CIARA: FATED TO BE THEIRS

The bell ring made me jolt in my chair. The noises soon filled the class and it was time to go home.

Finally, I sighed. I've been trying not to fall asleep, Mr. Barron has been reprimanding me for a long time because I yawned during his lesson.

I can't help it. I'm so tired.

"Look at her. She's always sleepy when she comes to class. What is she doing at home anyway?"

I heard them talking about me. The other passed by while looking at me, with those disgusted eyes.

"Oh, didn't you know? She works at night. I guess she is one of those 'comfort women' for Silverhowl soldiers..."

Again... that gossip and bad talk about me.

I could just ignore them, and act like they didn't hurt me when they did.

I'm indeed working until it's late in the night. But I'm working in a wool factory, not as a comfort woman.

I packed my bag and stood up. I didn't need to explain myself. I just want to go and walk straight to my workplace. I need as much money as possible.

"I told you she is a whore. I saw her with some boys the other day. What do you think she did with them?"

I walked past them. Ignored their every word. They didn't hurt me anymore. I told myself as I pretended I didn't hear them.

School is hard for someone like me. But I need it. I tried to survive amidst everyone's rude and bullying behavior.

Don't they care that the boys who came to me yesterday had bad intentions towards me? Luckily the school security was able to stop them. Otherwise, they will do something appropriate to me.

But they didn't care. I'm still guilty. Whatever I do is still wrong.

I walked out of the school gate while looking up at the sky. Soon it will rain. I don't want to get soaked until I get to work.

I decided to run now. Unfortunately, the rain kept pouring on me until I was drenched. If I didn't remember the books that were in my old bag, I would still run and let myself get wet. However, I decided to take shelter behind this empty building that was no longer occupied.

According to the story, one of these houses once belonged to a Silverhowl soldier. He died on the battlefield against a large pack called Nightwalker. He still didn't have a mate or family at that time. So, the house was just abandoned.

I smiled. This house clearly looks very comfortable to live in. It's just that it's not maintained well. I hope to have a comfortable home when I leave this pack.

"Ah... Here you are..."

Dug!

My heart skipped a beat when I heard his voice.

I slowly looked up and it turned out three people were grinning there.

They are the ones who bullied me the other day.

Oh no.

I walked backward. But they approached me quickly.

"Where are you going? Isn't our business not finished yet?" said one of them.

I hugged my bag tightly and looked around. I should have just brought that small knife from home.

"Don't get closer!!" I screamed when they caught both of my hands. I tried to struggle and get free. However, they are werewolves who can transform.

While I don't have mine yet.

"Oh, sweetie. Don't play hard to get now, it's no one in here..." He stroked my face but I avoided it in disgust.

I jerked my hands away, but the two men beside me held me so tightly that it hurt so much. I'm sure there will be bruises on my hands now.

"LET. GO!!" I screamed in his face. They just laughed. The two men holding me, forced me to kneel, while the one in front of me began to untie the belt of his trousers.

"NO! Let me go!" I shook my head but he grabbed my jaw tightly and made me look up at him. My tears flow down to my cheeks. My hands fisted so hard as my will to let myself go.

"I just want to finish what I didn't finish yesterday, dear. Aren't you used to this?"

They laughed mocking me. And spit on me. Only one thing I know, if they succeed in snatching something valuable from my body, I no longer want to live in this world.

Carelessly, he put his thumb in my mouth. Of course, I bit his thumb really hard.

"AAAA!!!" He shouted very loudly. After all, I am a she-wolf, of course, my fangs are also very sharp.

"FUCK! FUCK!"

He tried to remove his finger from my mouth but I didn't let go. He deserved it.

But then, I felt a very hard blow to the side of my head. I was thrown forward, onto the hard, wet ground.

My ears rang and my vision felt blurry.

"HOLY SHIT! YOU BITCH!"

My ears were still ringing, my eyes were still blurry. But I could taste the taste of iron in my mouth. What I'm sure of was blood from his finger I bit.

I tried to get up. Walk forward where the main road was.

"Where are you going, you little slut?" I screamed in pain when they grabbed my hair.

"Where are you going? You'd better stay here, with us. Besides, who wants to help a criminal like you? "Weren't you the one who killed your own mother when you were a child?" They laughed.

I shook my head while crying.

I don't know which one, but they slapped me hard on my cheek. Made me fall on the wet ground once again.

"Ack!"

It really hurts. They kicked my stomach so hard that I was sure some of my ribs were broken.

I know I have self-healing. But since my wolf is not here yet. It will be so painful and take me a long time to heal.

It hurts. Every inch of my body hurts. The rain that fell drenched me. The rain gets into my ears, nose, and eyes. I could barely breathe.

I tried to get up, but I couldn't even open my eyes.

"Just tear her clothes!"

I can still hear voices near me. But I can no longer move.

Everything hurts. I can not take it anymore.

"Shit! Shit! Is she dead?!"

Am I dead?

"I told you not to kick her that hard! She has no wolf yet, you fool!"

"Shit! I didn't mean to kill her, I just didn't want her to run!"

I can still hear their voices. Why am I not dead yet? It's so painful, I can't breathe...

"Whose there!"

I heard them running. The voice was familiar, but I didn't recognize it.

"Ciara!"

Someone is calling me. But her voice is so far away.

"Ciara! What?! What happened?! Drake! Drake!!"

Please just let me die....

"This is bad. Drake, I told you."

"I know, honey. This is partly my fault..."

These voices again. So far, yet I can hear some of their conversations.

But it's so dark in here. Am I dead? Or am I dreaming?

"You told them?" The male's voice asked.

"Yes, Diego said they were on their way, now." She answered.

Diego? Who's that? I feel like I remember these people.

Silence. I didn't hear a thing after that. But then the pain started to flow within my body.

I tried to open my eyes. Telling my body to wake up. Because now I believe this is a dream.

Where am I? Why do I hear those sounds like I hear them underwater?

"Have you called Kelvin?" Drake asked.

Now that is my father's name.

"Do you think he care?"

"Cecilia..."

I suck in the air as much as I can. I tried to move and open my eyes once again. This time I think I could move my fingers.

"Oh my god! Drake, she is awake!"

"Yes, yes, I know. Call the doctor!" I heard him shout.

"Oh sweetie, are you awake now? Can you hear me?" I heard her whisper, I tried to respond but the pain on my ribs made me out of breath.

Once again, I fell into the deep darkness. Where the voices only got too far for me to reach.

............

I blinked and tried to be fully conscious.

It didn't take me long to realize that this was my narrow and stuffy room.

I sighed heavily. Good. I'm back here. At least my body is still intact. If not, wouldn't it be better for me to just die?

I tried to get up and sat, and also closed my eyes, preparing for the pain that would hit me.

But then my eyes wide opened and I sat up straight.

I didn't feel any pain at all. How could it be? I remember clearly how those people beat me. I thought I was dead because of the excruciating pain.

Then I remembered the voices. Were those dreams? If not, were they the people who helped me? I barely remember but I have some people in my thoughts.

My heart is beating fast. No problem, I can thank them later. There are other things I have to do now.

I quickly searched the entire room, my heart was beating fast. I can't lose it.

I looked at my dirty old bag, it was almost dry after it was also drenched under the rain. I picked it up and looked inside it.

"Yes!"

I breathed a sigh of relief. The money I have saved so far is still stored well and nothing is missing in the slightest. I'm really afraid if lose it or taken by someone else, especially Joanna.

This is my hard work, and I will use this money when I leave.

Not that I don't like this place. This was my home. This was supposed to be the pack that protected me.

But not anymore.

If I force myself to stay here any longer, soon enough, I will be the dead meat.

I was silent for a moment and listened to my surroundings. Am I alone in this house?

If yes, then this is my chance to go.

I quickly packed my things. Well, it's not a lot actually. Just a couple of worn-out shirts and jeans. I don't have many things. Apart from money, only this photo is very valuable to me.

I looked at our family photos. A small photo that is worn out because I folded it too often. I saved this photo and hid it. I don't want Joanna to take it from me.

I swiped this old photo right over my mom's figure.

"Mom, wish you were here... If you were, maybe my life wouldn't be this difficult..."

After finishing lamenting my unfortunate fate. I stood back on my feet. I want Mother's last message to come true. All she wanted was, that we can live in peace. I have to be able to live my life like a normal person. And I want that to happen too.

I also want to live a normal life. Just like everybody else in this pack.

I hurriedly took my old backpack and left the small room that had been my bedroom for many years.

I came out and was immediately met with a spacious kitchen and dining room.

I do not come from a poor family. Our family is well off and this house is not cramped. Only I, who has been considered a traitor and murderer, cannot have a comfortable place to sleep and rest.

That's the least they could do to convict me because they didn't have enough evidence that I was the one who killed my mother.

Suddenly, I heard the sound of a car stopping in the front yard.

Please, not now.

I immediately threw my bag back into that small room that used to be a room for cleaning tools. Then pretended to walk to the kitchen.

"Oh, the princess is finally awake." I heard Joanna speak curtly. I am used to it.

"You are so great. What have you done last night? Are you flirting with those werewolves who work in the main house?" She taunted. I closed my eyes and stood near the sink. I didn't want to see her face.

Why am I in the main house again?

"You shameless! You should be grateful that you are still in this house after what you did to my mother! Now you work as a 'comfort woman'? You want to destroy this family's image to the ground?!" She snapped.

I clenched my fists on the edge of the sink.

"I don't work as a comfort woman and I'm not in the main house." I answered her. But Joanna sent me to the edge.

"Not only you a weak wolf-less woman! You're a murderer, a whore, and a liar! What we have done to have someone like you in this family?!"

I swallowed the saliva that already felt like a sharp stone in my throat.

"I didn't kill her! I'd never do that!"

I screamed. I can not stand it anymore.

But then I immediately regretted it. Because a second later Joanna attacked me at full speed.

"YOU ARE! You killed my mother! You stabbed her right in her chest! I saw it!" She screamed in my face, grabbed me by my neck, and sent me flying across the room.

My body slammed into the wall and fell just like the rag doll. Several decorations that hanging on the wall fell on me. The heavy one even fell right on the top of my stomach. I groaned because of the unbearable pain. I think my hand is broken.

Once again, if I wasn't born in this werewolf family, I wouldn't be alive today.

I tried to get up while avoiding my left hand which was very painful. I coughed and of course it drew blood out of my mouth.

"You need to know your place!" Joanna hissed. "You were not part of us the moment you killed my mother. Moreover you don't have your wolf. Useless! Weak! You shouldn't be here."

I sat down and leaned against the wall, trying to catch my breath. I looked at Joanna who was also looking at me with rage. Not even the slightest sadness or guilt that I found in her eyes. I am still her only sister no matter what. But she didn't even consider me as she was to me.

Her eyes flashed red indicating that she used her wolf power to me earlier.

Oh, sister, don't you know? You don't need to use that much power to kill me if you want.

"Don't worry. I'll leave..." I said while coughing and spitting out blood. I felt something flowing from my head. Warm, thick fluid. Maybe another stream of blood

"I'll leave..."

I also want to live peacefully without having to walk on the edge of death every day.

It would be better for me to go rogue than to live here.

Sorry, Mom. I will always remember you and our family here. But I think it's time for me to move on.

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..."