Chapter 14 Chapter 14 Home Sweet , dysfunctional judgmental home . The packhouse looms in the distance as we drag ourselves through the gates , looking like weve been chewed up and spit out by a particularly pissed off rogue In this place , all my flowers simply grew back as thorns . Enoch trudges behind me , his towering frame casting a shadow that seems to swallow me whole . His emerald green eyes are glued to me like I might vanish if he blinks . Spoiler alert , Im not that lucky . I barely make it five steps toward my room before she appears . Did you bring the materials ? Seraphinas sugary voice cuts through my exhaustion like nails on a chalkboard . shes 1 stop dead , blinking at her like asked me to recite the alphabet backward , Seriously ? I deadpan , gesturing vaguely at the hot mess that is me . My hairs a rats nest , my clothes are stained with god knows what , and Im pretty sure theres dried blood somewhere it shouldnt be . Thats your takeaway after we almost died ? Her eyes flick nervously to Enoch , who is now standing unnervingly still , his gaze boring into her like shes prey . For once . I dont blame her for looking like she wants to shrink into the floor . He may act like a clingy puppy around me , bur to everyone else , hes a six foot five wrecking ball of muscle and intimidation . Looking at him , one would think he is all the seven deadly sins . Thats just what he is , a product of war . I shove the bundle of materials into her arms , too tired to deal with whatever power play shes got planned . Knock yourself out . She doesnt say another word . With a final glance at Enoch who hasnt so much as blinked she scurries away , clutching the bundle like its a lifeline . Coward , I mutter under my breath , turning back to Enoch . Before I can tell him to follow me , an omega maid sidles up , looking about as comfortable as a cat in a dog kennel . The head maid wants to see you , she says , her voice soft but hesitant . My stomach drops . Of course , she does . Its one of those days then . 1 glance at Enoch , his expression darkening instantly . Go see Dr. Lisa , I tell him , trying to keep my voice steady . Make sure youre okay . His eyes narrow , and for a second , I think hes going to argue . Instead , he leans down slightly , letting me pat his head like a damn golden retriever before stalking off toward the infirmary , His steps are slow , deliberate , like hes daring anyone to cross him . Upon a meter away , he turns around , stopping to see if I might change my mind and go with him . Go ! 1 insist . 175 Chapter 11 And then for another meter , he turns again . This time , pouting those god made lips , knowing exactly this is how I break . Hut not today . When he finally realizes Im not caving in , he walk straight ahead until hes gone out of sight . Your boyfriends really clingy , the girl beside me quips , her tone trading . I snort , exhaustion dragging my words down , Yeah , well , its either that or deal with him tearing the place apart She chuckles , Yeah , right I rum to her , dead serious hoping my eyes bore exactly what I have seen Enoch do . Im not kidding I murmur That man is very , and I mean very comfortable with violence . Its his second skin brutality . She laughs nervously and didnt press any further , leading me toward the head maids office . My steps grow heavier with every inch closer , dread pooling in my stomach . The head maid stands with her back to me when we arrive , her posture stiff and close to her dark window closed , of course . She wouldnt want anyone seeing this , Nonetheless , with the windows and now the door closed as the girl Im with leaves , her presence sucks all the oxygen out of the room This woman is poised but wrathful when provoked . I know exactly what this is all about . There was a man stalking us- I start , coming out rushed and defensive . The slap comes out of nowhere , sharp and stinging against my cheek . I dont flinch . Not because it doesnt hurt , but because flinching gives her power . And fuck that . Its not like I get bonus points if I give a damn . She turns slowly , her face a mask of disdain . You brought a stray to which I had no say about and then you keep him out of trouble , Taryn . Thats what you do . she snaps , her words venomous . Do you have any idea the mess youve caused ? What , your salary deduction ? Her voice rises with every word , but I tune her out , my mind drifting back to Enoch . His face , so heartbreakingly innocent as he presented me with that rogues severed head , flashes in my memory . Good ? hed asked , like he genuinely thought hed done something worth a gold star . Are you even listening to me ? The head maids voice yanks me back to the present . I nod mutely , my check still burning from the slap . Its not the first time shes taken her frustrations out on me . It wont be the last . And until now , no one will ever know the violence it took to be this gentle , fucking mute . She steps closer , her glare sharp enough to cut glass . Fix this , she hisses . I dont care how , but you will fix this . 2/5 11:42 Sat , 15 Mar A im Chapter H I nod again , my jaw tightening Stand there the head maid barks , I dont bother arguing . Whats the point ? Shes already gripping a leather whip like shes auditioning for the role of the packs favorite sadist . I step into place , biting the inside of my check so hard I taste blood All I groan but immediately swallow it up . The first lash lands on the back of my leg , the sting searling straight through my nerves . Its not the pain that gets to me . No , its the humiliation . The way she stands there , towering over me like shes some divine punisher , and Im just an omega shaped punching bag Thirty , she says , her tone clipped . I dont flinch . Not when the whip cracks again . Not when the blood starts soaking through the hem of my skirt , dripping onto the stone floor . My nails dig into my palms as I focus on the cool draft snaking through the room , on the faint murmur of voices outside the door . Anything but the burning pain crawling up my legs . After what feels like a damn eternity , she steps back . Keep your boyfriend on a leash , she snaps , venom dripping from every word . If you want to stay in this pack , youll make sure he behaves . I dont respond . Its safer that way . Her footsteps fade , leaving me alone in the suffocating silence . My legs feel like jelly , trembling under exhaustion and pure , unfiltered rage . Sacrifice , thats what we do to survive . I reach down , my fingers brushing against the torn skin on the back of my thigh . The sting makes me hiss , but I force myself to straighten . At least the blood blends in with the dark fabric of my skirt . Small mercies . I still need to get to the Gammas office as he told me to deal with whatever he has to tell me at home . Hopefully I wont be kept long in there . In the hallway , I catch a glimpse of myself in a tarnished mirror . The red mark on my check is impossible to miss , a glaring reminder of my status here . Outsider . The packs living , breathing scapegoat . Perfect , I mutter to my reflection , dripping with sarcasm . Totally killing it at life , Taryn . By the time I reach Gamma Abels office . Ive perfected my excuse . I tripped . Fell on some rocks . You know how it is . Not that hell care much either way . Gamma Abel greets me with his usual gruffiness , barely glancing up from the papers on his desk . The rogue , he starts , his tone all business . Handled himself well with that stalker . My stomach twists , but I keep my expression neutral Im thinking of training him as a pack warrior , he continues , tapping his pen against the desk . Hell be useful in battle . My mouth goes dry . Useful in battle ? Enoch barely knows what planet hes on most days . 375 Chapter 14 But I cant exactly blurt that out . Thats … a good idea , I manage , my voice steady , Gamma Abel narrows his eyes , scrutinizing me like Im hiding something which , lets be honest , I am . Hes not my boyfriend . He didnt run away from his pack . And third , I just let in a fucking rogue in the pack . Youre sure no ones looking for him ? No pack tracking him down ? I nod , forcing myself to meet his gaze . I say firmly . He watches me for a moment longer , then grunts in acknowledgment . His acceptance into the pack will be tonight . Its going to be a private ceremony . nod again , murmuring something about it being an honor before excusing myself . Outside the office , I finally let out the breath Ive been holding . As the sun dips lower , casting the courtyard in shades of orange and gold , I cant shake the knot tightening in my gut . Something feels … off . Tonight , the Gamma decides to accept you in! I try to sound enthusiastic in front of Enoch but his eyes simply wont leave my face specifically , the cheek I was slapped onto . I told you I fell ! I grumbled for the fiftieth time today . When the ceremony begins , the sky is already shifting . Clouds part , revealing the moon blood red and ominous . My heart lurches , the sight freezing me in place . The murmurs start almost immediately , whispers spreading through the small crowd like wildfire . The crimson moon , someone breathes . A sign from the Moon Goddess . I dont need a translator to know what it means . A divine rejection . Enoch stands at the center of it all , his emerald eyes glowing faintly in the moonlight . He looks calm , almost serene , but I know him well enough to see the confusion flickering just beneath the surface . My chest tightens as the realization crashes over me . This isnt just a rejection . Its a declaration . The Goddess herself is saying Enoch doesnt belong here . In the Riverstone Pack . Gamma Abels face is a mask of shock , his hand tightening around the ceremonial staff . Around us , the crowd shifts uneasily , their whispers growing louder . Enoch turns to me , his expression unreadable . Taryn ? he says softly , the single word carrying more weight than I can handle right now . I open my mouth to respond , but no words come o Because in this moment , one thought drowns out everything else : What the hell have I done ? Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!