Chapter 2: Deadly Choices

Phoebe’s POV

The news hit me hard as I froze. Then a sudden comfortable silence fell between them, even amidst the chaos. I stood there, struggling to breathe, feeling as if my heart was being pierced by a thousand arrows while the pack cheered for them. He reached for her hands, subconsciously, his fingers seeking her as if starved by her touch. I couldn’t rip my eyes away, even as Willow pulled him into a passionate kiss, deliberately claiming what I once thought was mine. I stumbled back, before sliding down to the ground, unable to support my own weight.

“Phoebe, I know you’ve always loved Jason, but the moon goddess has her reasons,” Willow said, her fingers entwined with Jason’s. “At least, I’m a better choice.” The words replayed in my head and I forced a smile. Jason finally glanced at me and didn’t speak but his eyes said everything. I stood up and quietly walked away from the pack’s house, unable to stand their presence. Nobody noticed my departure, no one cared about the vulnerable girl. The moon goddess was definitely making a mockery of me. First, she made me an omega, then wolfless and now, Jason, my first love, was mated to my best friend. I knew certainty, my life was never going to be the same.

I kept dragging my feet into the unknown till I got to an unfamiliar place. Suddenly, something attacked me, clutching my throat tightly as I gasped for air and somehow found the strength to push it off. There it stood, the moonlight revealing its grotesque appearance. My eyes widened looking at the lethal beast which was an abnormal combination of a wolf and cheetah. Adrenaline surged as I ran with pure survival instinct and the creature roared before chasing me with its eight legs. My heart hammered in my chest like a caged bird and my lungs screamed, burning with every gasp. Behind me, was the creature whose speed I knew I couldn’t outrun, it was only a matter of time before it caught up with me. Sweat stung my eyes, blurring my path, but I dared not to look back. I fell to the ground as its claw tore through my back. I closed my eyes expecting death, but instead, only heard cries of the beast. My eyes fluttered open, then I saw him, a man with devilish allure. His slender hands pierced through the heart of the beast, before he tossed it aside like it was paper. His eyes met mine and for a brief moment, the world went still. His green eyes were memorizing, and his lips were as red as blood. My face flushed, realizing he was stark naked. I immediately looked away, but his footsteps, light and deliberate, drew closer.

“Are you all right”, he asked, his hoarse voice making my legs weak. “Little bunny”, he continued, a smirk playing on his lips. I tried to speak but my vision blurred and darkness welcomed me.

I woke up the next morning feeling so drained and couldn’t fathom how I had gotten to my room. Memories of last night flooded my mind, confusing me further. “Phoebe! Get over here,” my step mother shouted. Walking towards the dining room, I could see my father, the alpha and the elders. Them being here only meant one thing: trouble. The elders were made up of mature minded people, who had ancient knowledge and did everything to protect the pack. At the sight of me, my father brows furrowed, refusing to take a look at me, while my stepmother looked at me with unconcealed disdain. One thing was certain, nothing good was coming out from this gathering.

“Phoebe sterling, please take a seat,” a feminine voice full of undeniable authority and pride said. I sat, a shiver went down my spine sensing the intense energy radiating from each of the extremely powerful beings sitting in front of me, especially Alpha Dominic. “Being without a wolf at your age is something that hasn’t happened in centuries so we have decided.” Another elder uttered. My heart almost jumped out of my chest as fear gripped me, awaiting my fate. Alpha Dominic spoke up “You have two options, either you’ll be banished and sold as a slave or …..” My jaw dropped at the statement and I glanced at my father, only to meet his unfazed expression. “Or you attend Crimson Moon Academy.” He continued. Hearing that name, I gasped, my breath caught in my throat. Crimson Moon Academy was like a death sentence. It was a prestigious school meant for the strongest of the strongest and was filled with rebel alphas who had committed grave offenses. The strong preyed on the weak, where I, without a wolf, wouldn’t last a day. “The choice is yours,” Alpha Dominic declared as he stood up, the elders following him out, leaving me with a heavy silence.

With trembling hands, I poured myself a cup of water, but couldn’t bring myself to drink it. “Dad, please. Don’t let them take me away.” I pleaded while kneeling. But it fell on deaf ears as my father kept walking without taking a look at me. “Finally, this bastard child gets what she deserves,” my stepmother sneered as her eyes shone with pure happiness at my downfall.

The next day, I was called to make my decision in front of the pack. They all look at me like I was an ant to be trampled upon. Then I uttered something no one expected. “I choose Crimson Moon Academy,” I announced, my chin held high and a straight posture. A ripple of shock tore through the crowd and even my father turned to look at me. “Phoe..Phoebe, please reconsider your choice,” he said, his voice trembling while grabbing my hands tightly till they turned white.

“There’s no need,” I replied, forcefully taking my hands away from his. “Alpha, that is my decision.” My father’s face turned ashen and even Jason was no better. “Tomorrow, you shall leave for Crimson Moon Academy. We wish you goodluck.” I closed my eyes, bracing myself for what to come.

The next day, I sat calmly inside the car, my destination the academy. My dad was the only one who came to say his farewell. “Phoebe, this is suicide. Why didn’t you choose slavery, at least you’ll be better off than being killed on your first day in that hellhole. “His voice was sharp and harsh, but the instability in his pitch betrayed his fear. “You stopped worrying about me after mum’s death. You treated me with contempt even when I begged and longed for your affection,” I spoke up, finally letting out the rage in my heart. “I just wanted your love, even if it was a little bit. But what did you do? You treated me like an abomination just like everyone else. So please stop your fake affection and let me be.” I could see his reddened eyes and how his shoulders shook once, before regaining control. I looked away, forcing myself from being affected by his emotions. The car moved and his silhouette faded slowly. A single, hot tear escaped the corner of my eye, but I quickly wiped them, ashamed of how exposed I was. I bit down hard on my lip, determined not to let the sound out. I wanted to forgive him, but I couldn't.

A magnificent building came before my view, the concrete structure felt more like a fortress rather than a school. Its barred windows and high chain-link fence whispering of hardship, the graffiti scarred walls a testament to years of neglect. My breath hitched as I stepped out of the car, the air thick with something metallic and something else…fear.

I hadn’t even taken a step before the icy liquid hit me, splattering across my body. Looking up, I froze, unable to believe who I was looking at. “Hello, little bunny,” he said, a smile playing on his tempting lips. “Welcome to Crimson Moon Academy.” His green eyes, full of mischief, a spark of something dangerous. Only one thought rang in my head. How could the boy who saved me in the woods be here?