CHAPTER 1: MUMMY HELP ME.

RAYA'S POV

“It's not safe to wander around in the forest by this time; be back in less than two hours. I shouldn't have to find you!” Alpha Draco’s warning echoed in my mind, my mate's voice carrying its usual edge,

I’d been cooped up in the mansion for so long—all I wanted was some relief. For this, I was headed to the north side of the pack land.

“How do you like the tall trees and wildflowers?” I asked. Lason bounced excitedly and replied, “I think they’re pretty, mummy. But I don’t like the black statues following us.”

I frowned, glancing around. “What statues? There’s none here.”

“I’m sure I saw them, mummy.” My heart skipped a beat, but I brushed it off as his imagination. Still, a prickling sense of unease made me keep watch.

I lifted him off the ground and planted a kiss on his cheek. “You have such a creative mind, baby.”

“Thank you, Mummy.”

It was past dusk as I sat at the small cave's entrance, the green vines tickling my skin. I often found myself here whenever I’d been ridiculed or mocked by my family and the pack. Draco was the first person who’d ever shown me a shred of kindness.

I watched as Lason played in the small clearing by the riverbank. A blur of movement caught my eye, and my gaze caught on a pair of glowing red eyes in the trees. My heart raced, and my breath caught in my throat. It wasn’t just one pair—there were four.

“Lason!” I yelled, rushing to his side and pulling him toward the cave entrance.

“Mummy, what’s wrong?” Lason asked, his small voice trembling.

“Stay behind me, okay?” I shielded him as four werewolves stepped forward, snarling. They were rogues. “What do you want from me?” I yelled, gripping a heavy stick. They only stalked closer.

I had no wolf, no chance of transforming to protect us. As one rogue lunged, I swung the stick, knocking it back a few feet. Panic flooded me as I opened my mind, frantically linking Draco. *Please answer.*

*Hello?*

*Draco, I need you here! Lason and I are being attacked by rogues.*

*What the hell? This is why I told you not to go out. You’d better pray nothing happens to Lason.*

I gulped at the threat in his tone. *We’re on the north side, by the river.*

*Keep Lason safe. I'm coming.*

A rogue lunged again, this time grabbing my leg and yanking me down hard. My head hit the ground, sending a jolt of pain through me.

“Mummy!” Lason screamed, his face streaked with tears.

My vision blurred as I swung the stick, bashing the rogue until it let go. “Just stay put, honey,” I managed, my voice quivering. Crawling back to him, another rogue snapped at me, catching a mouthful of my hair and dragging me across the ground.

I saw one of the rogues grab Lason by the arm, his small scream piercing the air.

“No, Lason!” I screamed, my heart wrenching as two rogues latched onto him, pulling his limbs in a cruel tug-of-war. His wails tore through the forest, until suddenly, they went silent.

Strength drained from me as the rogues continued tearing into me. Tears blurred my vision. My baby was gone.

Draco burst into the clearing in his half-wolf form, tearing the rogues apart in seconds. Other werewolves arrived, dragging Lason’s limp form to the pack doctor.

Draco’s furious gaze locked on me as he stormed over, crouching down.

“I warned you not to come out here!” he roared, eyes blazing.

“I... I didn’t know it would end like this,” I stammered, trembling.

“Raya!!.” He grabbed my throat, claws biting into my skin. “You cost me my son’s life.”

“Please, Draco, I can’t breathe,” I choked, but his grip only tightened, black spots clouding my vision until everything went dark.

****

Four months of relentless abuse had passed since I lost Lason. He had been my hope, the glue holding Draco and me together. Now that love was gone, leaving only bitter memories of what once was.

Tonight was a welcoming party for a new member. I sat quietly, watching the pack mingle as soft music played. Beside me, Draco rose to address the crowd. “We’re here to welcome a new member, a witch,” he announced. “Melissa Vlachos, please join us.”

A striking blonde with onyx eyes stepped forward, head held high. Standing before us, she bowed. “Thank you, my Alpha and Luna. I’m honoured to be part of this pack.”

Draco handed her a cup. “Drink this to seal your place with us.” She downed it, and the room erupted in howls of approval.

The party continued until midnight. I watched Draco stride to the centre of the room. “Everyone, listen to me,” he commanded, casting me a hard look. “There is another reason you’ve all been called here.”

My heart raced.

“As a strong Alpha, I need a capable Luna, and Raya is unfit for that.” His voice cut through the room. “From today on, she will no longer be your Luna.”

Gasps and whispers filled the room. “I, Alpha Draco, reject Raya as my mate and Luna,” he declared, his tone cold.

A piercing pain shot through me as a wave of dizziness washed over me. I burst into tears, stumbling to Draco’s feet. “Please, don’t do this,” I spluttered, choking on sobs. “I’ll become stronger, be whatever you want. Just take back what you said.”

He kicked me away. Melissa rushed toward me, murmuring words, though I was too shocked to fully understand.

Draco’s gaze was filled with disdain. “You’ll never be worthy. You’re an abomination—a werewolf without a wolf. You'll suffer for killing Lason.”

Ignoring the stares, I crawled back to him, clutching his legs. “Please, Draco. I never meant for Lason to die, I loved him as much as you did. Don’t leave me; you’re all I have left.”

I couldn't lose him now, he was the only one who had shown me a semblance of love, I believed things would eventually work out, but that reality seemed so distant,

With a snarl, he struck me, claws slicing across my face. My head spun from the blow.

How could he be so unforgiving?

Melissa knelt beside me; her voice muffled over the ringing in my ears. “so sorry, Raya. Hang on, I’ve got you.”

———

I stirred in my sleep, startled by the noises in my room. Opening my puffy eyes, tired from crying all night, I looked around and noticed two omegas ruffling through my belongings.

“What are you doing here?” I questioned, alarmed.

Paying me little attention, one of them replied with a shrug. “Alpha Draco sent us to pack up your belongings. You're getting thrown out this morning.”

A heavy, suffocating weight settled on my chest as the reality of my life hit me again. Tears rolled down my cheeks. Draco really meant it when he said he didn't want me in his life. I stifled a cry as loud footsteps approached.

Draco appeared, his expression cold. He didn’t spare me a glance, instead addressing the omegas. “Round this up immediately. I want those belongings out of this mansion,” he ordered, causing them to hasten their work.

Then his icy gaze landed on me, devoid of any emotion. “And you. I want you out of this place before the next hour is up. This is no longer your home.”

My sobs broke through as I rushed toward him, desperate. “Please, Draco, don't do this to me,” I begged, tears blurring my vision.

He turned to leave, but I ran after him, catching his arm. “I'm sorry. I know I'm not good enough, and I was the reason for our son's death, but please, give me a chance. Give us a chance,” I pleaded, my voice breaking.

He stared at me, disgust plain in his eyes. In a cold voice, he replied, “Throw those dreams away. I'm never accepting you as my mate again, nor Luna. Now get out of my sight,” he sneered, pushing me away before walking off.

I collapsed to my knees, sobs wracking my body. The pain—both emotional and physical—was unbearable. How had the little love Draco and I once shared turned into this?

Gathering what little strength I had, I returned to my room, looking a complete mess. Where could I go now? I had no one. I doubt my parents would be happy to see me.