Rhea.
I woke up suddenly, feeling shocked and confused. I had passed out from working too hard. I saw Remus sitting right beside me. He was holding my hand gently, waiting for me to wake up. His presence alone was shocking, but he wasn't the only one there. Beside him was a man I didn't recognize. And then I saw my sister Aria and my mother, both in the room with me. My mother was crying, tears streaming down her face.
She was crying because I had just told them what Alpha Damien and Rosy had done to me. It took so much for me to say those words. I couldn't speak up. I don't know why, but it was like my voice was trapped inside me. I couldn't tell my mother, I couldn't even tell my sister, even though I was hurting so much. I hid the scars on my body, never letting anyone see them. I never talked about it, never let myself think about it. I kept myself busy with thoughts of the wedding, and sometimes I would wonder where Remus was and if he thought of me too.
But now, Remus was here, right in front of me. He was just staring at me with an expression I couldn't quite understand. He looked angry, really angry, but not at me. He was angry with Alpha Damien. The room was so quiet, except for my mother's soft sobs. I felt so many emotions at once – relief, fear, sadness, and a strange kind of hope.
I looked at Remus again. His eyes were filled with a mix of anger and something else. Maybe it was concern, or maybe it was pain from seeing me like this. I didn't know. But I felt a little safer knowing he was here. I tried to squeeze his hand, to let him know I was grateful, but I was so weak. All I could do was lie there and look at him.
"Rhea," he calls out my name softly while he stroking my hand with his thumb. I inhale gently, his voice sipping into my whole body and making me warm. I stare into his brown eyes, recalling everything that happened between us from the first day I ever knew him. I can still hear his moans, his heavy breaths in my ears. I swallow hard and exhale, trying to compose myself.
"I want you to come home with me. I can keep you safe there and no one dares to touch you while you're with me," he tells me. I jerk back, snatching my hand away. It takes me a long moment to register what he is saying and what he means. I look at my mother and she is as shocked as I am. I shake my head immediately and turn my gaze back to Remus. He gives me his pleading eyes, but I keep shaking my head.
"I... I really want to take action for what Alpha Damien did to my daughter because this is unacceptable but we're powerless. And we might end up losing our home. So, Rhea, I think Remus is right. You should go with him. I don't know much about him but I feel like I can trust him with you and he'll keep you safe," my mother speaks softly.
I look at Remus and he is still giving me a pleading look. I glance at my mother, Aria, and the guy standing behind them. It seems like everyone wants me to go with Remus. I am afraid and against it but... I know my mother. She'd choose what's best for me. I always believe her instincts, I always believe she'd choose what is best for me.
I heave a sigh and rest my gaze on Remus, who looks torn between hope and despair. My heart races, pounding loudly in my chest. I try to think clearly, but the fear and uncertainty cloud my mind. Every fiber of my being screams to run away, to refuse, but my mother's calm and hopeful face keeps me grounded. She has always known what's best for me, always protected me, and now she trusts Remus.
"Rhea, I promise I will protect you. You don't have to be afraid anymore," he says, his voice steady and reassuring. The sincerity in his eyes makes my resolve waver. I look back at my mother, her eyes filled with a mixture of concern and encouragement. She gives me a slight nod, silently urging me to trust Remus.
I feel a lump form in my throat as I take a deep breath. The weight of the decision feels overwhelming. But deep down, I know that staying here is not an option. Alpha Damien's actions have shattered the safety and peace I once knew. Remus offers a chance for something different, something better.
I was about to speak when the door to our living room swings open. My heart jumps to my throat because it is Alpha Damien and Rosy. I swallow hard, grasping Remus's hand without even realizing it until he places his other hand on mine. I look down at our hands, then look up at Alpha Damien. He glances at me once and then looks at Remus, who has his eyes on me.
"I thought you'd left until I was told you were here," Alpha Damien says. I duck my head down and sigh softly, feeling a sudden wave of embarrassment wash over me.
"I am taking Rhea home with me as my mate," Remus announces without hesitation. My stomach drops to the ground when he says that. I look at Alpha Damien and Rosy and see the sudden shock on their faces. They look at each other, then look at me and Remus. Alpha Damien frowns and moves forward.
"No one is leaving this pack premises without my permission, not even you if I don't want..." Alpha Damien begins.
"Don't cross a path you have zero power in," the man behind Remus cuts in.
"Um... if I may speak," my mother steps in. "He... Remus, chose my daughter as his mate and he's leaving with her. I have given them my blessings already. They are leaving any moment," she says to Alpha Damien. He looks at Remus in awe.
"Her? You're choosing her out of the thousand beautiful girls out there? She is just an omega, she's nothing but a servant to the palace of the Silvermoon pack," Alpha Damien mocks me, and I can hear Rosy giggling.
"I don't care what you see her as or what you take her as. Rhea is now my mate, and I am taking her home tonight, and that's final!" Remus concludes, now facing Alpha Damien. They are both fuming and sending daggers at each other. I just sit there looking at them. Then Rosy steps in, pulling Alpha Damien away.
"So what if he wants to take her with him? Why do you care? She isn't of any use anyways. You can take her with you for all we care. Or does she add any value to our pack, hmm?" Rosy speaks. Alpha Damien looks at me, and I look back before he looks at Remus again.
"I don't want to see her before sunrise," Alpha Damien declares and then storms towards the exit. Rosy gives me a mocking smile before going after him. I hear Remus sigh before turning back to me.
"We should get going then," he says, looking at me.
I slowly nod my head, trying to not act like I wasn't hurt about what Alpha Damien said about me earlier. "I need to freshen up and pack my things first," I tell him, trying to get off the couch. Aria helps me up and takes me to our room, with our mother trailing behind.
As I walk down the hallway, my heart pounds louder. I still can't believe what just happened. The tension in the living room was thick, and I felt like I could barely breathe. When we reach our room, my mother close the door behind us and I take a deep breath. The familiar surroundings bring me a small sense of comfort. Aria and I start gathering my things, my hands shaking slightly.
My mother watches me with sad eyes but doesn't say anything. She knows how hard this is for me. Aria stands close, helping me. I grab my favorite dress and a few personal items, stuffing them into a small bag. My mind races with thoughts of the future. What will it be like living with Remus? Will I ever see my family again?
These thoughts really make me have second thoughts. And to top things up, I never once imagined that I'd be with another man outside Silvermoon pack and move away. I feel my throat clog and ache with buckled tears. I swallow them down and continue packing.
"Here," my mother says, taking the dress from my hand. She folds it neatly and places it in my bag. "Go take a shower," she tells me. I nod and do as she says.
I walk into the bathroom, turn on the shower, and strip naked. I take a deep breath and adjust the water temperature to something more comfortable.
As the water runs over me, I start to think about what my life will be like if I move to Remus's pack. I don't even know the name of his pack. I don't know anything about his home. Do I even know his last name? All I know about him is his name, Remus. These thoughts make me question whether I really want to go or not. But deep down in my heart, leaving Alpha Damien and his wife behind would be the greatest decision I've ever made.
Because I still have feelings for Alpha Damien despite how much he hates me and how he humiliated me when he rejected me as his fated mate and chose Rosy instead. I want to stop loving him because I am now Remus's mate, and it wouldn't be fair to be with Remus while loving another man.
I wash my body thoroughly, feeling the little burn from the open scars on my back. My body still aches, everything aches, but the shower really helps.
I step out of the shower, wrap a towel around my chest, and walk out of the bathroom. I find my mother and Aria have already finished packing my things. I smile because I don't have much. I don't think I even have up to ten dresses because we are poor and work so hard to have a decent life.
I look at my packed bags and feel a strange mix of emotions. Excitement, fear, hope, and sadness all swirl inside me. I'm leaving everything I've ever known, but maybe this is my chance to start fresh. I dry myself off and put on some clothes, feeling the fabric rub against my sore skin.
My mother looks at me with a mixture of worry and love. "Are you ready?" she asks softly.
I nodded as I took a deep breath and then hug her tightly. "I'll miss you," I whisper, tears threatening to spill.
"I'll miss you too, Rhea. Be strong, and trust Remus. He will take care of you," she says, her voice steady but filled with emotion.
Aria hugs me next, and I can feel her trying to hold back her tears. "I love you, Rhea. Be safe," she says.
"I love you too, Aria," I reply, my voice trembling.
With my bag in hand, I walk back to the living room where Remus is waiting. He looks at me with a mixture of concern and was it love? "Ready?" he asks softly.
The man who was with Remus stepped forward and took my bag with a smile. I looked back at my mother and sister. My mom looked so worried, but she smiled at me and urged me to follow Remus. My eyes filled with tears again, and I rushed into her arms, hugging her tightly.
"It's okay, my love," my mother soothed, gently rubbing my back. "You are safe now, I can feel it," she whispered.
I held onto her for a moment longer, trying to draw strength from her warmth. I didn't want to let go, but I knew I had to. Finally, I pulled away, wiping my tears. My sister stepped forward and hugged me too.
"Be strong," she whispered. "We'll be okay here. Just take care of yourself."
I nodded, feeling a mix of fear and comfort. I turned back to Remus, who was waiting patiently. His presence was strong and reassuring, and I knew I could trust him.