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Chapter 1: Birthday horrors.

(Haisley's POV)

What could be worse than being rejected on your 18th birthday? I'm sure you wouldn't be able to answer that question.

My dream birthday party at Vulture's event center was bittersweet. My mate, Kayden, was absent, and his rejection.

I guess not everything went as planned, as my mate was too caught up in other activities.

I tried my best to enjoy my birthday party, but I felt like a huge part of me was missing. I tried to reach him so many times, but after he had informed me that he was taking care of “Alpha” duties. He stopped taking my calls and I just let him be.

"Meet me at my house after the party," he'd said. "We'll celebrate, and I'll mark you as mine now that you're of age."

Those words now seemed hollow.

After the party, my parents and little brother headed home. I planned to join Scott, my best friend, but he wasn't answering his phone. Unease crept in; my wolf was restless.

I hailed a taxi and went to Scott's house, anxiety growing with each passing mile. Where was he? Why wasn't he answering?

“Thank you so much” I smiled, as I paid off the driver, the moment the car came to a halt, right in front of Scott's house.

I forced the door open, yelling out his name. But, the only response I got was my own echo.

I squinted my eyes, marveled by the dramatic change of the environment.

His house was usually organized, but reversed was the case. His clothes were littered everywhere, as a flower vase that stood on the center table had been broken.

Fear gripped me, as awful thoughts of what could have happened ran through my mind. I clutched on to the edge of my dress,as I walked up the stairs, anxious to find him.

Upstairs, I found my mate, Scott, naked and entwined with another woman. The door was wide open, as if they wanted me to witness their betrayal.

My heart shattered into a million pieces. I felt frozen, unable to move or speak. They were so engrossed in each other that they didn't notice my presence. Or maybe they had noticed it and chose to ignore me completely.

"Scott!" I finally managed to whisper.

He looked up, kissed the woman, and nonchalantly covered himself with the duvet, dragging himself out of the bed.

"You could have called before coming over," he said, his voice devoid of empathy.

My anger boiled over, and I tried to slap him, but he caught my hand mid-air.

"Don't try that again. Your life will be the price," he warned, his icy tone sending shivers down my spine.

"Why are you doing this? You said you loved me!" I pleaded, glancing at the woman.

Scott sneered. "You're from a poor family. I'm an alpha's heir. Why would I mark you as my mate?"

Our two-year relationship meant nothing to him.

"You were just a teenager," he dismissed. "Were you really that naive?"

I stood silent, shocked and struggling to breathe.

"Game over, Haisley. I reject you. Leave my house!" Scott ordered.

Tears streaming down my face, I asked, "Why, Scott? Is she worth my heartache?"

Scott's expression remained cold, unmoved.

"I've known Scott since I was sixteen. We were ecstatic to discover we were mates.

We were high school sweethearts, and almost everyone envied our relationship.

But now, his words cut deep.

"Look at her, she is Alpha Damien's daughter. She suits my status and is stunning, unlike you," Scott sneered, his eyes cold.

I begged, "Scott, please. We can work something out. Don't do this."

His expression darkened, and he grasped my hand, tossing me out of the house. It was as if he was possessed.

I reeled, unsure how to react. My wolf, Sophia, wailed in anguish. "Mate!" she cried.

"I'm sorry, Sophia. He doesn't want us," I tried to soothe her.

Her sobs echoed in my mind, but my heartache surpassed hers. Two years of love, shattered.

As I struggled to comprehend the betrayal, my phone rang.

"Aunt Mollie?" I answered, concern etched in my voice.

"Come to the hospital, quickly. Something terrible has happened," she urged, her voice laced with tears.

I redialed Aunt Molie's number, but she'd already disconnected. I hastily wiped away my tears and hailed another taxi, racing to the hospital.

Upon arrival, I found Aunt Molie in a distraught state, slumped at the entrance, her body shaking with sobs.

"Aunt Mollie, what happened?" I asked, fear etched on my face.

She looked up, her eyes red-rimmed, and her clothes stained with blood – but it didn't seem to be hers. The splatters appeared to be from someone else.

"Hailey... everyone... everything," she stammered, wiping her tears with the back of her hand.

Her words sent a chill down my spine. I gently grasped her shoulders.

"Tell me, Aunt Mollie. What's going on?"

"Please, Aunt Mollie, say something that makes sense," I begged, my voice shaking.

My uncle's deep, dry voice cut through the air, "Your parents and brother were in an accident. And it's all your fault!. If you had just had your birthday at home instead of that stupid event center, then they would never have had the accident in the first place."

I lifted my gaze to meet Uncle Ethan's accusatory stare. His words knocked the wind out of me, and I couldn't speak. The floor became my focus.

Aunt Mollie intervened, "Ethan, stop! This isn't the time to blame anyone. We need to find a way to save them."

I had forgotten to mention that I was adopted. My adoptive family had been my rock. They had shown me nothing but love and care.

Uncle Ethan who happened to be my father's elder brother hated me with every bone in his body. It wasn't always like this.

Uncle Ethan's transformation from affection to malice still haunted me.

When I was 16, I went to stay with Uncle Ethan and Aunt Mollie during the holidays. He would always touch me whenever he wanted to speak to me. I never thought anything about it, but one night Uncle Ethan entered my room.

He tore my clothes, and tried to force himself on me.

Waking up to see his face, hovering above mine terrified me and I let out a loud scream.

Aunt Mollie rushed to my room, but by the time she got to my room, he had made his way out. He made sure I wasn't able to tell Aunt Molie what had happened. He convinced her that I had a nightmare

I rejected his advances towards me, ever since then, and he threatened me. He told me that he would make my parents send me away, if I dared to tell anyone the truth.

No one knew, but every encounter with him since then reminded me of that trauma, filling me with fear.

Uncle Ethan often told my parents I was cursed, that I'd bring bad luck to the family. Maybe he wasn't far off. Who else has their mate reject them and their family in an accident on the same day?

"Where will we get $500,000 for their surgery?" Uncle Ethan yelled, his face inches from mine.

I trembled, my tongue dry, eyes welling up, and palms sweating.

My aunt suggested, "You could sell the house." But Uncle Ethan shook his head.

"Even selling the house won't cover half the costs. If this cursed girl hadn't entered our family, we wouldn't face these problems. It's her fault; she'll pay for it."

Uncle Ethan grasped my hand, his grip crushing. I cried out, struggling to free myself.

"Please, let me go!" I pleaded.

He kept dragging me out of the hospital.

“Ethan stop this” my aunt joined me to plead.

He paused, took one look at her, and tightened his grip on my hand,ignoring my aunt's pleas.

"Where are you taking her?" Aunt Mollie chased after us, but Uncle Ethan shoved her to the floor.

"Do you love your family?" he sneered, his eyes cold.

I nodded, terrified.

"Then come with me," he growled, tossing me into his car.

"Where are we going?" I asked, trembling.

"A place we should have gone long ago. Somewhere that will not only pay the hospital bills but also get rid of you forever. Today, we will find out what you are really worth."

His words sent chills down my spine.

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