Chapter 2

• Veda's POV:
• "Veda Blackthorn!" Alpha Wulfric, my father called harshly. "Do you know what the hell you're doing? Don't be stubborn and come and get treated, quickly."
• I swallowed hard and turned slightly towards him.
• Now he cares? A bitter taste filled my mouth.
• Octavia's hand tightened around my wrist as she pulled me closer. I glanced at her, a playful smile graced my lips, "Let's get out of here."
• As she pulled me down the long aisle, murmurs erupted behind us.
• "How dare you walk away?" Damien, one of my little brothers fumed, "You'll regret this!"
• "Let her be." Jemika Blackthorn—my mom —said softly, "She'll come back."
• The banquet hall buzzes with whispers.
• "This is really embarrassing,"
• "The Blackthorn can't even hide it. They prefer the stepdaughter to their real daughter. Luna Jemika is lucky!"
• "Of course, even Beaston prefers Isla to her."
• "Veda disappeared years ago. Who knew what she did or went through? It's a pity that she's getting treated like this."
• I closed her eyes briefly, momentarily shutting out the cruel words.
• I took in a deep breath, trying to steady my shaky breath, I opened my eyes, and slowly, I slipped out the heavy small dainty diamond ring he had gifted me and threw it on the floor.
• "Veda.... What are you doing?" Octavia asked in a whisper, her hand light on my shoulder. "If he wants to sprint around Luna City for that manipulative little doe-eyes, then let him. You deserve better."
• "I don't want to talk," I said softly, smiling at my best friend appreciatively.
• I just couldn't. Not now. Not when I was on the verge of tears, threatening to spill from my eyes, and the humiliation washing down my body.
• At twenty-four, I was yet to find my fated mate, and now, my chosen mate had decided to save another female over me in front of a big crowd.
• I chuckled bitterly. My fingers balled into a fist.
• He'd rather run to her like a lost pup.
• Being a chosen mate doesn't mean I own him...... But the way he rushed to save Isla when I got hurt more..... was nothing less than a shattered heart.
• I was alone..... Again.
• I swallowed hard. My heart aches even when I don't want it to. I had never felt so disposable.
• "It is over," I murmured. "Let's go."
• ******
• The night air hit my skin as I stepped out of the hotel and into the cool air downtown. Its height towers over me.
• "He left us," My wolf whispered weakly. "He abandoned us for her."
• I shut her eyes for a second, steadying myself.
• "He was never ours."
• Octavia led me towards the outer parking lot, her hand tightened around my wrist. "I'll take you to the Pack Clinic, you need to get treated." She said as she unlocked her car door.
• "Thank you." I mouthed and slid into the car.
• What could I have done without her beside me?
• She was the only one I could trust.
• She pulled the passenger door open and I slid in. My palm pressed hard against my shoulder.
• "I'll take you to the clinic and have you attended to." She muttered as she pulled out of the driveway and I nodded.
• Truthfully, I was in no state to talk. I only wished for the day to pass by.
• My phone vibrated in my purse.
• I dug out the phone, staring at the text on top of my screen.
• "Your so-called mate left you to be with me. I won."
• A bitter chuckle slipped from my lips.
• "Foolish. So foolish."
• I closed my eyes briefly and sniffled. I won't share a single tear because of them.
• The car stopped with a loud screech, launching me forward from my seat as I hadn't worn a seatbelt.
• "Veda! Are you okay?" Octavia asked, her eyes roaming all over me like I was some prized little puppy.
• Three men stepped out of an SUV that had jumped in front of Octavia's car. They seem human, but their scent betrayed them.
• Rogues
• These are city rogues, the kind who live in the underbelly of Luna City, dealing in shady deals, blackmail, and anything and everything that brings money.
• "You are pretty in person," one said as he leaned over the car door. "Shame the Alpha heir ran off to save his little favorite instead of guarding you."
• "Keep walking," I murmured, my eyes back to my phone screen.
• "No can do," He stepped closer, cracking his knuckles. "Someone paid good money for a few pictures of you. Said we could rough you up a little bit until you're weak. We can even take off your dress for the camera."
• I wiped the corner of my lip and met his gaze, "I won't repeat myself, walk away."
• "Come on, don't act so smug. You don't even have a wolf yet."
• Octavia chuckled and shook her head, a smirk plastered on her lips. "You should leave when you still can."
• They didn't listen. They came at me fast, but I moved faster.
• I pushed the car door open with force, slamming into one of them.
• Octavia made to step down from the car and I quickly shook my head. "They're mine to handle." I mindlink her.
• My heel slammed into one rogue's knee and twisted his hand, his cries filling the dark pathway. Another swing at me — I grabbed his wrist, twisted it, and drove a hard blow on his face.
• The two rogues sprang towards me at once, before they could get to me, I flipped them onto the pavement, my heels digging into their thighs.
• Blood pooled underneath.
• The rogues groaned, fear evident in their eyes as they coughed out blood. "You..... You fight like you've been training..... all your life."
• "No," I shook my head. "I fight like someone who's done being stepped on and needs a fucking break!"
• I grabbed the leader by the collar, forcing eye contact.
• "Who sent you?"
• He hesitated. Glancing briefly at his colleague.
• Not today, little guy. I'm done playing nice.
• I pressed my sharp nail onto his neck cutting a small part of it, enough for his wolf to feel the threat.
• "Okay! Okay! I'll talk. A woman..... She said to humiliate you. Post your video on socials so Beaston could reject you in public."
• Was I surprised? No.
• I already knew who the perpetrator was.
• Isla.
• The girl everyone adored.
• The one Beaston ran to without thinking.
• The one that always needs rescuing.
• I dropped the rogue, and wiped my hands on his shirt then stepped back.
• "Get up," I murmured. "And leave before I change my mind."
• They scrambled away.
• Fighting in the middle of the highway wasn't my style as I detest bringing unnecessary attention to myself..... but it felt just right today.
• "Who could have sent them?" Octavia muttered to herself, her eyes on the blood spilled on the floor.
• "Isla."
• *****
• After spending two days at Octavia's house, I returned to the pack house.
• When I stepped inside the house, I saw her father, my mother, and my two brothers fussing over Isla, a bitter taste on my tongue as I watched them bickering, my face scrunched up in disgust.
• Clearly, her injuries weren't serious since she was back already huh?
• Sensing my presence, everyone's eyes turned towards the doorway. Isla smiled, her eyes shining with fresh challenges.
• Fury burned inside me, my palm twitched violently. I matched forward, before Isla could say a word, my palm connected to her cheek.
• Smack!
• Isla's head snapped to the side, her hand palming her cheek.
• In a flash, Father rushed towards me. His hand wrapped around my neck. "How dare you hit your sister! Apologies now!"
• "I won't." I managed to say. A bead of sweat formed on my forehead as my father's hand tightened around my neck.
• "Leave her Daddy..... She's probably angry that Beaston left her last night to attend to me first." Isla murmured, dropping her head, "I'm sorry, Sis."
• "I am not your sister!"
• "Shut up! You slapped her and she's still apologizing, yet you are stubborn." Jemika Blackthorn snapped. "What sort of a child are you?"
• "The type that won't send rogues after her so-called sister." I managed to say. I grabbed Alpha Wulfric's hand and pulled it. "Your precious little daughter sent rogues after me that night when she knew I was injured!"