Chapter 3: Nightmares

 (Vera POV)

I tried to move, but it seemed like I had turned into a statue, with all the memories that came rushing back into my mind. 

“Roll and roll, bat and ball’

If we kick Vera’s head, it will roll on the floor like a ball.”

All the kids started singing, and my eyes welled up with tears. I looked towards the three boys, who made it their life’s mission to turn my life into a living hell. 

“Weepy weepy kid, Creepy creepy kid,” They started singing, and I ran towards the back garden of the school. It was my favorite spot to cry my heart out. They started pushing me around and stealing my things since the moment the Trio of Rian, Lucien, and Kael announced me as their enemy.

I was 7 years old when they started targeting me and announcing me as their enemy, and it continued for almost 8 years. I hated my life for all these years and started punishing myself for being different, even though I had nothing to do with it. 

Later on, their bullying got worse, and I used to pray to the Moon Goddess to end my life, so they wouldn’t have anyone to bully in school. 

“Why, Goddess, why? Why did you make me so different and so ugly? You should have made me blind instead of giving me these eyes?” I was praying and crying my heart out in the freezing cold of December at the Moon Goddess’s temple in the middle of the night. I didn’t remember how many nights I spent there just to tell the Moon Goddess how unfair my life was and how all the pack members hated me to their guts. 

“Vera Nightshade! I am Rian Vexley.” I heard his words, and my eyes widened in horror when I saw his face, which was totally different from his childhood version, but I still felt the same aversion and disgust, along with anger for him. 

“I am sorry! I-i… why are you crying?” His smile faltered when he noticed tears on my cheeks. I quickly wiped my cheeks with the back of my hand. I didn’t realize I was crying while remembering all the cruel moments of bullying in my childhood until he mentioned it. 

“It’s none of your business.” My tone turned harsh, and he pressed his lips in a thin line. 

“I know what we did in our childhood was not right. I am sorry for all the things I did in my childhood, but I am genuinely happy to see you all grown up and in this royal palace.” His words reminded me of the harsh reality of my life, which was present in front of me. 

“I have no intention of forgiving you or your companions in this lifetime, at least. I have nothing to do with you or any other fellow, so please keep your distance from me. I hate you to my core, and nothing can change that.” I answered in a stern tone, and his face filled with regret. 

“I-i… I am genuinely sorry for everything that I did to you. I will try to make up for everything from now on.” With this, he turned on his heel and left towards the guards. 

“General Rian! Queen Luna is asking for you.” One of the guards came towards him, and I gulped hard after hearing his rank. 

“F*ck! Why is my life getting worse with each passing second?” I mumbled under my breath before dragging my briefcase with me. A few cars stopped near the gate, and the female contestants stepped out. I didn’t know about other packs, so waiting for them was just a waste of time. I hope I will have some time to learn about them, increasing my chances of living a few more days. 

“Ma'am, where is your invitation card?” The guard asked me, and I handed her that card. He scanned it and gave me a card, a booklet, and keys. I thanked him and headed towards the wing where all the contestants would stay. I dragged my luggage and was about to open the door of the room when someone stopped me.  

“This is my room,” I said, turning to look at a blonde girl who was staring at my face with a displeased expression.

“Umm… But they gave me the keys to this room. Look!” I quickly showed her the booklet along with the keys. 

“No! But I want this room. Left rows aren’t lucky for me,” she gave me the most useless excuse, and I blinked my eyes a few times to see if she really said that. 

“Then it sounds like a ‘You’ problem; you can discuss it with them.” I pointed towards the front desk and opened my room door. I pushed my luggage inside when a hard tug almost made me stumble. 

“What the heck is wrong with you, girl?” I turned towards her when someone pulled her back. 

“Evelis! Are you crazy or something? We are here for the games, not for fights. You are going to ruin the name of The Iron Crest Pack,” He said and looked towards me. 

“I am sorry, Miss. My sister loves to create trouble for no reason and…” He gave me his charming smile and started explaining his sister’s behavior when he noticed my face. 

“P-patch eye.” My smile faltered, and my throat dried. I clenched my fists to control my reaction before turning on my heel and entering my room. My back was against the door of my room, and all the cruel memories of the past once again started haunting me.  

“I am sorry, V-vera. I didn’t mean to disrespect you. I was just… sh*t! I am an idiot.” He kicked something and cursed under his breath, but I didn’t open the door. Why the f*ck is Moon Goddess playing this cruel game with me? I was already on the verge of death, and now, all my childhood is present here to witness how I fall into my death pit in one of the games. F*ck! I don’t know why all this is happening to me… I have such a sh*tluck. 

"Look, Vera! I am here for the redemption. I know what I did to you in the past isn't forgivable, but I will try my best to earn your forgiveness." His words rubbed salt in my wounds, and I opened the door with a tear-stained face. 

"Listen A*shole! And listen to me carefully... I am not here to forgive you, and I don't give a sh*t about your so-called redemption. I am here to win this game, and if you dare cross my path again or cause me any trouble, then I swear to God, I will take you down with me. My eyes were burning with hate and fury." He opened his mouth to say something, but nothing came out of his mouth.

"And for your forgiveness chant... I will not forgive you for ruining the 11 years of my life, so don't even try because you can't give me back my time, my youth, and my love ... Forget it! You can't bring anything back, so stay out of my way, or YOU WILL SEE MY RAGE!" I growled in anger, and his eyes widened in shock, like he wasn't expecting any of this from me... Good! I love to surprise A*sholes.