Chapter 1: A Forced Marriage

Zalena carefully stepped inside the house after she had gone for an early morning run, what would normally be busy with pack members coming in and out of their home, was silent. Too silent. Zalena had paused briefly in the doorway as she had caught sight of someone else’s sweatshirt hanging over a chair. Her wolf only growing more anxious as she walked further into the shared home, the sound of a bed creaking began to fill the quietness and soon grew to be the only thing she heard in the house, she willed herself to remain calm despite the rage filling every sense she had.

Moans and cries of pleasure came from beyond the bedroom door and anger wrapped itself around Zalena’s throat like it willed her to let it suffocate her. She approached the bedroom door, it wasn’t the first time he had brought another omega home and took her to bed. And it certainly wouldn’t be the last time either as she shoved the door open.

The sight before her wasn’t unfamiliar, another omega on top of what was her ‘Alpha’, or by marriage that’s what they were. Andros couldn’t be the furthest thing from her true mate, they were wrong for each other in every way possible. While he ruled with an iron fist, she took the gentler approach to everything. She was one of the few who’s mate was wrong for her, but by pack rules, they were to be married and she was to be his Luna. The ceremony had taken place a few weeks after Zalena had turned 18 and experienced her first shift, after the elders had declared her a perfect fit for Andros, they were married, but weren’t mates. She never felt a pull towards him, and he had admitted the same after some time had passed.

A yelp came from the omega that had been on top of Andros, spluttering apologies to Zalena as the omega attempted to put her clothes back on as though she hadn’t been intimate with the alpha of Fallen Grove a few moments prior. Zalena couldn’t help the small laugh that escaped her as she walked over to the omega and simply helped her with her clothes. The girl looked at her wide-eyed, Alice, at least that’s the name that came to Zalena’s mind as she simply tugged the shirt on over her head.

“Y-You’re not mad?” The girl questioned as Zalena had stepped back once she had finished helping the omega dress.

“You’re not the first omega he’s brought home, Alice. Nor will you be the last, though as your Luna, I am disappointed in your actions…” Zalena huffed. “Please, have more respect for yourself, go home…” She turned as the omega had fled the room at the first given opportunity. She crossed her arms as Andros merely quirked a brow as though he was waiting for her to speak first.

“Really, you could at least act like we’re mates.” It was the same argument over and over again, after the initial ceremony, Andros had been sweet at one point. But that too, just like the promises he had made, faded over time. “Or at least divorce me Andros, then you can be with whoever you want to be.”

“No.” It was the same answer he had given her every time, and it infuriated her to no end. She could feel her wolf, trying to push through. A low snarl rippled through her as she turned back to him.

“Every time… It’s the same answer… Every. Single. Time.” Andros chuckled as she had growled at him and stood, towering over her as he stared down at her intently, those familiar green eyes of his own wolf slowly taking over as though he was fighting to keep him at bay as well. “Why?”

“We’re married, you’re my Luna. It’s simple.” Andros sighed as though he was done with the conversation, he at least had the decency to put a pair of sweatpants back on. “I’m done discussing this. I am your alpha, you will not question me again.” A warning, one that Zalena had become familiar with as Andros had gotten ready for the day. Rage rolled inside of her at it, but she took a breath and steadied herself, she would have to put up that wall again so the pack would not question her.

The weakened bond that the elders had forced upon them using a mix of herbs and some spellwork that had dated back to centuries ago was wearing thin. There were still rules to be followed when it came to a bond, no matter how it was forced, and the most important was to never betray your spouse. A sigh came from Zalena as she had tugged off her sportswear and gotten dressed in something more comfortable since she was pupsitting for the moms of the pack. They needed a break and Zalena loved to watch them.

‘We should leave.’ Her wolf remarked as Zalena had walked down the steps, ignoring the disapproving growls of Andros as she made her way to the meadow where the pups would be gathered.

‘I have duties to this pack I can’t abandon… We both know that…’ It was the same argument with her wolf every time, but… Perhaps leaving wouldn’t be so bad? She could at least consider taking a break from the pack and taking some time for herself.

She shook her head as though she was ridding herself of the thought, she couldn’t do that… Or… Could she? The thoughts continued to roll through her mind until she had arrived at the meadow, making herself comfortable and shoving away the thoughts for now as she watched the pups playing. The mothers nodded their thanks before heading off… Wherever it was that they had gone when she took over and watched them for the day.

A slight frown spread across her features as her thoughts had drifted. Longing building up as she tried to think of how she could get away, even for a short period of time. But was swiftly chased away when one of the pups had come over to her with his hands closed around what she could only assume to be a bug.

“Miss Luna!” The pup had exclaimed as he giggled. “I found a friend!” He added on rather swiftly as she held out her hands, the boy placing a small caterpillar in her hands.

“A beautiful friend, it looks like it’s a little caterpillar… Perhaps if you ask your mom nicely, she’ll help you take care of your friend.” She explained as the boy seemed to light up.

“Can you watch Mr. Caperpiller?” The pup asked, he was still young and was still learning how to pronounce everything. Zalena had found it endearing the way that he had always come to her when he found something he liked.

“Of course I can, and then we’ll talk to your mom okay?” She cooed, the pup nodding eagerly and running off to find the others to play again. She plucked some grass from where she was sitting and then placed the small insect inside the plastic container along with the grass.

The two hours that the mothers had left for coffee and promised to come back had gone by in the blink of an eye, and Zalena was almost sad to leave the pups behind. The pup’s mom had done exactly as Zalena had predicted at the news of him finding an insect friend, though she could only smile as his mom, a shorter woman with blonde hair and piercing green eyes that went by Cynthia had agreed to care of the bug until it was a butterfly. Though she had looked to Zalena for guidance, she had swiftly explained the run down of the caterpillar’s care. She watched as they had made their way back across the meadow and had gone their ways.

She glanced down as her phone buzzed, she had received two separate text messages, one from Andros telling her to come back to the pack house right away, and she wouldn’t dare ignore his orders… The second from a long time friend from outside this pack. The only one who she had shared the tiniest bit of information with on what her situation was really like. She clicked on that text first, opening it and seeing an advertisement for a town called Elmwood Spring, a town of second chances.

‘Our chance to escape.’ Her wolf cooed, to which she found herself pleased at the idea.