0005: Sweet Betrayal

I woke up with a sinking feeling in my stomach. It wasn't just because I hadn't eaten much—a bowl of cereal and some fruits —but because I knew today will be another difficult day .

Antoine's warning echoes in my mind has I prepared to head out.

Who will want to employ a pregnant woman?

But what choice did I have ? I have to survive. I had a child to think about now. I placed my hands slightly over my stomach and felt my child growing.

"We are going to be fine." I whispered softly, hoping my words could erase the dread I had been feeling inside me

The marketplace was very busy, with the scent of fresh bread and grilled meat, mixed with the underlying scent of sweat and heat.

People rushed by ,merchant shouted over one another and the crowd bustled as if the world was still normal— for them at least.

I scanned the job board, hoping to find something, anything to make a little money but every job either required heavy lifting or paid so little , it couldn't even cover my next meal. My heart sank with every sign I read.

Finally, I spotted a restaurant looking for help. I approached, hopeful , and asked the owner about the position .He barely looked up at me , his eyes glinting with disgust

"We don't need your kind here." He muttered coldly ,before turning his back on me.

My heart clenched ,but I bit back the tears.

I wasn't going to let them see me cry . Not again , I walked away, my hands trembling slightly, feeling the weight of the rejection hanging over me my face like a storm cloud.

I was so scared, I prayed nobody had found out that I was a banished wolf.

People began to stare as I moved further into the marketplace, whispering trailing behind me. I felt like an outsider , like I didn't belong , of course I didn't I was a banished wolf after all and this wasn't my pack.

Suddenly the murmur of the crowd turned into chaos

"Rogue!" someone shouted in panic their voice slicing into the noise like a knife

"No ! it's the guards from the Grand Pack House ." another scream,their faces pale with fear.

My heart stopped. The Grand Pack House guards ? Here ?

I turned to run. Too late. The guards pushed through the crowd, eyes locked on me.

My pulse raced and I tried to disappear into the crowd , but their hands were on me in seconds , yanking me backwards I stumbled , gasping as they dragged me roughly.

"No!" I cried out ,struggling ,but their grip only tightened.

"What are you doing ? I haven't done anything wrong!"

"The Lykan King wants to see you," one of them said in a low menacing voice

"I don't understand."

"You are a banished wolf. Coming here is punishable by death." The second guard growled, his face unreadable

Punishable by death ? My blood ran cold , my thoughts swirling in panic .I wouldn't die— not with the child inside me.

"Please," I begged ,my voice breaking. "I am sorry, I won't come back, just let me go.Please ...I'm pregnant."

But they didn't care, their grip remained as tight as ever ,their faces like stone .They pulled me through the marketplace, and I could feel eyes burning into me from every direction .

Shame and fear churned inside me.

I was pushed into a waiting black van and they zoomed off.

By the time we reached the Pack House , I was shaking , tears streaming down my face .

The guard threw me into a small, dimly lit room , with cold stone floors. I collapsed onto the ground , my breath coming out in raggard gasps.

"Please." I whispered weakly my voice barely audible."Please don't

kill me."

The door slammed shut , and I was alone. Alone in a place where I knew my fate was already sealed.

Minute passed, maybe hours Time became a blur as I

sat there trembling , waiting for the inevitable

Suddenly ,the door creaked open and I looked up, hope flickering briefly in my chest . My heart leapt when I saw him.

Antoine.

Relief flooded through me as I scrambled to my feet.

"Antoine," I gasped ,rushing towards him. "Thank the moon goddess , you are here. Please you have to help me.They are going to kill me!"

But Antonio didn't move. He stood there ,watching me with cold, distant eyes and the flicker of hope inside me died as I realized something was terribly wrong.

"Antoine ." I whispered my voice shaking ."What is going on?"

He didn't answer, instead he stepped further into the room, closing the door behind him . The silence stretched out painfully between us ,my heart pounding louder with every passing second.

"Why aren't you saying anything?" I pleaded, confusion and fear mixing in my voice ." Please help me!"

Finally he spoke his voice cold and sharp like a blade.

"I told you not to leave the cabin didn't I?"

I stared at him, my breath catching in my throat.

"What?"I whispered ,hoping this was a dream

"You should've listened to me." he continued, stepping closer

The truth hit me, hard.

My knees buckled and I sank to the floor , staring up at him in horror.

"You..." I whispered, the words stuck in my throat. "How could you?"

He didn't flinch. His face remain emotionless ,then he looked away as if trying to avoid my gaze.

"Antoine." I said grabbing his hand but his fingers trembling as he slowly pulled them from my grip .

Even when he tried to avoid my gaze , I could see the tension in his eyes . He couldn't look at me and he shut his eyes as if steadying himself, fighting off something .

"Antoine , please." I begged my voice breaking " You know I’ve got nowhere else to go. Please, don’t let them kill me.

But he only shook his head, and when he opened his eyes ,they were dark and his shoulders pressed.

"You will either die or go back as a captive to Alpha Drake." He said ,his tone flat.

I couldn't believe my ears , both options were worst, I swallowed hard ,tears flooding my eyes.

"Prepare yourself ,the Lykan king will see you soon."