Chapter 7

Scarlet's Pov:

I slipped through the back door of the kitchen, the chill and humiliation from outside lingering after me. As soon as I stepped inside, everyone's heads snapped towards me.

I froze in place beneath their stares, my hands clenched at my sides as I gripped the thorny fabric of my dress. The prickly material scratched against my legs, a reminder of how I had fallen.

The low murmurs of voices stopped as a deafening silence engulfed the kitchen. As their probing eyes evaluated me, shame filled my guts once more. My hands curled into fists, my nails digging into my palms as to distract myself with this pain.

"Luna," Alicia said as she took a small step forward and bowed. Her tone was hesitant. Her forehead is furrowed in perplexity over the fact that I came in the back door like a thief rather than the front door like a Luna ought to.

I saw the unspoken questions in their gazes but they didn't dare voice it. They didn't have to, but their inquisitive looks burned into my skin because it is so embarrassing for a Luna to enter her pack through the back.

"Child," Audrey came running toward me from the front of the kitchen. My lips formed a sour smile and I shook my head. Even an omega can enter through the front door, but I can't.

Tearing my eyes away from them, I bolted from the suffocating kitchen. I need to find Ryan. I can't believe he will betray me like this. No, he can't. It must be a misunderstanding. Tears filled my eyes as those memories flashed before my eyes. My breath shortening as I gasped for air.

I shut my eyes and used the back of my hand to wipe away the tears. I was running like a madwoman when suddenly I collided with someone. I staggered backwards from the impact, losing my balance and hitting the ground.

"Ouch, watch where you are going," a voice yelled, but I was too messed up to notice anything.

"Scarlet,"? The voice spoke gently as the person knelt before me and put her hand on my shoulder. I looked up to see Eva looking at me worriedly and perplexed. Her hands reaching out as she helped me in standing up.

"Where are you going in a hurr...,"? She asked, but she stopped short when she looked at my rumpled dress and tear-streaked face. Blood gushing out of my wound.

"What happened to you, Scarlet?" Eva's eyes bulged out as she held my wounded arm.

"I have to go," I mumbled, my voice cracking as words are stuck in my throat. My hands trembling as I can feel a panic attack coming.

"What do you mean? Are you okay? She pressed as her eyes shone with concern and worry.

"Did something happen?" Where's Alpha Ryan? I just came from the training and... "

"I have to go," I whispered and brushed her hands from my shoulder sharply.

"Scarlet, stop." I didn't listen to her words, and with one last tug, I pulled away and ran from there. I gripped the banister tightly, my nails digging into it as I took two steps at a time. eager to reach Ryan as quickly as possible.

I need answers. How can he? For how long has this been going on? What—what if it's not true? If it's again one of Natasha's tricks, as she has done it many times in the past, creating illusions and causing chaos in the pack.

My vision became blurry from tears, but I continued. I need Ryan. I need to look into his eyes, and he needs to look into my eyes and tell me that all of this is misunderstanding, an illusion. That he is mine, my mate. He didn't betray me.

"Ah," I screamed as I missed a step. I didn't have the time to grab anything before I fell down. The world spinning around me as my body hit the jagged edges of the stairs, not twice but thrice before I landed on the floor with a sickening thud.

Pain shot through my ribs, arms, and elbows as I cried in pain. I inhaled sharply as I gasped. I gazed around me, but no one was there. They all are gathered in the Silver Hall for the mating ceremony. It seems like it's true; when you are at your worst, then the whole world seems to conspire against you.

Placing my hand on the wall, I slowly tried to stand up from the floor. I hissed as my ribs screamed in pain. I got to my feet slowly, biting my lip to suppress the pain. Each step was an agony, but I didn't care.

I stood in front of the door of our room. The place that was once my sanctuary. My safe haven. A place that is the epitome of our love, whose walls are the witnesses of our shared love.

I gripped the doorknob with trembling hands while my stomach roiled and countless scenarios danced through my head. Words jumbling in my throat as I don't know what and how to ask Ryan.

Blotting my eyes,I slowly twisted the knob when a voice stopped me. I turned around only to bump into an omega. The files she was holding dropped to the floor.

With every muscle in my body screaming in agony, I steadied myself by holding the door behind me. With a gasp, the omega quickly stooped to retrieve the files.

"Sorry, sorry,"

"I apologize, Luna," she muttered repeatedly as she gathered the files. I reached for the door when something caught my eye.

I knelt down and grabbed the folder, my forehead furrowed in perplexity. Silver Star Hospital? Why will there be a file from the hospital? Is someone ill? But I have been checking the daily checkup routines of the pack members; there's nothing alarming. Just as I opened the folder, I heard a voice calling.

"Scarlet," I say as I look up to see Eva ascending the stairs, her eyes full of concern.

"Here you are. What is going on, Scarlet? And why did you run like this? And why is Beatrice in the Silver Hall? She bombarded me with questions as soon as she reached me.

"Eva,"

"What's this?" She gestured to the documents in my hands. I gripped the file tightly while looking down. I have this sinking feeling that whatever is inside will shatter me.