CHAPTER FIVE: KICKED OUT

As I walked along the deserted road, my thoughts consumed me, and I found myself cursing my mate and the moon goddess for all my misfortunes. After spending a month at the shelter, I was kicked out when Apollo found out I was there. My baby bump was huge down and I was getting tired just walking. I had nowhere else to go, so I decided to go to my ex-boyfriend's place. I was lost in my thoughts and didn't realize I was walking in the middle of the road.

I heard the sound of a car approaching, and before I could react, a man appeared out of nowhere, pulled me off the road, and saved my life. I was startled and turned to look at him, but his face was hidden in the shadows.

"What the hell were you doing in the middle of the road?" he asked, his voice sharp. That was when I realized it was Alpha Ryder.

I tried to compose myself before answering. "I...I was just walking. I had nowhere else to go."

The Ryder’s tone softened when he saw my distress. "Get in my car. I'll take you somewhere safe."

I was hesitant but had no other options. I got into the car, which was surprisingly luxurious, and saw a woman sitting in the back seat.

"Who's this?" the woman asked, clearly annoyed.

"Get out," Alpha Ryder said coldly. "She needs the space more than you do."

The woman left, and he sat down next to me. "Why were you wandering in the street…aren’t you the same woman I booked a room in the public shelter for? Where do you want to go?"

I was surprised by his memory but still didn't want to burden anyone else with my problems. “…the thing is…I was kicked out of the public shelter.” I muttered. "I don't want to inconvenience you. I'll find somewhere else to go."

Ryder shook his head. "You're not inconveniencing me. I'm going to my own pack, and I can make sure you're treated better there. Trust me."

I thought about it for a moment and nodded. "Okay. Thank you."

As the car pulled away from the curb, I felt a glimmer of hope. Maybe, just maybe, things were starting to look up for me.

As Ryder drove me to his pack, I couldn't shake off the feeling of unease. The misty air and the tall trees only added to the eerie atmosphere that surrounded us. I was pregnant and alone, and the only person I could count on was Ryder, who had just revealed that he was betrothed to a woman named Hazel.

When we arrived at his packhouse, Hazel greeted me with visible displeasure. She made it clear that she didn't want me in their pack and that my stay was only temporary. I felt a pang of sadness and disbelief at being unwelcome.

As Ryder left the living room to arrange a room for me, Hazel dug her claws into my right shoulder, threatening me.

"I don't know what relationship you have with my fiancé, or why he brought you here. I don't care if you're pregnant or not. I hope you're not his mistress, and the child you're carrying is not his," she barked. Her words were like a knife to my heart as I winced in pain.

I couldn't take it anymore. I snapped back at Hazel, using my own claws to give her a mark on the face. I was scared, but I wouldn't let anyone treat me like a doormat. As Hazel's maid held her back, I looked around the living room. The walls were decorated with paintings of the pack's ancestors, and the furniture was made of wood and leather. The room was spacious, but it felt cold and unwelcoming.

Overall, I felt a mix of emotions as I stood in the living room of the Gianttooth pack. I was scared, angry, and sad, but I was also determined to make the best out of my situation. I knew that I had to be strong for myself and my unborn child.

Upon entering the small room that Ryder had given me in his packhouse, I immediately lay down on the bed. Instead of putting my things in the closet, I decided to take a nap and didn't want to wait until dinner.

I woke up to find Apollo in my room, sitting on a chair and waiting for me to wake up. I moved deeper into the bed out of fear, unable to breathe as he sat there.

Before I could speak, Ryder burst into the room. "What the hell are you doing here?" Ryder demanded, his eyes flashing with anger.

Apollo stood up slowly, his eyes never leaving mine. "I came to see her," he said, his voice low and dangerous.

Ryder stepped forward, his fists clenched at his sides. “How do you know her? You have no right to be here." he said, his voice shaking with fury. "Get out."

Apollo's lip curled into a sneer. "You can’t tell me what to do, she was my mate until I rejected her," he spat at me. "I can’t believe you accommodate her, are you perhaps the father of the baby?"

Ryder stepped between us, his hands outstretched as if to shield me. "Have a heart Apollo," he said, his voice softening. "Leave her alone."

Apollo's eyes narrowed, and he bared his teeth in a fierce grin. "You don't understand," he said, his voice low and menacing. "She was supposed to marry me, but she got pregnant by another man. She's a whore. I want you to kick her out of your house, or I will end our friendship."

"She is a guest here. If you don’t want to be my friend anymore, it's fine. I don’t want to be the friend of a monster," Ryder protested. "Have you tried asking her who the father of the child is?" he added.

With a sudden movement, Apollo lunged forward, pinning Ryder to the wall. I felt sick to my stomach as I watched them fight. Apollo's claws dug into Ryder's neck as he struggled to break free.

I wanted to run, to escape the horror of it all. But I was frozen in place, unable to move, unable to look away from the violence unfolding before me.

The room was dimly lit, with the curtains drawn shut. It was quiet, except for the sound of Apollo's angry breathing and Ryder's groans of pain. I couldn't believe what was happening before my eyes. Ryder was always so calm and collected, but now he seemed helpless against Apollo's attack. I wanted to help him, but I didn't know how.

"Bitch, get out of here," Apollo said, turning his attention to me. "This doesn't concern you."

"But Ryder needs help," I protested.

"He doesn't want your help," Apollo spat. "Just leave."

Tears prickled at my eyes. I couldn't believe Apollo could be so cruel to me. I tried to ignore him and moved towards Ryder, but he pushed me away.