In a way, I feel like my mom when she got rejected by the Beta. I have no idea how she felt during that period or what she went through. But I have heard rumors enough to predict that she didn't have a good one.
I can't keep the tears from streaming. You know that feeling where you desperately want to stop shedding tears but you can't, not because you don't want to but because the tears won't let you be.
That's how I feel at this moment. Hopeless and emotionally drained.
I wipe my face with the hem of my dress repeatedly to no avail. I stay by the railing, hands over my face supporting it, gently gazing at the field where a group of park Warriors are training. I giggle when a young boy, not a teenager, stumbles down when he punches a much bigger one.
Serenity. That's the word I can describe the moment. The fact that life can be hard and still be peaceful for a few minutes is simply amazing. Not amazing in a good way, but amazing in a certain way. Like how you'd probably be mad at someone for stealing your stuff but still giggle when you take ice cream the next minute.
Soft footsteps creep up on me. They're gently paddling the tiled floor. I look towards the direction of the commotion, wiping my tears quickly, hoping that whoever it is, isn't Alpha Josh.
The noise increases and whoever it is, comes out of the shadows, feeling the walls afraid they might get busted. I squint my eyes, trying to get a clear picture, Maya's frail stature comes into view.
I close my eyes, then open. Desperately trying to get hold of the situation.
"What are you? What are you doing here?" I frankly run in her direction. Engulfing her in a warm hug, patting her hair.
"Shh...I came to get you." She takes both my hands in hers. Gently massaging them. She squints her eyes, getting rid of the tears.
I take her all in. Basking in her familiar warmth of home. Not minding the fact that we both look like shit, my hair smells like rain, and I probably had snot all over my dress.
"Why are you here?" I distance myself from her, running my hands through her hair and using my dress to get the dirt out of her face.
"You can't be here," I tell her again. The tears are long gone. I don't know whether to be excited or terrified that she is here, and the risk of her getting caught. I look over the window, monitoring the training grounds. The warriors are training like they did a few minutes ago, fierce and focused.
"Listen, Zara. I need to take you away from here. I have asked Lara all the questions I can, but she didn't answer any. She kept saying that she didn't know. I'm not convinced, Zara. Something is wrong. And are these tears?"
I bring my palms over my face, shielding it away from her. I rub them over my face harshly, desperately wishing the tears would just go away.
"No," I mutter.
What she uttered next is terrifying and thrilling. She leans against the opposite wall, close to the big window overlooking the compound, craning her head so she could have a view of my face; "We have to get you out of here. The man that came by when we were by the swing didn't look nice, Zara. This doesn't suit you. You look sad, and it has only been two days."
Wasn't she the one who was so excited about me having a mate? Didn't she give me the whole destined for each other talk? Maya is disheveled; her eyes are pale and sunk, and it looks as if she hasn't slept for a very long time. There's a fresh bruise on her arm, which looks like it was a result of thorns. Did she walk here?
"I have a mate. The Alpha is my mate, and I can't just leave, Maya."
She leans forward, engulfing me in a hug. She pulls back and asks in the most vulnerable voice I have ever seen her use, "Does he make you happy? I know it has only been two days but I need you to answer this, sincerely. Does being mated to him make you feel safe? When I look at you, Zara. I just see a girl who needs saving. I see this fragile woman who needs to be shielded from whatever this is."
I proceed to reply, but she places a finger over my lips shushing me.
Maya's eyes widen when she suggests,
"Come with me, Zara. We have to get you out of here."
How?