Chapter 7 | Haunted

Charlotte

I can’t sleep. It’s impossible.

Mine and Sebastian’s argument plays in my head on repeat and anxiety fills my body as I’m nervous that Cassian and Maddox might find me while I sleep.

When I finally fall asleep, my dreams are filled with the twins.

I dreamed of the first time we met. As a slave, my birthday wasn’t a big deal. Although Luna Anna would acknowledge me on my birthday there wasn’t anything else that would happen.

So, I went to the dining room to set up the food for the Alpha and Luna. I liked to do it before they would come into the room, but it was a different kind of day. The moment I walked in I could feel the thick tension and I looked up to see Maddox and Cassian staring at me like I was their possession. I looked at Maddox first and I knew… I was his. I heard Cassian’s growl and I stumbled back because when I looked at him I knew that I belonged to him too.

When I had stumbled back they both thought I was trying to leave and they rushed towards me as they growled out, “MATE!”

Each of them grabbed my arm, wanting to pull me against them. When they saw that the other brother had a firm grip on me they growled trying to warn the other one to let go. But when neither of them let me go they started growling at one another trying to claim me and prove that I belong to one of them and only that one.

Thankfully, their mother, Luna Anna, had come into the room. She helped me take a seat and eat while they tried to sort things out with the men.

This was how our two-year relationship started. A relationship that would’ve lasted a lot longer if they hadn’t of killed me.

I can’t remember everything from my past life and I realize that the more time that passes in this new life the hazier my previous life becomes. But I will not allow myself to forget why I died.

It was one of them who did it. I don’t know who, but I know I can’t trust them.

I woke up and glared at my clock. I didn’t even get to sleep for an hour without them haunting my mind.

As I huff I can’t help but look towards the window, surely Sebastian won’t come with me, so… I should just go ahead and leave… right?

Or should I wait for him? Give him an opportunity to apologize and go away with me.

But the more I think about him and our kiss the more uneasy I feel.

I spend the whole night debating, unable to make up my mind. Finally, I see just a sliver of sunlight and I sit up. It’s dawn, I can leave and not feel guilty.

I quickly brush my hair and put it in a side braid and I grab my stuff. I need to leave out the window, I can’t risk walking the halls and Maddox or Cassian catching my scent. I open the window and breathe in a deep breath of the fresh air.

I’m going home.

I truly do appreciate the Alpha and Luna taking me in and caring for me the way that they did. But this is not where I belong and if our pack hadn’t been attacked, I would still be with my parents at the Southern River Pack.

I miss them, my heart aches at the thought of them. Yet… I don’t remember much about them.

It’s odd… you’d think I’d remember a lot. I was only 10 years old whenever the attack happened.

There’s only small details that are still clear for me. My dad didn’t spend much time with me in public areas and I never knew why. But if we were indoors he would dote on me like I was his pride and joy.

My mom homeschooled me, which was odd in a werewolf society. If my mom had done things the normal way then I would’ve been put in a regular school along with all the other pack children.

My mom was beautiful and she always made me feel loved. She spoke kind words over me and always reminded me that I could do anything that I set my mind to and that I am strong.

The affirmations she spoke over me helps guide me today.

I can do anything that I set my mind to, which means I can and will save Sebastian’s life.

I am strong. I am strong enough to live on my own. I am strong enough to live without my mates and not go crazy.

There’s a soft knock on my door and I freeze. A small voice in my head whispers, “Am I too late?”

The door opens up and my heart stops as I watch it and then suddenly, relief waves over me as I see Sebastian. His face seems to fall as he realizes the thing I already knew- we’re not mates.

His eyes flicker to the window that’s already open and he says, “So, you’re going now?”

I nod my head in confirmation and he walks over to me and quickly wraps me up in a big hug. He whispers, “I hope you come back soon.”

Tears prickle my eyes as I realize that he isn’t going to come with me. I choke out, “Thanks.”

He pulls away and presses his lips together before saying, “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have kissed you the way that I did. I just felt desperate and I thought for sure that today we would find out we’re mates… but I was wrong. Will you forgive me?”

I force a small smile as I nod and say, “Yeah, I forgive you. I’ll uh, I’ll see you around, Seb.”

He nods his head and says, “Take care, Charlotte.”

I grab my bag and leave out the window. As I leave and head towards my true home, I keep trying to reassure myself that Sebastian is safe here. As long as I’m not around Maddox and Cassian have no reason to kill him.

It’s not the way I wanted to succeed with my plans, but it will have to do. At least Sebastian will live, even if he isn’t a part of my life anymore.