Hope Lost

Emira felt dead inside. As the Alpha Prince dragged her towards the packhouse, even though every bone in her body screamed for her to resist, she dared not pull away. She wanted to drag her feet. She wanted to cry out. But she didn't. Her silence was all she had left. Tonight, she had planned to escape. Now, it seemed she still might leave the Moonville Pack but just not the way she had hoped. Death might grant her the freedom she had so longed for.

Alpha Soier would never forgive her. He never forgave disobedience. Her defiance tonight and her attempt to run when she should have been preparing dinner and cleaning up after his spoiled wife and precious daughter, was a direct challenge to his rule and his authority. And that was something the Alpha could never tolerate. Especially not in a useless Omega like her.

He had punished Omegas for far smaller things. A delay in serving tea. A stain on his mate's dress. Once, when the Alpha's daughter had cried, Emira had watched another Omega get locked in the freezing kennels for three nights straight.

She didn't fool herself. This was not going to be one of those punishments. This was going to be worse.

Keeping her head bowed, she gave in to the tears she had held back for too long. They slipped silently down her cheeks as she walked, even though she tried to suppress the shudder racking through her. It was alright. She told herself it was alright. Because death was better than staying. Better than the things she would be forced to endure if she continued to live under the Moonville Pack's thumb.

Even though she had realized it too late, the truth had been in front of her the whole time. The sudden appearance of Alec, Jace, Theo, and Ryn tonight had not been an accident. They had come for her. They had been the ones behind the hunt. They had planned it. She was the prey and they had guessed her intentions. If she had not stumbled into the resting ground of the Alpha Princes, and not drawn their attention, then by now the four men would have dragged her into the woods. And no one would have come looking.

They would have claimed her and ruined her. Without care. Without witnesses. And if she had resisted, they would have said she begged for it. That she lured them. That she seduced them in the dark like the temptress all Omegas were accused of being. They could say anything they wanted.

And Alpha Soier would believe them. After all, Alec was his only son. Jace was the Beta's heir. Theo was born to the enforcer himself. Ryn was their trusted scout. None of them would ever be punished.

But she would be. Her tears didn't stop. They streamed down her cheeks, soaking the collar of her already torn dress. She shivered from cold and fear of the unknown.. But still, she let the Alpha Prince drag her along. There was no point in resisting now. There was no one left to save her.

She lowered her head further. But what was the point of being saved, anyway? After tonight, Alpha Soier would not spare her. Whatever the two Princes had done to protect her would not matter.

As they neared the packhouse, the sounds of loud cheering and laughter reached her ears. Music, clapping, voices raised in celebration. It felt like a slap. She shrank back instinctively, her body reacting before her mind could catch up. And without meaning to, she tried again to escape.

It was useless. The hand wrapped around her wrist was tighter than a chain. She couldn't even turn. Couldn't twist her arm, let alone run. Her breath caught at the realization. 

Then, suddenly, the prince stopped. Her feet nearly collided with his. She jerked back just in time and stood still. She saw his feet turn. He was now facing her. But she didn't raise her head. She didn't dare to as her eyes remained glued to the ground in front of her.

And then came his voice, low and dangerous. "Look up."

She froze. and shook her head once. Her shoulders were trembling. "Look up" She flinched at the tone and obedience in the voice, as her body reacted instinctively to the command in his voice.

And still, she kept her eyes downturned though her chin was raised, she dared not meet the Alpha's eyes. But then, he said," Look forward."

She felt a jolt and looked forward... There in the middle of the clearing, Alec and the others knelt in front of the Alpha, probably telling their version of what had transpired. She felt an intense surge of hatred and suddenly vowed," If she survived tonight, she would finish the Moonville Pack."