Seven days later
Ice-cold water touches my body, forcing me to turn toward the door. I hadn't realized that it was open and that a huge-built man was already cussing at me.
"You know what today is Runt? It's judgement day baby. Say bye bye to your little dungeon and get your ass moving, the whole pack is waiting for you outside" Considering the veins at his neck and the tight look on his face, it was obvious he was shouting and having fun while at it. .
He marches toward me and yanks my arm to make me stand up.
He sighed and quickly changed his mind " Wait… don't bother about coming now. Anita will handle you. I'm not doing any more insulting favors for today."
He shoves me back to the floor and slams the door, not minding that I almost crack my skull.
I grit my teeth.
Today is finally my moon judgement day. I've been locked up in the attic for seven days with no food or water.
But everything would be over soon. I tried to runaway at my sister's memorial but Leo discouraged me. He said he'd be succeeding his father the next day and the first favour he would ask as the new Alpha is for my life to be spared.
The door opens again, and this time an old, stern-looking lady walks in.
She wrinkles her nose at the sight of me and mutters, "Follow me. I'll take you to freshen up."
I glance down at the mess my clothes are in. I obviously stink too after days in the same clothes.
My head spins when I stand up. Hunger or Blood loss, I don't know, but the lady doesn't notice me swaying on my feet at all. She just wrinkles her nose at me and then turns on her heel to lead me out of the attic.
As we walk through the halls together, my skin pulls tight as I feel everyone's eyes on me.
There is a lot of interest, and it is pretty obvious they have all already heard the trending story about who I am.
The human born from purebred werewolves.
The murderer.
The mute Omega.
I am led to the Alpha's wing of the pack house, and while I pass the Beta's wing to get to the Alpha's, I bite my trembling lips at the good memories of my childhood.
Taking a deep breath I remind myself that I have no right to feel anything that's not sadness and sorrow.
The bathroom is clean enough, and the shower is an actual stall—better than the ones we use in the Beta's wing.
The woman shoves a bag at me, one I hadn't noticed her carrying because my eyes are focused on her face to catch any word just in case.
"You better be quick. I won't miss my chance to dance with my mate because of you. I'll drag you out naked if I have to."
I give her a dirty look and take the bag, stomping into the stall like a child.
I strip off and scrub down, wincing at the state of myself. I am covered in bruises that refuse to heal.
Unlike normal shifters, I don't even have the slightest ability to heal my wounds, so they are left to clot by themselves—heal or rot and leave scars on my body.
My hair is a mess, so I wash it and dry it carefully. The clothes they leave for me are an old gown that makes me look even more pitiful, but at least it is a clean change of clothes.
The smell of cologne clinging to the fabric makes me want to hurl. I have always been sensitive to scents. I thump my chest repeatedly, trying to drive back the nausea.
I need to look decent. It is impossible to avoid running into Leo today, so I have to look my best, even if my "best" is barely enough.
"There's no time to try to pretty yourself up. I doubt you'd be able to do much anyway," the woman snaps.
I pretend not to know what she just utters and stay planted in front of the mirror, brushing my hair slowly and meticulously until it is knot-free. I weave it into the most complicated braid I can manage with only one hair tie just to spite her more.
I have to focus to keep my hands from shaking at the sight of the silvery strands mixed into the blonde. I don't think I will ever get used to this color—and it just keeps spreading.
When she can't hold her patience any longer, she starts to drag me out until we are in a vast corridor.
You know the way better than me brute. Go meet the pack warriors so they prepare you for the trial.
I know she is hoping I haven't heard her so that I could get into trouble. No one in the pack knows I am read lips only if I'm facing the person directly. And this sometimes gives me a heads-up little advantage over their cruelty.
Once she leaves, I decide to pick up the courage and meet Leo first.
My breath is quick, when I slip in and I take a moment to catch it.
When I finally turn, the sight that greets me is nothing like I have ever witnessed in my life.
The moon casts a bright light against the window of the room, glistening against the bare flesh of a woman with black hair. Her head drops back and forth.
Strong arms are wrapped around her, a dark head moving along her chest with a feeling that makes me fascinated and… warm. All over.
The man's lips are on her chest, sucking each pink bud into his mouth like an infant suckling milk from his mother's breast.
Have I entered the wrong room?
Something hot flares in my belly.
I swallow, suddenly thirsty for something I cannot name.
As if the moon wants to clarify something to me. It becomes brighter and shines on the face of the man with dark hair.
My breath hitches… It is really my Leo.
I am not so knowledgeable about this act, but I am wise enough to know these two are trying to have a baby.
But who would want a baby with my mate?
I look away because my mind is certainly taking in too much at a time. My stomach is tied in knots, and my lungs protest the movement as I try to pull in air.
The tiny spark in my life extinguishes, sending my mind into complete darkness as I try to process what I just see.
This is one of those moments I wish I could communicate.
When I look again, Leo's head lifts, meeting my tear-streaked face. With cruel, pointed awareness of my presence, his canines extend.
He latches onto her neck, piercing through the skin to mark her, his eyes remaining locked on mine the entire time—stacking his claim on her just to rip the heart out of me.
I shake my head as my hand covers my mouth. Not that I can scream if I want to.
Leo pulls back. He stands naked and walks toward me with a wicked grin.
"You probably won't hear me, but I will spell it out to you anyway." His hands grab a towel when he notices my eye movements.
"What you just witnessed is me marking my mate." His lips move slowly so I can read every hateful word.
I quiver. Again, I deserve every bit of pain I go through. No one forgets to remind me of that. And it is stuck like a dagger in my heart.
I must have been foolish to have my hopes high or think a man would save me. Tsk.
"I won't reject you," he sneers, stepping toward me. "I want you to feel every second of the bond rotting while I love her." There are touches of humour around his mouth and his eyes and I stand here trying to understand why he finds this funny.
"Meet my Luna." He turns back to the bed, gently embracing the woman who is now standing . My breath hitches as she turns her head, revealing her face.
It is boldly the face I haven't dared to forget over the past decade. Blood stops flowing in my body, and I hit the ground.
"Emily…?"