Chapter 5

Samantha

It was forbidden to get rid of an alpha's child, but my stepfather had forced pills down my throat for the past two months to get rid of my child. It was starting to get frustrating as none of the pills could flush it out, even the strongest of them. I was surprised too; did it have to do with the fact that the child was of Alpha blood?

After all his failed attempts, the mating season was finally over, and now he could get rid of me.

I wasn't bothered about that; I was only bothered about where I'd be sent to next. Apparently, the only family I had was him.

The only option was for me to leave the pack so that I wasn't isolated and ridiculed. I couldn't say the alpha was the father of my child. No one would believe me, and I'd be accused of lying, which would be worse. It was a shame to have a child before finding one's mate, and I had no mate.

Dr. Adams had come over to the house today; he was sitting in the living room downstairs talking to Jack. It was through their discussion that I knew that Adams had tried several times to see me but was stopped by Jack. Jack had locked me up for those two months, saying that people would realize my condition the moment I stepped out.

I was afraid too, so I didn't question him.

"She will have a life over there, a good purpose, and maybe find someone who will love her," I heard Dr. Adams say to Jack, who obviously didn't give a damn about it. I was lurking somewhere around the stairs, straining my ear to hear them. They were talking in hushed voices, which made it difficult to hear.

"I don't care whatever she becomes, she could be a rogue for all I care, I just want to be free of that bastard and live my life," Jack said angrily.

I couldn't wait to be free from him too, but I didn't want a fate worse than the one I had with him.

I sniffed back the tear that blurred my vision. My life was pitiful enough, and I had no idea where they were taking me to, because from what I could gather, they had been talking about taking me somewhere.

I began to retract my steps slowly, seeing that their movement had changed. They both stood up, and I guessed Adams was about to leave, or so I thought.

"Samantha!" I heard Jack yell my name, startling me. I pinned my lips together, still tiptoeing to my room, but his voice roared again. "Slut! Get your ass down here. We know you've been listening," he yelled again, and this time I froze on the spot.

I felt stupid and totally embarrassed. So why had they been talking in hushed voices if they knew? I shut my eyes tightly, soaking up the embarrassment before turning my feet to head downstairs.

Once I got to the last step, Jack hurried towards me, dragging me by the collar. He pushed me into the middle of the living room, and I scrambled to stand on my feet immediately. Adams obviously looked unhappy with the way he treated me.

"It's fine, Samantha, you'll be in a better place once I take you away from him," Adams mindlinked me. I stared at him for some seconds, finding comfort in his words.

"Your things are ready, right?" Jack asked in a stern voice, and I nodded. He had barged into my room this morning, commanding me to pack my things up and wait till he was done talking with Dr. Adams, which I did, except for the waiting part. "Good, she's all yours, Dr. Adams," he said, and Adams nodded. He asked me to go get my bag, which I did, and without any goodbyes, I left with him, leaving the house I once shared with my mum and Jack.

I didn't feel sad about it; rather, I was a bit scared of how life would be from now on, especially as a single mum. I touched my belly as I sat in Adams' car. I could see him watching me through the corners of my eyes.

"It's an academy for medicine," Adams said, and my eyes twitched. "Arcana Hills," he continued, and my eyes widened. Arcana Hills was no ordinary academy; it was a place for special children, especially genius kids. I was at the top of my class, but why Arcana? I wasn't in any way special to be granted an admission there.

"Your mum told me how you wanted to be a doctor, your grades are good, and I read your end-of-year essay, and I know you want to go to college," he said, answering my questions before I asked them.

"I don't have any money," I said, while knowing I had all my savings in my bag. Adams smiled and nodded.

"It's a full scholarship. I know you will ace your grades there," he said, and I nodded. I didn't want to think highly of the academy. I had learnt to approach life with less expectations.

"Thank you," I muttered. "I have a request," I said and waited for an approval, which he gave. "There's someone I need to see," I said, blinking back the tears that threatened to fall when I thought of Alaric.

"Who is he?" he asked instead, and the tears came full force to my eyes. He looked at me with a fatherly affection. "Who is your mate? I promise never to tell," he said, and tears poured from my eyes. My lips quivered as I answered.

"It's Alpha Ric...."

Adams had helped me gain entrance to the pack house where Alpha Ric and his family stayed. I told him that I'd find my way from there after we were told that Ric was in his office. When I got there, a guard was in front of it, but a few feet away from the door, which looked odd. I had asked him to announce to his alpha of my presence, but he insisted that the alpha wasn't to be disturbed.

After my failed persuasion, I decided to leave, only to hurry towards the door to yank it open, but what my eyes saw next shattered my heart all over again. Alaric had Lily sitting on his table, with legs spread apart, while he was in-between her, and they were making out.

The two stopped the moment they heard me come in, and Lily jumped down, adjusting her skirt. She looked livid.

Even though Alaric had rejected me, it didn't stop the pain I felt because I loved him even before I knew he was my mate.

"I'm sorry, Alpha...." The guard had said in a dread-filled voice as he rushed in. Lily looked furious now.

"Who the hell are you to barge into the alpha's office like this!" she yelled at me while Alaric adjusted his clothing. He looked shocked but remained silent. It was only when the guard gripped my arm, attempting to drag me, did a growl leave his throat. If he hadn't rejected me, I'd think it was the mate bond causing him to react this way. He looked like he would kill the guard if he didn't let go.

Lily seemed surprised, but she said nothing. The guard left me, bowing in apology.

"Leave us alone," he said, and the guard left, but Lily stayed. "You too," he said to her. She looked like she was about to refuse, but then realized that would mean disobeying the alpha, so she shut her mouth back up and left, passing me a mean glare as she did.

Once the door shut behind us, Alaric made his way to the front of his desk, resting on it. We stared at each other for a while, as if we were going back in memory of what transpired between us.

My heart was wounded and my soul yet to heal, but I stayed strong. I didn't want to give Alaric the benefit of seeing me vulnerable.

"Why are you here, Samantha?" he asked, and I could still see the guilt that lingered in his eyes. If he hated rejecting me, then why did he do it?

"I came here to give you a chance," I said boldly, and he blinked in surprise, looking more interested. "I'm willing to forget my pain, and I don't want to know the reason you rejected me, if only you can accept your mistake and take back your rejection. I'm willing to forgive you," I said, and he adjusted, seeming uncomfortable. He looked at me more intensely, shock clouding his gaze.

The truth was that I wasn't doing this because I needed the Luna life to be free from my misery, even though I'd find it rewarding. I was doing it for my child; I didn't want him or her to grow the way I did, without my real father.

Alaric remained silent, and it was starting to bother me. Then he looked up to catch my gaze again. His face serious and almost void of emotion.

"I wish it were easy, Samantha, but you can't be my Luna." His words dug a hole deep in my heart, and I heard my wolf, Ariana, cry from the pain of yet another rejection. I could feel her weakening. I folded my hand into a fist, and my body shook visibly.

I was angry and really heartbroken as I looked at the man who stole my heart effortlessly.

He was my first love, first kiss. The man who took my virginity, my mate, and the man who broke my heart. How would I ever heal from this pain?

I took a deep breath as I got ready to do what was best for me.

"Fine, if that's what you truly want, then I better do this," I said, and saw the way he frowned. It felt like his wolf was trying to take control, like it knew what I was about to do but didn't agree to it. Nevertheless, I went on. "I, Samantha Phillip, accept your rejection, Alpha Ric," I said, and I saw Alaric struggle to keep his stance. My acceptance looked like it hurt him, but that wasn't supposed to happen. Only the rejected felt pain. I didn't bother to know why, so I turned around, leaving him as he clutched his chest.

I left with anger in my heart, the desire to forget Ric and everything. I couldn't change anything about my past, but I'll make sure I changed my future.