Chapter 10 Novilunium

I was shocked and paralysed with fear as I lay here.

I overheard Atia say, "Octavia, we have to leave tonight."

How do I run? He'll look for me; I'm sure of it. He won't ever abandon me.

"We have to make him turn us down. He has no other options, so someplace public," she stated.

Is that possible?

What if Jessica found out I was his mate? She will be aware once I exit the basement and his aroma is all over me. I need to carefully prepare for this. To force him to salvage his reputation and let me go, I need to choose a time when they are all present.

Moon Festival

Could fleeing during the regular New Moon feast even be possible? I start to doubt myself and get worried. I have two days to get ready for everything. If this works, I'll take off and never look back. Spending another day in this pack would be preferable to me than living as a frail rouge and dying at someone else's hands.

I can't help but worry as I lay in bed, wondering if this stupid idea will even succeed.

I put an extra set of clothes in a tiny bag that I could carry while shifting the following morning. I don't really have anything else of worth, and the only reason I'd need extra clothing is if I had to shift quickly and toss the clothes I was planning on wearing. I don't need to be running from who knows what while barefoot in the big woods.

A little ration of bread and a glass of water were dropped by an omega beside my door. Although I placed the bread in the bag, I gulped the water. I don't know how long I'll stay there, but I must make the most of my savings. I don't know if I'll be good at hunting because I've never done it before. Even though I understand that wolves do it naturally, I'm still afraid.

"You can trust me, Octavia; I'll look out for you. When I'm in charge, nothing will ever happen to you. Eat the bread right away to conserve your energy. Atia says, "We are going to need it.

I reluctantly shake my head in agreement with her. I swallow the stale bread because she is the one person I can trust.

One more day, please. I can survive for another day.

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A warm figure was pressing against my back when I awoke.

I'm struck by the aroma of new flowers and strawberries.

Juda

While smelling me, he tightens his hold on my waist. Behind me, I can feel him gaining strength.

He is here to claim my body once more.

He growls in my ear, saying, "I told you, you are mine."

my lower back by pressing his cock against it.

He slowly begins massaging my nipple as one of his hands works its way up my shirt.

I uncontrollably groaned.

Why the heck can't I control myself?

I can hear him saying, "Mmm."

He pulls down my pants and says, "I need to taste you." He starts sucking after placing his mouth on my clitoral area. He was moving his tongue back and forth, making me uneasy.

I am powerless to choose my reaction. I want him because of the bond, like a starving, somewhat insane madman.

My entire body yearns for him. I want to experience him inside of me. I long for his touch. I can't get enough of every thrill he sends through my body, like a drug.

But I find it repulsive, in my opinion.

My cheek is touched by a tear.

I can tell Atia wants to murder him. She could have a chance if I gave her authority right away. I might not be so frail. My body is famished, so I am powerless to defend myself.

After tonight's attempt, if they don't kill me, I'll get stronger and exact retribution. They will all look back and kick themselves for ever touching me.

He dislodges his cock. I was compelled to look at it. His face cracks a smile. It is considerably bigger than the other members of the group. Only from their changing have I witnessed Werewolves aren't naturally shy people, and we take great pride in our appearance. In our way of life, being naked around one another is fairly common.

His eyes never leave mine as he starts to rub them once more. He squirts his seed across my stomach while grinning and tormenting me. I kept my gaze fixed on him as he gently massaged his way into my flesh.

You belong to me, Octavia. You'll always smell like me from now on. I'll make sure my sperm is all over you every day. You must give it to me tonight, after the feast, he says, adding that it is mine.

I simply nod in agreement. I couldn't say no to him, regardless. No matter what, I convince myself. I'm entirely at his mercy as long as this mate bond is intact. I couldn't get away from it.

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I had to move quickly to implement my strategy after Juda left. I try to wash his smell from my stomach with the remaining water in my cup. I don't even want to think about what Jessica will do to me if she smells me right now. She is aware that they are not soul mates; I know that.

I wonder whether she has met him and turned him down. If he is a member of our pack, he is likely suffering from the same anguish and grief whenever they are together that I do.

It's time to begin my strategy, so I can't think about that any longer. My window of chance is quickly closing, and then I'll be locked here for another month before I can try again.

A bonfire is always lit outside after the meal, which is always served at 8 p.m. To instantly flee via the woods, I want to wait until the bonfire. Since there won't be many wolves on patrol, Atia will have little trouble avoiding them and leaving the areas if I give her authority.

*7:54pm

I'm tapping my foot in anticipation as a way to calm myself down. I believe that time is regressing. Either act now or never.

I ascend the stairs to the pack's lower ranks' designated hallway. When everyone is occupied in the main dining room, I can sneak into the kitchen from there and take some food.

**8:35pm

I've spent the last thirty minutes attempting to eat without throwing up while hiding in the kitchen cupboard. I hadn't eaten in such a long time that it's taking more effort than I had imagined to keep the food down. However, I must build up my strength so that I can run later.

I take a few dried meat slices and put them in my bag. I go outdoors and move towards the blaze after re-tucking the bag under my shirt. They will all be here in a little while. They won't suspect anything if I can conceal myself under a tiny shrub.

**9:23pm

Ryan and Anastasia leave after Juda and Jessica, who leave first. The remainder of the pack house, including Luna's parents, the previous Alpha, and their minions, are following closely behind them.

The fact that everyone will be there will only make this greater. Now that his "mate" and parents are there, he truly won't have a choice but to reject me.

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They immediately approach the fire and begin drinking.

Juda and Jessica appear to be the ideal pair since they are so enmeshed in one another. I'm happy I can contribute to making that a reality.

Juda moves away from her and inhales.

Oh my, he's sniffing around for me. Oh Goddess, spare him from smelling me. He turns his head just in time to see me in the bush. Fuck.

Everyone turns to face him when I hear him growl. He never looks away from where I am. As she tightens her hold on his arm, Jessica can be heard asking him what's wrong. He never says anything to her. Now his eyes are completely black.

It's now.

I get into motion and sprint in their direction.

Everybody is in awe.

Alpha Jeremiah booms, "What are you doing here, you filthy mutt?" Luna gives me her characteristically nasty glare.

Alpha Juda becomes tense and turns his head first to his father, then back to me. It appears as though he almost addressed his father but decided against it.

Any tighter, and I'll probably be able to see blood dripping from his fists at his side.

Juda growls, "Octavia, come here."

I gulp.

"Why are you leaving the basement when I told you not to? You've decided to defy your Alpha now, he says.

"I came out so you could reject our mate bond on this New Moon night," I respond.

Around the throng, there are gasps.

At this point, Jessica's face is fully red. She is about to rush at me, and I can see her claws sticking out.

"I'll kill you now, you stupid bitch!" As she leaps to attack me, she screams.

Juda grabs her and prevents her from cutting my face.

She cries, "Let me go, Juda; this mutt deserves to die."

You won't hurt her, I assure you. He yells, "Only I am authorised to touch her.

attempting to prevent his wolf from emerging. Because alphas are inherently very territorial, his wolf hasn't accepted Jessica as his mate.

"Reject me!" I yell.

His brows furrow in unison. He's getting even gloomy, like a sky without stars.

The audience screams, "Reject this trash, Alpha."

"Yes, son, how come you haven't turned her down yet? The Moon Goddess erred in judgement. I hear Alpha Jeremiah say, "You must reject her so Yours and Luna Jessica's link can be perfect.

Judas' gaze never leaves me. He gives me a wide-eyed stare, and I can tell he's angry. I was furious to leave the basement and go outside. So that he could use me anytime he desired, he wanted to keep me locked away forever. I'm not loved by him. He merely desires to possess me. I'm just a worthless plaything that's supposed to be kept secret. Okay, not any longer. I must get away from him. I must be set free from the restraints that Alpha Juda has placed around me.

"I, Alpha Juda, reject you, Octavia Johnson, as my mate, and Luna to the Novilunium Pack."

It ignites. My heart is ablaze. I'm struggling to breathe.

"I, Octavia Johnson, accept your rejection, Alpha Juda."

My eyes start to cry. For him, no. But for the hurt that being rejected is causing me,

This is my chance, Alpha Juda says as he holds his chest. while the broken bond is hurting him.

"I, Octavia Johnson, cut all ties to the Novilunium Pack," I yell.

God, it was satisfying.

I sprint to the woods as quickly as I can.

Atia, you are the expert.