Chapter 8

Verity's chest heaved as she pounded the pavement, her breaths coming in ragged gasps. She pushed herself harder, her legs pumping with a fierce determination. Her heart raced as she darted through the dark lanes, her mind consumed with fear that Alpha Maurius's people would catch her. But as she emerged onto the bustling city roads, she realized that her fears were misplaced. For it was not the powerful Alpha Astadel she should be wary of, but the treacherous people who roamed around her.

They kept a watchful eye out for her, their senses heightened with the knowledge of Alpha Nero's heinous crime. Despite her complete innocence, the deranged individuals before her adamantly refuse to accept her truth.

She stood there, frozen in fear, as the realization hit her like a ton of bricks. The lycan lying lifeless at her feet was none other than the son of Alpha Maurius, the leader of the pack. She knew that she was the cause of his demise, and the weight of that knowledge was almost too much to bear.

Her lack of knowledge on the matter was due to her limited social interactions with them, as well as their apparent reluctance to engage with her in such a manner.

She ran barefoot, her soles pounding against the rough terrain beneath her. Verity breathed a sigh of relief, grateful that she had held on.

As she gazed ahead, her eyes fell upon the entrance to the forest, beckoning her to enter its depths. With a sense of urgency, she reached for the concealed shotgun and took off running once more.

As the sun began to dip below the horizon, she finally arrived at her humble cabin in the woods. With a sense of relief, she swiftly secured the gate and bolted the door shut, eager to be safely inside before the night fully descended. Her chest rose and fell rapidly, each inhale and exhale sounding like a gust of wind.

She gasped in shock, her hand flying to her mouth as her eyes widened in disbelief. She whispered to herself, "What kind of trouble have I gotten into?" while crouching in the basement of her cabin.

Verity's grip on the shotgun was firm, her knuckles white with tension. Her teeth sank into her lower lip, a nervous habit she couldn't seem to shake.

Beads of perspiration trickled down the girl's forehead, dampening her hair and clinging to her skin. Despite her gnawing hunger, Verity remained resolute in her determination to prioritize her life above all else.

"Get out of there! You are a witch just like your parents!" Verity's heart leaped in her chest at the sudden cry that pierced the stillness outside her cabin.

With a trembling hand, the girl closed her eyes, her heart pounding in her chest. Little did she know that the path she had chosen would lead her to this very moment, trapped in a never-ending cycle of chaos and confusion.

All she had ever yearned for was a moment of respite, a chance to bask in the tranquility of solitude and find solace in the company of a kindred spirit. Yet, fate had other plans in store for her, and now she found herself caught in the relentless wheel of life, unable to break free from its unyielding grip.

"You are to blame for the death of the last Alpha heir! You weren't pleased with the firstborn Alpha, so you followed the youngest! Get out! Your family is more vicious than a beast!" Verity stood there, her ears attuned to the piercing screams that filled the air.

She didn't need to see the source of the commotion to know that something terrible was happening. The sound alone was enough to send shivers down her spine. She remained rooted to the spot, her heart racing as she listened to the cacophony of terror.

The litany of grievances that spilled forth from their lips centered on the perceived shortcomings of her parents, and more pointedly, herself. Her lips quivered as she listened to the words that threatened to draw blood. She longed to defend herself, to speak out against the injustice of it all, but she knew that stepping out of the cabin door would mean certain death.

Verity's ears perked up at the sound of a loud crash that echoed throughout the house. Her heart raced with the possibility that they were closing in on her, hurling rocks at the walls in an attempt to intimidate her.

The young woman instinctively brought her hand to her lips, concealing any sound that might escape. Verity paused, closing her eyes as she fervently prayed.

As she stood there, her thoughts raced like wild horses. "I hope I didn't run away from Alpha Astadel," she whispered to herself, her heart pounding in her chest.

She made the decision to stand by the side of the ruthless Alpha, believing it to be the safest option. Her heart ached with regret as she thought back to the moment she had parted ways with him.

She longed to be by his side once again, to feel the warmth of his embrace and the comfort of his presence. If only she could turn back time and make a different choice, but sadly, the past was set in stone and all she could do was yearn for his company.

'If there is hope, please...please come to me right immediately. I want to live more,' she told herself while her house was plundered. "Burn her house!"

Verity's eyes grew wide with shock as she heard their next words. Trepidation coursed through the young girl's veins, her heart pounding with fear.

The enraged crowd shouted in unison, their voices echoing through the night. The flames of the burning house illuminated their faces, twisted with rage and hatred.

"Burn her together with the house!" they repeated, their demand growing louder and more insistent. It was a terrifying sight, the people's fury threatening to consume everything in its path. Once more, their voices erupted in a cacophony of sound. The cruelty of these individuals was palpable.

Verity rose from her seat, her heart racing with the urgency of escape. She made a desperate attempt to flee her humble abode, but was met with a cruel and unexpected fate. The ruthless assailants had already set her cabin ablaze, leaving her with little hope of survival.

Her humble abode, constructed solely of timber, was set ablaze with haste.

They ensured that the door, the sole means of escape available to her, was the first to be engulfed in flames. Smoke billowed both inside and outside of her cabin. Verity's heart sank as she gazed upon the flames, hungrily devouring the fruits of her labor.

All the hard work, the sweat and tears, now reduced to nothing but ash and smoke. She stood there, frozen in disbelief, as the inferno continued to rage on.

"Heartless!" exclaimed the girl from within the cabin, while the people outside were happy with what they had done. Verity's heart raced as she beheld the flames dancing across various sections of the cabin. Fear gripped her tightly, causing her to tremble as she watched the blaze grow in intensity.

Trepidation seized the girl as she swallowed hard. The flames licked hungrily at the wooden door, charring it black and sending plumes of smoke billowing into the air. The crackling of the fire echoed through the room, drowning out all other sounds as it consumed everything in its path. Her eyes darted around the room, searching for any possible escape route.

Verity's forehead glistened with beads of sweat as she paced back and forth across the cramped cabin. Her heart raced with a frenzied beat as she tried to calm her racing thoughts. The young girl continued to bounce on the balls of her feet, her body wracked with panic. She was so distraught that she resorted to pulling at her own hair.

"These heinous individuals!" A piercing scream escaped her lips. Verity's eyes darted around the room, searching for an escape route. She nervously nibbled on her lower lip, her mind racing with possibilities.

As she gazed upon the window, her heart skipped a beat. It was her only means of escape from the confines of her room.

The window remained intact, defying the flames that raged around it. With a shiver running down her spine, the girl reached for the blanket and dipped it into the cool water from her bathroom.

She draped the damp fabric over her body, feeling the moisture seep through her clothes and onto her skin. She searched frantically for a means to prevent suffocation and the scorching flames from engulfing her. Her heart raced with anticipation as she contemplated the task before her.

She took a deep breath and braced herself for what was to come. Notwithstanding, the sound of raucous laughter and derisive taunts from the individuals outside reached her ears. Above all else, ensuring her safety remained her utmost concern. She needs to get out alive.

"I'll make a promise when I get out of here. Those guys will be held responsible for burning down my cottage and almost killing me!" Her voice echoed through the room, reaching their ears with a force that made them flinch.

The window loomed before her, opening to the inside of her cabin. She hesitated, knowing full well that those who had ravaged her home were waiting for her within. Yet, she had no other option. With a deep breath, she steeled herself and climbed through the window.

She released her grip on the shotgun, realizing that it would impede her escape if she attempted to carry it with her.

Verity whispered to herself, "You can make it, you have to." With a deep breath, she leaped out of the window, her heart pounding in her chest.

When she got out, Verity turned over. As she stumbled forward, her hips collided with the unforgiving ground. The palm of her hand bore the marks of her struggle, scratched and bruised from the weight of her body.

The petite and vivacious young lady caught the eye of many with her attackers. However, when she stumbled and tumbled to the ground, a resounding splash echoed through the air, drawing the attention of all those around her.

Verity shut her eyes tightly as the fire consumed her cabin, leaving nothing but ash and smoke in its wake. Verity attempted to rise to her feet, but the searing agony coursing through her body forced her to quickly sink back down onto the ground. She recoiled in pain.

Her fate was one of perpetual misfortune. "The monster is incredibly fortunate!" they exclaimed.

Verity's heart raced as she contemplated the inevitable outcome of her daring escape from the confines of her own home. She knew all too well what awaited her if she managed to survive the treacherous journey ahead.

Yet another challenge lay before them, a formidable obstacle that demanded their unwavering determination and unyielding perseverance. As Verity slowly opened her eyes, she was met with the sight of a group of individuals encircling her. Their lips curled into a sinister smirk, revealing a glint of malice in their eyes.

"Do you think you can save yourself?" one of them sneered.

Verity remained silent. She saw that the persons in front of her seemed to be devils rather than humans. The flickering light of the torches illuminated their faces, casting eerie shadows on the surroundings. Some of them clutched weapons tightly, while others wielded baseball bats with a menacing air. She felt their piercing stares bore into her very soul.

As the brutal blow landed on her delicate features, she crumpled to the ground in a heap. She reclined onto the soft surface beneath her, allowing her body to sink into the plushness.

Verity gazes up at the vast expanse of the night sky. The inky blackness of the night sky was devoid of any twinkling stars, leaving only the pale glow of the moon to illuminate the world below.

Pain shot through Verity's body as a pair of feet collided with her side, causing her to let out a guttural groan. She was suddenly engulfed by a stampede of bodies, each one jostling and pushing against the other in a frenzied rush. Her once-beautiful face was now marred by the imprint of someone else's foot, and the searing pain of a torch held by another had left its mark upon her skin.

Verity's hopelessness grew with each passing moment. A single tear escaped her eye, tracing a path down her cheek. Soon, her eyes were brimming with tears, and they began to flow freely down her face. Her voice trembled as she spoke, the fear evident in her eyes.

"That's enough," she repeated, her words barely above a whisper. Verity's voice trembled as she pleaded, "I ask you, I have committed no wrong against you."

She instinctively shielded herself from harm by crossing her arms over her face. The girl's desperate pleas fell on deaf ears as her assailants continued their brutal assault. Verity, already battered and bruised, was subjected to even more vicious kicks and blows.

"I wish Alpha Maurius had just killed you before!" The repetition of those words echoed incessantly in their ears. Verity found herself compelled to defend her innocence even further.

"I will tell you a hundred times that I am innocent and that I did not do anything! The moon bears testimony that I have never done anything bad in my whole life!" Despite her struggles and wounds, the girl managed to convey her message to the people in her vicinity.

Her words fell on deaf ears as they remained resolute in their plan to end the girl's life.

Verity was aware of their words. Her body froze, unable to retaliate. Verity is alone, and there are a lot of them. Tears streamed down the girl's face as she let out heart-wrenching sobs.

It was a grave mistake for her to even consider returning home. After all, staying in a place where one's fate is uncertain may seem daunting, but it provides a sense of security that cannot be found elsewhere.

Verity's mouth was swiftly muffled with a piece of cloth, for she felt an overwhelming urge to scream. As she gazed upon them, her eyes grew wider. She couldn't help but notice the way their eyes gleamed with a hint of disgust.

Verity's heart raced as one of them aimed the gun he was carrying directly at her forehead. Her body was consumed by an icy chill, rendering her immobile. The mere contemplation of her own mortality had left her paralyzed, unable to muster any response.

With a firm grip on the weapon, the man's finger tightened around the trigger. A deafening shot echoed through the air as the bullet was released from its chamber. Deep within the heart of the forest, a sudden and jarring sound echoed through the trees, shattering the peaceful silence that had once reigned supreme.

A solitary tear trickled down Verity's cheek as she resigned herself to the whims of destiny. She shut her eyes tightly, bracing herself for the inevitable end. But just as she was about to succumb to the darkness, a chilling and piercing growl reverberated through the dense forest. With a sudden jolt, she snapped her eyes open, her heart pounding in her chest.

"I shall not rest until every last one of you has paid the ultimate price for the pain and suffering inflicted upon my beloved mate. Your tears shall be but a small token of the retribution that awaits all of you."