Chapter 4

Xander had arranged for Leander's appointment ceremony to be held at Austin Castle.

As for me, I had been dumped in a storage room, far away from the festivities outside. From the glass window, I could see Xander and Dahlia dressed in matching ceremonial outfits, with Leander standing between them.

I watched as they each held one of his hands and introduced him to the guests. They all had affectionate expressions as they received blessings from different packs. No one would ever doubt they weren't a family.

Bitterness rose in my chest at the sight. After taking out the only family photo I had of me, Xander, and Leander, I slowly lit it on fire. Then, I watched as it turned to ash.

Suddenly, the door flew open because a pup had barged in.

The pup cried in surprise, "What's an Omega doing at your appointment ceremony, Leander? Who is she?"

"She's just a stray my daddy generously took in," Leander answered.

The pup suddenly charged at me and shoved me to the floor. The sharp metal frame of the nearby cot cut deep into my skin.

He glared at me with disdain. "Speak. Did you sneak in here to steal something?"

"Don't be so rough, little ones," Dahlia said.

She looked smug as she walked over and gently stroked Leander's head.

"Didn't I teach you pups to get along with others? Even if she's a thief, you can just kick her out, but you mustn't hurt her," she continued.

As Dahlia held my arm and escorted me outside, she savagely jabbed my arm with a silver needle she had hidden in her hand.

Then, she laughed tauntingly in my ear. "I'm the only one worthy of standing beside Xander and Leander, Ophelia—today and always."

It was clear from her expression that she had purposely sent the pup to barge into my room.

The pain in my arm became so unbearably searing that I couldn't help but struggle. But then, Dahlia threw herself to the floor with a scream.

"Ophelia! Why did you push me!" she accused.

The commotion drew the guests' attention.

"Oh my goddess. What's an Omega doing here? It's a disgrace for me to be at the same event as her."

"The New Moon pack invited an Omega to their future Alpha's appointment ceremony? I'll be making fun of them for the next 100 years."

"What are you doing here, Ophelia? Who allowed you to come out here? Are you trying to ruin the ceremony?" Xander roared at me while gently helping Dahlia up.

Leander stepped in front of Dahlia and shielded her.

He glared hatefully at me as he yelled, "Don't you dare bully my mommy, you filthy Omega!"

Xander's mother looked at me icily. "Get on your knees and apologize to Dahlia."

"But I didn't push her—" I tried to argue.

I wanted to say something to defend myself. But just then, a warrior attacked me, sending me flying into the wall. I could feel my broken ribs piercing my organs—all my beautiful memories of Xander and Leander shattered into pieces from the pain.

Staggering out of the castle gates, I found my bestfriend, Vivienne Reid, already waiting in her car. I severed the mind-link connection with all of them as I climbed into her car.

"Let's go, Vivienne. It's time to start a new life," I stated.