“What’s worse than being an omega?’’ The question echoed in my mind as I ran. The cool breeze did not feel relaxing against my skin anymore. The tears that stained my eyes dried off, clotting on my face and leaving an indentation of how much I had lost.
I stopped in my tracks, staring back at the distant white line that marked our pack boundary. Now, it would be but a distant memory in my mind. A place of horror and pain.
Banished with nothing.
Rejected for being a nothing.
My parents died for nothing.
All my life, I have seeked the approval of pack members that have barely seen me. I have been hated, spat on, misunderstood, tortured, overwhelmed with chores and always a people pleaser. Am I worth anything more?
I pick up the pace and I start running again. This time not looking back. Trying to forget where I had come from and what had happened. But the words of Alpha Gale are still repeating in my head. My life was over. there was nothing left for me anymore.
I approach a little tarven in the outskirts of the dirty road. It didn't look like a fine establishment but it definitely looks like a paradise I would want to forget about everything in. I didn't have anything on me. No money. Yet I still went in. And I don't know what I was thinking but something drew me there.
There was a Commotion when I entered. At the far side of the tarven dark corner was a man held against the wall being beaten up. Two gigantic looking men held a blonde man against the wall while another man who seemed like the leader pummelling punches into his stomach. No one in the tarven dared speak against it, I could tell from the aura radiating from the man that he was a werewolf, one with authority.
Suddenly the man turns around and looks at me. It was as if breath caught in my lungs. His eyes, holding a darker gaze but mesmerising, bore into mine as he enclosed me into his own world. It suddenly felt as if he was the only one in the room. Tall, roughly six foot seven with an articulately kept beard and his sexy lips which he licked when he saw me. I was so mesmerised by him that I didn't even notice him moving towards me.
I felt connected to him but perhaps it was just my broken heart trying to desperately heal itself. When he stood in front of me, I felt Goosebumps rise on my skin as he stretched his hand and brought it over my face. He pushed a Strand of my hair at the back of my ear and then kissed my forehead. It felt intimate. protective. I wanted to push him off yet my body yearns for him in a way I've never felt before. not even for Alpha Gale before he rejected me.
“Who are you?’’ I let out, unsure of what was left to say. He stared into my eyes and I felt as if he was speaking to my soul.
“ You don't know who I am?’’ he asked somewhat surprised. I shook my head no still maiming my eyes at his.. it suddenly became obvious to me that if I wanted to forget about my rejection then this right here was what I had to do.
“ Can We Talk somewhere private?’’ he nodded his head before signalling for two of his Men to go upstairs. I wondered who he was but the truth is it wasn't my top priority right now. I needed to forget what had happened. and this right here seems like a perfect way to do it.
“ Let's go upstairs.’’ he let out with a sexy voice that commanded me. I felt my body Moving with him up the stairs. He kept his hands on my lower back urging me forward yet so gentle with me as if I was fragile. I felt tiny in his presence. Compared to him I was but I pet. a mouse. I was about 5 ft 1, and I couldn't tell how tall I was if I wore heels because I've never owned one anyway. It was obvious that he was rich. but if that's all there is just another random man who would easily discard me once he realised I was an Omega. are banished omegas.
What's worse than being an Omega? Being a rogue.
“You seriously don't know who I am?’’ He asked as he led me towards our hallway and then into the last room across it. and he opened it. It really wasn't what I expected. It was well kept tidy and almost large areas. something that could not be guests from how the outside of the tavern looked. I stepped into the room feeling as if I was digging myself a bigger grave. Here I was with a complete stranger. What if he wanted to hurt me? He couldn't be different from all the others right? Well, my burning desire for him to claim me was much stronger than my need to be vigilant.
“Do I have to?’’
“Not at all. I was just a little shocked because everyone knows exactly who I am.’’
I wanted to ask the question. I could feel it throbbing at the tip of my tongue. But once I knew who he was then I would be doomed. All I needed to know is that he was a rich werewolf who had some authority. That was enough for me.
“You are so beautiful.’’ He let out. and as usual I didn't believe it.
“ I've never done this before. but I want you to be gentle with me at first and then f*ck some sense into me.’’ I almost felt ashamed of my words. He stared at me with wide eyes. he studied me, taking my hand in his as he felt my fingers against his own.
“You're so tiny.” he whispers as he steps forward. “ All I want to do is claim you. Make you mine. Feel your skin glazing against my own. I want to show you what it truly means to be given pleasure.’’
“ I’m a virgin.” I let out. He smiles, kissing my forehead again, making me shudder.
“I know, princess, I know.’’ His hands rested on my lower back, pulling me closer.
“How do you…”
“I can smell it on you.’’ He says with a chuckle. Suddenly I'm feeling self-conscious. I'm scared and nervous. But what if I screw this up ? What if I regret it later? He is just a stranger I barely know. Yet why am I so drawn to him? Why do I feel such an immense connection to him? If I didn't know better I would say he is my mate. but I've already met my mate and he turned out to be a cruel and ruthless alpha. Now the man in front of me is but a means to help me forget the sorrows of my life before I figure out what I'm going to do with myself.
“ Are you sure you want to do this right now? there is time, we don't have to rush…’’
I smashed my lips on his, silencing him as my arms swayed around his shoulders. He pulled me up, making my legs go around his torso as he kissed me back. Oh, and what an amazing kisser he was. It left me shuddering, gasping for breath yet hungry for more.
“Easy princess.’’ He breathed against my lips. “I’m not going anywhere.’’
He walked with me towards the bed where he set me down. And right there, he proceeded to truly give me the pleasure he had earlier mentioned. His fingers burned on my skin, he touched me with such delicacy, yet a freezing touch that made me yearn for more. The truth is that it felt like something more. The way he kissed me, leaving the taste of himself in my mouth and the tingling sensation in my lips, how his tongue was so incredible that I felt dizzy.
The moans and grunts that escaped both our mouths were endless. Shaking, his hot breath against my neck as he claimed me.
His fingers in my mouth, my hair messy and undone, his hands easily cupping and holding me so firmly. Taking care of me, making me feel like I was the only one in his world.
It was epic. Unlike anything I've ever imagined.
Lucas's POVThe infirmary reeked of burnt flesh and medicinal herbs. Aurelio lay on one of the beds, his skin covered in red welts - the kind only magic could create. My mother was in a similar condition in the next room. She hadn’t woken up in days, no matter all the doctor’s attempts. According to Aurelio, who’d been knocked unconscious when my mother attacked my mate, someone intervened. A wolf who protected Elara from my mom. Whoever they were, they were Amaris. While I was relieved that Elara was protected, I wondered what Amaris was planning.Aurelio was awake now, having come back from Matthew pack where I’d sent him to rescue Sabrina. I sat beside my beta, discussing our next moves when Elara walked in.She stopped dead in her tracks when she saw Aurelio. "What happened to you?"Aurelio tried to sit up, wincing with every movement. "I found Sabrina in Matthew's basement. When I tried to get her out..." He paused, fighting through obvious pain. "You mom and aunt were waiting.
Lucas' POV"We have to do something.'' I spat, resisting the urge to slam the doctor's head into the wall. She was being useless. "Alpha, something happened. All the tests barely show any signs of life in Elara's body, it's as if only the baby lives.'' I growled, hands snapping around the doctor's neck before I could stop myself. I picked her up, slamming her back against the wall so hard she blacked out. "Son, we need to talk.'' My father was standing across the doorway, that smug expression on his face. "I don't have the time for your nonsense,''"It's about your sister.'' He says. My shoulders drop, a chill runs down my spine. "Joseph,'' I called out to the guard standing outside the door. Take the doctor to the infirmary. When she wakes up, let her know that how long she lives is determined by how well she treats my mate.'' Joseph nodded, dragging the doctor out. It had been one day since I sent Aurelio back into Matthew's to save my sister. "What happened?'''"Your incom
Lucas' POVBefore Elara, I was untouchable. Cold. Ruthless. An alpha who ruled through fear and power. I killed without remorse, led without mercy. My wolf was a beast even I could barely control. Then she walked into my life, a girl who somehow believed so low of herself. How could I have known that a broken little wolf would patch up my broken pieces. Without the usual muscle and skill that appeals to the Lycan race, she proved stronger than anyone I’ve ever known. Perfect than any woman I’ve ever met. She came in with her quiet strength, and somehow the walls I'd built over centuries began to crack.She taught me how to love. More terrifying – she taught me how to accept love. For the first time in my existence, I learned what it meant to care for someone more than power, more than control, more than my own life. And what did I do with that gift? I destroyed it.The day I rejected her, something broke inside me. I watched the light die in her eyes as I spat those cruel words at her
Lucas's POVAurelio's scent hit me before his voice pierced through the mindlink. "Alpha!" His cry sent pain shooting through my head. Something was wrong. That cry held too much distress."What happened? Is Elara okay?" I'd sent my beta out the same day I sent Elara away. I needed someone I trusted watching her at all times. While I handled the threats in my pack, my mate still needed to stay safe."Please, come. Elara, she's... at the gates." The mindlink broke before he could finish. I sprinted out of the war room, leaving my commanders confused as I ran toward the gates of my pack.There, at the gate, lay the most precious thing in my life. My mate. But she wasn't breathing. She wasn't moving.FLASHBACK - BATTLE IN THE WITCH VILLAGEI was about to kill Matthew when a gush of pure burning magic hit him. The magic seared his skin but didn't burn him like it burned the Lycan caught in the crossfire. At the entrance stood Elara's mom."Where's my daughter?" Elara's mom asked."She's
Elara's POV"Something's wrong," I gasped, doubling over. The pain felt like molten lead in my veins. "We need to stop."My mother touched my forehead with cool fingers. "It's perfectly normal, sweetheart. Pregnant women often experience this." "What? No. I've never felt...This isn't - this is different." I clutched my stomach. "It feels like I'm being torn apart.""That's Amaris," Aunt Isabella said, arranging clay bowls in a circle. Dark liquid bubbled inside them. "She's trying to manipulate you."I stared at the bowls. "Is that blood? Where did you get- Is that someone’s blood? Oh Godess! What did you do?""Don't focus on that now," my mother interrupted, guiding me toward the center of their ritual space. Cedar and sage smoke coiled around us, and bundles of dried herbs - nightshade, wolfsbane, belladonna - hung from black iron hooks.The pain intensified. "Please," I whispered. "Something isn't right.""Matthew," my aunt called sharply. "Hold her still."His hands gripped my sh
Elara’s POV"We want to make this right," my mother begs. "Let us help you."I cross my arms. "There’s nothing you can do to erase years of pain and suffering.”"We can free you from Amaris," Aunt Isabella cuts in. "A ritual to expel her spirit completely."I look at them, breathless for a moment. If Amaris was gone, I could feel my wolf again. I wouldn’t be worried about my baby. I could go back to Lucas, given I won’t be worried about Amaris taking over and hurting him. I’d be free. I study their faces, looking for any sign of deception. "Just like that? You want to help me after admitting you orchestrated my entire life?""It's the least we can do," Matthew says. "Let us try to fix what we broke."My mother steps forward. "Please, Elara. Let this be our apology."I consider their offer. Part of me wants to refuse anything they suggest, but another part... "Fine," I say finally. "Do it.""We'll need time to prepare the ritual grounds," Aunt Isabella says. Hesitant, I ease up. "Fin