Chapter 3

Ken's POV Three days after the incidence.. I walked around in my chambers trying to get over the fact that Hayley, my rejected mate, could kill my own father. "I told you not to reject her. Is it because she's just on Omega? You rejected her and you have no idea how much she loves you," My wolf, Ralph, said, causing me to run my fingers into my hair in anger. “You saw what she did, didn't you? She killed my father; are you not aware of that? Or, hold on, are you still upset with me for going against your choice to claim her as my mate, and for being assertive with you?" I bawled, banging my fist on the wall. "When have you ever listened to me, Ken? Our mate was saddened not only by your rejection of her, but also by your unfounded accusations against her. Why don't we hear her side of the story? She is incapable of doing such a thing, in my opinion.” "It's high time you forget about that lady, Ralphs. She can't be our mate and I will make sure she gets punished and banished for what she did. Besides, the maid saw her kill him. She was covered in blood as well as my dad and it's not like there's anyone else in the room. What other justification are you trying to make for her?" After my statement, a knock followed on the door and I turned to face it with rage on my face. "Come in," I said and the guard stepped in before inclining to give me a befitting bow. "You asked for me, your highness, I'm here with the report."The guard confessed as he raised his head to stare at me. I knew Hayley's mom was quite ill, so I had asked them to see how she was doing. I wanted the news about what her daughter did to reach her. She had always boasted of having a wonderful daughter. I was curious to find out how horrified and ashamed she would be to learn about what she had done. “How is she and what was the expression on her face?" Curiosity streaked across my face as I asked.. "She's dead, your highness. We arrived to find her unconscious on her bed. The doctor confirmed that she's dead." He revealed and my eyes widened slightly, not knowing what to do or how to feel. I don't know if I should feel bad or pity for Hayley but when I remembered what she did, I felt she deserved it. When I rejected her yesterday, I felt I was going too far by being selfish and inconsiderate but then, she deserved every f**g thing that happens to her because she killed my father. "You may leave," I said to the guard who bowed before taking his leave. While I was still in deep thoughts, a knock followed on the door again and when I turned around, my eyes came in contact with Karen's. “Ken.." Karen called as she walked towards me but I raised my hands in the air, stopping her from moving towards me. "I need to be alone!" I emphasized with a yell and made my way out of my room. Hayley's POV I've spent days in the dungeon, sleeping and waking on a cold floor filled with cobwebs. The whole place was dark and creepy and the only thing serving as the source of light was the tiny hole in the ceiling. I've not heard from my mother and I wonder how she's faring. When I heard footsteps, I crouched towards the cage, gripping the iron bars. My face was drawn with curiosity as I watched the shadowy figure approach me. When the face behind the silhouette came into view, I wasn't so surprised to see that it was Karen. She had an evil smile tugging her lips, her dark brown orbs piercing directly into my soul and radiating victory. I perched nervously at the edge of the cell, facing her with grief and bitterness etching my features. "What a pleasure to see you, Hayley!" Karen muttered and my breath came out in short spurts as I glared at her. Never could I believe that Hayley, my own best friend, would despise me this much by making my life miserable. "Do you really think I killed the Alpha, have you no single trust in me, Karen?" I asked as tears flew down my cheek effortlessly. I wanted to retaliate by getting angry at her but I couldn't help but sob. "I don't trust you, Hayley. The maid clearly said she saw you. Why do you want me to side with a murderer like you?" She spat, her voice tinged with scorn. "You claim to be pregnant for Ken. I always knew you'd do everything in your power to gain his affection. All these while I've been watching you two get along. He had even promised to make you his Luna even after everything I did for him. Have you forgotten my dad is the beta? I've been a close friend to Ken since I was little and watching him get involved in a relationship with you makes me sick. I'm so glad that he finally rejected you, "Do you also want to know something? Ken actually regretted that he rejected you. He was still having second thoughts on claiming you back as his but then, you made everything better by killing his dad. There's no way he'd ever want you back after all you've done to him." Karen disclosed and I clutched my chest as I started to feel those pains again. Did Ken really want to reclaim me as his? Did he really regret that he rejected me? "My reason for showing up here is to inform you about my marriage with Ken. We'll be getting married very soon." She disclosed once again and my eyes widened as shock plastered over my face. Getting married? No. "Ken will finally make me his Luna and together, we shall rule crescent pack. I shall bear his pups and he shall make me his, forever. I can't believe my dreams finally came true. You just made everything easier by killing his father, how can I thank you enough for that? Is it by helping you get out of here?" Karen scorned and scoffed, chortling between. Seeing her demean me so viciously after being so nice and loving weeks ago was the absolute final devastating blow. "I have one final thing to say to you." She admitted, making me curious and I watched as she squatted in front of me, giving me a look mixed with sympathy and sarcasm, a look seeming very satisfied at my anguish. "Your mother is dead. I believe you have no family member or anyone left to support you at this time. She passed away yesterday due to hypertension and brain cancer. She must have heard about what you did, and I'm sure that the shock was too much for her to bear. I guess it's better you commit suicide at this point because it looks like there's no hope left for you." My heart sank heavily in my tummy after hearing the news of my mother's death. Bile shot up my throat and hot tears burned in my eyes. No! No! This can't be! I didn't even get a chance to see my own mother before she died. She's not even aware that I'm pregnant. This is unfair! Why is fate like this to me?! Karen smirked, sensing my inner turmoil, not an ounce of sympathy on her face. My tears welled up and flowed effortlessly, while I clutched my chest, wishing everything was nothing but a dream. The pain was too severe. The heartbreak, rejection, accusation and demise of my mother crushed me completely, making me helpless. "If I were you, I'd get rid of that child you're carrying in your womb. Don't let it come into this miserable world of yours. And don't ever refer to it as Ken's child." Karen warned lastly before getting on her feet, the sound of her heels and her laughter faded as soon as she left the dungeon. After sulking and crying my eyes out, I finally heard the clinging of the cell and I looked up in fear. I was shocked to see a young lady and she hurried to open the cage with the keys in her hand. My eyes widened as I wondered who she was and what he was up to. "Come on, I need to get you out of here." I furrowed my brows at what she said, not knowing who she was. I had never seen her in this pack before, so her face was strange to me. "Who - who are you?" I finally managed to ask after gulping the lump in my throat. "I am your Aunt, yeah, let me put it that way," She revealed, cocking her head along and flashing me a warm smile. "Aunt?" "Listen. This is not the time for questions okay. I know you have a lot of questions and you're confused but trust me, I'll explain everything to you once we get out of here." She said, her words as soothing as a balm, and I felt a profound sense of relief washing over me. Even as doubts swirled, I couldn't ignore the faint flicker of hope that her sincerity had kindled. Leaving the cage with fear in my eyes, I grasped her hand and said, "The guards are everywhere! They'll see us. You are putting yourself at risk by saving me. I can't help but ask, who exactly are you?" "Look. I recently moved to this pack because I was on a mission to find you. Your mom is my sister. I came all the way from New Orleans to find you." "New Orleans? Is there a place like New Orleans? I've - I've never heard of it." “It's a human world and a well-known metropolis in the United States. You've spent your entire life here, so I'm not surprised that it seems weird to you. The truth is, your mother was adopted by my parents from an orphanage in New Orleans, but she decided to leave because she wanted to know her roots since she's a werewolf. We looked everywhere for her, but we couldn't find her, and since we lost communication, she couldn't find her way back to us either. I made a concerted effort to travel across various packs and I heard she settled here in Crescent pack and gave birth to a girl named, Hayley." "I know you're accused of somethings but I'm here to assure you that you'll be alright. I'm here to help you since you're related to me. I'm taking you back to New Orleans. I won't let you die like my sister," . "What's your name?" I finally asked her and she cupped my cheek, flashing me a bright soothing smile. "My name is Caroline Hayley Stewart. I suppose there's a reason your mother gave you the name ‘Hayley’." She stated before dragging me and hugging me tightly. "Now let's get out of here! We have not much time to waste," She grabbed my hands and I watched as she navigated the whole place to the woods as if she had lived here for a long time. We walked into the woods, our legs making the leaves rustle. The birds screeched in the sky, and I turned around, fear etching my features. What If we get caught? "What of my mom?" I asked all of a sudden as I remembered what Karen said. "I buried her. I heard of her death which is why I'm doing my best to save you. I don't want any harm coming to you. You deserve a better life than living in misery in this stupid pack." She mumbled, and I sniffed, my eyes starting to flood up with tears once more. "I am aware of the terrible things people say about you. Since I've always known your mother to be decent and honest, I know you were set up. I'm positive her daughter would never act in such a deplorable manner. Hayley, I have FAITH in you.” She responded as she caressed my cheek, her tender words dissolving my anxiety. I gave her a tight hug and said, "Please take me with you. Please, take me far from here. This is not the kind of place I want my child to l ive in. I don't want it to suffer like I did." Caroline nodded and patted my back before leaning in to kiss me on the forehead.