Jaselyn's POV

“You finally decided to come home, eh? I assumed you'd finally run away with some delinquent.” My uncle's biting voice rang through the room as soon as I walked through the door. I expected this. Perhaps the saddest part of being an orphan is having nowhere else to go.

As usual, I chose to stay silent. Talking back only made it worse.

“Bitch!” He spat out angrily and in the blink of an eye, he was on me, gripping my hair and pulling so hard that it nearly ripped from my skull. I screamed out from the pain and forced my tired body up, following the movement of his hand and trying to alleviate the excruciating pain.

“I'm fucking talking to you, how dare you ignore me?” He yelled, pulling on my hair some more while I whimpered in pain, tears brimming in my eyes and quickly rolling down my cheeks even as I tried to free his hand from my hair.

“You're still not saying anything, uh? I haven't taught you a lesson and that's why you still have the nerve to disrespect me.” He cursed and delivered a heavy kick to my side and I could swear for a moment that I heard a sickening crack.

I screamed from the unbearable pain and he finally let go of my hair. I curled up into a ball, nursing my bruised rib, my vision blurry with tears, as I tried to catch my breath. The pain was so severe that breathing became difficult.

He didn't stop there, he kept delivering kick after kick all over my body, each one more powerful than the last while I tried to protect my vitals, already in too much pain to care about anything else.

“You're such a whore, where the hell were you last night? You pretended like you didn't want to go to the Ball but the moment I let you out of my sight, you went on an escapade. How many men was it, slut?! Your parents must be so proud, they raised a cunt for the Pack to fuck. You should have died with them, you're nothing but a curse. Your bad luck is the reason why your parents are dead.

I was kind enough to take you in but you've been nothing but trouble. I'm not your fucking dad, I won't take your crap. I'll happily send you to those parents of yours, you useless piece of trash.” He spewed out, never stopping the assault on my body.

He lands one final strike on my back before stepping away from me. I can hear his heavy breathing but I don't raise my head in case he's planning a surprise attack.

“Stupid bitch, you still won't apologize. I wonder why I waste my energy on you. The chores better be done and food better be ready for me by the time I arrive or you'll wish you died with your parents.” He ordered and I heard footsteps once more before the sound of the living room door closing followed. Suddenly, the house was plunged into complete silence, except for my erratic breathing and the gnashing of my teeth from how much everything hurts.

“Jas, are you OK?” Nila, my wolf asks with concern. “I'll be fine, it's not like we haven't been through worse.” I try to say lightheartedly but a heavy cough racks through my body and I taste blood on my tongue. Shit, he must have punctured something. It'll take a few days to heal but I'll live.

“Why do you take all of his bullshit? Why don't you let me take over and teach him a lesson?” She asks and I chuckle bitterly.

“Have you forgotten what happened when we tried that?” I ask and she suddenly goes quiet.

I used to be so much better than this. The first time Uncle Dan had hit me, I stood up to him. He insulted my dead parents and I shifted, ready for a fight but that was my biggest mistake.

I've never been trained in combat so he easily took me down in less than a minute. I was lashed daily with a whip soaked in wolfsbane and starved for three days. The damage that caused to my body, especially my wolf, was almost irreparable. I would never put myself through that again. I can endure any injury, any damage done to my body can heal but I cannot bear the thought of losing Nila. I'll bear anything, as long as I can live.

“How long will this go on for? There's only so much you can take.” Nila argued, I could tell she was simmering with wrath. The pain of the rejection still lingered on but this was more from her genuine love and care for me from the bond we shared.

I'd probably only stayed this long because deep in my heart, I wanted to believe that my uncle cared for me. I deluded myself into believing that Uncle Dan had even just a little bit of love for me because the reality was far more devastating. I didn't want to believe that I had no one in this world, that I was truly all alone and that no one loved me or ever would.

It's funny and sad every time I remember it. Uncle Dan only started calling me a whore after he tried to make a move on me and I turned him down.

It had been about three months when I moved in with him. He came home really late one night and he was drunk out of his mind. He couldn't even stand straight without falling over and I had to wonder how he managed to make it home.

I helped him to his room and proceeded to help him lie down but he pulled me down with him. He wrapped an arm around me and felt me up through my clothes with his other hand. I pushed him hand off but he went ahead to tell me how much he wanted me. I was so grossed out that I nearly threw up right there and then. I pushed his hand away and left, deciding it would be better to talk about it when he was sober. I brought it up the next morning and instead of apologizing and blaming it on the alcohol like I expected him to, he shut me down and claimed I had tried to seduce him.

That was automatically the birth of the demeaning names. That should have opened my eyes to his true nature but I turned a blind eye to all his red flags and chose to endure because I needed to feel wanted.

I'm such an idiot. In these months, I've only let him tear me down completely and rip me of any self esteem I had.

“But it's not the end of the world, we can start over. There are good people out there, I promise, we just need to find them.” Nila encouraged me. I sat up and wiped my tears.

She's right, I can't keep living like this. At my parents' funeral, I promised them I'd live long and well. This isn't the kind of life I want.

It's now or never; I have to make a decision.

“What do you want to do? You always have my support.” Nila asked.

“We're leaving Nila, we're going far away from this fucked up place. Anywhere but here will be better.” I told her and she nodded, satisfied with my choice.

I have absolutely no reason to stay in this Pack anymore. I have no family and no friends so there will be no love lost. I especially need to go far away from that man because then I won't have to bear seeing him with someone else, I won't question my worth and I'll finally be able to move on.

I deserve better.

Jaselyn's POV

After patching myself up with some first aid and taking some aspirin for my raging headache, I swooped into action and began packing my bags.

It especially wasn't difficult as I only had a few belongings, Uncle Dan never bought me anything. I took out the money I had been saving and counted it. It wasn't a lot but it would be enough for me to feed and have a roof over my head for a few days. I'll figure something out before I run out of cash.

I zip the duffer bag close and make my way to the living room. I take a quick look around and it saddens me that I don't have even one good memory of this place. There's nothing I'll miss.

Just then, I hear a loud banging on the door which startles me. That's weird, Uncle shouldn't be back already. If he's really the one at the door, I'm in trouble for sure. If he finds out that I'm trying to escape, only Selene knows what he'll do to me.

A mixture of panic and dread washes over me as I become glued to my spot, too scared to open the door.

The knocking persisted.

“Calm down, Jas, everything's going to be fine. If it's Uncle at the door, he won't be happy that we kept him waiting. We need to hide the bag somewhere and answer the door. We'll apologize and lay low. Once he's in his room, we'll take off as quickly as we can.” Nila formulates a plan and I nodded. She's always so great at adapting, even in difficult situations like this.

I jump into action and carefully hide my bag before rushing to the door and taking a deep breath. With shaky hands, I unbolt the lock and open the door but the sight that greets me steals the air right out of my lungs.

Standing right before me isn't my uncle like I had feared, it's the last person I'd expected to see—Zane Black, the same man who just rejected me.

He moves closer to me before I can shut the door while I back away slowly. I only then realize just how tall he is, he's basically towering over me. I shake my head to dismiss the thought, that's the last thing that should be on my mind right now. What the hell is he doing here?

“I know I have the right to come in but it would still be nice if you invited me in.” He suddenly says, breaking me out of my thoughts.

“What are you doing here?” I don't bother to beat about the bush.

“You'll know as soon as you tell me something, what are you up to? You look panicked, like you're about to be caught with your hand in the cookie jar. I can even tell from your scent that you're distressed.” He says and I scoff.

From the way he speaks, I'd think our earlier exchange in that bedroom was a dream if I didn't know better.

He's my mate and we became one in body, strengthening our bond so he can detect my emotions from my pheromones. I can do the same if I pay enough attention. Our bond still lingers on despite the fact that he's rejected me because I'm yet to accept the rejection.

“Why do you care what goes on with me? Just leave, I don't want to talk to you right now.” I shun him and try to turn away but he grabs my arm, forcing me to turn to him.

“You shouldn't speak to me like that, don't forget I'm still your Alpha.” He voices in that dominant tone that forces everyone else to submit.

“I—If you must know, Alpha, I'm leaving the Pack.” I admit hesitantly. He suddenly lets go of my hand but his words force me to look at him again.

“You can't leave, I won't let you.”

Against my better judgment, a small spark of hope starts to build up within me. Maybe he's realized his mistake, maybe he's come to apologize and accept me back as his mate.

“Do you regret your decision? Do you want me back?” I ask expectantly, voicing the thoughts in my head.

Zane chuckles like I had just said the funniest joke while I stared at him confused.

“Quit being delusional, I already told you you have no place in my life. I'm only here because I want you in the palace so you'll come with me.” He states.

“No! I'm not going anywhere with you. I, Jaselyn Everhart, accept your rejection. Now please leave and don't come back.” I declared firmly, managing to keep a firm grip on my emotions and the disappointment starting to eat away at my heart.

“I'm not giving you a choice.” He spat and lunged at me before I could react. A sharp strike to the back of my neck caused me to see stars. My vision blurred and I could feel myself falling, everything suddenly went dark.

*****

I startle awake and realize that I'm in the same room I woke up in this morning. Which can only mean I'm in the palace, so that jerk really knocked me out and brought me back here against my will.

I try to move but a wince escapes my lips, the back of my neck hurts like a bitch.

I massage it gently and sit upright. Being in this room again brings back memories I would give anything to forget. But I don't have time to wallow in self pity. Whatever reason Zane brought me here must not be good; he already said he wants nothing to do with me but yet he kidnapped me for reasons best known to him. I won't be sticking around to find out.

I get out of bed and walk over to the door of the room, I listen carefully to figure out if anyone is outside. If I'm caught, it might very well be the end. Outside the room sounds as silent as a graveyard. I creak the door open and scan the area and by Selene's grace, the coast is clear.

I tiptoe out of the room and close the door as quietly as possible. I carefully make my way through the halls and for once, luck favors me and there's barely anyone around. A few maids pass by but I make sure to keep myself hidden so they don't notice me.

From memory, I carefully make my way towards the exit. I hide behind a wall and take a look, the large double doors which lead to freedom are wide open and no one seems to be around.

I should have been suspicious but perhaps I was too enamored with the thought of escaping.

I made for the exit in one swift motion but all of a sudden, just like clockwork, several guards appeared from all directions and surrounded me like a criminal. They were all so tall and buff looking, there's no way I'm breaking through them. It's obvious that this was all planned, it's probably another one of Zane's twisted games.

“Where do you think you're going, little lady? You were supposed to stay in your room, are you lost?” One of the men asked me intimidatingly. From his appearance and the way he carried himself, I could tell he was someone important but I don't give two shits. I just want to get out of here.

“You should behave yourself, Blade. Don't forget she was personally brought here by the Alpha. I hope you're ready to take responsibility for any mishaps.” Another man chided while Blade harrumphed and backed off.

The man turned his attention to me and spoke softly. “Are you alright? I hope we didn't frighten you too much, the Alpha gave orders to not let you out of the palace so please go back to your room and wait for him there.”

I was filled with mixed emotions, some of them just too overwhelming to start an argument. I'm exhausted as well from last night's entanglement and the beating I received, I haven't even had breakfast yet. I don't have the energy for this.

I simply sighed and nodded. I guess I'll have to face Zane again and he'd better have answers for all this shenanigans.

I was escorted back to my room by Blade who I quickly discovered is the Gamma. The other man who had spoken up for me goes by the name of Rion, he's the Beta of the Pack.

He seems like a nice person, the only normal person in this Pack in fact, but if I've learned something, it's that I shouldn't judge quickly.

I once thought Zane was the sweetest man on Earth, the perfect mate but look how that turned out.

I paced around the room restlessly, my anxiety levels rising by the minute. Nila tried to calm me down but all her attempts failed. Even she has no idea what our jerk of a mate could be up to.

After what felt like an eternity, the door of the room was unceremoniously slammed open and Zane walked. Following behind him was a beautiful woman with blonde hair, she was fabulously dressed and had an air of arrogance about her.

I needed no soothsayer to know that she must be Zane's wife, the current Luna and the one who stole my mate.