Chapter 2: Betrayed— My Fate Is Unknown

IOANA'S POV

It was something I've never felt before; it was a pure blind tape that overpowered my reasoning.

I couldn't think.

No, I didn't want to.

Everyone faded away—the talks, the sneers, the pity—they had no effect on me now. My eyes zeroed on them.

The adulterous pair.

Who betrayed me.

I wanted them to pay!

Without thinking, a transformation happened; claws extended from my nails, sharp, gleaming dangerously under the moon.

They must pay!

With a guttural roar from my throat, deep and powerful, I kicked off the ground, launching at the two.

Their eyes widened in shock and horror—that look sent a thrill down my spine. The fear, I loved it.

I wanted them to feel more.

I channeled all the hurt, all the heart-wrenching betrayal that dug at my heart like a spoon digging into flesh, dull and sharp at the same time, pushing me to the edge.

Until I snapped.

I was at their faces, the ends of my claws almost greeting their skin.

But.

Their horrified faces changed swiftly; Gabrielle lifted the corners of her lips in a revolting smirk of contempt while Ramon raised his eyebrows at me, his eyes filled with disgust.

At that point, I didn't realize that something was wrong.

It wasn't until hands latched onto me, dragging me down from mid-air.

I crashed onto the ground, dust rising up, my vision obscured by the throngs of people that encircled me.

Legs and hands rained down on me, pain exploding each place it landed.

Crippling me, I curled up in a fetal position, desperately protecting delicate areas.

As I lay on the sand-covered ground, rays of the moon spilled from the gaps they made.

The moon never looked as distant as it did now, aloof as always.

Eventually, even that gap closed up, shutting it from me.

No matter how tightly my ears were covered, the curses hurled down at me slipped through, dirty slurs hacked at me like sharp blades slashing my flesh. I bled.

And when they finally dispersed at the call of their leader, the air pricked the wounds on my skin, patches of blue-black coloring my skin like splotches of a mischievous child on a canvas, mixing together forming purple.

Bursts of pain shot up my back, I swallowed a grunt at the casual kick someone had sent to my back like I was worthless trash on the ground.

Their laughter, sharp and piercing, rang in my mind.

"Who does she think she is?"

"An abomination like her."

"Someone like her isn't supposed to be born."

"Yes, she's a mistake."

"I'll admit she's bold, daring to attack the Alpha's son."

"What do you expect from an Omega?"

Gradually, their laughter faded along with the stares and their scorn, footsteps growing smaller.

Familiar red stilettos passed me.

I remained unresponsive; I knew that they fed off my pain, I wouldn't give them that pleasure.

Soon, the Full Moon Appreciation Ceremony ground was deserted without a single presence of a person.

I unfurled myself, to my knees, coughing and sputtering out the sand that got into my lips. Cleaning my lips with my arm, I struggled to my feet, barely standing.

I dragged myself away from this place, which had become the birthplace of my nightmares.

Trudging down the pathway, I groaned. I shouldn't have stayed—no, I shouldn't have come.

I cursed under my breath, taking a sharp breath—the pain in my ribs making it difficult. Every breath I took pierced into my lungs, they didn't even hold back. I winced, holding my sides, trying to bring relief that wasn't possible.

My muscles spasmed, causing me to stop, leaning my back by a tree, instinctively dropping my head, avoiding the scrutinizing gaze of the passerby. I have to move, go home and— I froze. And do what? The desolate cold environment flashed through my mind.

And do nothing… My shoulders sagged, but I pushed through. But the thoughts hovered in my head: what's the point of holding on? If I collapsed here, would…would anyone even care about me?

That was my question left unanswered as I stepped into path. Vibrant flowers by the side, decorating the cobblestone pathway.

Laughter reached my ears, chattering. My shoulders slumped in relief; it seems they are not aware of it yet.

That's good.

From afar, I could see it, the porch lights cast a golden glow on the floor, my parents stood next to an elderly man with white trimmed beards, flattering smiles on their lips.

But immediately I entered their views, the conversation halted, laughter died on their lips, eyes snapped towards me.

My mother awkwardly asked,

"You're back." She smiled, but it looked strained and oddly stiff; her words were followed by silence.

My mind wasn't on her but on the familiar bag, laying on the porch.

"We've packed your things." I'd hardly processed his words when he continued, "You should leave."

Leave? How? To where? Why?

Those words swirled in my mind; it didn't make sense. It was as if my comprehension had suddenly crashed.

The elderly man—an elder of the pack—cleared his throat, drawing my attention. My eyes were dazed.

Shattered by his next words, "Ioana Redmoon…" he began.

For some reason, my stomach dropped down to its pit; a sense of dread overcame me.

It was as if something bad was about to happen.

His voice, powerful, full of authority, rang through the night.

"For your disobedience, for your weakness and maliciousness, you are hereby exiled, banished from the pack."

"You are no longer part of us. You will no longer be remembered or spoken of."

The earth tilted, the sky darkened completely. What! My thoughts scattered, becoming fragmented.

The ground wobbled.

It hit me like a speeding train. At that moment, to me, it was as if the sky had cracked open and chaos descended.

Subconsciously, my eyes traced to my parents, but my father's eyes were like ice, cold and unfeeling, and my mother—she averted her gaze.

The parents I have always known… Just then, the door creaked open, a golden-haired girl came out.

"Mom, Dad, what's going on?" Her face the perfect blend of innocence and beauty.

The very same people who remained frigid and cold, their faces melted like candle wax exposed to heat.

"What are you doing outside, honey?" said my uncaring mother, pushing her back inside.

"Be careful of the cold," my indifferent father placed his arm over her shoulder, sharing warmth.

The icy wind blew, my bruises ached, my knees shook, teeth clattering.

Worn and battered, it was only by raw will I stood.

Their interaction was like a dagger to my heart.

And she knew it.

Her eyes locked onto mine, a smirk curled on her lips.

She fluttered her eyelashes, "Yes, Dad, I'll go in soon." tilting her head, she layed on his shoulder.

In that moment, locks of hair slipped off her shoulder, revealing a sight that shot at my already fragile heart, on the verge of shattering.

Tears welled up in my eyes, burning me.

I thought I was over it but apparently…

I wasn't.