"Juno. Baby"
Liam's voice felt so far away.
He came to cradle me on the floor I was literally hurdled up on.
His eyes red from crying, his hands trembling just a little.
"Jun. I am sorry. I am so sorry, Junni. I had to reject you. Bryer is my blood, I had no choice. Are you alright?"
Am I alright?
Did he just ask me that?
"Get your hands off me, please" I whispered. Too terrified to speak louder because of the mind blowing pain I was going through.
I pulled myself up even though all I wanted to do was burrow deeper into his arms, to be comforted by the one person I wanted more than anyone in the world.
All I wanted was to be held by him but his stench of betrayal was enough to repel me.
"Someone get her out of my sight!" Alpha Carsten ordered.
Liam came forward, like there was a way in hell I would let him touch me.
I mustered all the strength I could find and I shoved him so hard that he staggered a little before catching his footing.
"Juno…"
The amount of surprise in his voice at my behavior was palatable. Like shoving him was uncalled for.
He broke my heart, what was he expecting?
A baked cake and some french kiss?
"Juno"
For a moment, our eyes locked.
Have you ever been let down by someone who you thought that come rain or high water he would stand by you?
It's sucks!
It is a heartbreaking feeling to find out that your 'always and forever' is just another spineless coward.
At that very moment, I wished Lee death and everything in between.
"Juno…I love you. I'm in pain too, please understand" He said in ASL.
I stand up even though every bone, every artery and every vein in me screamed in protest.
"Do me a favor, Lee. Go screw yourself" I said in ASL before my uncle grabbed me roughly and nudged me to start walking towards home.
**
My life ended yesterday.
Not that the life I had before that was a bed of roses but until sixteen hours ago, my biggest tragedy was that my uncle murdered my father when I was three years old.
It was an accident, he keeps telling everyone with ears to hear.
I mean I understand accidentally shooting your older brother in the head at point blank range on a hunting trip but accidentally marrying his widow and having two children with her is really pushing it, don't you think?
Which means I am a freak of nature who has two cousins as half siblings.
But barring from my family's tendency to murder one another…I was fairly loved by everyone…yesterday.
I am considered beautiful with my auburn hair and greenest shade of green for an eye color.
Actually, the saying in Hellsgate whenever someone is pretty is…that girl is almost as pretty as Juno Rodriguez.
I loved my life.
I had a boyfriend, Liam Carsten who was waiting till I was eighteen to announce that I was his mate.
Hell, I was supposed to be the future Luna of Hellgate since Liam was the Alpha's heir.
That was the life I planned for.
It wasn't much…you know.
Hellsgate, just like the name was just a stone throw from hell.
We were neither rich or powerful or even successful in the very least, our Alpha's a mechanic and our richest member owns a Toyota Camry.
Most of us lived in a trailer park and those that don't, have leaky roofs during storms but I looked forward to eighteen.
Yet Eighteen came a few hours ago, and not only was I not Liam's future mate…my whole life went to shit.
Sixteen hours ago, I was everyone's favorite person…and now, I am the outcast…the rejected …the hunted.
Sixteen hours ago, I had a chance to do something very bad to save the Alpha's son…Liam's brother, Bryer Carsten but I chose not to.
And now, the Alpha has made it my fault that his youngest son lost his limp to a rival pack and for his pound of flesh, he might have as well given his blessing to anyone who wants to have a go at me to do so as they pleased.
I have fallen out of favor.
Even Liam can't help me…he is too busy being a backstabbing disappointment.
*
When I got home, most of my belongings were waiting for me outside alongside, a life size cut out of my dead father - a jab I made at Russell when I was sixteen years old.
He killed my Dad, he should learn how to live with it, shouldn't he?
I stopped near the orchids, my eyes falling on three bags on the ground, a basket filled with childhood teddy bears and a vintage backpack.
"What is going on?" I asked him.
Russell came closer to me.
His big green eyes fixated on me like polka dots.
I hate how much of him I see in myself. Our resemblance is uncanny - same nose, the same jaw structure, same lips - difference was in our eyes.
He has the eyes of a killer - I might be biased but that's my opinion anyway.
"Why are my things outside, Uncle Russell?" I ask him.
"Your mother and I thought it would be wise for you to stay somewhere else until everything blows over, Kiddo"
Kiddo? What is this? Nickelodeon special?!
Why is he calling me kiddo when my belongings are right there on the ground?
I turned around and looked at him. I really needed clarification.
"I'm sorry but it sounds like you are kicking me out of my own father's house, Uncle Russell"