Chapter 4 Trapped by Fate

Ivy's POV

I was leaving.

There was no future for me here. No place. No love. The triplets didn't want me. The pack saw me as nothing more than a burden, a joke. Staying would only bring more pain. And I had enough of that to last a lifetime.

The timing was perfect.

Tonight, the pack was hosting a grand ceremony. The triplets would officially announce Selene as their Luna, binding her to them in every way that mattered.

It didn't surprise me. I had known it was coming. Even before I found out about the mate bond, I had known Selene would end up as their Luna. She was strong. She was powerful. She was everything I wasn't.

And the entire pack would be there to celebrate.

Which meant they wouldn't be watching the borders.

It was the perfect chance to escape.

I just had to make it that far.

I spent the rest of the day avoiding everyone. I kept to the omega quarters, doing my usual tasks, acting like nothing had changed. But inside, I was counting down the hours.

I forced myself to eat, even though my stomach churned with nerves. I would need my strength. I had no idea what lay beyond the borders of the pack. I had never been outside. Omegas weren't allowed to leave unless given permission.

And I sure as hell wasn't waiting around for permission.

As the sun began to set, the excitement in the packhouse grew. Laughter and music filled the air. Omegas rushed around, preparing for the ceremony, setting up tables of food and drinks. The pack members dressed in their finest, anticipation thick in the air.

Selene would be the center of it all.

And I would be forgotten.

It was better this way.

I slipped away as soon as darkness fell, making my way back to my small room.

I didn't own much. Just a small bag of clothes, a few personal things that didn't matter to anyone but me. I shoved them into a small backpack, securing the straps tightly.

Then, I took a deep breath.

This was it.

The moment I walked out of this room, I would never come back.

I wasn't sure how to feel about that.

I exhaled slowly, then turned toward the door. I slipped out into the night, moving quietly, my heart pounding with every step.

I avoided the main halls of the packhouse, sticking to the shadows, keeping my head down. The few omegas I passed didn't even glance at me. They were too busy preparing for the ceremony to notice me.

Good.

I made my way toward the outer courtyard, slipping past the kitchen entrance. From here, I could see the large walls that surrounded the pack's territory. They were tall, built to keep enemies out.

But I wasn't an enemy.

I was a prisoner.

And tonight, I was setting myself free.

I made my way to the farthest side of the wall, where the guards rarely patrolled. My hands trembled as I grabbed onto the rough stone, pulling myself up. The climb was harder than I expected. My muscles screamed in protest, my fingers scraped against the cold surface, but I didn't stop.

I couldn't stop.

I reached the top, my breath ragged, my arms shaking.

Then, I swung my leg over and dropped down.

The moment my feet hit the ground outside the walls, something inside me shifted.

I was finally free!

I turned, ready to run. Ready to leave this place behind forever.

But I never got the chance.

Strong hands grabbed me from behind, yanking me backward. I gasped, struggling, but it was useless.

I had been caught.

I fought against the grip of the pack warriors, but they were too strong. My heart pounded as they dragged me back toward the packhouse, their faces blank, their hands like iron around my arms.

My chance was gone.

I had failed.

By the time we reached the courtyard, the ceremony was in full swing. The pack had gathered in the grand hall, music playing, voices raised in celebration.

And then, as if sensing the shift in the air, the noise slowly faded.

The moment I was dragged into the hall, all eyes turned to me.

I stiffened, my breath catching in my throat as I took in the scene before me.

The triplets stood on the raised platform, their powerful forms dressed in black, their eyes sharp and cold.

Beside them, Selene stood in a shimmering silver dress, her golden hair glowing under the soft candlelight. A crown rested in the Beta's hands, waiting to be placed on her head.

The moment Selene saw me, her lips curled into a slow, satisfied smirk.

"Well, well," she murmured, stepping forward. "What do we have here?"

The warriors pushed me forward, forcing me to my knees in front of the pack. My breath hitched as murmurs spread through the crowd.

"She was caught sneaking over the wall," one of the warriors announced.

A low growl rumbled through the hall.

I swallowed hard, refusing to lift my head.

They would be judging me right now but all for what? They didn't see me like I was a human.

I was nothing.

I didn't want to look at the triplets. I didn't want to see their expressions.

But I could feel them.

Their presence. Their anger.

Finally, Ronan spoke. His voice was cold, sharp as a blade.

"You were trying to leave."

It wasn't a question.

I forced myself to look up, my heart racing. "Yes."

Kieran let out a dark chuckle, his blue eyes flashing. "Running away, little omega?"

I clenched my jaw. "I don't belong here."

Silence.

Then, Elias stepped forward, his piercing gaze locked onto mine. "And where exactly were you planning to go?"

I swallowed hard. "Anywhere but here."

Selene let out a soft laugh.

"You're even more pathetic than I thought." She turned to the triplets, her eyes shining with amusement. "She should be punished. She's a traitor, isn't she?"

A traitor.

The word hit me like a slap.

I wasn't a traitor.

I had never done anything against the pack. Never hurt anyone. Never tried to harm them.

I just wanted to be free.

But to them, that was enough.

To them, I was nothing more than a disgrace.

Ronan's gaze darkened, his golden eyes unreadable. "You were going to leave," he repeated, his voice softer this time. "Just like that."

I exhaled shakily. "Yes."

His jaw tightened. His fingers curled into fists at his sides.

Kieran smirked. "So? What do we do with her?"

The crowd murmured, voices rising in anticipation.

Punishment.

That's what they wanted.

That's what they expected.

I braced myself, preparing for whatever was coming next.

But I wasn't prepared for what Ronan said next.

"Lock her up."

My stomach dropped.

For a second, I thought I had misheard him. But then, the warriors grabbed my arms again, pulling me to my feet.

Panic shot through me. "No-"

I struggled, but it was useless.

Selene smirked. "A fitting end for a traitor."

Ronan's expression was blank, his golden eyes cold. "You don't get to run, Ivy." His voice was quiet, but there was something dark in it. "You don't get to leave us."