6. Is That You, Death?

~Lucienne~

“I'm talking to you, Lucienne. Where are you headed?” He asked again and I gulped, wondering if I should make a run for it despite my condition or turn around and try to reason with him.

Realizing a battered wounded omega like me can't outrun someone so strong, a weak sigh escaped my lips and I turned around to meet him, Gamma Ezekiel, my elder brother.

“Is it until you die you realize running away isn't an option for you, sister?” Ezekiel's usual question came and as usual, I didn't give him a response. “You know what, today, I won't stop you from leaving. But if you want to die, at least make it a good one, not a death from angry uncontrollable rogues who want revenge. The pack's satisfaction would be missing if that happens.”

“Then kill me already,” I rolled my eyes, sick of hearing the same thing over and over again. If they wanted to punish me, they should do it. Living with the consequences of what happened was enough torture already.

“The decision is not in my hands, sister. You know that,” He responded then looked around before speaking again. “Does Daniel know his little mate is planning to escape? Like a cunning little mouse at that?”

“Do you want to tell him, brother?” I asked in our sibling tone and looked into his eyes, a part of me wishing to get in touch with the soft caring elder brother I once knew and not the cold and wicked Ezekiel the pack feared.

“You're already in bad shape, dear sister. And although no one would hold me to it, I wouldn't want to see my friend labeled as the one who killed you,” He casually responded and a smile graced my lips. There he was! The one who wouldn't want any harm to come to me but wouldn't say it directly.

“Doesn't mean I'm letting you leave though,” he added and my smile gradually receded. “Go back in, Lucienne,” Ezekiel ordered.

“But…”

“Even if you want to escape, this isn't the way to do it. Do you want Daniel to go on a murdering spree? He almost ended someone today, right in front of you for that matter. Doesn't that tell you something about him?”

“That my mate is crazy, possessive, and needs psychiatric help? Definitely!” I answered with another eye roll and was met with a growl from my brother. If there was one thing he wouldn't take was an insult to his family or friends. Except me of course. I was the pack's laughing stock and punching bag.

"Listen to me, Lucienne. Running away won't solve anything. If anything, it'll only make things worse. If I were you, I'd give up this stupid fantasy of leaving. It's not like you're being given half the treatment people faced back then. So stop acting like what you're going through is that difficult.”

I bristled at his words, resentment bubbling up inside me. "That difficult?” I scoffed. “And what would you know about what they all keep putting me through?" I snapped, unable to keep the bitterness from seeping into my voice. "I understand that what I did was wrong and a lot of people suffered because of my actions but don't you think I live with regret day and night? Don't you think the cries hunt me every time? Do you know the cries and faces I see anytime and every time I sleep? Huh, Ezekiel? Are you the one who's the constant target of bullies, beatings, and more? Are you the one who is trapped with a maniac mate, forced to endure his cruelty, his punishments, and madness, day in and day out? ARE YOU?!” I yelled, my throat dry and hoarse as tears began to drop from my eyes. “I might not have faced one-tenth of what happened to everyone back there, but even the Moon Goddess knows I didn't mean for any of that to happen and all the punishments I've been getting for the past fourteen years are enough!”

Ezekiel's gaze remained hardened like all what I just said were mere words, mere lies. “I'll find a way to make sure Daniel doesn't come back tonight. You can use that time to rest and recover.”

“Rest and recover? What for?” I fired back. “So he can kill me? So he can strip me and use me as he likes? So he can turn me into his naked doll, showing me off to every man out there? Huh, brother? You want me to recover from that?” I asked but Ezekiel just flexed his jaws I already started this and I would finish it.

“Why do you want me to recover before he begins his madness? Why not let him do it now that I am weak so I can finally die by his hands? Isn't that what the majority of the pack wants? Why are you stopping them from having it? Why did you stop me from heading to the rogues? Why didn't you let me go so they'd at least give me freedom from Daniel even if it meant death? Tell me why?!”

“That's enough, Lucienne!” Ezekiel finally snapped, loud and angry. “Go back in. I don't want to repeat myself.”

I looked him dead in the eye and from the depths of my being I said the three words I never sent to anyone in my entire life. “I will not go back in there. I'd rather die than do that!"

"Don't test my patience, sister. Do as I say." Ezekiel's authoritative voice came and I didn't move an inch, letting him know, we were blood siblings. I might be an omega, but that tone wouldn't work on me. Not when I'm this angry.

"Or what? You'd tell Daniel? By all means, do it! Tell him! His punishments are always something close to death, anyway! So do it. Grab your phone and call the madman who will someday rule the pack!"

Red flashed in Ezekiel's eyes, his veins were bulging everywhere. He was enraged and so was I. He raised his hands for a slap almost immediately. I prepared to be thrown back from the strength of his slap but it never came. Instead, he grabbed me by the arm and dragged me, taking me through the woods.

“Where are you taking me now?” I yelled and winced in anger and the thorns scraped my wounds while he practically dragged me.

Ezekiel didn't answer my question and every step sent jolts of pain shooting through my already battered body.

After what felt like an eternity of stumbling over roots and branches, we finally reached a clearing at the edge of a cliff. The view was breathtaking, with the river below sparkling in the sunlight, but I had little time to appreciate it as Ezekiel pushed me towards the edge, his grip on my shirt being the only thing stabling me on the solid ground.

"What are you doing?" I cried out, panic rising in my chest as I realized his intentions. "Are you finally going to kill me?"

Ezekiel's expression remained impassive as he glanced down at the swirling waters below. "Isn’t that what you want, sister? Look, this right here is your chance," he said coldly, his voice devoid of emotion.

I stared at him in disbelief, my heart pounding in my chest as the enormity of the situation sank in. Was he really giving me the choice to end my own life? And did I have the courage to take it? Did I actually want death? Or freedom from their cruelty? Did I only say death because I knew freedom was something I'd never get even if it was at the tip of my finger?

For a moment, I was paralyzed with fear, unable to move or speak. But then images of the awful things they all put me through replayed in my head causing a tear to trickle down my cheek. If this was my chance to escape the torment of my existence, then I would take it, consequences be damned.

“You don't know?” Ezekiel questioned before bringing me closer to him, then he brought out a small knife, slashing my wrists with it, causing me to let out a cry of pain as blood oozed out. “Now you have limited time. Die by jumping down or let the rogues finish you then hang your head on a spike as revenge for what you did to their pack and family members. You have less than thirty seconds to decide, sister.” Ezekiel said and let me go, taking a few steps away from me.

I was short of words as I looked at my elder brother in utter shock.

“Go on sister. Make your decision. Once the rogues come I wouldn't bat an eye as they vent their anger and pain on you. Even if you won't give the pack members the satisfaction of watching you die, you can at least let me watch you fall to your death right?” Ezekiel casually said again and all I could do was shake my head and wince as I held my bleeding arm. This wasn't the brother I loved and grew up with! This Ezekiel was delusional! And it's all my fault!

“Your ten seconds are over Lucienne,” Ezekiel said with a glance at his watch and a twitch of his ear. “And we have company. Some from the West and the others, from the South. Do you need my help in leaping before they come, sister?” Ezekiel questioned in a low and dangerous tone, now coming towards me with his arms stretched forward to push me. “One more step and you're gone,” Ezekiel softly said and pushed me hard, but he caught me seconds later, bringing me back to solid ground and he let out a sigh, finally dropping the cold facade he had all day wrong.

“Lucienne, you have to understand. As much as I'd love to, I can't help you. You just have to take it in. It'll be over soon, I promise,” My brother said and I found myself throwing my arms around him, hugging and crying.

“Till when, Ezekiel? How long do I have to bear all of this for? How long do I have to….. EZEKIEL!!!” I yelled as I was cut off by a push from my brother, a push so strong I was immediately thrown off the cliff.