Episode 23

I was waiting for the first hit. My head was pounding so hard, my heart was beating so fast and loud. I never thought of how it would feel to be stoned, but I knew I wouldn't be able to survive it. I had thought they would stop when I mentioned my father, but instead they laughed it off.

They all knew he disowned me. That simply means everyone knows it. It must have been announced.

I lost hope of escaping this. I had been thinking of how to get home and face the punishment that awaited me, only to face this. I never thought of it.

I was squatting right there on the ground, burying my face into my body while quivering as tears were rolling continuously down my cheeks. My heart was racing; the rock was going to injure me so badly and the men looked so serious. They hated me deeply.

I was in that position waiting for the strike and wouldn't stop crying, but then I didn't feel anything and it was almost a minute. I was scared, scared that they wanted me to show my face so the stone would strike it. I hid it with deep pain in my heart.

Then, I heard the sounds of bone breaking and a heavy punch. I arched my brow, puzzled by what was going on. I couldn't just understand and thought my ears were deceiving me. Then, I raised my head slowly, only to see him again.

He fought like an alpha, breaking their necks and punching so heavily. The men were no match for him. He was so aggressive and hit them with all his might, not minding if they died. There was pure fury in his eyes.

I watched in amazement. The man in front of me was Jason, my mate. He just rescued me from this, as he saved me from being hurt. Lena leapt in joy as she howled. Seeing her mate fight for her really made her feel great and satisfied.

My face was covered with bright smiles, which refused to go away. I sat on the ground and enjoyed the show. The men tried fighting back, even when they were close to ten. None of them could succeed in hitting Jason with a single blow. He was so swift.

I stared closely at him and found out his face was covered with a different mask. My brow arched as I wondered why.

Not long after, the two who escaped death ran away for their lives. Jason was bent on killing them, not just hitting them. He looked so enraged, seeing it was me they were bullying and wanted to hurt.

He growled, watching the two men scampered for their lives, then he turned to me and I clapped, immediately squeaking happily.

"Do you know me?" He asked with a lopsided smile, stretching out his hand to me. It assisted me in rising from the ground.

"That disguise can't change anything for me. I'll always recognize that man named Jason." I whispered the last part, making him laugh as he wrapped his arms around my slender waist, drawing me close to his body.

I swear, I froze. My whole body became cold and I could only swallow nothing. My body was pressing on him, especially my boobs. I tried pulling away but he held me still, making me roam my eyes around to make sure no one was watching, but hell no, we were outside. I don't expect to see anyone.

"Jason, you are endangering my life with this. Do you know what will happen to me when I get home?" I'm always weak because of the continuous torture I have gone through. Please let me go," I mumbled, burying my face in his broad chest. I won't doubt it. I never want to go and I don't want to break the close hug. I wish to be that way for an hour, but I can't.

Today would never be easy for me. It was my first day of going against my father's order. I thought I'd come back before they finished the war, but I was wrong. I had overstayed.

The Beta, Gamma, and everyone else were going to work together to inflict severe pain on me.

"Elena, why were those men so cruel to you?" They were serious and would have stoned you. Those rocks would have fallen on your beautiful face, your beautiful hair, and your soft skin. Gosh!!.. I wish they all died. I can't believe they also got the chance to run away. I thought those men on the ground died," he fumed, as he couldn't see them again.

"Thank you for saving me. I'm forever grateful." So why is your face masked with that skin? You have someone's face. What are you hiding?" I asked, smiling.

I snuck out of school to meet you. I have been restless since you left. I felt incomplete and wanted to see you for the second time. Why did you run away back then in the garden, Elena? I'm sorry for all you have passed through. You ran away because Scarlett was coming, right?" He asked, his eyes shimmering as he peered into my eyes deep. I couldn't help the huge smile that spread across my face.

"Jason I'm still surprised you love me. Just tell me why.... I don't know anything about love because everything around me is full of hatred; I thought you'd be sorry after hearing I killed my pack's Luna; my father has even disowned me. " I breathed, feeling a huge heaviness in my heart.

"How can you kill your mother when you are still unaware of anything?" He raised his eyebrows, getting angry instantly. I could see his muscles pushing themselves out of his flesh.

"I can't just understand either. My two-coloured eyes made them believe any shit about me. They rejected me, saying I'm a demon-like person. I'm just so happy you are different, but it pains me that we won't be this way anymore. " I sighed, feeling my heart shred.

I don't know when I'd be lucky again to sneak out of that prison to see him.

"Elena, did you say they'd beat you when you got home?" He asked, with his tone exuding great care that made my heart twitch. It had been so long since someone cared about me, and hearing this touched me deeply.

"I'm sorry for bothering you; please return to school and live your life in peace as it has always been; I must return. I mumbled with my voice cracking. I was feeling the pain deep inside my heart.

Those words I said broke me down. Going back to meet those people who despise me so much, while leaving the first man I loved, was excruciatingly painful. For reasons best known to us, we can't even talk about being mates. I know it can't work, not when Scarlett also has an eye for him and wants him so badly,

Not when I'll be locked up and bound forever. There is just no hope for us. I just need to move on and accept that.

"I can't let you go. It's so hard to let go of you. I feel like my heart is being ripped off if you leave now. When are we going to see each other, and they are going to torture you. Can I please return home with...?" He paused and shut his eyes tightly, growling deeply. He moved his hand through his hair in frustration.

"I should be going." I snapped and wriggled myself free from his grip, running off as much as my legs could carry me.

At that moment, burning tears rolled freely down my cheeks. My heart bled. I felt so weak yet wouldn't stop running home. It was so hard. At some point, I wondered how I was able to get away from him. Why did I ever leave him?

I felt like going back and resting in his arms forever. My legs wobbled and my wolf howled aggressively. I whimpered and sniffed the hot tears. I got more hurt and shattered when my feet hit on a rock and I got my nail ripped off.

"Fuck!!" I grit in exasperation, cursing the rock In my heart, the pain of the wound wasn't in any way compared to what I felt the moment I got to the gate of the Royal Packhouse. The guards at the gate led me in with those stares that send shivers through the spine.