Rejection on the Full Moon (Rejection Series) Chapter 74

I groan as every step leading to my room causes a wince of pain. I hate life! is the thought that floats through my head while I slip out of my worn-out clothes and into some plain, comfortable black sweats and a black long-sleeved top. Alex is still helping me every now and then, protecting me from Beta Bastian and Mrs. Jasmine as best as he can, the only other ray of hope I have to survive as my eighteenth birthday rolls closer. The thought that I will meet my mate, break free from Hidden Claws, and never see this pack again after graduation and the eleven years of hell I have suffered makes me smile as I lock the door to my room and open the window. It's midnight, and the moon shines down on me while the wind brings a much-needed breath of fresh air. The leaves of the large sugar maple tree next to my window rustle in the breeze, bringing the delectable smell of maple inside. At this time, the chores in the pack house are done and the Beta couple are most likely snuggled safely in their house. Now is a great time to relax and make my way to my sanctuary. With a grin, I silently slip out of the window and onto the sturdy branch that normally scrapes across the glass. This tree is a luxury, one Alex managed to convince the Betas I keep when they realized the room I was put in almost eleven years ago had a means to escape. His excuse was I was too terrified to try to sneak out and run away. They reluctantly kept the tree.

I remembered the first night spent in the attic, the tapping on the glass and shadows cast by the sugar maple tree scaring me so badly that I was unable to sleep. I was curled up under the duvet cover, shaking like a leaf in the wind until morning, when I finally gained enough courage a seven-year-old could muster to peer outside and see the tree standing tall and proud with its bright red leaves. Alex promptly taught me how to sneak out once I felt brave enough, using the window and the tree. Beta Bastian and Lady Jasmine were none the wiser to their son teaching their disowned daughter how to climb in and out of the attic with the help of a seemingly useless tree. It took some practice every night, almost getting caught by patrols, but by age nine, I had mastered sneaking out unnoticed.

With sure footing, I shimmy down the tree with deft movements and land silently on the grass-covered earth. Blending into the shadows, I look around and listen for a moment, making sure no one is near nor awake. I then survey the pack grounds before sprinting towards the safety and cover of the forest. At the pack house, I may only have a few friends, but outside deep in the hidden valley, I have Lizaria and the Unicorns to keep me company.

With a wide grin hidden behind the mask I wear, I make my way towards the river, keeping my footsteps light and body hidden in the shadows. With the calming scent of water and the sounds of the waterfall drawing nearer, I pick up speed, letting the glow of the moon guide me. It'll be the Harvest Moon soon, and my eighteenth birthday is drawing close. Thoughts of being free from this place again bring a sort of giddiness inside my battered heart as I pass through the hidden entrance and into the tunnel. The magic in the air breathes life into me with each step until I enter the meadow, the scene glowing with the moonlight and wind bringing a sweet scent that washes over me.

"You're late," The musical voice of the Elf reaches me just in time for me to dodge to the right, reflexes having me backflipping away to a comfortable distance. Lizaria chuckles, her eyes mischievous as the Elf and I stare at each other.

"Sorry about that, but I'm here for training like always, Liz," I answer, rushing forward and throwing a handful of loose soil into her face. This gives me an opening, jumping over the ancient one and quickly unsheathing the sword strapped to Lizaria's back. Spinning around just in time to block the blow sent my way and blades meeting with a clang, the two of us wait for an opening. My body is already sore from the punishment I received earlier that day, and it's a struggle to keep my position with the blades locked against each other and sweat building on my forehead. With a deep breath, I drop to the ground, bringing my right leg around and sweeping out the Elf's legs from under her and quickly dodging to the left. Lizaria lets out a surprised gasp behind me, but I am too slow as I spin around, ready for the next attack and barely dodging the blade wielded by my mentor but not the punch thrown to my left side. I gasp, my body flying backwards as the punch activates the pain from the large purple bruise made by Bastian himself.

"What took you so long to get here?" Lizaria questions, her slow steps walking towards me. Too focused on the pain, I ignore her question and curl my body in on itself, trying to breathe through the pain and pleading for it to settle down.

"Gem?" The footsteps stop, and the sound of a dull thud hitting the ground alerts me to the sword fight I am supposed to continue with Lizaria, but my body refuses to move. Even when I oh so wanted to keep practicing and fighting. I did not want to be weak anymore, and Lizaria promised to make me stronger.

"Geminie, they beat you again, didn't they?" By "they," Lizaria meant the pack and the Beta couple. I was lucky today that Alex was on patrol when this happened or he would have been forced to watch and partake in handing out the punishment. Neither of us could refuse an order, and a public beating where every wolf but an Omega could partake is a fan favourite amongst the pack. Warm hands cup my cheeks, and I look into the concerned eyes of my

friend, her brows furrowed above me while I force myself to take slow, steady, deep breaths.