“Dark roses, there's something about them that always gets to me — I mean, how can something look so beautiful on the outside and still manage to make you feel like it's hiding a thousand secrets within its petals.” I pondered, watching my aunt tend to the flowers as I arrived at her tent.
“Stop right there.” She ordered, her harsh tone making me stop in front of her prized garden.
With the way my aunt looked at me with so much hatred and disgust in her eyes, I could already tell that getting what I wanted from her wasn't going to be an easy job.
Without saying anything else, she turned her attention back to her garden and continued to nurture the petals.
“What's up with people and ignoring me like I'm invisible or something?” I thought, giving a silent sigh.
“I warned you never to show your face in front of me ever again.” She said finally, her voice calm but venomous. “So why have you come this time?"
“I know I shouldn't have come here, but I had no choice.” I admitted, “I promise, after this, I'll disappear forever, and you won't have to see me ever again."
Catherine raised an eyebrow, a hint of curiosity on her face. “You've got my attention."
“Well, you see, recently I've been thinking a lot about my past and about my bloodline too.” I cleared my throat, trying to find the right words to speak. “I'm not sure how you'll feel about this, but I've made up my mind to search for my birth mother".
As soon as I said those words, Aunt Catherine let out a laugh so loud and hysterical that I almost started to question her sanity.
“The apple really doesn't fall far from the tree, does it?” she sneered.
“I really don't get what you mean by that, Aunt”. I asked, puzzled.
“You know, from the very day your mother set foot in this pack, I knew for sure that she was going to be nothing but trouble. And so, I begged my brother to get rid of her, to take her back to whatever hole she crawled out of, but he never listened,” Catherine said, slowly shaking her head.
“I've heard you and my mother never saw eye to eye, but isn't this taking it too far?” I shrugged.
“Your wretched mother is the reason I had to bury my mate, the only man I've ever loved, with my own two hands… and you think I am going too far?” Catherine spat, pointing an accusing finger at me.
“But Aunt, everyone knows Uncle Felix was killed by Rogues and…“
“None of it could have happened if your paranoid mother hadn't fed my brother with all her lies and insecurities,” Catherine interrupted. “He wouldn't have sent us away just to give her peace of mind, and my husband… he would still be alive today”.
I paused, taking a deep breath to calm the air before speaking again. “I'm sure there's more to this story than what meets the eye… I mean, for all we know, this might all just be a big misunderstanding".
“Believe it or not, it doesn't change the fact that, at the end of the day, your parents got what they deserved.” Catherine smirked, her fingers snapping off a rose from its stem. “And you, my dear niece, are the only one left to reap the evil seeds they sowed”.
I sighed, my shoulders slumped in defeat. “I suppose it's pointless asking for your help now. Since you've already made it clear how you feel about my mom".
“If you really want to find her, then, of course, I'll help you.” Miranda said with a cold smile on her face as she handed me the dark roses. Their stem covered in thorns.
"Are you serious, or maybe you're just trying to get my hopes up for nothing?” I hesitated for a moment before accepting it.
“You want to follow in your mother's footsteps? Be my guest. I won't even pretend to care or even try to stop you. Because I'm sure you'll suffer the same miserable fate as she did”. Catherine picked up her basket, glared at me, and then disappeared into her tent.
Noon
Night fell, marking the time for the mating ceremony. Derrick finally announced to the whole pack that I was his chosen mate, only to reject me at the same time.
The pack members' pretense of surprise was almost laughable. It was as if they were competing to see who could look the most shocked by the news of my rejection, but it was clear that they were bursting with excitement. I shrugged it off — After all, this was all part of the plan, and now, I was more than ready to move on with my life.
In the end, I confidently accepted the rejection, and Daisy Darkwood, daughter of the
Pack's Gamma was chosen as the new Luna Queen of Dawn runner pack, and they couldn't be happier about it.
The rise of the full moon marked the beginning of a grand celebration for the Alpha and his new mate. But I knew that my time at Dawn Runner Pack had come to an end.
There really wasn't much to take, just a few clothes, a water gourd, and some berries to eat along the way.
I stood at the edge of the pack border, my bag casually slung over my shoulder.
“One more step, and there's no turning back. Are you sure you're ready for this?” I muttered, taking one last look at the pack.
“You bet I am!” I laughed, throwing my fist in the air as I took off.
Leaving behind the only life you've ever known isn't something that comes easy. But when you no longer feel like you belong, then that only means it's time to find a new place to call home.
I could already picture the disappointed look on my father's face, as if he were watching from wherever he was, knowing that the last of his bloodline had turned its back on the pack he worked tirelessly to protect.
But he couldn't really blame me for choosing my own path. Not after he'd chosen to break tradition and pass the Alpha's position to a stranger instead of his daughter.