Chapter 3

Alpha Azrael Shepherd is my mate? I can’t believe it. But he looked at me in disgust. “Who are you?” he asked.

“I-I’m Alexandria Gregory, 18, omega...” I said, looking into his eyes. Disgusts filled in his eyes and then mumbled unbelievably. “Are you kidding me? The f*ck? My mate is an omega? This can’t be real!” he spat while shaking his head. His words repeated in my head nonstop.

I could feel my tears threatening to fall, but I held it while blinking multiple times. I held my gaze to the ground because I didn't want to see the expression in his eyes, which were filled with judgment. “What if I am?” I blurted out. 

A gasped let out my mouth when he growled and grabbed the collar of my shirt. “I am an Alpha and this mate thing is not f*cking real! Omega is for omega only! Do you understand that? I am an Alpha and I can’t accept this.” he said, then pushed me and I stumbled into the ground. My heart sank and my tears poured down. Why is he cruel to me? I am also an Alpha! I wanted to say that, but I know I can’t because he will not believe me. His words echoed inside my head. I wanted to growl and strangle him until he would accept me, but my heart was aching excruciatingly. All my expectations from him vanished like a burst bubble. 

"But you are my mate! You can't deny that!" I said while clenching my fist, and he scowled at me. My wolf kept crying because our mate denied us brazenly. My eyes slowly glowed. I quickly shut my eyes to calm myself. He can't see my glowing eyes.

"No. You are disgusting!" he snarled, and that hurt me more.

"I, Alpha Azrael Shepherd, reject you, Alexandria Gregory as my mate," he said coldly, then turned his back towards the packhouse. It was the most excruciating words I have ever heard in my entire life. His words stabbed straight into my heart like a knife.

Noooo!

"No! You can't do this to me, Azrael! I will make sure you'll regret this! I, Alexandria Gregory, also reject you, Azrael Shepherd as my mate! I hope the Moon Goddess will curse you to never find your true happiness ever again! I hate you to the moon and back, Azrael Shepherd!!!" I said, fuming in rage while my eyes glowed. He stopped for a second, then continued his pace, going back inside the packhouse. He never even bothered to look at me one last time. That's good because the last thing I want is for him to have a glance at my glowing eyes.

His rejection shattered my heart into small pieces. My mate rejected me! I held both my knees and buried my face while crying my heart out. Why am I so unlucky in life? My mate just rejected me and I couldn't have a mate again. How cruel can he be? I feel so useless now. I balled my fist, then stood up with tears that blurred my vision and ran towards the barn while sobbing and slamming the door when I got inside. Layla startled and yelped.

"Why are you crying?!" Layla asked while gasping and frowning.

"Layla, I can't stay here any longer. I am running away from this place. Do you want to come with me?" I asked while sobbing. She froze. "It's fine with me if you will stay here. But I'm out of this place."

Layla gasped in shock. "No! I'm coming with you, Alex. Screw the whole pack! I am not staying here without you, you are the only one I have."

I nodded, then we packed our things. It's not that many. Once we're finished packing, we sneak out going to the forest. We saw one guard in the post, but I'm glad he fell asleep. I grip Layla's wrist and run as fast as we can. Layla was panting and stopped.

"Alex! I'm almost out of breath! Please slow down." she whined. I forgot she is not a fast runner.

"How can you run so fast?" she asks while still panting. I sighed and looked at her. I cleared my throat and spilled a little information. "Layla, I can shift," I said, and her eyes widened.

"H-How?" she asked.

"I'll tell you, but not here. We are still in the pack's territory." She nodded, and we ran again. I'm glad there wasn't any wolf lurking around. I think they are all inside the packhouse because of the guests.

Once we were out of the pack's territory, we slowed down. But we are still in the middle of the forest. It was dark, but it was fine.

"Y-Your eyes...it's glowing," Layla uttered with eyes widened in surprise. I should tell Layla now before she freaks out. I let out a deep breath.

"Layla, can I tell you a secret?" I said, and she nodded hesitantly. "And will you promise to keep it a secret between us?" I added.

She nodded again and put her hand on her chest as a sign of promise. "Why do I feel like there's something more you hide from me?" she said while staring at my eyes.

"Layla, I'm sorry for not telling you about myself." I stare into her eyes. "Since I was little, I could already shift. I am not just any ordinary wolf. My glowing eyes are the evidence." She gulped and nodded in understanding.

"C-Can I see your wolf?" she asked.

"Are you sure?" I confirmed, and she nodded.

"Okay," I could feel my bones cracking up, then I shifted in front of her and growled. I didn't bother to dim my eyes because I wanted Layla to see me glowing.

Layla's eyes widened and then blinked her eyes repeatedly. I didn't know what she's thinking because I didn't want to invade her privacy. However, I can see the fascination in her eyes. "You are beautiful, Alex. Wow... I have never seen a wolf glowing my entire life." She mumbled and then caressed my glowing golden-white fur.

"You are like a Wolf Goddess," she said in awe.

I sense an unfamiliar presence. 'Layla, ride on my back, quickly! I sense others in the distance.' I said, using a mind-link to communicate with her. She nodded and didn't ask any further. She rides on my back and grips my fur.

'Hold on tight,' I said, then she hummed.

Afterward, I ran so fast with my eyes glowing brightly in the dark. This forest was so huge, and I don't know where this is going. I have to lure away the wolves that were following us. I'm glad I block our scent so they can't track our whereabouts. When I couldn't sense anyone that was following us anymore, my pace slowed. We were now too far away from the pack's territory. I think I ran for hours.

"That was so fast, Alex!" Layla uttered. "How did you hide your wolf? How come the pack didn't notice you?" she asked. 

'Because I hide my wolf and scent very well,' I said. She hummed.

"You're a pro at hiding it. I didn't even notice," she said. "I know there was something you still didn't tell me."

I sighed, and said, 'I am supposed to be the real Alpha of the pack.' she gasped at my revelation.

"W-What?!"

'My parents were once the Alpha of the Blueming Pack until one day they were both killed. I still didn't know who killed them. And then Alpha Rick and his family took over the pack. When he found out I never shifted, he sent me to the barn and became an omega. I'm glad he didn't kill me though.' I said, as I recall what happened before. 

"But why are you hiding your wolf?"

'Because that was my parent's last wish. They said to hide my wolf for my safety because if someone found out, they're going to kill me in front of everyone.'

"Yeah, because you were different." I hummed.

"How about your eyes? Why do they glow brightly?" she asked, full of curiosity.

'That's the thing I couldn't explain. I was also wondering about my glowing eyes in my entire life.' 

"Your parents didn't tell you?" she asked.

'No.'

"I think it's a gift. Maybe the gods and goddesses choose you."

'I would like to think that, but I also think this was a curse.' 

"No. I think it was a good thing. Because you have more advantages than everyone else. You are way too fast and strong from every werewolf I've met." she insisted. 

I said nothing and silence enveloped us. The only noise around us is the sound of the crickets and the chirping of the birds. And I just walked slowly while Layla fell asleep on my back. I’m so glad Layla came along with me because I will feel guilty for leaving her there alone.

Ever since we were little, I’ve been the protector of Layla. She’s my best friend and only family, so I will protect her as much as I can. I am happy to be out of the pack, though. I hope they won’t find us. We will get away as far from here. I am planning to go to the city and live like a normal being. We have nothing left in the pack, anyway. I know I had promised my parents to take my place, but not now.

I promise I will come back and take back what’s mine. One day, if I am ready and strong enough to fight them, I will take my place as the real Alpha of the pack.

Azrael Shepherd, I will make you pay when I come back.