Chapter 6

After shifting into her wolf form, Rhea bounded through the floral shrubs. She traced the sound of flowing water, leading her to a shallow river nestled within the forest. As she arrived at the pristine stream and gazing at the surface, her wolf's reflection staring back at her. Her silver fur was beautiful, a rarity for the werewolf to have fur shimmered like the light of the Moon Goddess. All this time Rhea always kept her wolf form in secret, shifting only when she was sure no one was watching. And she was grateful her wolf didn't assert itself as frequently as many other werewolves. Emerging from the chilly water, Rhea shifted back into her human form and made her way to the spot where her clothes lay waiting. "Aunt Pansy has probably already figured out what happened to me. What am I supposed to say to her about this? No one is going to believe what I said." No one would hold Alpha Killian accountable, Rhea was sure. She knew she would be the one to blame and what kind of consequences she would face. She decided to go to Lana's house, her human friend. "I will head to her house." But Rhea needed to head back to her room to swap out her mud-stained dress. She slipped through the back gate of the manor, making her way back to her room with a quiet grace. But her fortune took a different turn as she drew the gaze of her bully. Rhea walks past them, but they stop her. They're Flora and Caty, manor maids who Rhea sure are hating her. "Hey little mouse, where did you wander off to all night?" Flora asked. From the moment Rhea started working there, she already sensed an underlying hate from them. "Are you enjoying yourself at the bar? Seeking someone who will provide you with everything you desire in return for your body?" Caty blurted out Rhea furrowed her brows, finding the accusation this time utterly ridiculous. "You said nonsense, Caty." Caty, the one with curly strands, burst into laughter, saying, "How can we trust a girl who sold herself to a Rogue for some cash?" Rhea let out a deep breath. She was at a loss for how to react to these kinds of words. "You can accuse someone if you have no proof, Goodnight both of you" Rhea glided away, but Flora caught her wrist. "Should I mention that your name is well-known among the rogues in the City Bars? Your brother Leon wouldn't make a ridiculous tale just to elevate a mouse like you to fame." Rhea gaped. Leon! It’s him! Cause who else would fabricate a tale just to portray her in a negative light? Rhea felt a warmth in her eyes as she fought to keep her tears at bay. "That's not true!" Caty tugged at her hair, leaning in to whisper near her ear. "There's also news circulating that you're pregnant. I bet you don't even know who the dad is." "Isn't it a shame when a baby's parentage is questionable?" Flora smirked. "You disgusting. You should just die." Caty said as she pushed Rhea to the floor. "Alpha Killian will kill you soon," Flora delivered a sharp kick to Rhea's ribs, causing her to roll over. "He will throw you to the Lycans and your body will likely be discarded for their feast." Rhea's hands wrapped around her belly protectively. She curled up, seeking solace from the ache in her ribcage. The kick left his ribs aching, yet a deeper, more intense hurt lingered within her chest. 'Leon, how could he treat me like this?' By leaving her adoptive parents' house, she thought that his animosity would vanish over time. Flora tilted her head, observing the stillness of Rhea's reaction. “You didn’t want to say something? I suppose this is all rumors accurate." Just before her second kick struck her, Rhea rolled over and elevated her torso off the ground. Palms resting gently on her abdomen. "What you heard is not true," Rhea said, daring to meet each of their gazes. "It's not true! Leon simply wants to see me in pain." Flora and Caty shared a fleeting look before turning their attention back to Rhea. "Isn't that what you truly deserve?" When Caty hurried over to her, Rhea instinctively protected herself, covering her body and head from Caty's blows. Seconds went by, yet there were no hits, no slaps, nothing at all on her body. When Rhea opened her eyes, she gasped in surprise. Beta Elijah towering over her. His gaze fixed on Flora and Caty without a hint of fury. The spark in Caty's eyes vanished in an instant, giving way to a growing unease as the Beta gripped her wrists with a firm hold. "Some offenses happen in this manner, darling. But I have never witnessed an omega so determined to take down another." Elijah's voice carried an undeniable calmness. The Beta exuded a chilling aura, equally as daunting as the Alpha, particularly with his unnerving composure. He is one of the most formidable warriors in Alpha Killian’s pack. Caty could only shake her head and cried "I don't intend to hurt her! Let me go Beta! Please!"