CHAPTER FOUR: HEARTLESS MATE

Tracy showed up at my house unannounced, surprising me as I was packing my things. "Hey girl, you need some help?" she asked, grabbing one of my suitcases. I nodded gratefully, feeling a lump form in my throat.

As she carried my luggage to her car and put it in the back truck, she tried to lighten the mood. "This is like a road trip, except we're not coming back," she joked. I forced a smile, but the reality of the situation was weighing heavily on me.

Tracy noticed my mood and put a comforting hand on my shoulder. "Hey, it's gonna be okay," she said. "You're always welcome in my house, no matter what your parents say."

I felt grateful for her words, but also a little guilty for imposing on her. "Are you sure it’s, okay?" I asked. "I don't want to be a burden."

Tracy shook her head. "You're not a burden, Zel. You're my friend, and I'm here for you." Her kindness made me feel a little better, but I couldn't shake off the sadness of leaving everything behind.

As we drove away, I couldn't take my eyes off the duplex where I had spent my entire life. "I can't believe I'm leaving," I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper.

Tracy turned up the radio, trying to distract me. "Let's sing our hearts out!" she said, belting out the lyrics to a pop song. I couldn't help but laugh, feeling a little lighter.

When we arrived at her parent’s house, Tracy showed me around and made me feel at home. "You can stay in the guest room," she said. "And we'll figure everything out together." Her words made me feel grateful and relieved.

As I settled in, I couldn't help but think of my parents and my old life. "Do you think they'll ever forgive me?" I asked Tracy, feeling a pang of guilt.

Tracy put a hand on my shoulder. "You did what you had to do," she said. "And they'll come around eventually. But for now, let's focus on you and your unborn baby." Her kindness and support made me feel like maybe everything would be okay after all.

***

I sat on top of the pile of my belongings outside the house, watching as the royal warriors loaded everything into their van. I felt like my life was falling apart in front of my eyes. I had been living with Tracy and her parents for two months, and now I was being evicted. It was all because of my pregnancy.

As the warriors packed the last of my belongings, I felt a lump form in her throat. I had lost my job, my home, and now I felt like I was losing my friend. It was all because I was pregnant. I felt like society always blamed the woman for getting pregnant, even though it took two people to make a baby.

"Why are you doing this? What did I do wrong?" I asked the warriors, my voice trembling with emotion.

"Alpha Apollo ordered us to do this. He said you and your baby are a burden on Miss Tracy and her family. You need to leave or else we will throw them out of their house too," one of the warriors replied coldly.

 I felt tears rolling down my cheeks. I couldn't believe that Apollo would do this to me. He was the father of my child, but he didn't care about me or our baby. All he cared about was making me homeless.

Later that night, as I sat with Tracy and her parents on the porch, I felt like my heart was breaking into a million pieces. I couldn't keep relying on them to take care of me. I was a burden, and I didn't want to be a burden anymore.

"I'm sorry," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "I never meant for any of this to happen. I will have to leave."

"Zel, you don't have to go. We want you here," Tracy said, tears streaming down her face.

But I knew that I couldn't stay. I had to find a way to make things right, even if it meant going to the public shelter of the pack. I slung a small bag of clothes Tracy had given me over my shoulder and walked away from the house, feeling like I was walking away from everything I had ever known. I ignored the whimpering sounds Tracy was making.

"Let me go! I can't let her leave where could she go!" She yelled.

As I walked through the dark streets, I felt like I was alone in the world. I had no one to turn to, no one to help me. I was pregnant and homeless, and I didn't know how I was going to survive. But I knew that I had to keep moving forward. I couldn't let Apollo win. I had to fight for myself and my baby, even if it meant fighting alone.

My heart was pounding in my chest as I stepped inside the public shelter of the Grim Pack. The building looked run-down and neglected, with peeling paint and broken windows. I hesitated for a moment before walking up to the counter, hoping they would have a room for me. I wanted to pay with the last money I had left.

The attendant looked up at me and I could see the surprise and disapproval in her eyes. "What do you want?" she asked, her voice dripping with disdain.

I tried to explain my situation, but the woman cut me off. "This shelter is not meant for whores like you," she said coldly.

I felt a lump form in my throat as I begged desperately for help. But the woman refused to budge, leaving me stranded and alone. I stood at the counter for what seemed like an eternity, my thoughts racing as I tried to figure out what to do next.

Just when I was about to give up hope, a dashing young man suddenly appeared out of nowhere. He had piercing green eyes and an air of confidence that commanded attention. I couldn't help but stare at him in awe.

"Excuse me," he said, addressing the attendant. "I booked a room for this young lady."

The attendant tried to argue, but the man, who introduced himself as Alpha Ryder of the gianttooth pack, shut her down with a fierce glare. I couldn't believe my luck, and I felt a warm sense of gratitude towards this stranger who had come to my rescue.

"Thank you so much," I said softly, as Alpha Ryder handed me the key. "I didn't know what I would have done without your help."

Ryder simply smiled and said, "It's my pleasure. You looked like you could use a break."

My heart skipped a beat at the sound of his voice. I couldn't help but feel drawn to him, and I knew that this chance encounter might just change my life forever.