Chapter 4

Lilith's POV

The whole crowd was thrown into disarray, murmurs filling the air in response to the sudden news.

Everyone's gaze followed Alpha Joe's as a beautiful damsel walked toward him. He helped her onto the stage. I could now see her face clearly. I was awestruck at what I saw—she bore a striking resemblance to me but was an epitome of beauty, standing in stark contrast to me.

We all watched as Alpha Joe pulled her hair away from her neck and gently sank his teeth into it, tasting her blood. I couldn't breathe, my heart caught in my throat.

"I, Alpha Joe Leonard, Prince of the Starfall Pack, mark you, Lilian, as my mate." He smiled as he said those words, looking at her with love-filled eyes as he waited for her reply.

"I, Beta Lilian, member of the Starfall Pack, accept you, Alpha Joe Leonard, as my mate."

The crowd cheered loudly, and I could hear my mother laughing wickedly beside me. I was in pain, and my heart was heavy. I couldn't control it anymore. 

I sat down on the floor and cried my eyes out, I couldn't believe everyone in the whole world is against me, first it was my mother and now my mate. What more hell can one go through

"You can wait and watch the show if you want, I'm sure you're going to love it" My mother said in between laughter, carried her bag and left for home.

My thoughts of going away from the pack came to me again as I remembered that I still had one more chance of exiting this cruel life. 

"Well I guess there's still hope for me, I just need to leave here"

I ran back home as fast as my legs could carry me, tears streaming down my face and my breath coming in ragged gasps. Bursting through the front door, I sought refuge in the familiar surroundings of the kitchen. Trembling, I reached for a cup, hoping that a cold drink would offer some solace to my troubled heart.

"Just a moment of peace... I really need it right now" I whispered to myself.

But the weight of my grief was too much to bear, and I collapsed onto the floor. The cool tiles provided a small comfort as I let my tears flow freely. The room seemed to magnify the sound of my sobs, making the emptiness around me feel even more overwhelming.

"Why... Why is everything so hard? Why can't things get better?" I cried

And then, out of nowhere, my mother appeared before me, her face twisted with a mocking sneer. Her presence only deepened my pain, as if the world was conspiring against me.

" Back so soon, my dear? Couldn't handle the real world?" She sneered.

I wasn't surprised by her words, My own mother, the one person people thought would understand and support me, say such hurtful things? Yes!

I've grown to endure it as a normal thing 

"Why are you here? Can't you see I'm hurting?" I managed to say, still crying.

"Hurting? Ha! You don't even know what real pain is. You're just a clueless child" she mocked.

Her words pierced my heart like sharp arrows, intensifying the ache inside me. But then she revealed something even more devastating - she had taken the box of money I had been saving, crushing my last flicker of hope for a better future.

"Oh, and by the way, dear, I couldn't resist taking your little box of money. So you've been stealing from me just to fulfill your dreams of running away? Well look who just got caught. How does it feel to be completely helpless?

The despair within me deepened, and the weight of my mother's betrayal felt like an unbearable burden. It was as if I was spiraling into a dark pit of sadness, questioning why life could be so unfair. 

" Why... Why would you do this? Haven't I suffered enough?" I was choked with tears.

Her laughter filled the room, a cruel sound that pierced through my heart. It amplified the pain of my shattered dreams and stolen hopes. In that moment, I felt trapped in a bleak, desolate place, where everything seemed wrong and hope seemed impossibly out of reach.

"If I were you, I'd get rid of those tears and get myself together. Because you're going to continue working from where you stopped. Useless witch!"

 I heard her say from the room.

My last hope of fulfilling my dreams have been shattered, I laid there, so helpless and weak from the cries and wailings. I just wished I had someone who loves me at least, just someone to assure me that I'll be fine, or at least to make me feel less worthless. Well like she said, I have to get myself together and start work tomorrow again or she's going to skin me alive.

I lay on my bed, tears streaming down my face. No matter how hard I tried to forget about the cruel things that happened, they just wouldn't leave my mind. I felt frustrated and couldn't sleep.

I wished I could just drift away or maybe not wake up at all, so I wouldn't have to face this life anymore.

The next day, I had to go back to my job as a bar attendant. Even though I felt so down, I knew I had to keep going.

I got up from my bed slowly, still feeling sad. I put on my work clothes, even though I didn't feel like it. Looking in the mirror, I saw my tired face, marked by the hard night I had. But I didn't want that to define me.

I took a deep breath and went outside, Well my mother has already left home to heaven knows where. When I arrived at the bar, I greeted my co-workers with a fake smile. I had to hide my pain and focus on my work. Even tho I could hear some of them mocking me as usual.

As the day went on, I served drinks and chatted with customers. I tried to distract myself from my own troubles and make others happy. It was hard, but I knew I had to keep going.

Even though I was hurting inside, life continued around me. The world didn't stop for my problems. People were busy with their own lives, and it made me realize that I couldn't let my pain consume me completely.

I found small moments of relief in the busyness of work, but my heart still ached. However, I also realized that life would always have challenges. It wasn't about avoiding pain but about finding strength to keep going despite it.

As the day went by, I grew stronger. I understood that even in the midst of sadness, there was a tiny glimmer of hope. It reminded me that there were still possibilities out there, waiting to be discovered.

So, I carried on with my job, knowing that life had its ups and downs. I have to find strength within myself, to keep moving forward even when things were tough. "Maybe I should start saving again" I thought to myself. Well I know it's going to be hard this time and I probably won't be able to raise up to such amount like I did before. I was determined to carry on and see what life has in store for me…

Alpha Joe's POV

Upon becoming the crown prince of Starfall pack, I found great happiness in marking Lilian as my mate. It meant so much to me to finally discover my soulmate, as it proved to everyone in the pack that I wasn't as useless as they believed. Winning the duel was already an accomplishment, but marking my mate on the same day was an even bigger triumph. I can't put into words how joyful I feel. Finally, I have been joined to the one I've been patiently waiting for all my life. Our bond is not only a personal victory but also a testament to the strength and resilience of our pack.

Marriage to Lilian has not only fulfilled my deepest desires, but it has also proven my worthiness to those who doubted me. The doubts and judgments that once weighed heavily on my spirit have now been replaced by a profound sense of self-assurance. Our union symbolizes that I am capable of achieving greatness and that I possess the qualities deserving of the crown.

In the face of adversity and challenges, the love and support I receive from Lilian provide me with the strength to overcome any obstacle. Together, we stand as a shining example of the power of unity and unwavering commitment.

As I reflect on the journey that led me to this moment, I am overwhelmed with gratitude. The path was not always easy, but every step, every hardship, and every setback has led me here, to this pinnacle of happiness. The fulfillment of my deepest longing and the affirmation of my place in the pack have brought a profound sense of fulfillment and purpose.

In Lilian's eyes, I see the reflection of a future filled with endless possibilities and unwavering devotion. "You've made me the happiest person in the world, You complete me in ways I never thought possible" I said to her while watching her smile shyly. 

Nightfall at Starfall pack…

Bella's POV

Flashback… 18 years ago

 On the night of the Lunar crossing, fate played its hand, and I had a chance encounter with Robert, a trader from a different pack. That encounter led to a one-night stand, which resulted in my subsequent pregnancy. However, my charisma and boldness caught the attention of the Alpha King whom i had loved so dearly during a charity event, leading to another passionate encounter.

Faced with the dilemma of my pregnancy, I found myself in a difficult situation. I contemplated falsely attributing it to the Alpha King to avoid shame, even though I knew deep down that Robert was the true father. But as the days went by, Robert distanced himself from me and stopped visiting. I felt desperate, fearing the disgrace that awaited me.

Driven by my desperation, I decided to visit the palace and confront the King. I believed that if he acknowledged our encounter, it could save me from the shame that loomed over me. To my surprise, the King summoned Alaric, the ancient pack enchanter, to reveal the secret of his impotence to me. The revelation left me devastated, consumed by shame and self-hatred.

"Your Highness, please... I beg you to accept this pregnancy. I cannot bear the shame that awaits me if the truth is known" I pleaded with teary eyes hoping he'll pity me.

" Bella,I cannot claim a child that is not mine". The king said with a sigh

 I knew I couldn't face the judgment and scorn of our pack members.

"I cannot deceive our pack and myself. Find a way to resolve this with whoever is the father of your child" he said.

After the heart-wrenching encounter with the King, I left the palace, consumed by shame and self-hatred. I couldn't bear to face the truth of my actions and the consequences that awaited me. 

End of flashback…

I regretted every single day throughout the pregnancy till the birth of my child and I can't help but see this child as nothing but a source of misfortune and badluck to my life. I hate her with every fibre of my being

As I watched her grow, I believed that inflicting pain upon her would somehow alleviate the pain I carried within myself. I wanted her to bear the weight of my suffering, to feel the depths of my pain and regret. I clearly showed my resentment towards her.

Even though she tried to run away yesterday by storing up money in a box secretly in her room. I discovered It and took all the money, I'm never going to let her leave. She has to stay here while I watch her suffer. She doesn't deserve a life because she ruined mine

"That witch is not yet back from work, she'll tell me where else she went to when she returns to this house" I said to myself, still angry… From the flashbacks that I can't seem to get over.

I heard footsteps and there she is, the unfortunate witch! Standing by the door.

"And where are you coming from, miss?"

I asked, Moving towards her angrily with a rolling pin on my hand.