Chapter Four: I Need To Leave

Avery’s Point of View

After that night, my life grew from bad to worse. I've lost count of times I cried myself to sleep or the number of times I almost bled to death.

“Argh!!” A soul wrenching scream suddenly split out of my mouth as I dropped the glass I was holding and fell to the floor in a heap.

My loins was on fire, I cried out painfully, the pain spreading through every veins in my body and I instantly knew that Julian was with Sophia again.

This was the pain he was talking about, the reason he did not let me accept the rejection. He tortured me on a daily basis, I was in constant pains because of him. He knew I was going to be in pains if he was with another woman aside from me.

What have I done to deserve this?! Other werewolves are happy with their mates, but why is mine different?!

The pain gradually subside after what felt like hours, and I weakly dragged myself from the ground. I pack the pieces of the broken cup and was about to leave the kitchen when Sophia walked in.

Immediately her eyes sighted me, she smirked as she said, “Bitch, how does it feel? How does it feel to know that your mate is busy getting pleasure from me while you, his supposed mate is wallowing in pain?”

“My, my, Avery,” Sophia’s voice was a soft, mocking coo as she stepped closer. “Does it hurt? Knowing he’s with me? That he only looks at you with disgust while he can’t stay away from me?” Her smile was small, almost sweet, her tone dripping with false sympathy. “Some people just aren’t worthy of a mate, you know? And we both know that’s you.”

I wasn't going to let her get to me, I simply ignored her and made to step out through the door, when she roughly shoved me backwards, because I could make out what was happening, she slapped me across the face.

“When I ask a question, you answer, bitch!!” She sneered as she eyed me mockingly. Just then footsteps sounded down the hallway, Sophia smirked and dragged me up.

I stared at her confusedly, then she grabbed a knife, cut herself deeply and fell on the floor. I gasped loudly and before I could think of a way out.

Julian walked through the kitchen door and Sophia burst into tears at the sight of him, that was when everything dawned at me….. She set me up.

Before I could explain, Julian moved in close to me and gripped my neck tightly and slammed me hard against the wall, I felt air knocked out of my lungs.

This isn’t a mate, I thought, panic clawing up my throat as he held me there. He’s a monster… And I can't believe that I was paired with him.

I couldn't breath, I dug my nails into his arms but he didn't fret, just when I thought it was over, he dropped me roughly to the floor.

I coughed violently as I held my neck, and as if he hasn't punished me enough for a crime I knew nothing of, he ordered the guards to take me to the dungeon.

“Give her 120 lashes of the silver whip, no food nor water for 3 days”, he coldly ordered as he stared at me with disgust. I was tired of begging, too weak to do anything as I was dragged away to the dungeon.

The air in the dungeon was thick, damp, and rank with the scent of mildew and stale blood. I could feel it settling in my lungs, suffocating, mixing with the metallic tang of fear that clawed its way up my throat.

I was forced to my kneels and water was poured all over me, two guards stood over me, each holding a silver whip.

The first lash landed on my back and I could feel fire burning on the mark left by the whip. My whole body system lost coordination. I felt all the sickness in the world coursing through my veins. Another lash landed on my back when I still had no hope of recovering from the first.

1…. 2….. 3…….. 4……

I counted the lashes silently, finding strength in the rhythm.

It kept on going, my skin burning as each lash met with my back but I refused to show any sign of weakness. I refused to cry as I forced back the tears in. I would not give them the satisfaction of seeing me break.

As each lash met with my back, I swore to make Julian and Sophia pay.

They would pay for every single blood and tears that I shed. I wasn't going to die now. Never!!! I'll be alive and watch them kneel and beg for death, but they won't get it. Death would be too easy for them.

“Jeezzz! How can someone be flogged with a silver whip and shows no reaction?” I heard one of the guards wondered.

When the guards finally released me, I slumped forward, the pain a deep, throbbing ache that spread through every limb. They left me in the cell, and I crawled into a corner, my back screaming with each movement. I let myself breathe, let the anger settle, and pushed back the tears. This wasn’t the end. I’d make sure of that.

I need to leave.

Hours later—or what felt like hours—a guard approached. “The alpha wants you in his study.” His words were cold, and I could feel the malice in his gaze as he dragged me out of the cell.

I was dragged to his room, immediately his eyes landed on me, I saw them darken with lust.

Beast. I sneered as I stared at him with contempt.

“Strip,” Julian ordered, his voice low and full of twisted amusement, eyes raking over me like I was nothing.

Wait… What?!

“Don't make me repeat myself slave! Strip!!” He growled in warning. When I hesitated, his lips curled into a cruel smile.

“Oh! You want it the hard way right?! You’re nothing more than a disobedient pet, Avery. Maybe I need to remind you who’s in charge.” He sneered as he stepped closer to me, I couldn’t let this monster touch me. My hand slipped into my pocket, fingers curling around the syringe I’d hidden earlier. Without hesitation, I drove it into his neck, injecting the Wolfsbane.

Julian stumbled back in shock as he held his neck. His eyes widened in shock, his arrogance fading as he slumped to the floor. “What… did you do…?”

“Wolfsbane, not just any wolfsbane but the Violet Monkshood Wolfsbane”, I replied as it was now my turn to smirk.

His eyes widened in shock but he was too weak to do anything.

“I would rather die than have a shame of a wolf like you touch me!” I sneered. “Now, I'll finish what you started”, Understanding what I wanted to do, he could only watch as the Wolfsbane has completely weakened both him and his wolf.

“I, Avery Smith, accept the rejection of Julian Styles, Alpha of Krypta Clan as his mate and Luna”

The words left my lips with a fierce finality, and as they hung in the air, a shiver ran down my spine. It was as if an invisible thread that had bound me to him snapped in a sudden, icy release. I could feel the bond dissolve, a rush of relief flooding my chest, mingled with an ache I hadn't expected. The weight I’d carried was gone, and in its place was a strange, hollow lightness. I was free.

Just then, a painful howl tore through his lips, Julian’s howl of agony filled the room, raw and fractured, as he thrashed weakly on the floor, trying in vain to reach for me. I could hear footsteps rushing down the hall, growing louder with every second. With one last look at the pitiful figure on the floor, I turned and sprinted toward the window. I jumped out not minding it's height from the ground.

Then I ran, I ran with everything in me and never looked back.