Chapter 2

*Astrid's POV*

“Kai.” I called in tears“H...how could you do this to me?''

Words couldn't describe the kind of pain I'm feeling presently, my whole world literally came crumbling before my very own eyes and I didn't have the courage to tell the good news to Kai. How could I? He betrayed me, he rejected me and all for what reason? Just because he believes me to be barren and unable to give him an heir.

Kathryn got off the bed, then she came to wrap her hands around Kai's waist.

That little act alone felt like I was being stabbed countless times in my heart.

“You heard what he said Astrid, you're no longer the Luna of this pack, you shouldn't even be standing here right now, go find something to do, the same things' people like you do. Slaves!” She spat, a victorious smirk plastered on her lips.

“Kathryn, I never imagined that you would do this to me, I never imagined that you would betray me like this, I took you as my sister!” 

“Don't try fooling us with your crocodile tears Astrid, it won't work this time, I'm not the one who cursed you to be barren and since you can't give the Alpha an heir, why shouldn't I step up?” 

“Mating you with a man like Kai is a big mistake from the goddess, I should have been the chosen one, not you! You're nothing but a lowly, barren omega! Getting mated to an Alpha isn't all, your womb should have been blessed too.”

Driven by rage and pain, I hurriedly went to slap Kathryn when she said those words.

“Astrid!" Kai raged, he slapped me so hard that I lost my balance and fell to the floor.

I held my cheek in shock, I slowly raised my head to look at him, and all I saw in his eyes was nothing but hate and anger.

“Get out this instant! Don't make me ask the guards to drag you out and throw you into the dungeon, where you'll be punished severely for a foolish act like this. How dare you raise your hands on Kathryn! She's now my woman and the one who will carry my child, never disrespect her in such a way, otherwise the consequences will be very grave.” He threatened.

Kathryn then rested her head on his shoulder and began crying.

I didn't know what to say, I hurriedly stood up and ran out of there in tears.

When I got to my room, I hid the pregnancy report in a drawer, I placed a hand on my stomach and Kai's rejection and betrayal came flooding into my head, causing uncontrollable tears to stream down my cheeks.

After Kai's rejection, I became so miserable and hopeless, life became too unbearable for me.

True to Kai's words, my status was reduced to that of a mere servant, and I was treated even much worse than other servants in the palace.

Each passing day was like torture to me, there was never a day that went by without me getting abused by Kai and Kathryn, who now paraded everywhere as the new Luna of the pack.

Their constant abuse and maltreatment became too much for me, and I was left with no other option than to leave this pack, not just for my sake but for my baby. 

I'm going to become a mother soon, and it's critical I stay strong for my baby.

It might not happen and there might be no possibility of it happening, but I still didn't stop hoping and praying that a day will come when Kai will regret every of his actions.

I placed a hand on my tummy as I made a promise to my child to shower him with so much love and care. The love I wasn't given, my child will get to experience thousands of folds of it.

Midnight came very fast, I gathered the little things I needed, and I quietly set off.

Leaving the palace wasn't too difficult, since I was very familiar with it and knew every path to take.

I went through a tunnel which no one visits, the tunnel leads to a road I can easily escape from.

When I finally arrived, I was able to take a breath of relief, I sharply turned around to take one last look at the pack.

My eyes stung with unshed tears, but I have promised myself to not cry, those people don't deserve my tears.

I silently cursed the day I met Kai and Kathryn, I prayed for the day they'll realize their mistake and be punished severely for their sins.

I then left the Shadow Claw Pack without looking back.

I left, promising myself to take good care of my child and never to return.

I journeyed through the forest for days, and the food I had brought along eventually got exhausted.

I was weak, tired, and hungry, I was barely managing to even stay conscious.

The sun was getting hotter by the minute, and my stomach gurgled loudly as I continued walking.

My pace began to slow down, and I eventually had to stop walking, so I could take a rest.

Suddenly, I heard a rustling sound behind me, the sound seemed to come from a bush not too far away from where I stood.

My heart started beating faster as my breathing turned uneven and shaky while goosebumps appeared all over my body. I didn't know what to do, but I knew better than to get close to the source of the noise.

I swallowed hard as my breathing increased in pace and a knot formed in my throat.

I wanted to run, but I had no strength left to do so.

I caught sight of a wood lying beside me and I instantly picked it up. Yes I was weak and tired, but I was willing to defend myself against anything with the little strength in me. I wouldn't want to die in this forest, my child deserves more than that.

A young man suddenly emerged from the woods and when he saw me, his face held a look of surprise and shock, but I was happy to finally see someone and seeing him brought a new ray of light to me.

Help was finally here.

My vision started getting blurry, and it's only a matter of time before I pass out from exhaustion.

“Help me.” I managed to say before collapsing.