Alpha Nasser

Chapter 2: A place for me to rest

I stumbled out of the bar, the cool night air hitting me like a slap in the face. My heart was heavy, tears streaming down my cheeks as I tried to catch my breath. The noise of the street was overwhelming, but I could barely hear anything over the sound of my own sobs.

I had to get out of there, away from Ethan and his new mate, away from the pain and the betrayal. My feet carried me away from the bar, away from the neon lights and the raucous laughter of the patrons.

As I walked, my mind raced, trying to make sense of what had just happened. Ethan, the man I thought was my soulmate, had found his true mate, and it wasn't me. The realization was like a punch to the gut, leaving me reeling and lost.

My thoughts were interrupted by a loud honking noise, and I stumbled to the side of the road, narrowly avoiding getting hit by a passing car. My heart was pounding in my chest as I looked around, disoriented and overwhelmed.

I felt a coldness spreading through my heart, like a creeping frost that threatened to consume me. Would I ever be able to love again, to trust someone with my heart? Or was I doomed to wander through life, alone and unloved?

As I lay in bed, lost in my memories, I heard a creaking sound coming from my bedroom door. I turned my head to see my friend Cathy barging inside, a look of disgust on her face.

"Ugh, what's with all the waterworks, Emily?" she sneered, wrinkling her nose in distaste.

I wiped away my tears, feeling embarrassed for showing my vulnerability in front of her. "Ethan...he found his true mate. It's not me."

Cathy rolled her eyes, flopping down on my bed uninvited. "Well, what did you expect, Em? You can't just go around thinking you're the only one for him. He's a hot werewolf, for crying out loud."

I recoiled from her callousness, feeling hurt and betrayed by her words. "I thought we were friends, Cathy. Can't you be a little more sympathetic?"

Cathy shrugged, looking bored. "Sorry, not sorry. I just don't get why you're so hung up on him. He's not even that great."

I felt a surge of anger at her dismissiveness, but also a twinge of doubt. Was she right? Was I just clinging to a romanticized version of our relationship?

But as I thought back to the happy times we shared, the laughter and love we had for each other, I knew that my feelings were real. "You don't understand, Cathy. We had something special."

Cathy snorted. "Yeah, until he found someone hotter. Face it, Em, you're better off without him."

I started to pack my belongings, throwing clothes and toiletries haphazardly into a suitcase. There was no hope for me to handle all of this, not without some time and distance.

There was no way for me to handle this sorrow alone, I wanted to be comforted by my family, but my father and my mother had already died in the last crisis of the rouge wolf attack.

Aunt Marlene, the only family I had left after my parents' death. She had always been there for me, a constant source of love and support, even when the world seemed to be against me.

Without hesitation, I drove the car and was on my way, my heart racing with the hope that she would be able to offer me some solace.

As I drove towards the cottage, my mind was filled with memories of happier times, of lazy afternoons spent with my aunt, exploring the nearby woods and baking cookies in her cozy kitchen.

I knew that Aunt Marlene would be able to help me find my way through this dark time, to offer me the guidance and love that I so desperately needed. And for the first time in what felt like an eternity, I felt a glimmer of hope in my heart.

As I approached the entrance to Aunt Marlene's pack, a group of unfamiliar werewolves stepped forward to block my way.

"Who are you?" one of them growled, his eyes scanning me up and down.

"I'm Emily," I said, trying to sound confident. "I'm here to see my aunt."

The werewolf snorted. "And why should we believe you?"

I felt a knot form in my stomach. This was not the warm welcome I had been expecting. But I refused to back down.

"I have permission to enter the pack," I said firmly, pulling out my ID card.

The werewolf studied it for a moment before grudgingly stepping aside.

"Go on," he said, jerking his head towards the entrance. "But watch your back. This pack is not what it used to be."

I swallowed hard as I stepped through the gates. The familiar streets were there, but there was an underlying tension in the air that I couldn't quite place.

As I walked, I noticed unfamiliar faces everywhere, and the once-familiar buildings seemed to have taken on a sinister air. But despite the unease that filled me, I couldn't help feeling a glimmer of hope. Aunt Marlene was here, and she had always been a source of comfort and guidance for me. Maybe she could help me find my way through this dark time.