CHAPTER 1

ARIA

Tears blurred my vision as I stared at the person I had believed would be my companion and save me from the clutches of my father.

“ Why? ” I managed to croak out,desperation thick in my voice, as if pleading for an explanation. 

“ Because you’re not fit to be my mate. You’re just a weak omega. I need someone that is strong and capable. Besides, everyone in the pack knows you bring nothing but bad luck. ” Jackson spat harshly and entwined his fingers with the girl standing beside him – Amelia.

She’s a popular girl in the pack because her father is the Beta and she’s also his girlfriend. Everyone in the pack believes she’s perfect but she’s a devil at heart despite how beautiful she looked. I felt a sharp pain in my heart as I stared at their entwined hands. I wanted to scream at him. 

I’m his mate but he would rather be with someone else? 

Just because I’m a weak omega? 

 “ Amelia is my girlfriend and she’s strong enough to be my Luna. We’re going to mark each other as mates. ” His face softened as he stared at her and smiled softly, making me wish I was in her position.

The weight of his words hit me like a physical blow. I bent over in pain as my heart shattered into pieces. It sank like a stone in the water as I felt the tears rolling down my cheeks.  All hope was gone for me. I had thought finding my mate would be a joyous moment but I was wrong. 

Amidst the agony, Laila, my wolf , stirred within. She whimpered in pain in my head and retreated to the back of mind. She felt the impact of the rejection just like I did. We share one body and she can feel what I feel as well. Besides, Jackson is also her mate but she’s mated to his wolf side.

I heard the whispers and giggling of the pack members around me as they all made jest of me, calling me all sorts of names. I ran out of the pack house and went into the forest, finding my favorite spot. I sat under a tree and cried out my eyes, thinking  about how unfair fate was to me. After some hours of grieving about my wretched life, I went home. 

As soon as I entered the house,my father’s bitter voice greeted me. “ Look at you. It’s no surprise you got rejected by your mate. No one will ever want you. You’re nothing but bad luck. No wonder your mother died giving birth to you. You’re better off dead than being alive. ” He sneered. His words cut through me like a knife .

It wasn’t his first time saying all this to me but for some reasons his words stung differently this time – it was deeper. It felt as if the universe was against my happiness. The weight of the rejection bore down on me, heavier than before and I didn’t have anyone to comfort me.

“ It would have been better if I was really dead. ” I retorted, my words a feeble attempt  to express the pain within me. “ At least, I wouldn’t have to endure living in pain all my life. At least I won’t have t…………” 

I didn’t get to complete my sentence when he struck me across my face. In that moment, I felt a whirlwind of emotions rush through me all at once. Tears filled my eyes not just because of the pain on my cheek – it wasn’t his first time hitting me. It was because everything felt really tough for me.

Feeling overwhelmed, I rushed past my father. I got into my room and collapsed onto my bed, the pain of rejection consuming me. As I touched my cheek that was still sore from the slap, a mixture of sorrow and frustration surged through me. The moon outside cast a silvery glow, a cruel reminder of the celestial force that was behind everything.

I clutched the edge of my bed, fingers digging into the fabric as if trying to bring myself to reality. I whimpered as the reality of everything crashed down on me. The rejection replayed in my mind,each cruel word resounding in my ears. Tears flowed down my cheeks as pain threatened to consume me.I was all alone in this vast world with no one to lean on. 

My mother died while giving birth to me and my father made me carry the weight of her death.I didn’t have any friends because my father made sure of it. He never seizes the opportunity to always remind everyone in the pack that I was bad luck and that I was responsible for mother’s death. Even though I didn’t know who my mother was, her death left a void in my heart. 

“ You’re never alone. I’m always with you.” Laila’s reassuring voice resonated in my mind. She hasn’t said anything to me since the rejection. She was hurting just like I am but she was still trying to make me feel better.

“ I’m so sorry that you got paired with a loser like me. I’m so sorry you have to go through this because of me.” I cried through the mind link.

“ It’s not your fault. ” She replied sadly. 

Days turned into weeks and my room became my sanctuary acting as a hideaway from the pack’s mean joke and my father’s cruel words. The only time I come out of my room is to cook for my father to avoid any punishments. Each day, the weight of the rejection and loneliness became an unbearable burden.

Tonight, as I curled up in my room crying like I have been everyday, I looked up at the moon illuminating my room with its light through my window. I pointed an accusatory finger towards it. 

“ You’re the cause of my misfortune. Why did my mother have to die? Why didn’t you just let me die with her so I wouldn’t have to live all alone in this sinful world? Or why didn’t you just let me die instead and let her live. Did you let me come into this world just to suffer? It’s all your fault. It’s your fault. ” 

I know talking to the moon wouldn’t change anything or make it better but it was the only way I could console myself a bit. Afterall, all werewolves worshiped Selene, the Moon Goddess , and it was believed that she had our lives and deaths in her hands. 

I hit my chest in a desperate attempt to ease my emotional turmoil as more of my tears soaked the bed. “ It hurts so much, you know. It hurts so much……” I whispered. 

I cried and cried until I had no tears left to cry out. I had no will to live anymore. If I had known I would face rejection from my mate, I wouldn’t have waited all this while and endured my father’s cruelty. I was drained and exhausted. 

With a heavy heart, I thought about my escape from this oppressive life. The relentless abuse, rejection, and isolation had taken their toll. The decision to break free finally became clearer to me, guided by Laila’s encouragement.

With determination etched on my face,I slipped out of my room and quietly made my way towards the edge of the territory. The cold wind whispered promises of freedom as I shivered slightly. 

With Laila’s voice guiding my steps and urging me forward, I was able to cross without the guards noticing me.Once I had successfully crossed over the pack’s territory, I took a deep breath of relief. Freedom at last. 

I turned away and ran as fast as I could before any of the guards noticed me. My heart thumped rapidly as adrenaline rushed through my body. I was scared but my determination to escape and free myself from the world’s cruelty was enough for me to keep pushing. When I was sure I was far away from my pack, I stopped to catch my breath.

It was dark but as a werewolf I could see clearly at night. Just as I was about to sit under a tree and rest for a bit, I felt the heat of someone watching me. I looked up and saw four pairs of red eyes staring back at me from the shadow. 

Rogues.