13 - ALL ALONE

ROSA'S POV

I slowly walked past the gates of the pack house, a feeling of self pity coming over me. Today was Theo's engagement party, and I wasn't sure how to feel. After the unpleasant spat with his sister 3 weeks ago, and hearing all the sad things she had to say, I avoided him like a plague. I didn't avoid him because I hated him, I did because I hated myself. Why couldn't I just have been someone without faults? Someone who could be loved without conditions.

'But it's not your fault'. My wolf sighed in my head, making me release a complimentary sigh. I guess this was my fate. Forced to attend the engagement ceremony of the only man that had ever looked at me with the slightest iota of love.

Yes, I know Vera had a lot to say to me the other day. She had made it clear that I was nothing but a 'rescue the puppy' project for Theo. But that didn't mean I would simply pretend that there weren't days where he had been extremely kind to me, just for the sake of it. Not because he saw me as a helpless little girl, but because he genuinely cared for me as a friend. I only wished that Theo could have spoken up in his defense that evening, even if it was just for a slight moment. I understood his silence was bore out of shock that his sister could say such things to me. But if only he hadn't really been silent all through...... Then I wouldn't have felt as pathetic as I did.

Initially, I had planned to avoid him for just a week, considering the fact that he hadn't stopped bursting through our mindlink, apologizing for his sister's behavior, and trying to see me. But just when I decided I had kept silent at him long enough and was ready to patch things up, the news of him finding his mate spread around the pack like wildfire. And once again, the moon goddess reminded me of how very unlucky I was created to be. Of all people to have been mated to Theo, why did it have to be Clarissa, Vera's childhood bestfriend?!!

Clarissa was otherwise known as the belle of our pack, and she was just like her bestfriend; Vera. They had both never been nice to me, and it was simply sad that she wound up as Theo's mate, just after the humiliation her bestfriend had caused me. I wondered the level of smugness that Vera was gonna have on her face when she sees me tonight. For a moment, I didn't realize my steps had slowed down, until father's angry voice bellowed at me to move forward.

I was really so unfortunate indeed, because it was even more painful to realize my step family and father, badly wanted me to feel more humiliated tonight.

I had tried to opt out from attending the engagement party. Moreover, my step family would rather attend these parties and pack events without me, because they felt I was an embarrassment to them. But somehow, the thought that I would feel so bad over seeing Theo engaged to another, had them so thrilled to see me attending the engagement party tonight.

Releasing a deep sigh, I walked along and made my way towards the great hall, behind my father and his family. Once we walked inside the hall, my eyes fell on the man of the moment.

I watched in self pity as he smiled so widely at Clarissa, who was whispering something into his ear.

"Why keep me waiting for so long?" I heard a familiar voice behind me, and I turned to see Vera standing there, with a really mockful smile on her face. Bowing my head in defeat, I made to walk away, but she violently pulled me back. Her actions seemed to have attracted some people's attention.

"Vera, please I do not want any problems." I muttered.

"Good then." She whispered. "I also do not want that, so respect yourself and stand still." She ordered, to which I nodded reluctantly. "Look at that." She said, and I didn't need anyone to tell me she was referring to her brother and Clarissa. "See how happy he looks?" She chuckled, making hot tears sting my eyes. "Now, that is a she~wolf deserving of him."

Just then, Theo raised his head and turned to us. He had done that so suddenly, which made me convinced that Vera must have mindlinked him. The moment our eyes locked, the look in his eyes softened.

No, it hadn't softened in love, but sympathy. His sympathy? I hated this feeling of being pitied by those who I wished would love me! He still had his eyes on me, when Clarissa turned his face to herself, and planted a chaste kiss on his lips. I guess that was my breaking point.

Not wanting to cause a scene that was already threatening to be caused, I calmly made my way out of the hall. The moment the cold air from outside hit me, I found the hot tears running down my cheeks, as my legs finally found it possible to move.

I ran as fast as my legs to carry me, unsure of where I was actually headed. Soon, I got to a very large tree at the back of the great hall, and decided to settle there. I had already become a crying mess, and the last thing I wanted, was for Theo to see me this way. Why was he here now? I could feel a presence behind me, and had been so sure it was Theo, until I turned to find Vera there.

Goddess!! Hadn't she done enough?!! What more could she possibly want from me? How much more could she break my fragile heart?

"You needed a breather?" She asked, weirdly sounding soft. I wasn't sure if she was just being sarcastic, or.... "Running in your wolf form makes it much better...." She suddenly trailed off, giving me that knowing look. "Oops! Your wolf can't run to save itself. It definitely needs its complete legs."

My heart felt continuously smashed with every word she had said. Feeling pushed to the extreme, I didn't realize when I yelled out in anger.

"Vera, leave me alone!! What more do you want from me?!" I cried out, and my fear increased when she took predatory steps towards me. Oh no! Was she going to hurt me now? I inched backwards as she got closer to me, until my back hit the rough bark of the tree.

"You...." She gave a lopsided grin, tucking a stray hair behind my ear. The next thing I knew, she was grabbing my chin so hard and before I could comprehend her next move, I felt her cold lips on mine. My eyes widened in shock, as my heartbeat accelerated badly.

What was she doing?!!

The moment I regained my senses, I quickly made to push her away, repulsed by her total being, but she grabbed both my arms and raised then above my head, pinning me to the tree. I felt as her lips ravaged mine mindlessly, making hot tears slid down my eyes. Vera was an Alpha's daughter, which meant that she was way stronger than I was. But that didn't stop me from trying to push her off me. The more I struggled, the more she grew wicked. I felt her sharp canines bit my tongue painfully, making me taste my own blood.

"Hmmm!" She moaned I delight, and I felt so violated. Why was she doing this to me?!!

"Stop touching me!!" I cried out as I struggled against her strong hold, hoping someone would hear me and come to my rescue. Hopefully.

"Keep still!" She growled at me, her hands making their way underneath my big clothing.

"Stop!!" I mustered every strength within me, and finally pushed her off of me. Without thinking about it, my legs swung into action, and I ran like my life depended on it. Just when I was almost nearing the great hall, I felt her body hit me so violently, making me fall to the ground. I had fallen on my belly, but she violently turned me to herself.

"I want you, and you won't stop me!" She growled in my face, letting out a deep chuckle. "You can't even stop me if you tried. So powerless." She taunted. I had never felt more assaulted in my entire life.

"You disgust me!!" I cried out, not knowing what else to say. It seemed my words had provoked her so much, and I hadn't seen it coming when she landed a hot slap on my face. That side felt inflamed instantly.

"I am the disgusted one! And you're are the disgustingly deformed beast!!" She spat in anger, hitting me so hard on my face again.

"Then leave me alone!!" I cried.

"No!!!" She yelled in annoyance. The next thing I knew, she attacked my neck ferociously, sinking her canines so deep that I screamed loudly in pain.

"What the hell are you doing, Vera?!" I had recognized that voice as Theo's. Almost immediately, I felt the weight of her body being lifted off me, and released a tired sigh. I felt so weak.

"She is the one!!!" I heard Vera exclaim. "She tried to attack me because she was angry you got mated to Clarissa. I was only defending myself."

Yet another batch of tears rolled down my face the moment I heard her fake accusations. The wound on my neck had literally drained most of my energy, and I found it difficult to stand from the ground.

"That is a lie, Vera!" I heard Theo yell out in anger.

"It doesn't at all, seem like a lie to me." I heard another voice, and that was when I realized we weren't the only ones here. Mustering a little energy, I supported my weight by my elbows, and looked up to see..... the Alpha and some other pack members.

They had all looked at me like I was the defaulter. For a moment, I found it difficult to speak. Eventually, I regained my ability to speak, and literally stuttered out my next words.

"I ne...never attacked her. I was...." I was still speaking when the Alpha cut me off.

"The effrontery you have, to attack my daughter." His voice boomed, causing me to shiver in fear. "I would let this slide, under the excuse that you're a troubled teen. And this is the last of this issue I would hear." He ordered, before glancing at a silent Theo. "Your mate is inside waiting for you. Let's go!"

He commanded, and I watched as they all made the way back into the great hall. Theo flashed me a quick glance, looking so apologetic. In that moment, I realized he may have had an idea as to what his sister had been up to.

I remained sitting on the ground, the actual reality of what had just happened, sinking deep in my head. Vera had just sexually assaulted me, and somehow, everyone thought I had tried to attack her.

The harsh wind that blew over my face in the dark of the night, made me feel so rejected, abused, and alone. It was right in that moment that I realized I truly had no one. I was all alone.

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RYAN'S POV

Breathing so roughly, I scooted far away from her side of the bed. For several days now, Brenda had decided to remain on the bed with me. She was unmoving, doing nothing other than keeping her lifeless eyes fixed on me. I'd repeatedly watch her pale face grow darker and sometimes, I would also hear the cry of a baby. The baby.

I had been locked up here for 3 weeks and everyday, the illusion of Brenda's death only got worse in my head. The last time I closed my eyes, I had seen her guts spill from her belly, and nothing had ever made me feel so sick. In the past 4 days, I had not slept a wink, for the fear of seeing what sort of a monster I was.

Scared of seeing more horrible things, I tried to remain awake. I felt so drained, tired, and lifeless. Most of all, I felt lost. I was slowly losing my sanity, and I knew it.

Hearing the footsteps from afar, I weakly stood from the bed, and made my way out of the bedroom. I headed towards the entrance of the east wing, and halted my steps when I saw Brenda standing there, with a bowl in her hand. Inside the bowl was a..... My heart dropped to the pit of my stomach as I recognized that, as the squashed body of a baby.

"Our child, Ryan." She whispered, her eyes not leaving mine.

Unable to hold it in, I fell to my knees and bagan crying.

"I'm sorry. Please forgive me." I begged, and a loud yell was what I got from her in response.

"Ryan, get a grip of yourself!"

Looking up, I released a shaky breath when I realized it was my sister.

"Ralia?" I whispered, my tears beginning to dry up on my face.

"Ryan...." She teared up. "What is happening to you?" At her words, I looked at her hand to see a..... tray of food? Not a bowl with a dreadful looking baby. "You're losing your mind." She whispered, cleaning off the tears that dropped down her cheeks.

She bent and slid in the tray of food through the boundary. Thankfully, objects could pass through the cloaking spell that had been cast around the east wing. That had been the only way I was able to eat in the past weeks.

"Thank you." I whispered, feeling so ashamed.

"I hate to see you this way." She whispered.

"She hates to see you this way." I suddenly saw Brenda standing next to me, and chuckling mockingly. I didn't realize when I yelled out loudly.

"Stop coming here!! I don't want to see you." I cried, getting lost in my cursed illusions for a moment.

"Ryan!" Ralia called me in shock.

"I'm sorry." I rushed out, running towards the boundary, but feeling myself being flung back with force. I stood up with little difficulty, and looked to see Ralia seriously crying. I could feel my heart breaking into a thousand pieces. "Please, don't go." I begged. "I didn't mean what I said."

"I know." She nodded with a sad smile on her face, amidst her tears. Silence ensued between us for a short moment, as I tried to make the most of my sister's presence. After some minutes, she called my attention. "Ryan."

"I promise, I would try to fight this." I begged. "Please don't abandon me, you're all I have." I whispered, feeling an inexplicable depth of loneliness within. The witch elders had mentioned I would feel a great deal of loneliness, but I never imagined it would be this way, even while I was face to face with Ralia.

"Ryan....." She called me again, and I looked up to see so much tears lodged in her eyes. "Ryan, I found my mate three weeks back."

What? I felt my world go still for a moment.

"W...what?" I stuttered.

"I was going to tell you then, but the entire episode with Brenda just...."

"You're leaving." I quickly figured out the reason she was crying so badly.

"Ryan I'm sorry, but I have detained Desmond in our pack, for a while now." Ralia muttered.

Did she say Desmond? As in, the Alpha of Silver Heights? She was leaving for Silver Heights?

"You're leaving." Was the only word I was able to say. I had always cherished the thought of family and companionship so much.

That had been the reason I was so hopeful about building a family with Brenda, because I knew that sooner or later, Ralia would find her mate and have to leave. I didn't want to be all alone. It was then it suddenly occured to me. Being alone had always been my greatest fear. That was why the witch elders had cursed me to always feel the burden of great loneliness.

I was truly all alone now.