Betrayed

EMMA'S POV

My palms starts to sweat as I approach the huge palace gates. The silver paint makes them shine bright under the glare of the setting sun.

"What do you want here?" One of the two guards standing in front of the huge gates scoffs when I halt in front of them. Seems like every member of our pack knows my infamous face. I am sure they wouldn't be so rude to any other guest.

"You should let me in, my sister said I can attend the party." I say in a firm voice.

The two guards frown. I have no doubt that they think that I will be a source of embarrassment for their pack. They however can't turn me back as long as my sister said I can attend her party.

I really plan to act noble, not just for me but for my sister as well. She is risking both her relationship and reputation just so I can enjoy the party like everyone else. I wouldn't want to disappoint her.

No one would think she would care that much for me. I too thought the same until she invited me. Knowing that she still cares made my heart swell with hope. She is the future Luna of our pack and no one can cast me out without her consent.

"Even if your sister wants you here, our alpha wouldn't want to see your wolfless ass in his party." The second guard states.

I am so used to being mocked that his words doesn't make me bitter even though they should. Random people hurl insults at me every time I walk through our local market. Being made fun of by people of every age no longer surprises me. 

"My sister already talked to her mate. He is absolutely fine with me being in there." I assure them.

They look at each other with eyes full of skepticism. I wait patiently for them to decide as they seem to be speaking through mind link.

"Fine, I will escort you inside." One finally answers.

He opens the gate and I follow him inside. The pack house looks just as huge and imposing as I had imagined it would be. It's hard to believe that my sister will be living here after their wedding. The two storey building looks like a castle taken right out of my fantasy dreams.

One can already hear the shouts from the people celebrating inside. Popular singers and magicians are always welcome to perform in events like this. I can't wait to see at least one of them.

My heart throbs with excitement as the guard leads me through the front entrance and down a short corridor. We enter a crowded hall full of smiling faces. It's like every member of our pack decided to come, I can barely see a single unoccupied seat.

My sister and her alpha mate stands on the raised stage, his parents and ours stand behind them, proudly smiling. Our adopted sister stands a little behind everyone. But she looks as happy and exquisitely dressed as everyone else.

"I will escort you to the front seats." The guard I was following states and I nod my head.

Of course I don't look good enough to stand next to my refined family or my royal in-laws. I don't mind where I get to sit, at the end of day I will have attended the party.

If I had a wolf I would be anxious about the probability of finding my mate here. But I am wolfless and can't smell him. It he probably doesn't exist. If the moon goddess forgot to give me a wolf, I wouldn't be surprised to find out I am mateless as well. Not that I have hope of being accepted by anyone.

The guard moves forward and I keep following. People slowly notice me and their smiles turn into frowns. Their intense glares make my whole body stiffen with apprehension. I hear some huff in disgust and I start feeling like I really don't belong here.

I am sure I am not that ugly to look at. I could be as dazzlingly beautiful as a loyal lady but I would still be the picture of shame. 

We get close to the front seats and the eyes of the future Alpha finally notice us. I smile innocently until I see that he doesn't look happy to see me. He shoots me a menacing glare and my heart immediately starts pounding hard.

I keep following the guard until we are a few steps away from the stage and everyone in front has noticed my presence. The all watch me with eyes full of hate and annoyance.

I don't understand, did they change their mind about me coming?

The eyes of the future Alpha glows with sudden anger as he steps off the stage and strides towards us. My sister follows him, a smile playing on her red lips.

"What is this pig doing in here?! Didn't my father make it clear that she cannot attend an important event like this one?" He questions in a menacing voice that makes even the guard in front of me visibly shiver. My eyes go wide as some guests gasp in astonishment. What on earth is happening? The man had approved my invitation, right? 

"She said she had your permission to come, sir. That's why I let her in." The guard defends.

The future Alpha focuses his cold gaze on me and I feel the skin of my face reddening. Guess I have no option but to explain myself.

"Good evening . . . your Highness." I stutter, wondering why Joanne hasn't stepped forward to explain this already. "I only came because Joanne said I was allowed to. I thought you had both agreed to let me be here." 

He snorts before looking back at Joanne with a questioning look. "You wanted her here?"

Joanne shakes her head. "No of course. She is a pathetic being that is probably cursed by the moon goddess. Why would I want her here?"

My whole body shakes with shock while the people around us bursts out in laughter. Did she just deny that she allowed me to come?!

"Joanne . . . you told me that I could come, right before you left home. How can you have forgotten?" I question but she shakes her head.

"Your stupid head must be going crazy! I don't even speak to you, remember?"

My mouth falls open. Did she do this intentionally? Seems like it. She had lied about wanting me here and her mate allowing it. But what for? Wasn't I in enough trouble even before showing up here?

Our parents gets off the stage and comes to stand behind her. They too cast me dirty looks like I am the most hideous creature they have ever seen.

"Seems you're a disgusting liar as well as the most useless member of my pack!" Joanne's mate snarls, looking so enraged that I am sure he would tear me apart if there wasn't a crowd of guests watching.

"My Luna doesn't want you here. And neither do I. As soon as I take the oath to become Alpha you will be banished! My pack can no longer host a weak and immoral being like you!" He adds in is terrifying alpha voice. I freeze in shock.

"I . . . I am sorry! I didn't lie . . . I swear." I stutter but his cold gaze doesn't falter.

My own parents doesn't utter a word to defend me. There is no hint of concern in their eyes. They in fact put their hands around Joanne like she is the one hurt. I wonder why they can't see the smirk on her face. Did she lie so I can get banished by her mate?

"Escort her back out. Also lock the gates once she is gone. " The young alpha orders the guard that had escorted me in here.

Tears fall from my eyes as the man grabs my arm and starts dragging me out again. Joanne watches with a pleased expression as the angry guard pulls me out again. People shout out insults as I pass. I just got assured that I will be banished and they are all so happy.

We get near the door and a lady in a green dress jumps from her seat and dumps her drink of wine on me. The cold liquid drenches my hair and the front of my dress. I gasp as my whole body feels like it has been showered with ice. The crowd laughs and cheers the woman.

I want to punch her mean face despite knowing that it's a bad idea. She smiles proudly like she did something heroic. I take a step towards her, meaning to punch her nose hard enough to break it, but the guard takes hold of me by my wet hair and pulls me past the doors of the hall.

It feels like he is going to rip the hair out of my head with his tight grip. He moves fast towards the gates and I have no option but to follow or get dragged by my hair.

"You're such a moron! Did you really think that your cheap lies were enough to fool the alpha? Your parents must be embarassed to be associated with you! No doubt they will feel relieved when you get kicked out of this pack." The pissed guard retorts while dragging me fast towards the gate.

This was a terrible mistake. Now I know I have no future in this pack. I will soon be a rogue if I wait to get banished. I was too desperate to be accepted back by my family and the pack that I didn't see that Joanne's sudden show of concern wasn't genuine.

I stumble and fall when the guard shoves me past the open gate. My wet hair and dress absorb dirt and I pull myself back on my feet looking like a lunatic.

"What happened?" The other guard asks his partner, sounding astounded.

"She had lied." He answers in an annoyed tone.

"My sister is the one that lied, not me!" I yell at them and hear them scoff.

"Get the f**k out of here before we lock up your crazy head!" The same guard that had dragged me out snaps.

I dust off my wet dress and hair as best as I can. I then take a deep breath and start walking. 

Tears stream down my cheeks but I feel too broken to care about wiping them off. My heart is still pounding hard against my chest and my breaths are coming out in heavy huffs.

Joanne had tricked me. I now have only a day before her mate gets crowned as Alpha and banishes me. My parents will probably kick me out of their house as soon as they return home. They must really loathe me now more than ever. They will be too ashamed of me to let me spend the night under their roof. This nightmare keeps getting worse.

I have no choice but to leave before they return. I am not very sure of where I can go. But if I wait to get banished I will be chased out of the pack and end up becoming a lone, wolfless rogue.

I will have to leave to . . . well, I am not sure where. I had saved very little since I wasn't getting paid to serve my own family. I doubt I can afford to pay for a carriage to carry me to anywhere.

Black Mountain pack is the only pack that would accept a wolfless she-wolf, but only to work as a slave or a lowly servant. I wouldn't mind working as a servant, doesn't matter the gross jobs I will be forced to do.

The actual problem is getting past the border. It is always under patrol and those guards won't just let me walk away before I am officially banished by their alpha. And even if I make it past the borderline, I will have to walk for three days through a thick forest to avoid setting foot into the famous and mysterious Goldenheart Kingdom.

Goldenheart Kingdom is the land of the strongest lycan wolves and people also say that it is the wealthiest Kingdom. Their King is the most feared being across all lands. The rumours I have heard about him alone will send chills down your spine.

I have no desire to risk sneaking into his kingdom. I would rather spend a hundred days on the way to Black Mountain pack were I have a chance of being accepted instead of killed.

I sigh with relief when I finally arrive back at my parents house. I know I can't stay for long, but I still make it to the storeroom in the basement and lay down on the mattress for a while before beginning to pack the little I own in a hurry. I will need to steal some foods from the kitchen before our parents return so I don't starve on the way.

I take off the wet dress after packing everything else and put an old pair of blue pants, a heavy coat and brown boots. My eyes keep filling up with fresh tears even as I make my way out of the house.