Chapter 23

Autumn's POV

College was starting soon and this was the perfect opportunity for me to finally be separated from them.  Where did I go wrong with my plan? Things have been going wrongly since I came back. Completely wrong!

"They're all idiots! I set that kind of trap for them and they don't believe I did it? They used to believe even the slightest lie told to them, now they don't believe the truth?" I said to myself, paving around the room.

If I don't think of a way to escape from them, I might be the one losing my life soon. Even if they're acting different now, it doesn't stop the plot that happened in the past life.

One way or the other, Agatha is still going to look for a way to implicate me and they'll believe whatever she says. The murder would be happening at the end, I'll get blamed for it if I don't live. I don't want to repeat the useless fate in my last life.

I was given a chance to make the right decision in this life. Why are they so bent on making my life a living hell? They clearly have no use for me being around them. Why do they keep insisting on not letting me go?

I thought of Agatha again. What if I planned with her to get me kicked out? That would be the most important thing to her right? But that's not enough. I can't work directly with my enemy.

I have nightmares every night, recalling how she completely destroyed me and pushed me off that long cliff to fall to my death. She certainly won't be satisfied unless I'm dead.

Then, what am I supposed to do? I pondered for a while before coming up with something. The streets, market and everywhere else in this pack territory would be bustling with the news right?

Since they refused to leave me alone, why don't I go out to see what public opinion says about us? I quickly got dressed and got ready to go out. I didn't see any of them do I quickly made my way outside.

The sun was out, casting a golden hue over the streets as I walked towards the market. The air smelled of bread, roasted meats, and something floral I couldn’t place. It was busy today. This is great because I wanted it to be.

I knew people were talking. I had heard the whispers echo through the corridors of the pack house. I needed them to talk more. Loudly and publicly. I came here on purpose, wearing the same worn clothes from yesterday. My eyes slightly puffy, lips a little dry. I wanted to look like a girl struggling. One who had been used and tossed aside.

I wandered past fruit stalls and cloth vendors, pretending not to notice the stares. But I saw them. I heard them.

"That’s her," someone whispered. "The one from that post. The girl the Alphas tried to—"

"You think it's true?"

"Why else would she be out here alone?"

I wanted them to believe it. I didn’t need to say a word. My silence would make them wonder even more.

I stopped near a spice stall, pretending to sniff at some cinnamon, when I heard a voice behind me.

"Autumn!"

I turned slowly. It was my best friends Ivy and next to her, Rowan.

Of course, I hadn’t seen them since the punishment. I had expected more distance. But I knew they'd come crawling back. They always did when something dramatic happened.

I gave a small, unsure smile. "Hey."

They rushed toward me like I was their lost sister. I was a bit confused but I acted along.

"We saw the post," Ivy said. Her eyes were wide with concern. "Is it true? What they did to you?"

Rowan added, "Those bastards. I can’t believe the Alphas would stoop so low."

If I didn’t know them in my past life—if I hadn’t seen how fake they could be behind a sweet voice and a warm hug—I would’ve thought they were genuine.

But I knew better. Still, I let my smile shake a little, lips trembling as I looked down.

"I didn’t want anyone to know," I whispered. "But someone posted it. Now everyone… knows."

I let my shoulders tremble. My eyes burned. I forced tears to rise.

"Autumn..." Ivy placed a hand on my arm. "They didn’t hurt you, did they?"

I gave a shaky breath, then nodded. "They kept saying I owed them. That I was weak, that I had no choice."

Rowan looked furious. "Those bastards! I knew they were cruel, but this... This is disgusting."

People around us started to slow their pace, they were listening. A case of abuse and domestic violence, this should be the best thing ever.

Perfect.

"They won’t let me leave either," I continued, voice breaking. "I told them I wanted to go. That I didn’t feel safe. But they said no. Said I was theirs."

I said it just loud enough. A mother passing by with her son stopped in her tracks.

"They want to use me," I added, wiping my eyes. "Like I’m just some object."

Ivy looked at me, jaw clenched. "You shouldn't stay here. We should help you leave. We can talk to people."

Rowan nodded. "We should protest. Get pack members involved. The Alphas can't keep you prisoner."

Inside, I smiled.

"I just... I didn’t know who to trust," I whispered again, letting my voice falter. "Even Agatha... I thought she hated me. She always wanted me to leave, and now I wonder if she was trying to save me. Maybe she was right."

Rowan frowned. "Agatha? That brat? She’s no saint."

"Maybe not," I whispered. "But she never pretended to care like they did. At least she was honest."

I saw doubt flicker in Ivy's eyes. The seed was planted.

"You don’t have to stay here anymore," Ivy said firmly. "We’ll go to the elders. Get people on our side. You’re not alone, Autumn."

"Thank you," I sniffed, pressing a hand over my mouth. "I didn’t think anyone would believe me."

Rowan shook her head. "We believe you. And we won’t let them hurt you again."

The people nearby had heard enough. I could see the looks of shock, the whispers starting again. The story would spread faster than wildfire.

And all I had to do was pretend to cry. My smile stayed hidden behind my tears. What a bunch of vulnerable people. But I don't feel sorry for this.

A lot of them, I remember their faces as part of the people who blamed and criticized me in my past life. I don't mind using them to get out of this hellhole. I hate the Alpha brothers.

Everything was going exactly as planned. Soon, I'll be out no matter how they want to keep me. I'll go out before I become their mate, and it'll be hard to explain it by that time.

I went back with a smile on my face. A protest? Hell yeah!