I spent the rest of my day avoiding Emma, knowing that what happened earlier in the kitchen painted a target on my back and she would definitely have her revenge, but if she had no idea where I was, I was safe for now.

Standing all in the dimly lit basement laundry room, the sound of washing machines and dryers humming in the background, and the faint smell of laundry detergent and damp fabric surrounding me, I could finally breathe freely and let my guard down.

I knew nobody would come here for me since the smell of laundry detergent affected a lot of wolves due to their heightened sense of smell, and this place was always my hiding spot whenever I needed time to myself, it was my place of quiet retreat where I could fold clothes in peace. Or so I thought.

The sound of footsteps behind me sent a chill down my spine, causing me to stiffen, gripping the edge of the laundry basket as if it could shield me. Turning, I found Emma standing in the doorway with her usual smirk, flanked by her two lackeys, Rachel and Sarah. I felt a shiver run down my spine as they closed in around me, their bodies forming a semi-circle that trapped me against the washing machines.

"Well, well, well," Emma sneered, her voice dripping with venom. "Look what we have here. The little half-breed, all alone and vulnerable.”

“What do you want, Emma?” I asked, keeping my voice steady despite the knot forming in my stomach.

Emma’s smile widened, oozing malice. “What do we want? Oh, Jade, we’re just here to remind you of your duties to the pack.”

“Duties?” I asked, confused. “I’m doing my duties,” I said, gesturing to the pile of clean clothes.

“I realised, Jade, that I've been in this pack since I was born, I've attended a lot of activities too, and while I always see you hanging around the edges being a perfect little slave, there's one activity you've never taken part in. And that's hardly fair, is it? You're a part of the pack, you should run with the pack, don't you think so?”

Emma's eyes gleamed with excitement as she spoke, but…my heart sank into my stomach as I understood exactly what she was trying to say.

“N-no….” I stuttered, my words tripping over my tongue. I knew she was planning something, but this…this was going to be a disaster. Shifters were dangerous enough, but on a full moon, that danger was ramped up to a hundred percent. I wouldn't survive a pack run, and that was why I never joined them.

Emma’s eyes gleamed with triumph, like a predator toying with its prey. “Oh, you’re going. It’s not optional. Either you run, or you’re out of the pack.”

My pulse quickened, a mix of fear and anger bubbling to the surface. “You can’t do that,” I said, though the waver in my voice betrayed me. “You don’t have that authority.”

“Don’t I?” Emma tilted her head, mock innocence dripping from her tone. “I'm going to be married to the next Alpha, and as the future Luna, I'm well within my rights to handle things like this. You think anyone's going to stop me? And honestly, Jade, you’re nothing but dead weight around here. The pack doesn’t need a cowardly half-blood who can't shift.”

Sarah chimed in, her voice sickly sweet. “It’s for your good. Maybe you’ll prove you’re worth something.”

I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms. “I’m not a coward. I just—”

“You just what?” Emma cut me off, stepping closer. “You're a member of this pack, and you'll do as you're told. You’ll run, or you’ll pack your things and leave.”

My throat tightened as their words sank in. They were serious.

Emma leaned in, her voice dropping to a hiss. “And don’t bother going to the alpha. He doesn’t have time for pathetic little nobodies like you.”

As they turned to leave, my voice rang out, shaking, “Why are you doing this? What have I ever done to you?”

Emma turned back to me, a cruel smile spreading across her face. "You exist, Jade. That's enough.”

And with that, they left me standing there, the laundry forgotten in my trembling hands.