The Scarlet Night Pack’s grand hall buzzed with activity. The soft hum of conversations blended with the clinking of glasses. The lights cast a warm glow over the decorations, which were far grander than I deserved or so everyone seemed to think.
It was supposed to be my 21st birthday party, a celebration of the Luna I was meant to become. Instead, I stood near the edge of the room, feeling like an outsider at my own event.
“Where is Alpha Alex?” someone whispered nearby.
My chest tightened, but I kept my face neutral. I had heard that question too many times tonight.
“He’s with Lady Avery,” I murmured to myself even though no one was listening.
I knew Alex wasn’t coming. The Alpha had left earlier in the day after Avery conveniently claimed she wasn’t feeling well. In fact, I could already picture the scene perfectly. Her fragile voice, her hand pressed dramatically to her forehead, and Alex rushed to her side without a second thought.
‘Talia, what did I do to deserve this?’ I called out to my wolf, trying to hold back the bitterness.
Her voice was soft yet firm as she answered me, ‘You didn’t do anything wrong, Felicia. Alex doesn’t see what he’s losing. But you can’t keep waiting for that idiot Alpha to realize it.’
I sighed, glancing around the room at the gathered pack members. Their expressions ranged from pity to amusement. I hated every second of it. My wolf’s suggestion played over and over in my mind.
‘Leave,’ she said to me
As hours passed, the party dragged on. I plastered a fake smile on my face, accepting well-wishes and compliments that felt hollow. Would it be like this until I die?
When I was deep in my thoughts, Nathaniel approached me with a glass of water.
“You’re holding up better than I expected,” he said, his voice low so only I could hear.
I forced a smile as I said, “I don’t have much of a choice, do I?”
Nathaniel frowned when he heard my response.
“You shouldn’t have to endure this. It’s wrong,” he told me.
As I avoided his intense gaze, I softly said to him, “Maybe. But what can I do about it?”
The Beta seemed to hesitate as if he wanted to say more but thought better of it. Instead, he handed me the glass and walked away, leaving me alone with my thoughts. Frankly, it was better this way. After all, I wanted to be with myself.
Later that night, I escaped to the balcony. The cool air was a welcome relief from the suffocating atmosphere inside. I leaned against the railing, staring out at the dark forest beyond the pack’s territory.
‘Talia, what am I supposed to do?’ I asked my wolf.
Again, my wolf firmly answered me, ‘Leave. This isn’t your home. It never was.’
Tears began streaming from my eyes. Since I was alone, I didn’t need to pretend to look tough. I was done with all of that.
“But where would I go?” I whispered aloud.
However, I didn’t realize someone had joined me until I heard Nathaniel’s voice behind me, calling me, “Lady Felicia.”
I turned quickly and wiped my tears.
“What are you doing out here?” I asked.
As the Beta stepped closer, he answered, “I could ask you the same thing, Lady Felicia. You looked like you needed a break.”
I couldn’t help but chuckle at his response. The man was right, though. I really needed a break.
While I looked back at the deep forest, I quietly told him, “It’s my birthday yet I feel more invisible than ever.”
“You’re not invisible to me,” he said quietly.
The moment Nathaniel said it, I couldn’t help but glance at him. Indeed, I was surprised by the sincerity in his voice. That made me want to know why would he act nicely to me.
“Why do you care so much?” I asked him.
Nathaniel leaned against the railing beside me as he gazed his eyes at me before he answered, “Well, it’s because I see what they’re doing to you. Alex and Avery ... they’re humiliating you. It’s not right.”
I laughed bitterly as I retorted, “What can I do? I’m just a useless girl that is forced to be Alex’s Luna and he would discard me as soon as I give him a son and my pack. Then, he’ll make Avery his Luna.”
Nathaniel shook his head as he told me, “You’re more than that. Actually, you don’t have to stay here and take this.”
“What choice do I have, Beta?” I asked, my voice breaking.
The Beta went quiet for a while before he spoke again, “You have a choice, Lady Felicia. Run away with me.” he said firmly.
My heart stopped at what he just said.
I couldn’t help but ask, “What did you just say?”
Nathaniel stepped closer as his expression became serious.
“I’m saying we should leave. This pack isn’t what it used to be. Alex is dragging it down, and he’s dragging you down with it. You deserve better than this, my lady,” he told me.
I stared at the Beta as my mind raced at the thought of leaving this pack away.
Again, I asked him, “You’re asking me to abandon my pack? To become a rogue?”
He quikcly answered my questions, “It wouldn’t be forever, surely. We could find a new pack, start over somewhere else. You wouldn’t have to endure this anymore.”
“And what about you, Beta? What about your duties?” I asked.
Nathaniel’s jaw tightened as he responded by saying, “My loyalty was to a strong Alpha who cared about his pack. Alex stopped being that a long time ago. I’m not going to stand by and watch him ruin everything.”
His words echoed in my mind. Frankly, his words were both terrifying and tempting. For years, I had endured Alex’s coldness, Avery’s cruelty, and the Scarlet Night Pack’s apathy. The thought of leaving this pack was like a lifeline.
I called out to my wolf as I asked her, ‘Talia, what do you think?’
‘I think he’s right. We deserve better than this. Take the chance, Felicia,’ Talia replied.
“But what if it’s a mistake?” I asked, which was more to myself than anyone else.
Nathaniel placed his steady hand gently on my shoulder as he replied, “It’s not a mistake. Staying here would be the mistake.”
The only thing I could do was to take a deep breath with my chest tight with emotion.
“If we do this, we’ll be outcasts. We won’t have anywhere to go,” I said to him
“We’ll figure it out. Together,” Nathaniel said confidently.
I hesitated as the weight of the decision pressed down on me. However, I thought of Alex and Avery who kept humiliating me. Deep in my heart, I knew Talia was right.
“Okay,” I said finally, my voice barely above a whisper.
The Beta’s eyes widened as he heard my response.
He repeated as he asked, “Okay?”
I nodded with a small spark of hope flickering in my chest as I said, “I’ll leave with you.”
For the first time in years, I felt like I had a choice. It was terrifying, but it was also liberating. I didn’t know what the future held, but I knew one thing for sure. I was done waiting for things to get better.
I was choosing to fight for my own happiness. No matter what price I had to pay, I would do it. After all, I didn’t wish to be treated like this ever again.
