Chapter Three

As we finish preparing ourselves, the sun starts to dip below the horizon, casting a golden hue over the town. Making our way to the party venue, we find ourselves in a stunning garden illuminated by twinkling fairy lights and vibrant decorations. The sounds of laughter and music fill the air, creating a lively and festive atmosphere that is contagious.

Clair and I step into the garden, feeling like characters from a fairytale in our sophisticated attire. Walking through the garden, we are met with warm greetings and compliments from friends and acquaintances, adding to the already jubilant ambiance of the evening.

The night unfolds with energetic dancing, delectable cuisine, and an abundance of drinks circulating among the guests. The music reverberates through the air, encouraging everyone to join in the celebration and revel in the moment. Clair and I take to the dance floor, moving in harmony with the beat, sharing laughter and spins under the twinkling stars above.

As the evening progresses, I notice a mysterious figure observing me from a distance across the garden. It's the enigmatic individual from the science lab, their gaze still holding an air of intrigue. Despite a sense of unease creeping over me, I politely excuse myself from Clair and decide to approach the figure. Navigating through the crowd, I make my way towards the shadowy figure, who seems to blend seamlessly into the darkness as I draw near.

“Who are you?” I demand, trying to keep the tremor out of my voice.

The figure tilts their head slightly; the moonlight catching a glimpse of their face beneath the hood. Recognition sparks in my mind—it's Dr. Whitaker, the renowned scientist who had vanished without a trace months ago.

Before I can utter another word, Dr. Whitaker presses a finger to their lips, gesturing for me to follow. Intrigued and wary, I comply and slip away from the party behind them.

We navigate through the labyrinth of hedges and flower beds until we reach a secluded corner of the garden. It's there that Dr. Whitaker finally speaks, his voice low and urgent. “You're in danger. Seek your parents and get hidden before the attacking pack arrives.” Before I can even ask about what he is talking about, he just disappears.

I stand frozen in shock, the weight of Dr. Whitaker's words sinking in. Danger? Attacking pack? My heart races as I try to make sense of his cryptic warning. Without hesitation, I turn on my heel and rush back towards the party, panic rising within me.

“Mom!” I begin to rush to her just as Quinton catches me as I trip.

“Oh, hell no!” He growls out as I feel the shocks run through my body, making me gasp.

“Mate!” I whisper in shock.

“We cannot be mates. I refuse to be mated to trash like you!” Quinton bellows out before looking me straight in the face.

“I Alpha Quinton Larow reject you Savage Marlow as my mate and Luna.”

“No! Please don’t do this,” I cry out.

“Accept the rejection. NOW!” He yells as the crowd surrounds us. 

“I Savage Marlow accept your rejection, Alpha Quinton Larow.” I cry out as I collapse on the ground in pain.

As the world spins around me, I slowly notice the hushed murmurs and concerned faces of Clair and several others gathered around us. Quinton's betrayal echoes through my mind, leaving me feeling exposed and vulnerable. I can't shake the weight of Dr. Whitaker's words. Combined with the crushing rejection from my alpha, my world seems to spiral out of control.

“Are you okay?” Clair's voice brings me back to the present, and I blink up at her, tears stinging my eyes. She holds out a hand to help me up, and I hesitantly take it, allowing her to pull me to my feet.

“I don't know, Clair. I don't know anything anymore.” I whisper, my voice shaking with emotion.

“Come here, sweetheart,” Mom whispers, while holding her arms open. Rushing into her arms, I let my tears fall. “Shhh, I know it hurts, baby, but I will help you through this.”

The air is filled with chilling howls, causing a sudden jump from everyone present. An eerie silence follows as we all look around, our hearts pounding in our chests. Then, one by one, red eyes emerge from the dense trees, sending a shiver down our spines. In that moment, my mom's protective instincts kick in, and she tightly grabs my hand, her voice trembling with urgency. “We need to hide you, sweetheart,” she exclaims, her eyes filled with determination. Without wasting a second, she pulls me along, running as fast as our legs can carry us towards the hidden underground bunker where my dad awaits us with open doors.

As we reach the bunker, my mom pushes me inside, causing me to stumble slightly. I quickly regain my balance, turning around to see her and my dad standing at the entrance. Their faces are a mix of love, worry, and determination. In a heartfelt moment, they both lean in to kiss me, their words echoing in my ears, “We love you, sweetheart.” With a heavy heart, I watch as they rush back towards the danger, slamming the doors shut behind them, leaving me in the safety of the bunker.

Taking a deep breath, I gather my courage and walk further down the stairs, reaching the second door. With a trembling hand, I open it and step inside, locking it securely behind me. The room is dimly lit, and I make my way towards the bed tucked in the corner. As I lay down, tears stream down my face, a mixture of physical pain from the rejection of my mate and the overwhelming uncertainty of the situation unfolding above me. In the darkness of the bunker, the events of the evening replay in my mind, each moment etching itself like a cruel movie, leaving me haunted by the howls and the piercing gaze of those red eyes. Fear and confusion consume me, making it difficult to find solace in the darkness.

I clutch the locket around my neck, a family heirloom that has always brought me comfort. Its cool metal against my skin grounds me in reality, reminding me of who I am and where I come from. But now, everything feels uncertain and dangerous.

Time passes in the silent bunker, each moment heavy with anticipation and dread. The muffled sounds of commotion from above filter down to me, intensifying my anxiety. I can only imagine what chaos is unfolding in the world outside these walls.

“We love you, princess. Never forget that!” My parents’ mind-link me just as their bonds break, causing me to scream in pain.

“No!” I scream as I collapse back onto the bed in shock. As one after another, the pack bonds snap just as I smell smoke and the walls rumble around me.

“I love you, bestie! Find an amazing man and live for me!” Clair says through the link before it also snaps.

“Savage, you must stay strong. For you are the last of our pack,” Alpha Troy says just before his bond snaps.

In the aftermath of the chaos, as the settling dust obscures my vision, I find myself ensnared beneath the weight of the crumbled structure. The air grows heavy with the pungent scent of smoke assaulting my senses, while an overwhelming taste of fear lingers on my tongue, a constant reminder of the dire situation I am in. A surge of panic courses through my veins, making it increasingly difficult to draw a breath, as my heart beats with an intensity akin to a desperate drumbeat. Every fiber of my being yearns for freedom, for liberation from this suffocating prison that holds me captive.

Desperation fuels my actions as I frantically claw at the debris, my fingers becoming raw and bloodied in the process. I search desperately for any glimmer of hope, any indication of a possible escape route. However, with each futile attempt, the pain coursing through my body intensifies, shooting through me like electric shocks, serving as a cruel reminder of my vulnerability and helplessness in this dire situation. Time seems to stretch on endlessly, the minutes dragging on like agonizing hours, as I lie there, trapped and isolated from the outside world.

I feel completely engulfed by the suffocating darkness that surrounds me, as if it's closing in on me from every direction. It intensifies my fear and despair, making it almost unbearable. The eerie silence that now fills the air, replacing the once comforting sounds of life, is a haunting reminder of the destruction that has taken place. The only sounds that break the silence are the occasional creaks and groans of the wreckage above, serving as a constant reminder of the devastation that has occurred.

“I am sorry, mom and dad. But I cannot live without you guys.” I whisper as I give up on living. I mean, what’s the point? My parents, friends, and pack are gone.