Chapter 3 I'm Here Now

I don't know why I'm here. I took a deep breath.

But here I am, standing not too far from one of the tables where the welcome banquet for the future Alphas of Silverhowl is being held.

I shouldn't have come here. I'm starting to regret it. I clenched my fists, crumpling my mom's old dress. I then realized what I was doing and quickly straightened the dress again.

I can't ruin Mom's favorite dress. I just borrowed it for a moment to come here. I didn't have a dress, so I decided to borrow hers. I hope she didn't mind. I smiled a little. I always thought as if she was still here, in this world.

At least my thoughts about Mom can accompany my loneliness.

I've left home. However, I feel like there's something I need to do first. I don't know, my brain is telling me to leave immediately. But my heart tells me that I have to go to this event, and this whole thing has nothing to do with me.

Being a moron. I followed my heart, once again.

At least I want to thank Alpha and Luna for helping me. I'm sure they were the ones who helped me that night. I heard their voices while I was still unconscious.

I know my presence is not important to anyone here. But I'm still here.

Stupid heart.

I looked around. Everything here looks beautiful. Silverhowl is indeed an extraordinary pack and I can admit this. They always make events with luxurious and beautiful decorations.

I couldn't attend any event like this in the past and always admire their decoration from afar. This time I dared to come closer. At least this time. Before I go.

This event was held in an open field. The field where Silverhowl usually held meetings. Werewolves really like the outdoors rather than buildings. We love nature more, I guess.

Some people were already sitting in their chairs and most chose to stand. There are still some empty seats. But I decided to just stand up next to a tree, I didn't want to be the center of attention and be bullied by people because I dared to sit in one of those chairs.

I enjoyed the beautiful view of the sunset and the small warm light bulbs that decorate this place. I hope that after getting out of here, I still can see beautiful things like this, out of Silverhowl.

I heard whispers and also several people seemed to be looking and pointing at one place.

Alpha Drake and Luna Cecilia have arrived.

They seemed to greet everyone who approached them.

If only I didn't have a bad impression from this pack. I really want to go there, greet them like everyone else, and thank them for saving my life yesterday.

I know they are good leaders. It's just that they also think I'm a murderer. I really hope they investigate the case of my mom's murder at that time and prove that I was not the one who killed my own mother. But they just kept quiet and looked at me coldly.

I stared from behind this tree for a long time, until I saw Luna Cecilia turn her head and look at me.

I quickly hid behind the tree, my heart was beating fast. Are they going to kick me out now? I'm not supposed to be here, am I?

I swallowed hard. I really shouldn't be here. I'd better leave and not come back again. Forever.

I stepped forward and intended to leave immediately after I took my bag which I had prepared last night. But someone stopped my steps.

"What are you doing there?"

I turned my heels a little and turned out it was a woman holding an empty tray. She was wearing the uniform that appeared to be a pack kitchen employee.

"Y-yes?" I answered nervously. I squeezed the dress again.

"Have fun?" She looked at me with anger. "There's so much work in the kitchen, and you're just lazing around! Take it to the kitchen!" She pushed the tray to me, and I looked at her with a confused face.

But then it got me. She thought I was one of the kitchen workers here.

I didn't want to make a fuss. Everyone's eyes slowly turned towards us. I immediately looked down and followed her into the kitchen. I could see from the corner of my eye that Alpha and Luna were watching me walk with their cold gazes.

That's okay. Only this time and I'll leave.

I entered the kitchen and sure enough, everyone was busy walking around, preparing food and cutlery which would soon be brought to the tables I had seen outside.

"Hey, you!" Someone shouted at me and I turned towards the voice.

"Don't just stand there. Bring this to Luna and Alpha's table!" She pointed to a tray full of appetizers.

I quickly nodded and walked over to take the tray. I accidentally hit someone passing by.

"Sorry," I said slowly while looking down. But then she pushed me hard.

"What a bitch! Why do you work here? No one uses you anymore?!" She rebuked me. I don't know who this woman is. But she clearly hated me.

As usual, people at Silverhowl can hate me without me knowing who they are.

"Stop! Don't fight here! Get to work quickly!" Someone reprimanded us and the woman who had scolded me immediately left, without forgetting to nudge me roughly.

I finished my work. And intend to leave. But they once again detained me and told me to wash all the dirty dishes here.

They all partied and left this job to me.

I took a deep breath. If this was the old me, the naive girl who wished to gain everyone's favor so they could like her even a little, of course, I would do everything.

But now I have awakened from all my stupidity and innocence. I am a living creature. I have a choice for my own life.

And I choose not to be oppressed anymore.

I walked towards the exit.

"We told you to wash all these dishes. What are you doing?!" A voice shouted at me. My steps stopped but I didn't look back.

"Don't let them control you."

My heart beats fast. That voice... It was from inside my head. But... whose voice is that? I'm starting to get scared.

"Ciara... I'm here. Don't be afraid."

That voice again.

"Oy! Did you just ignore me?" I can still hear her yelling at me.

"You cheap woman! You are useless. No wonder your sister and father don't like you. Murderer and ignorant!"

Her words were very harsh. It really breaks my heart. Usually, I just keep quiet and walk away. But for some reason, this time I turned around and stared closely at her.

"I'm not a murderer," I answered slowly. I closed my eyes for a moment. My ears were ringing and my head suddenly felt dizzy.

I tried to find a place to lean on when I felt the floor I was standing on was shaking.

What is wrong with me?

"Ciara. I am here... They are here."

Who is speaking?

Then something entered my sense of smell. This scent is very strong and very fragrant. This scent makes me calm but at the same time makes me crazy.

"What's wrong with you? You strange, crazy woman." She talked again, trying to get me mad. But Ignore her.

I closed my eyes. Everything felt like it was spinning. My head hurts very much. My whole body hurts.

I heard a lot of things. Everything feels very close. Footsteps. Lots of footsteps. And everyone came closer to me.

"Wake up!!" I choked and gasped when cold water suddenly poured over my body. The memory of that fateful incident in the rain made me scared.

Am I going to be beaten again? I didn't dare move. I curled up to protect my head.

"MATE!"

MATE!

Those loud voices came from inside my head. And the other was heard not far from here.

I hugged my knees even more. Help me. I'm scared.

"What the hell are you doing with her?!"

I heard a commotion but all the sounds now seemed far away. And darkness immediately enveloped me. There is only one voice that can be heard clearly in my ears at this time.

Which comes from my own head.

"Don't worry, Ciara. I'm here now. I'll protect us..."