CHAPTER 2

= Shekinah's POV =

The look on his face when he banged the door behind me.

That was two weeks ago and I swear I can never forget that face he gave me.

What did I say that was so wrong? I was simply giving a suggestion…I'm used to speaking about political affairs because my dad always made me tag along while he discussed his affairs with his kinsmen.

"But this isn't your father's house, is it?!" The veins on his neck were throbbing.

Yes, it isn't. Infact this entire pack has made it their duty to always remind me of how forgotten and disregarded my parents are.

It's not my fault my parents sacrificed a great deal so I could still be alive and well today, but no one sees that and remembers them only for the one mistake they did - that cost them their life and now, my reputation.

What did he say?

"I've told you not to move around anyhow as you like in this house. Why is that so hard for you to understand? Do you want to embarrass me in front of my colleagues?!"

But he really meant that my presence alone embarrassed him in front of his friends. I heard what that yellow teethed one said…yes, I am the accursed wrench.

I never wanted anyone to marry me out of pity. I hate being pitied with all my might.

The moon goddess, certainly with her own agenda, took pity on me and granted me a mate, Almando, one of the fearless and renowned generals of our pack's army. But Almando has struggled to accept me. I have been asking him why he treats me worse than an animal but he never gives me a satisfactory answer. I seriously don't know what he wants me to do. I didn't want a mate. I still don't want a mate. I've never wanted anyone to remind me that I was shunned in the pack. I can't help but wonder, why would you give me, goddess, someone like him if you wanted to ease my pain? Someone who's adding more pain to my life?

As I wander down the familiar streets, the painful memories of the past comes flooding back. Each step I take echoes with the whispers of the passerbys and neighbours I had left behind to stay with Almando. They believe my existence is a burden and a constant reminder of my parents' sacrifice gone wrong.

As I continue walking along the road, I can no longer ignore the glances people cast in my direction.

Why do these people see me this way?

They gawk at me with both curiosity and disdain and I can hear the hushed snarky comments that follow me like a shadow. It is as if my mere presence stirs something in them, something they can't quite understand or accept.

Their judgemental gazes on me weigh me down as each quickened step I take only makes me more anxious. Being around them is a constant reminder of my outsider status in the pack. And that's why I've always preferred being alone.

No friends, no family, noone. I've been living like this for years, so it isn't a new feeling.

I wipe away the tears that blur my vision, but they keep flowing.

The night is cold, but my heart is colder.

I find myself on the Silkin Road. The road sign is too rusty but I can recognise the closed coffee store from miles away. I had once walked together on this road with a man I believe to be my former mate. We had talked about our dreams, fears and hopes. His face is a blur and his name, forgotten. I sense him in dreams but never get to see what he looks like.

Though, I do know for sure there was once a time I actually knew someone who loved me despite how I was treated by my community and for who I am.

Now, it is all shattered. The moon above seems to mock me as its silver glow casts caricature shadows on the ground I walk on.

I collapse onto the doorstep of my old home, the place where my parents had lived and died. The pain of their loss is still fresh and their faces are sewed in my memory. They had given everything for my survival and pack, and yet it seems the world prefers to dishonour their legacy.

The house doesn't seem occupied and I'm relieved. I push the door and surprisingly, it opens and I stagger inside, slamming it shut behind me.

The wind whispers a mournful tune through the trees that sounds like the ache in my heart. I cry until my tears run dry and my sobs blend with the echoes of my past.

The nights turn to days, but I can't find the strength to move. It's as if I have been abandoned by the world, left to grieve in solitude that I've been accustomed to.

And in this solitude, I can't help but wonder if there is any place for me in this world, where my existence isn't a constant reminder of my parents' sacrifice and my own flaws.

The moon goddess has granted me a mate in Almando, but it seems even she can't erase the scars of my past and the rejection I face from my pack.

•••

Almando comes himself to meet me. I can feel the tension in the air as soon as I sense him approaching and he then knocks on my door.

I murmur something, too tired to form intelligible words out my mouth.

He keeps on banging the door while I sit opposite and watch, quietly.

It stops.

Please, let him be gone.

No; the door shatters in my front and I see him standing where it once stood, heaving at me.

With three steps, he's already standing over me.

"I've been trying to reach you for the past 5 days. Where's your phone?"

I don't answer or look at me. My hands are hugging my knees pulled to my chest. I hear him throw away what sounds like my phone to the wall. The sound on impact makes me flinch.

"What is your problem?!"

I'm sitting there, ignoring his shouts. I don't want to listen to him anymore. I can't.

"Where have you been? Do you have any idea how worried I've been? You can't just disappear like that, Shekinah!" He's angry now. He grabs my arm and pulls me to my feet.

I finally look at him and return his anger with fire in my eyes. "You think you can just waltz back in here and start bossing me around, Almando?"

He looks away, typical, and speaks with a cold and dismissive voice, "I wouldn't have to if you didn't keep disappearing like this. I'm your mate, Shekinah."

I scoff, unimpressed by his assertion. "Mate? You've never acted like it. You're just a general who thinks he can control everything."

His jaw clenches, and his tone turns icy. "You have no idea the responsibilities I bear for this pack. It's not all about you, Shekinah."

I shake my head in frustration. "It's never about me, is it? I'm just the reminder of your-."

His patience wears thin, and he snaps, cutting my sentence short, "Stop being so self-pitying! You're not the victim here."

I glare at him, "Oh, I'm not? You've humiliated me in front of everyone countless times, and now you're lecturing me?"

He takes a step closer, his eyes still on the floor, and his voice is low and dangerous. "You need to learn your place. You can't keep running away."

I stare at him defiantly. "Running away is better than being stuck in a loveless, suffocating bond with you."

I notice his fists are balled. "You will show me respect."

I cross my arms, "Respect is earned, and you haven't earned a bit of it."

His temper flares, and he raises his voice. "You're impossible! You think you know everything."

I'm not backing down. "I know that I deserve better than the way you've treated me."

He points a finger at me, "You're the one who's made this difficult from the start." Then quickly looks away and turns back.

I've had enough of his blame. "You know what, Almando? I'm done arguing with you. I deserve happiness, and I won't find it being with you."

His face contorts with anger, and he spits out his final words. "Then leave. No one's stopping you!"

As soon as he says that, he seems to regret it and takes another step back.

"That's what I want to! That's what I did! So leave me!" I ball my fists and want to leave but he pins my shoulders to the wall and hangs his head.

"Shekinah, stop making us argue this way. It affects me...it affects me in ways you can't understand. I don't like arguing with you."

I try to wriggle out of his grasp, "Let me go! I don't want to see you! I didn't tell you to come after me. I was fine sulking in my misery alone! It's not like it bothers you."

"It does…I do care, that's why I came here." His voice becomes still and his head is still hanged.

I stare at him, "Why do you care? It's not like you've ever shown any real concern for me before."

His anger flares, and he snaps, "Don't be unreasonable, Shekinah. I've always cared about you!" He glances at me for a second and then looks away, rubbing his temple.

I scoff, not believing his words. "Cared? You've never shown it. All I've ever felt from you is rejection."

He takes a deep breath, "You don't understand. It's complicated."

"Complicated? That's your excuse for everything. You've pushed me away for so long and treated me like I don't exist, and now you want to play the concerned mate?"

His voice softens, "You know it's not like that."

I shake my head, tears welling up in my eyes. "I don't know anything anymore. I just want to be free of all this pain."

His expression changes, and he seems vulnerable for a moment. "Shekinah, I made a mistake. I'm sorry for the way I spoke to you last week…I…I want to make things right."

I look at him, the anger giving way to some hope. "Do you mean that?"

He nods and stares at me for a while. "Yes. I do."

It's when I notice his eyes have two different colours.

He quickly looks away when he realises I've noticed.

Tears stream down my face as I finally let my guard down. "Everyone in this pack hates me. Everyday I feel so condemned just living my life, knowing fully well no-one here wishes me well…"

"No one can hurt you. I'll protect you."

I scoff, "Protect me…" then look at him, "Why would I care about others hurting me when you do that to me all day in that hell house of yours?!"

He sighs, frustrated.

"Shekinah, let's go…"

"No! I'm not following you anywhere! Just let me be!"

I start to hear low growls coming from him.

He grabs my arm and practically drags me to his car. Without any explanation, he shoves me inside and barks at the driver to take me to his house. My heart races as I try to make sense of the emotions pounding in me. I'm wondering what has just happened and what is waiting for me at his house.

I glance at him outside the window and he's staring back.

His eyes do have two different colours.

Dark blue and emerald green.

And they're burning with an intensity I also feel for him.

+++++

= (Unknown POV) =

I am deep in the forest and feel close to the territory of the Menorah Pack. The night is quiet and the moon is casting a prismatic glow through the dense trees. My heart pounds as I check the map and realize I am getting closer to my target.

Suddenly, I spot a friendly-looking werewolf man collecting herbs nearby. I approach cautiously, concealing my true intentions. I need directions to my prey, and this werewolf seems like the perfect source of information.

"Excuse me, sir, I seem to be lost. Could you give me directions to the nearest town?"

I get his attention. He looks up at me and seems to sizes me up with his gaze. I know I look intimidating; that's what I want. Though, he doesn't seem to be as scared as strangers get when they see me for the first time.

"You seem in quite a hurry, sir. Anything important waiting for you in town?" His voice is crispy and I immediately hate it as soon as I hear it.

Annoyed, I spit, "That's none of your business. Just give me the directions."

"I'm just curious, sir. What brings you to these parts? Hunting anything in particular?"

My forehead crinkles. "Why do you ask so many questions? Just tell me the way."

"No need to be defensive, sir. I'm just a friendly local trying to make conversation with a tourist."

"I'm not a tourist and I don't have time for chit chat."

With a polite smile, he says, "Alrighty.., just head down this road, take a left at the intersection, and you'll find the town about ten miles ahead."

I'm too impatient for that. "Ten miles? Are you sure there's no shortcut? I don't have all day."

Maintaining his composure, he replies, "I'm sorry, but that's the quickest way. You'll reach your destination safely if you follow those directions."

"Fine, I'll take your long route. Just make sure it's accurate." I'm too frustrated to even think much about it.

"You know, I'm not from around here either. I traveled from my own pack, and I have to say, the Menorah Pack received me with open arms. They're such nice people. I even met my wife there..."

This man is rambling and it's getting on my nerves.

I can't afford to waste any more time. I knock him out cold. My anger simmers down and I lean in close, his unconscious form at my feet.

"I'll annihilate every single werewolf vermin till I get you in my hand and slaughter every one of you in that vermin family," I say with a venomous voice and hiss.