A new start.

Karina

I turned, stiffening as I saw the group of young men and easily recognizing them. The Alpha’s son, who despised me, along with the Beta’s son. Ryan, the one who was trained as the Gamma in my stead, also stood amongst them, passing me a mocking grin.

I wasn’t close to them, always trying to remain unbothered, but they always found a way to torment me. They only did so in secret, whispering veiled insults my way. With my father’s presence, they never dared to do a thing.

Now though, I didn't know what to expect.

I stood guardedly, watching them. Inside, Germaine, my wolf growled in hostility completely aware that they were up to no good.

“What do you want?” I asked cautiously.

Unfortunately, that was even the wrong thing to say.

“A filthy rogue like you has no right questioning us.” The Alpha’s son snapped instantly, scowling.

My free hand curled into fists as I looked at them. It was the memory of my father’s words that calmed me down.

“Patience, my love. Sometimes, the best thing to do is to walk away.”

I swallowed my anger at the memory, trying to find a gap from their positions where I could pass through.

“What can you do? Now that your dear daddy is gone, there's nobody left to protect you.” It was the Beta's son, Boris, who spoke.

My hackles rose at their jeers.

“What do you want?” I finally snapped.

As their faces leered, the horrid feeling I had crawled up even more. It was the Alpha's son that finally spoke.

“We're going to have some fun with you. Rogues like you only have one use.”

Were they going to…?

No!

Dread crawled up my throat the moment I realized what they meant.

Fear crept up my throat as they advanced, matching grins on their faces.

I took a step back, prepared to run, but before I could think, they had pounced on me.

The basket I was holding flew out of my hand as I felt their grip tightened. I struggled against their hold, bringing my claws out to swipe at everything whilst screaming.

Their grunts and curses filled my ear.

“Fucking bitch.” Before I could blink, blinding hot pain erupted from my head, I staggered, only to fall to the ground, finding that one of the men had hit me with a rock.

I fought to stay awake, but the pounding of my head and the blinding pain was too much to bear.

Laughter and pain were the last thing I felt before losing myself to the darkness.

………..

My head pounded the moment I finally came to. Everything felt heavy. Slowly, I lifted my eyelids to meet the dark sky. Cold hard ground dug into my skin as I came to myself.

Everything came to me in a flash, sending pain down my throat. Sitting up, I shook against the pain in my body as I realised what had happened. What they had done to me.

A sob left my lips without any warning, even without looking down, I could feel every single thing, from the cold air touching my bare skin to the burning pain in between my legs. I didn’t need to look down to see my torn clothes and the blood to know that they had violated me in the worst way.

But I did, and it felt even more painful.

My throat felt raw and heavy, choking with screams that fought to come out. None of it did however, and I could only hold myself against as I sobbed and choked in my misery.

Everything hurt.

I cursed them, cursed whatever goddess was up there for making me suffer for a sin I had no control of. Cursed at the events that had caused my father's death. Cursed at the pack and their bigoted ideals which harmed me. I cursed at all the sons and daughters of this pack.

As I cried until my eyes were sore, one thing was clear to me.

I couldn’t stay here. Not after what they had done and what they were capable of doing.

It didn’t matter where I went, so long as it was far away from here.

Beside me was the basket of fruits and vegetables I gathered, now scattered and trampled. I stood up, ignoring the pains that wracked my body as I picked them up one by one.

The road back to my home was silent, yet the shadows scared me. Every inch of panic sent an equally rising rage within me.

Finding myself back home, I painstakingly arranged the entire place, washing the sparse used dishes and storing every food. Finally, I wrote a note for my mother, telling her all she needed to know of my leaving and to take care of herself. I couldn’t hold back my tears once I was done signing the note.

As I folded it neatly and laid it onto the table, I wiped away my tears for the second time.

There was only one thing left to do.

With shaky legs and a heavy heart, I entered my mother’s room.

She was still asleep, looking more peaceful than I had ever seen her awake. As I came closer, kissing her lightly on the forehead, my heart broke at knowing that everything I was about to do would break her even more.

The pack my father had protected. Had he been here, would he be sad and resigned? Would he be angry about my decision?

There was no way to know. The dead didn't speak. So closing my eyes, I sent a prayer up to the sky.

‘I’m sorry, dad. For everything I'm about to do. If you are out there somewhere, please watch over mom.’

With my final prayer, I left her room to pack my belongings.

Hours passed as I treaded through the forest carrying the spare belongings I had taken. My legs ached from the extent to which I walked.

Pain filled my heart knowing everything that I was leaving behind, but as I stepped out onto a small road, a sense of lightness eased the pain.

This was the start of my new life.