Chapter 2 Dragged Through The Dirt

My tears poured down my face.

Memories of being with Lance crashed into me like a tidal wave.

I could still feel his arms wrapped around me, his warm breath tickling my ear as he whispered, "I love you so much." His eyes had been full of love, genuine and deep, or so I thought.

I remembered the way he knelt in front of me, his voice trembling as he said, "Cassie, I can't imagine a life without you." He looked so sincere.

"I can't ever imagine hurting you. You're the most important person in my life. You're my first and only love."

Those words used to be my comfort, my anchor. But now, I realized they were nothing but lies. Empty, cruel lies.

All this time, he was just using me-because Arielle wasn't around. I was just a stand-in, a distraction.

And now, Arielle's pregnant. The thought twisted in my chest, making it hard to breathe. Anger bubbled up inside me, hot and consuming. My hands curled into fists.

No. I'm not letting things end like this!

Fury pushed me forward. I stormed after Arielle, grabbing her arm hard enough to make her flinch.

"How dare you!" I yelled, my voice trembling with rage.

"All this time, you've been sneaking around with my mate behind my back?!" The hurt and betrayal poured out of me, and I tightened my grip, desperate to make her understand the pain she'd caused.

But before I could say anything else, Arielle gasped dramatically. "Ouch! Stop!" she cried out, clutching her stomach like she was in intense pain. She stumbled back, her face twisted in agony, and then collapsed to the ground.

My eyes widened. I hadn't even done anything. I just grabbed her arm! What the hell was she doing? Her reaction was way over the top!

"Cassie...what did you do?! My baby! You killed my baby!"

Arielle screamed, her voice ringing out. The accusation was loud enough for everyone nearby to hear.

Whispers and murmurs erupted, and I could feel eyes burning holes into my back. My mouth fell open in shock.

"What are you-" I tried to ask, but a furious voice cut me off.

"Cassie! What are you doing to her?! Get away from her!"

I turned, my heart plummeting as Lance rushed toward us, his eyes blazing with anger. I stood frozen as he dropped to Arielle's side. He was so gentle, helping her up with careful hands, brushing hair from her face.

"Are you okay? Did she hurt you?" Lance asked, his voice dripping with concern.

"I'm fine," Arielle whimpered, leaning into him as she clutched her stomach.

"She's bleeding!"

"Oh no!"

"Cassie did this to her!"

Then I saw blood dripping down her legs.

"It hurts so much! Cassie did this to me!" Arielle cried, pointing a finger at me.

"That's a lie!" I shouted, pointing a trembling finger at her. "You've been sneaking around with him this whole time!"

But Lance's glare was ice-cold. "Cassie, enough! You've done enough!"

My throat tightened as I watched Arielle snuggle closer, a faint, smug smirk on her lips. Lance wrapped a protective arm around her, whispering soft reassurances.

The man I loved had chosen her.

Tears burned my eyes as I took a shaky step back. My mate betrayed me, and all I could do was watch as he comforted her.

I shook my head, glaring at Lance. "You're lying to me. Stop lying! Tell them the truth! Tell the whole pack the truth! Admit you've been sneaking around with Arielle behind my back. Admit you never loved me, that you were just using me!"

The words tumbled out of my mouth, fueled by anger and desperation. I wanted him to admit it, to make everyone see the truth.

"I SAID ENOUGH!"

Lance's hand came down hard across my face. The slap echoed, and the force sent me stumbling back. Pain exploded on my cheek, and before I could catch my balance, he shoved me hard. I crashed to the ground.

"L-Lance?-"

He pointed a furious finger at me, his eyes blazing with hatred. "You should be grateful I even accepted you after what your father did!" he snarled. "Your father, the traitorous beta, lied and manipulated my father-got them both killed! I took you in out of mercy, made you my mate, and this is how you repay me?!"

Tears blurred my vision, but I caught a glimpse of Arielle behind him, her lips curved in a satisfied smirk. She was enjoying every second of my humiliation. I clenched my fists, trembling with anger.

"I-I hate you," I spat, my voice cracking. "And I hope karma gets both of you for what you've done!"

Lance's glare was a warning, but I didn't care anymore. I pushed myself off the ground, ignoring the whispers and judging stares from the pack.

"What a weak mate," someone sneered.

"She's not fit to be our Luna."

I couldn't get out of there fast enough.

I shoved past wolves whose eyes were full of either disgust or pity, their whispers crawling over my skin like poison.

My legs moved faster, faster until I was sprinting.

Tears streamed down my cheeks, mixing with the damp night air as the forest blurred around me. I didn't care where I was going. I just needed to run! To get away! Away from them! From him! From the lies and the weight of eight wasted years!

My foot suddenly caught on a root, and I stumbled, crashing to my knees with a painful grunt.

"Shit!"

Dirt smeared across my skin, and sharp stones bit into my palms. The sky opened above me as if to mock my misery, and cold rain poured down in heavy sheets, drenching me instantly.

My white dress clung to me, soaked and ruined.

I sobbed out loud, choking on the lump in my throat. I tried to rise, but my legs trembled and collapsed beneath me. My body gave up and my heart ached relentlessly.

I was about to push myself up when a low growl cut through the storm.

I froze.

From the shadows of the trees, a pair of glowing yellow eyes emerged. Then another.

A rogue.

"N-No..."

There were two of them.

Panic surged through me as I scrambled backward on the muddy ground, heart slamming in my chest. I was too weak to shift. Too heartbroken. Too late.

One of the rogues lunged.

"Ahhhh!"

I waited...but it never reached me.

A blur of motion slammed into the beast midair, knocking it aside.

A deep snarl ripped through the air, more feral, more powerful than the rogues'.

I stared, stunned, as the second rogue tried to flee, only to be caught and thrown against a tree with bone-cracking force.

I gasped, my breath catching as the rain lightened just enough for me to see him.

A tall figure stood over me, chest heaving, his eyes glowing faintly in the storm light.

"Are you hurt?" he asked.

I blinked, still trying to process what just happened. My arms shook as I pushed myself upright, staring at the stranger. My voice cracked. "What... what the hell just happened?"

He stepped closer, his gaze scanning me carefully. "Rogues," he said. "You were lucky."

I let out a bitter laugh. "Lucky? Right."

Then I narrowed my eyes, "Who are you?"

He looked at me steadily, "My name is Dominic," he said calmly. "And your brother sent me here."