Chapter 3 - Finding a home.

Helena

Hours later, I was building a small fire inside a cave after cleaning the rabbit. I made sure that there were no trails nearby and that the cave had indeed been left deserted for a long time. There were no tracks around except for normal animals. I wouldn’t be able to make a home out of the cave since it was barely large enough for the night, but it would do for now.

I really longed for a shower, but until I was sure that Liam and his bastards wouldn’t come after me, I had to hide my scent with mud. When I shifted to race after the rabbit, it clung to my fur like glue. Cleaning up would have to wait. I was finally on my own. I was free! My hopes and dreams were crushed, but I was free!

The meat tasted incredible even if I didn’t have anything to season it with. It was my freedom meal. I thanked the moon goddess for the blessing even if I was still furious that she destined me to be mated to that bastard. After finishing the rabbit, I wished that I had found more, but at least it was enough to keep away the worst of the hunger pains.

I sat staring into the fire as the flames danced around the wood. It struck me how something so beautiful, something so majestic and magical could cause so much destruction. Once the flames finish their dance, all that remains is ash.

I curled up and listened to the sounds of the forest as night fell on the first day of my new life. Closing my eyes, I drifted off to sleep. My dreams weren’t a welcome release from my reality. They were filled with memories of the past. The beatings, the words filled with poison and hatred. One of those memories played in my dreams over and over.

Dream

“You are nothing! You have no parents! No real history! Who would ever love someone like you?!” The laughter of the group of girls rang throughout the passage. All I wanted to do was rip out their hearts, but we were at school and if I put one foot wrong, they would ban me from coming back. The leader of the group closed the gap between us and her normally beautiful face turned hideous.

“You are nothing! Nobody will ever love you!” She spat the words in my direction and I forced my head down. I couldn’t let them see the fury that was burning in my eyes. I wouldn’t! If I did, it would give them the ammunition they needed. The reason they craved to try and destroy me. For as long as I was alive, they all stood the chance of losing their most prized possession.

Their alpha! As long as I was alive, there was the possibility that I would be his destined mate. I was the only omega of their age group. The others were far too old or too young. I was their competition and as long as I was alive … I was a threat. Just as I thought they had left, they returned. Two held me while their little leader took out her fury on me.

They left me bleeding in the corner as they laughed and walked away and, although I knew I could have taken one of them, I also knew I couldn’t take all three. I was an omega. It basically meant I was unranked. I didn’t have the strength their ranks gave them. I would also instantly be in the wrong if I so much as lifted my hand to defend myself.

Our world was cruel. It didn’t treat you kindly if you were of low standing! When I was sure that they had in fact gone to class, I got up and cleaned myself up before returning to my class. All I had was the hope that the moon goddess would grant me the relief of giving me a mate that would love me. A mate that would protect me from these beasts.

I didn’t want someone that was of high rank. I wasn’t after the fame and fortune like these girls were. I just wanted to be loved. Was that so damn much to ask?!

End of dream

I woke up just as the birds were starting their morning song. My eyes felt puffy, and I could feel the streaks of the dried tears on my cheeks. It was one of my many flaws! I cried whenever I was angry, and it always made others think I was weak. I hated that I couldn’t do anything about it! I got up and noted that the fire had gone out during the night.

All that remained of the beautiful, captivating dance was ash. If only I had something to put it in, then I could use it somewhere along the line. I sighed and covered my little fire pit before setting off for the day. I had to find somewhere that was more suitable. I also needed to find more food. As I walked through the forest making sure not to arouse any suspicions from anywhere that I was there, I thought about what would be happening at the pack house.

If I was still there, I would probably be cleaning up one of Liam’s messes. My heart ached at the thought of him and I rolled my eyes at myself. How could I possibly still feel anything for him?! As I cursed the mate bond, I looked up at the sky.

“Why?! Why did you do this to me?!” My cry sent birds flying as I slumped to the ground. Tears of anger and pain streamed down my cheeks as I allowed myself my one moment of weakness. I knew that in the days to come, I wouldn’t be able to take that moment. Hell, I shouldn’t be doing it now! After all the tears were spilled, I got up to walk on and heard a branch breaking right behind me.