The air left my lungs in a rush. My father–in–law, Alpha Sander, stood on the steps of the big house.
“So, you’ve decided to come back.” His voice was low, but it cut through the silence like a sharp knife. He didn’t ask a question; it was a statement, full of judgment. “After causing such a fuss. After shaming our pack.”
I felt small, like a child caught doing something wrong. Shame washed over
me, a hot wave that quickly turned into cold anger. I hadn’t shamed anyone. I had only tried to find peace.
However, they always catch me.
Astor stepped forward, placing a hand on my back. It wasn’t a comforting
touch; it felt more like he was pushing me, guiding me, owning me. I wanted
to shrug it off, but I was too tired.
“Father,” Astor said, his voice even, though I could feel the tension in his
body. “Let’s go inside. We can talk there.”
Alpha Sander didn’t take his eyes off me. “There’s nothing to talk about, Astor. Your Luna ran away. She left her duties, her home. What kind of example does that set?”
I was hurt by his words because he had never been that angry with me.
“I didn’t run away,” I said, my voice shaky but firm. I straightened my shoulders, trying to find some strength. I left because I was unhappy. Because I deserved better than to be treated like a burden.”
He scoffed. A harsh, disbelieving sound. His hand swept towards the grand house behind him. “A burden? You are the Luna of this pack! You have everything a woman could ever want! A strong mate, a beautiful home, power!”
It’s easier to get comfortable in a big house, but that never brings you happiness, because I was happy with the little moments that I had with my
dad for 2 days, but I haven’t been in 5 years.
“I have a cage!” I shot back, my voice rising. My eyes burned, but I wouldn’t let the tears fall, not in front of him. “A golden cage, maybe, but a cage just the same. And power? What power? The power to be ignored? The power to
be told I don’t deserve to be here?”
In fact, they can all try and pretend like they don’t know how everybody around here treats me, but they know as well as I do how hated I am, and
none of them has ever done anything to change that.
Astor’s hand tightened on my back.
“That’s enough,” he said quietly, but his voice carried a warning.
“No, it’s not enough!” I pushed his hand away, finally finding my own voice, my own power. “You always tell me when enough is enough, Astor. But I’m tired of it. I’m tired of being told what to do, what to feel, what to say. I’m tired of being hated for something I never asked for!”
Alpha Sander’s face grew red. “Hate? Astor, is this what you’ve been telling
her?”
He looked at his son, his anger shifting. I know he is very much disappointed in me, but he is also one of the few people who have always been by my side, and he gives something called tough love, but he does care.
Astor’s jaw clenched. He looked from his father to me, his gaze unreadable, a storm brewing in his dark eyes. For a moment, I thought he might finally say something, defend me, or explain. But he just stood there, silent, his broad
shoulders tensed.
“I need to talk to my father,” I said, ignoring both of them. My voice was softer now, filled with a new, colder fear. “Where is he? Tell me he’s okay.”
✪ 196 ronite
Alpha Sander looked surprised and confused, so I’m guessing he doesn’t
know.
“Your father is fine,” Astor said trying to push me forward but I stood my
ground.
“I want to see him,” I stated, not asking. “Now.”
Astor finally spoke. “You will see him. But first, you will come inside. We have
matters to discuss.”
I felt the last bit of fight leave me. My shoulders sagged. I had faced his anger, his father’s anger, and still, nothing had changed. I was back where I started, back in the cage.
As I walked towards the grand entrance, Astor’s large hand on my arm, I felt the eyes of pack members on me. They were watching, judging, just as Alpha Sander had. I imagined them whispering, seeing me as the one who tried to escape and failed.
My heart was heavy. I had dreamed of freedom, of a life where I wasn’t just Astor’s mate, the Luna, the hated outsider. But those dreams felt like ashes in my mouth.
I was being dragged back, not by love, not by understanding, but by threats
and power.
And of course, it wouldn’t be a humiliation ritual if I didn’t come face–to–face
with Alice first.
I don’t think she was aware that I was coming until right now because she looked shocked and I think hurt.
I don’t take pleasure in people suffering, but when it comes to her,
sometimes I do wish she could feel a fraction of what I feel because she has always made me feel like s***.
Chapter 16
I don’t know why, but I felt something between the two of them, like there was some kind of energy around them.
Astor was glaring daggers at her, and she looked like she was about to cry.
I just don’t know why he was adamant about bringing me back because he is obviously hurting the woman that he loves.
“You brought her back,” she said, looking between me and Astor, and I just knew that this had nothing to do with me and more to do with both of them, so I decided to just walk away, but she had me stopping on My Tracks.
“You still brought up back after last night.” I felt my breath catch and my heart and soul sink at her words.
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