02||~ Atria.

~~~~

"Let Atria go in your place."

The word struck me like a lightening bolt and I laid there dumbfounded. "W-What?"

Tabitha frowned, looking displeased. "What do you mean?"

"She looks like you. Except for a few..." Damon scrutinized me. " Misgivings, someone who hasn't spent a long time with you won't notice."

The moment he said these words, Tabitha's eyes grew wide and she looked at me once again- her disdainful eyes sizing me up.

Tabitha and I indeed shared a deep resemblance, it was why she never allowed me out of the pack house.

We were once best friends, we went everywhere together and our identical face made us inseparable. But everything changed after my tenth years birthday.

Tabitha detested the fact that we looked alike the most- she once said that It made her want to carve out her face, because whenever she looked into the mirror, all she saw was the daughter of her mother's murderer.

Alpha Ronin had a thoughtful look. " You are right, We just need to clean her up and send her off." The cold words sent a chill through my heart and I couldn't hold back anymore.

My whole body shook as I said. "Damon, I am your mate." Damon's expression sent a chill through me.

"Mate?" He sneered. "If it weren't for Tabitha insisting that I left the mate bond, you think I wouldn't have rejected you?"

My heart sank. " Why do you hate me so much? I never did anything wrong to you." My voice was trembling, it took every strength in me not to collapse at that moment.

His eyes turned cold. "You dare ask me why I hate you? Did you think I would care for you after everything you did to Tabitha? Because of you, she can never give birth."

A lump formed in my throat. " We were kids back then, I had no idea that something like that could happen."

All I knew was that it was a day before my tenth birthday. My parents left on pack business and I waited all night In the snow with Tabitha.

By midnight, The Alpha came crashing into the pack, weak, gravely wounded and carrying the dead Luna in his arms.

He claimed he had been ambushed at the border of the rogue pack opposite ours and my parents had aided the enemy.

They personally killed the Luna and seriously injured the Alpha. He managed to escape them but it was too late for the Luna.

The instant she heard the news, Tabitha also collapsed and almost died. That was the day my life turned into hell.

" Enough!" Alpha Ronin snapped. " We have already wasted enough time discussing here. Get someone to dress her up, I will try to stall the Blood warriors for a few more minutes."

Tabitha still looked unconvinced but she wiped off her tears and Damon helped her to her feet. The Alpha and Damon walked out, then two old and strong Omega's walked in.

"Wash her up and conceal her wounds."

"Yes, Lady Tabitha." The two Omega's immediately hurried towards me. I shook my head, trying to crawl away.

"No, I am not doing this." I protested weakly as they grabbed me.

"We are not asking you to." Tabitha snickered, then with a bright smile, she said. " Keeping you alive had finally proven to be useful, consider it paying for your parents debt."

Her word struck a cord.

It didn't matter how horrible she treated me, after all, my parents were the cause of it. My body fought, weak, desperate, but my will didn't. Like always, I stopped struggling.

Fine, if she wanted me to die in her stead, then I will do it. But after this, she should consider her debt finished. From now on, I owe her and Cranebane pack nothing.

I was dragged into Tabitha's bathroom.

Despite my insistence, the two women washed me up, it took quite a while to wash off all the dried blood from my skin. After that, they helped me change into a white turtleneck gown.

While they were trying conceal the wound on my neck with a concealer, I gazed at myself in the mirror for the first time in five years.

The face In the Mirror looked nothing like I remembered, sunken jaw, dull blue eyes, wild hair. Had I always looked like that? More of an animal than a girl.

I guess I have.

Even in Tabitha's dress, anyone with discerning eyes could tell that i was an imposter.

"She's ready, lady Tabitha." The oldest of the maids announced

Tabitha nodded absentmindedly. "You can leave." She dismissed the maid and we were soon the only one left in the room. I sat with my spine straight, not even daring to breath too loudly.

The room descended In silence, a deep silence that crushed me under it's weight. Tabitha walk behind me, a strange vial In her hand. "Drink this." She threw it to my lap.

I eyed the glass vial which held a strange black liquid in it with a skeptical look. "W-what is this?"

Tabitha's glowered. "Don't ask what you don't need to know, just drink it." I didn't move. Tabitha let out threatening growl.

She took heavy strides over- just when I expected her to slap me. She snatched the vial from my lap, tilted my head up and forced the bitter liquid down my throat.

Satisfaction flashed in her eyes.

Fist clenched, I told my self to endure, just a little more and I will be off to be a ghost bride.

"Aren't you curious about what I just gave you?" I didn't respond. Her lips curled.

"I just gave you Ripping- a poison I got with quite some difficulty. I was going to give it to your parents once they were found, but it seems you will get a taste of it first."

My heart grew cold.

Did she really have to go this far?

"Just pray you die from the ghost bride ritual. If you were to survive, you will die from a heart wrenching pain. Three months, that is how long you have."

Her eyes gleamed with malice while my eyes were fixed on her.

'Deep breaths, Atria, don't make this worse, just endure it and get it over with.' I told myself, but my whole body was trembling with unrestrained anger.

I have always prided myself in my level of tolerance but at this moment I wanted to tear off all pretence and just wipe off that smile from Tabitha's smug face.

Just then, the door swung open and Alpha Ronin walked in. "Is she ready?"

Tabitha straightened. " Yes."

" Come with me." Head bowed, I rose to my feet and followed the Alpha, leaving behind Tabitha whose sick gaze followed me like poison.

The moment we were out the door, the implication of what was about to happen slammed into me like a sledge hammer and my stomach twisted.

My eyes moved through the long hallway, trying to search for an exit or even a way to escape but I knew it was futile because I would be caught no matter what.

We walked towards the Alpha's office. Damon was by the door, when he caught sight of us, his tense shoulders relaxed.

"Wait!" He suddenly called out to us and my heart bursted with hope. But when he opened his mouth, only these cruel words came out. "I, Damon Wayans, reject you, Atria Calcio as my mate."

And like that, my hope was snuffed out like a candle.

Once again, I didn't resist. "I accept your rejection." A sharp pain pierced my heart and if it wasn't for Alpha Ronin's cold grip on my arm, I would have collapsed to the floor.

Cold sweat dotted my forehead. I panted, shadows dotting my vision. I didn't even feel my own body move until we were outside the pack house.

Before me stood a white car, and two huge men wearing, blood red masks leaned against it. I couldn't see them clearly through the haziness in my eyes.

" Is she the one?" The biggest one asked and Alpha Ronin nodded meekly. The man sized me up but the mask hid his expression. Then he just shrugged and opened the door of the car.

I was so weak that Alpha Ronin had to half drag- half walk me to the car. The moment I was placed in the car, my head buzzed and I knew that my body had reached it's limit.

Right before I was swallowed by the darkness, a thought occurred to me that made me tremble.

I am going to die soon.

~P-Lia~

03||~ Atria.

~~~~

There was silence throughout the car ride.

No one spoke- i didn't have anything to say. My gaze was fixed on the passing scenery, a content smile on my face.

We left Cranebane Pack about three hours ago. I am finally free from that hellhole. It was like something heavy had been lifted off my chest without warning.

The cool wind blew on my face, and a small laugh slipped out of me, accompanied with tears.

"We are here." The gruff voice yanked me out of my thoughts, only then did I remember what I was about to do.

A sharp gasp escaped my lips as the huge castle came into view. I had never seen a place as beautiful as this before.

It was nothing like the sophisticated and luxurious mansion at Cranebane Pack.

It was more like a place out of a fairy tale, I couldn't help gaping at the sight, and for a precious moment, I just sat there, admiring the huge castle with glass walls and a majestic sight.

The door at my left opened, bringing me out of my trance. I tried to get out myself but my legs were like jelly, they wouldn't move. Just then, a hand reached for me, I recoiled instantly, eyes wide with fear.

"I-i will get out." The word sounded more like a plea. The man froze, then he stepped aside.

When he didn't make any move to hurt me, I breathed out a sigh of relief and slowly crawled out of the car. Thankfully, when I finally managed to stand on my wobbling legs, I didn't drop to the floor.

"Come with me." The man that opened the door for me spoke. I followed him without a word as he led me into the huge door of the castle.

However, the deeper we went, the more I noticed that there seemed to be no one around, except the few people tending to the garden and the few Omega's that walked by us.

The whole castle was shrouded in an oppressive silence that made it hard to breathe. I gripped the edge of the gown so tight, my knuckles turned white.

Light filtered through the glass walls of the castle and I caught a glance of a breathtaking garden, but I didn't have the strength or emotional capacity to admire it.

We went through a couple of corridors. Until we reached an elevator. Questions burned deep within me.

Where was the man leading me to? And where exactly would the ritual be performed? I wondered if they would be willing to give me a wish before my death.

But then, when has a butcher ever asked it kill what it's wants before it's death. The elevator was built with glass walls.

I have never been afraid of height, but the higher we went, the more I realized how small I was in this world. My eyelid were heavy and my head wouldn't stop pounding, it was like the world was moving too fast and I was just in the middle of it.

Five minutes later, the elevator door opened with a ding.

A white haired man stopped mid pace the moment he spotted us, his shoulders dropping, either in relief or something else, I couldn't tell.

" Is she the one?" His voice was unexpectedly soft, unlike the rest of his body.

"Yes, Beta King." The masked man spoke with a bow, then he stepped away to reveal me.

The moment my gaze met with his violet eyes, my eyes widened. I had never seen a man so... Ethereal before, he looked unreal.

The man, however only sized me up a little bit before nodding. "Come with me." He commanded and turned on his heels.

I hesitated a little, sending a glance towards the masked man as if asking for permission.

"What are you waiting for?!" The white haired man growled from behind and I flinched, hurrying to follow him.

My weak pace couldn't match his heavy strides. "Can't you walk faster." The man snapped, irritation deep in his voice.

Lips trembling, I forced myself to run after him, until the sound of our hurried footsteps bounced through the tall walls.

Soon, we arrived at a large door, the man didn't knock before pulling it open. The thick smell of medicine hit me, making me freeze.

I scanned the large room that was thrice the size of Tabitha's.

The gold colored walls and the high ceiling that was covered in the painting of a dragon made it look like a place meant for royalty.

At the middle of the room, was a large bed that had people surrounding it.

The white haired man caught my eyes, I didn't wait for him to speak, because the sharp look he gave me was enough for me to move.

Once I got close enough, he reached out, grabbed my wrist and hauled me towards the bed.

Once we got close enough, a woman in black whirled to face us. "Walrick, thank the goddess you are back."

However, I stood frozen when her pitch black eyes turned towards me. It was a witch!

Color drained out of my face as a cold certainty formed within me. All of this was real, it wasn't a dream.

I was about to die.

My muscled tensed and I almost turned around to run but the cold grip on my arm held me in place.

"How is he?" Walrick questioned softly. Only then did I noticed that on the large bed was a large man.

His body was covered with a black sheet and his eyes was closed. He had almost the same face with walrick, except for his red hair, rough beard and pale lips.

A small sound escaped me when I noticed how stiff he looked.

He was already dead.

The witch shook her head. "His soul has left his body, if we don't perform the ritual now, I am afraid..."

She didn't need to say the rest of the words. Walrick slowed, gaze fixed on the man on the bed. Then he suddenly tugged me forward.

" I don't care what you have to do, Myxera, just being him back to life."

" I will, I promise." Myxera promised. Walrick nodded then he walked out with the others in the room, leaving me to face my impending death.

The instant the door close shut, Myxera reached to grab me with her black claws. A shudder ran through me and I took a step back, trembling.

"N-no!" The weight of what was about to happen knocked into me and It dawned on me that I didn't want to die. I hadn't even met my parents yet, I haven't even confirmed the truth from them yet.

I spun abruptly, intending to make for it, but a hand yanked me back.

A strangled cry escapes my lips when I felt Myxera's cold hand around my neck. " Please..." I whimpered. "I don't want to die-"

"Shh." Myxera whispered to my ears, her cold breath making my skin crawl. "Just relax, it will be over soon."

I shook my head frantically, tears blurring my vision. " Please- ARGHHH!!!" My word was cut short by a sharp pain at my wrist.

The smell of blood immediately filed my nose. My body struggled weakly in her arms. But it was useless, it was like an unknown force was pinning me down. I couldn't move, I could speak.

Another sharp pain pierced my left wrist. Then, through blurred vision, I spotted her moved a strange, black dagger towards my neck.

My pulse raced, I struggled with all of my strength.

Then suddenly, the strange force holding me down disappeared and my body dropped to the floor. I don't wait to dwell on the pain before scampering to my feet.

However, before I could get far, Myxera's digged her sharp claws into my hair and yanked me back. "Get back here!"

The forced she used was so powerful that I was flung into the wall behind the large bed. Pain exploded on my back and I dropped to the bed, right on top of the dead man.

My head slammed into his hard chest. I let out a whimper, trying to get off him.

Then it happened- a calloused hand suddenly grabbed my wrist and yanked me up. Just then, a cold voice demanded. "Who are you?"

The witch gasped from somewhere in the room. "A-Alpha King!"

My head snapped up and the moment my gaze collided with the strangest pair of mismatched eyes, A cold chill ran down my spine.

Isn't he supposed to be dead?

~P-Lia~

04||~ Atria.

~~~~

How is this possible?

I clearly heard the witch say that his soul had left his body, then how was he speaking to me now?

Breath caught, I leaned into him without thinking. "Y-you are not dead.

His brows snapped together as he observed my face. " What are you doing in my bed?" He demanded gruffly, only then did I realize that I was still laying on his cold body.

I blanched, scampering off him like his touch burned.

However, I had underestimated how weak i was. I tumbled onto the marble floor with a loud thud.

My cry of pain snapped Myxera out of her shock." H-how is this possible?" She marveled, taking long strides towards the bed until she was standing by his side.

The Alpha King had a deep frown on his brows as peered through the room like it was a foreign place to him. "Who are you?" He questioned

Myxera didn't respond to him, instead she reached out to take him hand, but the Alpha King recoiled, his mismatched eyes glaring at her.

"I asked you a question." His deep growl made the walls trembled, Myxera didn't cower like I would have.

Instead, she grabbed his hand and refused to let it go even when the Alpha King tried to fight her off. Perhaps it was because of his weak body, but he wasn't able to resist her.

It was only after she was done checking his pulse that she spoke. "I am Myxera, a witch from the east." She examine his chest. " Walrick called me here to be your healer."

She didn't even look at him.

In the other hand, i didn't dare make a sound. Now that the Alpha King was awake, my fate was unknown. What if they thought that I wasn't useful anymore and they decided to dispose of me?

" You soul has indeed returned to your body." Myxera noted with a frown. "I have never come across such a thing."

Just then, the door was pushed open with a loud groan and Walrick rushed in with bright eyes. "Valric!" He croaked.

"Walrick." The Alpha King's tried to sit up the bed. However, he was stopped by Myxera's hand on his shoulders.

"You shouldn't be moving around for now-"

"Don't touch me!" He snarled, one of his eyes glowing.

Myxera didn't pull her hand away. "Don't growl at me boy." Despite how young she looked, her presence carried the aura of someone ancient. "Considering that I just pulled you from deaths door, you should have some respect."

" You will not speak to me like that!" The Alpha King's jaw ticked and an oppressive air filled the whole room. I didn't dare move, I didn't even breathe.

Years of living with Tabitha had taught me to make myself as invisible as possible whenever someone was angry around me or else it wouldn't end well.

Myxera rolled her eyes. " I don't have time for this." She turned to Walrick. "Call me when he has cooled down." Her eyes flickered towards me for a second, making my heart slam against my chest.

But then, she look away and walked out.

Once she was gone, I gritted my teeth against the pain, then I dragged myself towards a corner and curled up in a ball.

A wet liquid trailed down my back, ruining the soft white dress I had on. But I didn't care, not when my fate was still unknown.

So, I stayed there, gaze locked on the two brothers, watching every of their moves.

" Brother." Walrick's soft voice trembled as he kneeled by the foot of the bed. " You are finally awake."

The Alpha King grunted in response. "What happened?"

Walrick's shoulders slumped. "You don't remember?"

The Alpha King shook his head.

"You were involved with an accident." Walrick's jaw tightened. "You were gravely wounded and I didn't get to you in time. By the time the pack doctor performed the surgery on you, your body was already too weak and you fell into a coma."

The Alpha King finally nodded. "How long have I been asleep?" Despite Myxera's earlier warning, he still tried to sit up the bed. Walrick didn't lift a hand to help him.

"Four years "

The Alpha King pause, lips parted softly. "Four years?" He finally managed to sit up the bed, but the little action seemed to have drained his strength. His face grew paler and his chest heaved.

" I thought I lost you, brother." Walrick croaked, I couldn't see his expression from where I sat but the way his shoulder shook showed how much he cared for his brother.

The Alpha King reach out his trembling hands and patted him on his shoulder. " I am alive now aren't I?"

" You died Valric!" Walrick hissed. "If Myxera hadn't kept your soul intact, you wouldn't be alive now." The more he spoke, the higher his voice rose. " If only you hadn't insisted on going to find-"

He cut himself off abruptly.

The Alpha King grunted. " Insisting on finding who?" He didn't snap at his brother like he had done to Myxera earlier.

A sniff. " No one. I am sorry, I shouldn't have spoken to you like that."

"It's fine." For the first time since he woke up, the Alpha King's voice was gentle and he even ruffled his brother's hair.

Walrick pulled away, nose scrunched up. "Don't do that, I am not a kid anymore.

" I know." The Alpha King's lips curled, his fiery red hair falling down his chest on each side of his head. Perhaps the fall from earlier had muddled my brain or maybe it was the light atmosphere.

Because at that moment, my heart suddenly pounded in my chest, not from fear but an emotion I couldn't name.

Just then, The Alpha King's gaze swept the room like he was in search of something, when he couldn't find what he was searching for, his brow creased. "Where is Tayla."

Walrick froze, his smile wiped off his face. " Tayla, she..."

" She what?"

" She-" his word was cut short by a sharp groan from the Alpha King who suddenly clutched his head. "What's wrong?" Walrick implored, but the Alpha King didn't respond.

At that moment, a loud thud echoed behind me, I yelped, jerking away. A startled gasp left me when I caught sight of a dead crow through the glass wall.

It was stuck to the wall, its red blood splattered over the glass walls.

The Alpha King released another howl of pain, which made me twirl so fast, my neck almost snapped.

Then it happened.

Our eyes locked and recognition crossed his face. His expression instantly twisted untill vein pooped out of his neck. "You!" He roared, making me tremble at the rage in his voice.

A sharp wind blew on my face and in a blink of an eye, the Alpha King was right before me.

Before I could say a word, he hauled me off the ground by my neck, and slammed me against the glass walls.

A shrill cry tore out of my throat.

But he didn't give me the time to recover before he wrapped his hand around my neck, he edged closer until his hot breath fanned my cheeks and his pair of violet and red eyes glared down at me.

" It was you!" His snarled. "You killed her! You killed Tayla!" His hand grip tightened.

This time, i didn't have the strength to struggle. Each breath I took was like a sharp dagger piercing into my insides. Through the haze of the pain, his words finally settled in and my stomach churned.

Did Tabitha kill someone?

~P-Lia~