Chapte3 : Dear Sister

Milana

Magnus' presence certainly drew more attention. Now, more and more people were curious about what was going on, and a few other people were whispering condescendingly to me.

He walked over to us and immediately embraced Riana after she released her hug from me. Seeing how romantic and harmonious they were made my chest tight. I felt jealous because Magnus should have treated me well. However, what he said next added to the hurt in my heart.

"Don't you see how kind my mate is, even after you hurt her like that? Don't you feel guilty?" he said while gently stroking the sobbing Riana's back in his arms.

It can't be like this. I have to explain everything so that people understand. "It's not like that-"

"Save your excuses!" interrupted one of them.

"But, I don't-"

"She's annoying and talks too much!" the other said.

Again, I still needed to finish my sentence. I closed my eyes for a moment to subdue the overflowing emotions resulting from my heartache.

"Why are you silent about being treated like that, Riana? Slap her!" someone pleaded, making me open my eyes and see a smirk plastered on her face when all people's attention was centred on me.

Riana broke away from Magnus' embrace and said, "That's not necessary-"

"That girl really has no self-respect."

"She should have died with her parents!"

"I didn't realize that quiet girl had such a cheap soul."

"A weak Omega who can't even shift should think logically and know her place," Magnus added.

"Don't be so nice, Ri. Milana needs a lesson!" said another.

I couldn't believe Riana actually turned around and slapped my cheek. The sound of her blow buzzed in my ears before the surface of my face felt hot. I saw everyone smiling in satisfaction, some even cheering and justifying what Riana did, thinking I deserved a lesson from her.

That was enough. I could no longer hold back the tears. They were all too much, and I felt like being among them was not my place. I ran out of the park into the forest and kept running until my legs were tired. I needed to calm down, away from those cruel people and sat under a tree to pour out all my frustration in tears.

I thought of my childhood. Back then, I was so happy and loved. Mom and Dad were always by my side, and the world was so much better. Oh, how I wanted to go back to that time. If only they were still here, things would be so much different. If only the accident hadn't happened. Thinking of them made me feel even more miserable.

It was getting dark by the time I could no longer cry, only the occasional sob escaping my lips. The air is getting cold, and I'd better go home to rest. Tomorrow, my condition will be better. However, life must continue. I can no longer rely on others and must be strong for myself.

I rely on my instincts to find my way back from the dark forest and manage to arrive at the path to pack-land half an hour later.

When I arrived, the house was light. I entered from the back door and washed my hands, then took a drink when I felt a sting in my head. Someone pulled my hair until my scalp stung, making me choke, and water splashed down the front of the hoodie I was wearing.

"Where have you been?! Are you studying to be a prostitute and coming home at night after a long day out?!"

Wanda's shrill voice added to my misery. Not quite there, she swung my head so that my body staggered forward and hit the edge of the counter quite hard. My head ached and throbbed, but I was relieved to find no blood when I touched it.

"Guess what? This crazy girl is telling everyone that Magnus is her mate and got a lot of attention in the park this morning," Riana scoffed.

"Is that true?!" snapped Wanda before smacking my head. "You're ungrateful, aren't you? I shouldn't have taken your uncle's word for it and just dumped you when you were a kid!"

Ha! Now I know why they keep me here. It also explains why Wanda and Riana are so bad to me when my uncle isn't home and so much sweeter when he is around.

I know very well that any answer I give will be wrong in their eyes. Wanda would certainly have more faith in her favourite daughter, who would happily inflame her mother into torturing me further. This made me know that I was better off keeping quiet than explaining the situation.

"You know what? You better pack up the garbage that's littering our warehouse and get out of here! I've had enough of your ugly ass. Go away, and don't expect us to take you back!"

Wanda grabbed the hood of my hoodie and slammed it down, making me stagger and almost fall over if I didn't catch the edge of the dining table and hold on. I saw Riana smiling with satisfaction as she played with her long hair.

For the first time, I give up on staying longer in this place. I think everyone hates me and I don't belong here. I no longer cared about being considered a Rogue out there and quickly went into my room to pack the things I considered important into a backpack.

I had enough money saved up and wouldn't go hungry. I could find a job and live much better than if I stayed here. Besides, the emotional burden of staying here was too heavy for me to handle. I wasted no time in saying goodbye and exited the dark house through the open back door. 

I followed the pack road to the border of the territory, heading for the nearest highway that could take me to the city. I had yet to get very far when I heard Riana's voice.

"I have to find her! She can't be allowed to live!"

What the hell?

I don't know who she was talking to, but I got goosebumps and felt like my life was in danger. I immediately started running. Unfortunately, she realized where I was. Riana yelled out a call, and I hid behind an old, empty building at the edge of the ravine. We were too close, and I had stupidly forgotten that a werewolf's scent would easily find me. Yes, Riana had turned eighteen two months ago and could shift to wolf form.

"Dear sister, I'll find you ...." Riana's lilting words sent chills down my spine.

I tried to calm myself down and hide as best I could. At the same time, there was a rustling sound in the lush undergrowth not far from where I was standing, followed by a low growl of a beast. A large wolf with eyes blazing as they reflected the moonlight emerged from behind it, and I was absolutely terrified.

I thoughtlessly stepped back, forgetting that the building was on the edge of a cliff, and fell. I saw Riana at the edge of the cliff, smiling triumphantly as if my death had been long expected.

Adrenaline was still dulling the pain of my body hitting the rocky walls of the ravine before falling to the bottom. I lay helplessly and could see the star-filled sky, which seemed even further away now that I was at the bottom of the ravine.

I started to feel pain all over my body a few seconds later. It wouldn't do me any good to cry out for help since the ravine was quite far from the settlement, and there wouldn't be any pack members wandering around in this area at night.

This might be the end of my life. This harsh reality made tears overflow from my eyes.