The Death

- One week later - 

I woke up, weakening... that dream came back again... the fire, the screams, the boy's eyes looking at the girl like she was his whole world. Why do I keep dreaming about it?

Was that my memory? I shook my head. Ahh! No matter what I do, I really can't remember anything...

In this dark basement, I heard it again... the girl's voice.

'Run.'

I covered my ears despite my weakened arms, not wanting to hear her voice... because there was no way to run away from here. 

The door of the basement suddenly opened... it was so bright as my eyes blinked slowly... too weak to handle the sudden light. My body hurt everywhere. My lips were dry and cracked. It even hurt to open my mouth.

Something was put on the floor near the door, but I could not see what it was. My eyes closed again before I could focus. 

"Mom said eat this, then take a bath. This room smells terrible. Make it fast so you can clean the house." It was Eloisa's voice, hurried as she left, leaving the door wide open.

Eat.

One week without food had not killed me, but it had eaten my strength. I could not even crawl to the plate.

But I had to live. Something inside told me I had to survive.

I forced myself to eat slowly. It took me the whole day before I could even finish. By the next day, my strength was back little by little. I cleaned the whole house after that. Because if I didn't, they would throw me out. I had nowhere to go. I had to stay.

While I was cleaning the windows, Dad came.

"Vienna, we are running out of food. Go buy groceries," he said as he handed me some money.

"Y-yes, Dad," I said softly.

I put the bucket and rag away, washed my hands, and left the house.

Outside, the sun was bright but cold on my skin. As I walked by the road, I could feel eyes on me... people keep staring at me. Some even whispered. Some did not bother to hide the disgust on their faces.

I didn't do anything to them, but they always looked at me like I was a curse walking in their streets.

"That is the cursed girl," someone muttered.

"Bitch," another spat from the side.

"Freak," a girl hissed.

"She still has no wolf. Useless thing," someone else said.

I kept walking.

I was used to this. The names. The stares. The curses.

I have to be used to this, because If I fought back, it would only get worse.

Maybe I deserved this... maybe because I really did kill my family.

I was almost at the store when someone shoved me hard from behind.

"Ouch." My knees hit the ground. Dirt clung to my palms. Laughter burst out behind me, sharp and cruel.

Trixia. Of course. With her five friends... the Trenious Gang.

I pushed myself up slowly, but another kick hit my back before I could stand, causing pain shot up my spine. It was Cindy this time... she had always followed Trixia like a dog.

"Still mute?" Cindy mocked, her voice sweet but sharp.

I stayed silent. My hands were shaking, but I curled them tight so no one would see.

"Hey, loser!" another shouted. "We were talking to you!"

Something cold and wet hit the side of my head. The egg cracked, and the yolk slides down my cheek and hair. 

I froze. My face was wet and sticky, but I made no sound. Because I knew what they wanted... they wanted me to cry... to beg and scream.

But... I gave them nothing, and they hated that.

Trixia kicked me harder, making me fall flat. And so, I just lay there as they cursed and laughed.

No one came... no one ever did.

The Moon Goddess must want me like this. Broken... and alone.

"Is this what you want?" I whispered to the sky while they were kicking me hard. "Did I really do something so wrong?" I muttered so no one can hear.

Suddenly, the kicking stopped. There was only silence.

I opened my eyes slowly to see that they were gone.

Maybe they got tired of beating me... 

With heavy breathing, I pushed myself up. My body was screaming in pain, every muscle was aching, like my bones were made of fire.

And then suddenly, I heard it.

The siren cut through the air, sharp and loud.

My heart jumped hard in my chest... the Pack Leaders were coming.

I pushed myself to stand as pain erupted in my entire body. I still had to buy groceries. If I went home with nothing, Dad would beat me again.

The sound of hooves grew louder and closer. People hurried off the road, leaving it empty, like even the air held its breath.

And there, I saw them.

The horses... big and strong, their armor gleaming in the sunlight. Banners snapped high in the wind. Soldiers marched behind them, silver and steel flashing in perfect lines.

And him. A handsome man at the front.

He looked like he had stepped out of a dream. His Majestic Suit caught the light with every movement. He didn't even have to speak... power just rolled off him in waves. I could feel it from here.

Behind him rode former Alpha, Jerson.

So... that meant, the man in front... he must be the new Alpha. Jerson's son.

I stopped walking. My breath caught in my throat.

Because he was...

Perfect.

The kind of perfect that hurt to look at.

Suddenly... his eyes caught mine.

Everything froze.

His horse slowed, then stopped. The others behind him stopped too. Even the former Alpha riding beside him looked confused.

But the man... he didn't look away.

His eyes locked on mine.

'Mate.' Who said it?

It was like a woman's voice inside me... shaky and certain. Was it my wolf?

But realization hits me, my heart slammed against my ribs. Wait-

He's... my mate?

The man dismounted and my breath caught again.

His boots hit the ground as he walked toward me slowly, his eyes never leaving mine... but my heart was screaming inside of me, louder and faster.

The crowd whispered, but it was just noise now.

All I could think of... was him. I couldn't move... couldn't breathe.

He stopped right in front of me. His cloak slipped from his shoulders...

His presence was warm... it wrapped around me like I had never felt anything like it before.

He crouched so we were eye level.

"Are you okay?" he asked, his voice was low and rough. Like he had been holding something back.

I tried to answer, but my mouth wouldn't work... I was even speechless because no one ever asked me if I was okay. Only him.

He reached out and brushed dirt from my hair like it was the most natural thing in the world. His touch was gentle. Careful. Like I might break if he wasn't. He wiped the egg from my cheek slowly, his jaw tightened.

My chest ached. But not from pain... it was because no one had ever touched me like this before.

His eyes burned with something... Anger?

Was it for... me..?

"Who... did this?"

I shook my head quickly. I didn't want him to know. I didn't want pity.

But he didn't leave... and for the first time in my life, someone stayed.

"Froylan! Let's go back."

Former Alpha Jerson's voice cut through the air, sharp.

Froylan.

What a name. Strong. Fitting for someone like him.

But he didn't move. He looked like he was fighting himself... as if he felt it too.

The bond.

His hand closed around mine, steady and warm, pulling me to my feet.

Then the world went quiet. No crowd. No pain. No whispers.

Just him. Just us.

I looked back to his eyes, and his eyes softened when they met mine. For a moment, I swear my heart stopped beating.

Was this... what it felt like to be safe.

"I... I have to go," his voice was uneven. "Be careful." he said, turning away too fast.

And just like that, the warmth slipped away with him.