Lyla
If there was one thing I knew about our world, especially how the White Moon Throne works, I know someone like Ramsey would not chase me around, begging me to come back to him.
He wouldn't want anything that would draw negative attention to him, and my status as a mutt was nothing but negative.
If people found out I was his mate, they would no doubt question his status and power. It might even start a rebellion. So, if I put enough distance between us, he would leave me alone. And the human world was perfect for that. There, I would be safe and free from all the laws binding me as a werewolf.
I had stayed up all night waiting for Ramsey to show up. But after midnight, I knew he wasn't going to come, and I felt slightly disappointed. I'd wanted one last rendezvous with him before I left.
I wanted him to remember me, and more importantly, to remember how he lost me for good. I wanted him to gnash his teeth in anger when he realized I was gone. But as usual, the Moon Goddess was on his side, and he didn't show up.
By 4 am, I was done preparing to leave. Back in the pack, a typical Omega's day starts two hours before everyone's. Since they were weaker and slower, they had to start everything extra early to meet up with all their duties for the day.
My heart pounded as I slipped out of my room, gently closing the door, careful not to make a sound. I darted through the dark corridor, using my hands on the wall as my guide as I tried to remember the entrance to the big house.
After several minutes, I finally found the door that led outside the Packhouse. Once I was outside, I took in several restorative breaths, ignoring the way my heart was hammering against my chest.
I passed several Omegas going in the opposite direction as I walked to the gate. I had done my best to look like an Omega. Oversized dress, hair packed into a bun… and I was holding a bundle of my clothes with my gaze lowered.
They didn't notice that I wasn't one of their own. But the guards were the real test.
I sucked in a deep breath and approached the first security checkpoint. The guards didn't even glance my way. I passed the second security checkpoint in the same manner.
But just as I was about to pass the last checkpoint, a familiar voice stopped me."You there, halt!"
I froze in place as Ramsey's voice reached my ears. I could hear my heart beating loudly in my ears.
What was he doing here at this time? Why was he at the gate for Moon's sake?
"Turn around and identify yourself at once!" Ramsey ordered. A few of the other Omegas passing were glancing curiously at me. I closed my eyes, trying to think of a way out. I could hear footsteps coming towards me. I didn't want things to escalate… so I turned, my gaze pointed downwards.
"What is your name?" Ramsey asked, "Are you new?"
I didn't respond. I still had my gaze on the ground.
"Are you deaf?" One of the guard on duty growled, landing a slap at the back of my neck. I doubled backwards with pain, holding my neck.
I still didn't say anything, and my gaze was still downwards. From the corner of my eyes, I saw Ramsey leave the security post where he was standing and started towards me. When he got to where I was, he raised my head.
Our gaze met and held… I held my breath as his eyes bore into mine, recognition flashing in them for a second. He dropped his hands as he stared at me until he finally spoke.
"Going somewhere, miss?" he asked, gritting his teeth as annoyance flashed in his eyes.
"Yes!" I squared my shoulders. "I'm going home. My parents would be worried about me and I didn't come with my phone. There's no way to communicate with them."
"Then why are you sneaking around and why are you dressed like an Omega?" he asked, his eyes flickering all over my body. "Weren't you informed of the prior engagement you had today? I don't know how you lived your life before, but around here, we make plans before we do anything."
Some of the guards were staring at us curiously, and I also noticed that Ramsey was becoming uncomfortable. Suddenly, he reached for my arm and grabbed me.
"Let's continue this conversation elsewhere," he said.
I shook him off, the initial fear I felt gone. Here, in front of these people, he would not do anything rash.
"I'm sorry, Alpha!" I bowed my head. "But I cannot go back with you. I need to go home to my parents today. It's been 48 hours since I left the house. They must be worried."
"Don't do this, Lillian!" he said through gritted teeth. "This is neither the time nor the place. Let's go in and talk about this!"
"This is the perfect time and place, Alpha Ramsey," I hissed. "I'm going to give you two options, my dear Alpha… one, you let me go in peace. I'm not even asking anything from you. I'll walk out of that gate and you'd never see me again. Second, if you try to force me to go in with you, I'm going to announce to everyone here…that I am your mate."
His eyes widened with surprise and for a moment, I saw fear flash through them… which didn't surprise me much. With the way I was dressed, announcing myself as his mate would make people think question his sanity.
"And if they don't believe me, I will show them your mark on my neck. I heard that when a Lycan mates with you and marks you, it shines in the dark. We could test that theory since the sun is not up!"
"Don't be foolish, Lilian!" he growled with annoyance, as he grabbed my arm again, "Do you know how far your pack is from the White Mountains? Are you planning to walk all the way there? Fine! If you want to leave that badly, how about I ask someone to drive you? Just come and let…"
I shook his arm off me again, taking a step backwards. "I'll be fine, Alpha. Just let me go. How I get home is none of your business…."
"It is not safe outside, Lilian!" he barked again. I could tell he was frustrated. "We had feral attacks last night. Why else did you think I didn't show up? In case you haven't noticed, we're trying to move the Omegas in the lower villages into the protective walls of the Packhouse. You don't know what could be out there. Don't be fucking foolish!"
"For the last time, Alpha!" I was getting angry now. "My name is Lyla and not Lilian, and I'd rather die in the hands of those feral wolves than be in the same space as you. Besides, what is it to you? Whether I live or die? How does it affect you?"
"You're my mate for Moon's sake!" he snapped, nearly losing control, but then he took a deep breath and tried to speak calmly. "If anything happens to you at this point… it'll affect me. Don't you understand?"
I thought he was going to give a long speech about how much he cared for me and all, but to think he was looking out for himself.
How did I end up with a jerk like this? I must have done something bad in my past life to be punished with a mate like this.
"No, you won't!" I responded. "Have you forgotten that I have no wolf? Technically, there's no bond between us, so even if I die…" I trailed off, trying to fight the tears that had gathered at the corner of my eyes, "You won't feel a thing, Ramsey. So please, just let me go!"
I turned to leave, but he grabbed me, only to be interrupted by a voice.
"Is something wrong?"
When I turned, it was a grey-haired man, that seemed like the older version of Alpha Ramsey. His gaze darted from me to Ramsey, who had long removed his hand from me and had taken a step backwards, putting distance between us.
"No!" Ramsey shook his head. "She's nobody. You shouldn't be up already," he started saying as he moved to the man. "Remember what the healer said…."
My heart squeezed with pain as I watched him walk towards the grey-haired man, without bothering to look at me. He had denied me in public… once again… Ramsey had proven that I was nothing but a dent to him.
Well, this nobody had no business remaining here.
Wiping the tear that had rolled down my cheek, I turned and made my way out the third gate.