01

Kayla

As I ran, my heart pounded, and my breathing became ragged. I could hear my footsteps echoing off the alley's walls, mingling with the pounding of my pursuers' feet.

I knew that I had to keep running if I wanted to escape. My muscles burned with exertion, and sweat poured down my face. I tried to focus on the rhythm of my breathing and the sound of my footsteps, hoping it would distract me from the fear and exhaustion that threatened to overwhelm me.

My mind raced as I searched for a way out. I scanned the dark alley for any signs of escape, but it seemed like a dead end. The only light came from a distant street lamp, casting long shadows that seemed to reach out and grab at my feet as I ran past.

Suddenly, I heard a loud noise behind me and instinctively turned to look. My foot caught on a loose brick in that split second, and I stumbled, nearly falling. I felt a hand on my shoulder and knew my pursuers were close.

With a burst of energy, I surged forward, yanking myself away from the hand that held it. I stumbled again but regained my balance, and I kept running. I could hear my pursuers shouting behind me but did not look back. I just kept running until I burst out into the bright lights of the street.

Breathless and trembling, I stopped to catch my breath, my heart still pounding in my chest. I looked around to see if my pursuers had followed me, but the street was empty. I felt a wave of relief wash over me. I thought I had escaped them.

But that was when they intercepted me, circling me and giving off heated glares.

My anxiety returned in the double fold, and I gulped to sate the burning sensation in my throat.

Gently tucking away strands of my long black hair, I raised my hand in surrender and studied the men before me.

The three men were huge and dressed in ripped jackets and denim shorts. They had long brown hairs and spotted hideous masks. One, who seemed to be the ringleader, closed in on me as the others kept watch.

His firm grip locked my hair first before I felt the resounding slap across my face. "That is for the stress you put me through." His grip tightened on my hair, squeezing out tears from my eyes.

"Please..." I squeaked, sweat trickling down my neck.

Yanking my head back, he brought his face too close for comfort and taunted. "I can't hear you. You should speak up."

I gulped, and my quivering voice filled the quiet street. "Please...just let me go. You have the wrong person."

The ringleader shoved me to the ground and guffawed. His minions joined in. When I raised my head, one of the men dragged me back into the dark alley. I felt pain like never before zapped every nerve in my body. My head pounded as a million thoughts ran through my mind.

What were they going to do with me now? Did they know me from before? Did I wrong someone? Someone, please save me. I should have stayed back with my friends.

"What now?" The one whose tight grip on me would not ease off asked.

"Hold her down for me, will you?" The ringleader commanded.

"No!" I cried as it dawned on me what they planned to do to me.

I tried to struggle, but they were stronger than me. One held my arms apart, and the other held my legs apart.

"Please, do not do this. Please, no!" I begged.

My pleas, however, fell on deaf ears as the ringleader ripped my skirt apart.

I shook my head, temporarily forgetting my aching body, and braced myself for the pain to come.

"Aaaahhhh!" I screamed, the sharp pain tearing through me as I jerked up from my bed.

Instinctively, I grabbed the knife on my bed stand and aimlessly pointed it at my assaulters. It took me a moment to realize the room was empty, and I had just been dreaming.

It had been two years already, but it still felt like yesterday. I could still feel their hands on me and still hear their taunting voices. I still remember their scents and the ache between my legs. I could recall the betrayal and loneliness that came after.

It had happened during the werewolf heat period, and it was not unusual for the unmated wolves to gather for the moonlight games so the mates would have the house to themselves to satiate their sexual urges.

I had just turned eighteen and had no mate yet, so I went along with Mended. My friends decided to sleep over at one of the girls' houses. They tried convincing me to stay, but I knew if I did, I would be in for a lot of trouble with my stepdad, so I insisted on leaving.

As I trod the familiar lonely path back home, the sky was already a thick black blanket. I hummed a tune to keep me company as the forest was erringly quiet. However, it did nothing to erase the goosebumps that rose on my skin.

It felt like I was being watched.

I kept walking but stealthily angled my head to check out my surroundings and found no one. I sighed in relief and brushed off my fears as paranoia. I wished I had not because that was when they had materialized from the trees and pounced on me.

It was a memory I wished would be erased forever, but it kept coming back to me in this recurring dream.

Heaving a huge sigh of relief, I returned the knife on the bed stand and sat back. My room was small but comfortable. My bed sat in the middle of the room with my wardrobe and a table and chair at opposite corners of the room. The walls were white and bare.

The thick curtain prevented the bright sun rays from peeking in and I left it that way. I was not ready to leave my bed just yet. It was a chore I had come to detest.

After all, no one cared if I lived or died. Everyone had abandoned me since that night. No one believed my story. It was like they were under a spell not to do so.

Even the alpha hated me. He accused me of disturbing the peace of the pack. Since his emergence as alpha, we had never had any rape case. Except me, but no one would admit I was one.

I sat in bed, contemplating on whether or not I should attend the full moon ceremony. I did not have much of a choice, because the event was mandatory. Left for me, I would rather spend my time in the garden, picking flowers and making aromatic oils.

Gathering myself, I left my bed and had a quick shower. I then chose a flowing, silver dress that shimmered when I moved, and adorned myself with intricate silver jewelry. I applied a touch of makeup to enhance my natural looks, and then braided my long, dark hair into an elegant crown. I was ready to go.

Ensuring everything was in place, I walked out of the room and locked the door. I trudged down the short hallway to the living room.

My step dad sat on a sofa with my baby brother, Josh in his arms. They were dressed for the occasion. Stepdad ignored me and I couldn't care less. I smiled at Josh who beamed back at me.

"Hi Kayla." He wanted to hug me and struggled to leave his father's hold, but the man grabbed him before he could make a run for it.

"Now, Josh. What did I tell you about interacting with strangers?" Stepdad asked the two year old. My smile faltered.

"But Kayla is my sister. She is not a stranger." Josh replied.

My heart warmed with pride. But stepdad glares at Josh.

"Listen to daddy, Josh. Kayla is a witch." Stepdad declares.

The words were like knives pierced into my chest. Josh looked at me curiously.

"Is it true, Kayla?" Josh asked me in a tiny voice.

A tear slipped down my cheek.

"Witches can't talk, son." Mum said, appearing from the kitchen doorway in a very beautiful gown.

All eyes moved in her direction. Josh ran to her and she lifted him up.

"Why did you let him talk to the mute, Greg?" Mum asked her husband who shrugged.

"Come on, let's go." Stepdad said instead.

"Out, witch. We need to lock the door." Mum ordered.

I watched her wordlessly, registering the disgust on her face. The face that once cared for me. The face I had taken after.

"Move." Her voice snapped me out of my reverie.

My stepdad had the door open and I stepped out. He locked the door once mum got out. They got into their car next and zoomed off, leaving me standing there on the porch.

It had been two years and I had still not gotten used to their hostility, especially mum's. The one person I had thought I could fall back on had turned her back on me. It was insane.

And to think that they were the first dose of the day and I experienced even worse encounters as soon as I crossed the gate. The repulsive stares, finger pointing and antagonistic attitude did not end.

"The witch is out."

"Who knows what evil will befall us today?"

"Can't she be locked up?"

All for a crime that was committed to me and I spoke up about. How much more did I need to take before they let me be?

I was going to find the bastards who did this to me. I had never felt the conviction to, until now. I would find those three bastards and rid the pack of them.

The alpha had just mounted the podium when I arrived at the ceremony grounds. The noise died down, giving him room to speak.

"It is with great delight that I welcome you all to this wonderful event." The alpha began. "I am thrilled to have each and every one of you here with us today to celebrate this special occasion. This is a time to let your hair down, have fun, and enjoy the company of good friends and family. Let us make the most of it. Enjoy the food and drinks, dance to some great music, and make memories that will last a lifetime. Cheers to NightWalker pack!" He raised his cup.

Everyone raised a cup. "Cheers to NightWalker pack!"

I had never been comfortable in large social gatherings, and the full moon event was no exception. As I stood there awkwardly, trying to blend into the crowd, I suddenly felt a pair of eyes on me. I turned around to see a tall, handsome man staring at me intently.

I recognized him right away. He was Aiden, the alpha's son, heir to the throne.

I was shocked to see that he was walking straight to where I stood. But what shocked me more was his declaration as soon as he was in front of me.

“Mate,” he said.