cheered loudly behind me. I couldn't stand it.

I was going to fall apart if I continued to stay here. I couldn't watch this. I pushed blindly through the crowd, tears spilling from my eyes.

I heard footsteps running behind me but I pushed myself harder. Someone roughly grabbed my arms and forced me to stop. When I turned around, I saw Tiana.

"How could you?” I broke down again.

"You...."

"Enough" she cut me off sharply.

"I'm tired of your blabbering. I wanted Darren first"

"But he is mine. He was supposed to be mine"

"Not anymore. He belongs to me now. I told you I always get what I want"

Her words from yesterday replayed in my head and I staggered on my feet.

So... Everything she said yesterday. Her crush, the man she planned to take was Darren and the woman I didn't want to hurt was me?

"You are my friend"

She scoffed. "Your friend? You surely didn't believe I would be friends with a common omega. I was only having fun and getting close to my goal"

"Tiana let's go back" my eyes snapped to Darren who was standing a few feet away from us. He wouldn't meet my eyes and there was no emotion on his face.

"I have to get back to my mate now," she said in a sultry voice and turned around, her hair slapping my face.

I itched to grab her hair, yank her back and pummeling her face. But I couldn't. I couldn't do anything. She was stronger than I was and she'll only hurt me.

I would also receive severe punishment for hurting the beta's mate. I watched through teary eyes as they walked away my heart shattering into thousands of pieces.

I was cursed. First I was born as omega and now, the only chance at happiness that I had, has been snatched away from me by someone I thought was my friend. And Darren just remained silent. Why was he hurting me?

I fell to my knees, sobbing loudly. I'm sure the whole pack could hear my cries but no one would care. After all, I was a common omega.

I felt so numb after crying. I could hear the drums of jubilation. I couldn't go back there. I picked myself up from the ground and dragged myself across the paths to the omega residence.

It was silent in here. The others were probably serving at the pack. I should be there too but I couldn't. I just couldn't. Punishment for not being there would probably come tomorrow but I wasn't worried in the slightest. I just didn't care at the moment.

Whatever would happen tomorrow should happen. I crawled into my bed. The sun was high in the sky and streaks of sunlight rested on my face. I stared blankly at the parched wall.

'I get whatever I want' her voice replayed in my head.

Why was she friends with me in the first place? I could never understand that. Why did she lie and pretend? Why did she snatch the one thing that meant the world to me?

I rolled restlessly on the bed, trying to get into a comfortable position. I slept off shortly.

When I opened my eyes again, it was dark outside and my head was pounding. The drums sounded louder than ever and I could hear every beat from my bed. I heard footsteps outside the door and it was pushed open.

An elderly woman stood at the door with a stoic face. I recognized her instantly. She was one of the few elderly omegas. No one knew her name but we all called her Tata.

"You should be at the celebration" she didn't enter the room.

I didn't respond to her.

"Sitting here and sulking would not change anything" my eyes snapped up to meet hers.

"He already made his choice. You'll only get into trouble if you neglect your duties"

"Then I'll just face the consequences," I said in irritation.

"And you think it's worth it? You'll be whipped raw tomorrow"

"I don't care" I snapped at her and felt regret instantly.

"I'm sorry" I apologized sincerely.

"Don't be. You're angry. It's well within your rights" the floorboard creaked as she crossed the room and sat beside me on my small bed.

"I knew your mother" she started and I listened intently.

"A brave sweet woman. It's a pity she passed on so soon"

My heart clenched. A real pity. I missed her so much and I wish I had the chance to know her even more.

"I know for a fact she wouldn't want to see you like this. She wouldn't want this life for you"

I scoffed. "I don't have options. I was born as an omega. There's no other life for me outside this"

"You're wrong. You choose to believe that your options are limited"

"If there are options like you claim, why didn't you take any of them?"

"I was a coward"

"I'm not any better"

"No child. You have a bright future ahead of you and I know you can do more for yourself. There is a life beyond these borders. A life that could favor you"

My eyes widened. "Are you asking me to...."

"Run away? Exactly"

"That's suicide. No one has ever been able to leave this land. What if I get caught?"

"You're already looking at the negative side without trying it"

I shook my head. "I'm only being reasonable"

She sighed deeply. "Listen, child. There's no good future for you here in this pack. Your beloved has been taken and your so-called friend will probably try to make your life a living hell. The features are ongoing and everyone is too busy to guard the border. You have a chance to leave. Go away and make a new life for yourself"

"Stop. Please. What you are saying is impossible. If it was that easy, no omega will be here"

"Frost..."

"Please. Just stop" I cried in frustration.

"Think about what I said. Your mother would have suggested the same if she was here".

I didn't look at her as she left the room and closed the door behind her. My stomach rumbled in hunger and I lay in bed again.

Tata's words replayed in my head continuously. As much as the idea was a risky and maybe a stupid one, I couldn't help but consider it.

I would finally be free from this life and the impending torture the new mating would bring to me.

But being out alone in the cold, exposed to the wild rogues and other dominant predators, it wasn't worth the risk. My stomach grumbled again and I climbed down from my bed.

I crossed the room and looked in the corridor. No one was back home yet. I needed to find something to eat but with the neglect of my duties today, there was no chance I would get cooked food.

But there was a tree, it had good fruits. The tree had so many memories for it was where i shared intimate time with Darren. The dried twigs broke under the weight of my foot as I made my way over to where I could get some food.

I pushed the long grasses separating me from the tree and paused at the sight in front of me.

Naked like the day they were born were Darren and Tiana. She had her legs wrapped around him and he held her close to himself.

And there, underneath our special spot, he sunk his fangs into her neck. A small cry left me and I turned away, running back towards the house.

I couldn't stand this. I wouldn't be able to watch them be together. I grabbed a small bag, stuffed my clothes into it, and slung it over my shoulder. With one last look at the room, I walked away.

It was time to find a new path for myself.