002

How is this possible? He very clearly told me how his wolf reacts to me then what went wrong? Maybe the waiter had some misunderstanding.

Yes, it must be that.

I stride across the Hall to the corridor that leads to different rooms.I inhale a deep breath to relax my nerves before pushing open the door.To my relief, it was empty.

I checked another room but so far didn't see Anthony.Maybe he is not at the Ball? Maybe something happened and he couldn't attend? Or maybe he is out there waiting for me.

‘Jeez you're delusional’ Inez, my wolf comments.She never helps me in any way but is always ready for commentary.

‘Inez..Don't you dare ruin my night’ I warn her as I move past the rooms, stopping abruptly when I catch a very familiar voice of the man I'm desperately searching for.

“I can't believe it..”.

I followed where the voice was coming from.

“All this while I have been wanting to do this and Goddess really did bless me with the best”

I stopped at the end of the corridor, eyes desperately searching for Anthony and when I saw his back in the corner, my heart dropped in the pit of my stomach to see arms wrapped around his neck.

“My friends always told me you were checking me out but I thought maybe they were bluffing” I hear a soft female voice followed by a giggle.

That can't be true.

‘He has her pinned against a wall, hands on her ass.What else do you think isn't true?’ Inez scoffs.

“Fuck! I didn't realize I was that obvious” Anthony laughs.

Before I could take a step forward to confront him, they start to kiss which cringes my insides in disgust.I quickly turn around and make a run for the exit.The sight of him kissing someone else is equivalent to a dagger across my chest.

‘Stop and confront him!’ Inez insists but I know if I go back, my voice would betray me.

I don't have it in me to face him without breaking down in tears and in no way I will give anyone the satisfaction to see me in my vulnerability.

I will be made fun of which is worse.

Just when I crossed the main Gates of the Hall, Maria along with her group of friends were already outside.I quickly blinked away my tears and tried to walk past them but of course, this day couldn't get any worse.

“Hey, isn't that your sister? Damn she really doesn't know the difference between a party and a study session”

“No one would believe you two are sisters.Just look at your fashion sense and hers..It's honestly laughable”

Her friends make fun of me, causing me to stop and stare.

“Keep moving weirdo” Maria snarls.My eyes snap up to meet her angry ones.Those words don't hurt as much as the behavior of my very own sister.She treats me like I'm filth.

I walked away from them to the lonely street, dragging my feet aimlessly.Tonight was supposed to be the best night of my life but everything became a nightmare.A wince leaves my lips as I tripped and fell face forward to the concrete floor.

I force my limbs to stand and stare at my now broken heel.Great! Broken just like my heart.I unstrap my heels and throw them on the road as frustration keeps growing.Not wanting anyone from the Ball to see me if they pass by, I turn to the direction of the woods.No one will be here anyway and Patrol guards are at the border where I won't be going.

Perhaps I shouldn't have thrown away my heels because walking barefoot in the woods is another stupidity.None of this would've happened had I waited till Blood moon instead of mindlessly believing Anthony.Why did he lie to me? I thought he wasn't like the others then why?

‘I told you not to get too comfortable with him but you never listen to anything I say’ Inez rants.

‘Shut up! I know you're happy to see me suffer.That's your speciality’ I growl at her.

‘That's not what I mea—

‘Oh please! You always ruin everything for me.If it weren't for you then I would have never gone through hassle! You are a nuisance good for nothing! I hate you! I wish you weren't a part of me!” I didn't hold back the bitterness I have for her.

My life has become a mess ever since my first shift and if it was possible to separate her from me then I wouldn't think twice to do it.

‘I am you’ She says sadly which makes it worse.I ball my fist, scoffing as big fat tears roll down my cheeks.The more I try to stop them, the more it becomes impossible to do so.Despite my attempt, a choked sob breaks past my lips. I only move faster, going deeper into the forest. The branches and small pebbles hurt my bare feet but I don't stop, crying only louder as I regret being born.

‘Sofia Stop! It's the way to the Forbidden bridge.We can't go there!”

I pay no heed to my wolf as I start to run.Maybe if it's time I stop hoping and put an end to it all.No one will care.My family will no longer have to be associated with a filth like me.They will Be happy if I'm gone.Everyone will be happy.

‘Sofia, we are not weak to end it this way.Stop right now’

‘You and I know what we are so stop lying to yourself’ I snapped at Inez.

I see the bridge in the distance.Last I looked at it when I was eight and it still looks scary as ever but I will not stop tonight.

Whatever horror is across the bridge, I am ready for it. Maybe there are rogues waiting for prey.How bad can it be if I am ripped into pieces?

‘If you do this then it's only proving them right..that you are a coward..A weakling..a disappointment’

I stop, my heart pounding loudly against my chest as I stare ahead into the dark forest on the other side of the bridge.

‘Don't do this’ Inez begs and I step back.Not because of her words but at the silhouette I see in the distance.

What the hell is that?

‘I don't want to die! Run!’ Inez shouts in my head but I was too frightened to move as the silhouette gets bigger and bigger until it leaps forward on the bridge.

A chill sending growl reaches my ear, jumping me into action and I turn around to run.The sound of thumping follows behind, getting closer as I push past my limits to run.

But it gets closer and louder..

My heart is beating erratically as I sense a presence behind me, so close that I feel hot air against the back of my neck sending a line of shiver down my spine.The sensation so strong it causes my limbs to lose balance.

My eyes shut instinctively as I fall face forward on the harsh ground with unbearably heavy weight crushing down on me.

A muffled whimper pushes past my lungs, the heavy weight almost cutting my oxygen.

I attempt to wiggle myself away but it is physically impossible with whatever that is crushing me down.

I freeze when a breathy groan fills in my ears.

What is that? A rogue? But if it was the case then I would be dead before the fall.

‘Weren't you ready for the rogues to rip you into pieces?’ Inez says.

I didn't have time to argue with Inez when I no longer feel the weight on me.Taking it as a chance, I crawled forward only to feel a firm grip on my waist, pulling me back.A screeching noise left my lips when I was flipped around and pinned down.

A pair of glowing eyes bore through mine terrified ones.

“Why are you running?”

It took my brain a moment to start to function again once he speak.His glowing eyes didn't help the fear yet.

I gulp, scanning his face under the moonlight although it doesn't show much.I can make out a little of his features.

‘He is strong and hot’ Inez says.Heat crawls up my neck when I realize how he was hovering above me, caging me between his arms.Inez didn't lie, I could feel his muscular thighs right next to my hips.

‘You agree with me, right? Right?’ Inez sounds happy for once.

“Shut up!” I shouted, then gasping as I spoke out loud instead of scolding my wolf.