Danika knew that she was born a disgrace. From the very first day she survived after being ripped out of her late mother's belly by soldiers of the Bloodmoon Pack twenty one years ago.
But she didn't need to be constantly reminded of her inadequacy. Especially when such came from her own father.
Urmaa walked further into the room and stood by the window, looking out at the pack's grounds, her eyes narrowing slightly as she listened to the Alpha's bitter words. "Why did I have such a child?" he muttered again, while slamming his fist on the table.
"Fatherhood is not just about power and legacy, Bernard" she said calmly, turning to face him. "It's about love and acceptance. And Danika needs your understanding and support now more than ever."
Alpha Bernard's expression twisted in frustration. "You don't understand, Urmaa. She's a disappointment, a constant reminder of my failures. The pack is already restless and questioning my leadership because of her... condition."
Urmaa's gaze softened, trying to make him see points with her reasons. "Perhaps it's time to reevaluate what it means to be strong, Benard. Danika's struggles could be an opportunity for growth, for both her and the pack. And I honestly believe that she is destined for greatness. Have you forgotten how she was born?...."
She couldn't imagine that he would forget it that quickly. Shouldn't his daughter be his priority before his cabinets orders? He didn't seem to be taking it all well with Danika who was the victim here.
Alpha Bernard scoffed, cutting her short. "You're as naive as she is, Urmaa. The pack sees weakness. I need to show them strength so as to reassert my dominance. They are already looking down on my authority!"
Urmaa's voice remained gentle but firm. " Danika's situation can change anytime but we're not just aware of when it would be. We just need to..."
" We just need to do what?" He flared, dismissing her words before she could even finish.
" She's already a wolfless omega at twenty one. She can't shift. She can't commune with her wolf. What more is she going to be? What more humiliation is she going to cause me? At times Urmaa, I wonder if Elyse had lied about that pregnancy being mine. I just keep wondering...."
Danika's eyes widened as she listened to her father's outburst. She had never heard him speak like that before, with such venom and anger.
She felt a pang in her chest, and her legs trembled even more. She knew she had to leave before he discovered her eavesdropping.
Even if he didn't, she knew she had to leave before she heard him spit on her late mother's name further.
As she turned to make a hasty exit, her foot caught on the hem of her dress and she stumbled. The flower pot she had been hiding behind rolled over and the sound of shattering pottery echoed through the hallway. Danika's heart sank as she realized she had been discovered.
She quickly got up and began to hurry away from the scene, but her legs felt like lead and her heart was heavy with sorrow. She couldn't bear to face her father or Urmaa after what she had overheard. Especially her father.
Just as she reached the corner of the entrance to her room, she heard Urmaa's voice calling out to her. "Danika, wait!"
Danika didn't stop. She kept running, her eyes welling up with tears. She knew Urmaa would follow her and she didn't want to face her either.
It was only her who always did. Only her who cared about her and how she felt in the pack. The rest didn't. And she didn't want to burden Urmaa with such emotional labour anymore. Afterall she was getting quite advanced in age.
When she reached her room, she began packing her clothes and belongings into a bag. The little she could find. She didn't own much. Ist few hand me downs she got from her younger sister. Her step mother had always told her they needed to save money for the pack so no new clothes were bought for her.
Her father was always busy with wars and lack politics to even notice anything about her.
She knew she had to leave the pack house and she couldn't stay any longer. No one wanted her there anyway so what was the point of staying any further?
Urmaa burst into the room and her face etched with concern. "Danika, what's wrong? Why are you packing?" She questioned the little girl she had raised. The little girl everyone believed wouldn't survive but did.
Danika didn't stop packing. "I'm leaving," she said, her voice shaking. "I won't stay here to be disrespected and mocked."
She didn't want to tell Urmaa but because she was her wet nurse and the only person she held in high esteem, she couldn't leave her question hanging in the air.
Urmaa's eyes filled with tears as she grasped Danika's arm. "Please don't go, child. You're like a daughter to me. I raised you and I won't let you leave like this. I will speak to your father, I will...."
Danika shook her off. "You can't stop me, Urmaa. I've heard enough. I know what they think of me and I won't stay to be humiliated further."
Urmaa's voice was laced with desperation. "Danika, please listen to me. Your father doesn't mean what he said. He's under a lot of pressure from the council and the cabinet. He doesn't know how to handle it. But he loves you Danika. He genuinely does"
" I've made up my mind Urmaa, nothin can stop me. Not even you, so please.... " She pleaded, strapping the ratchet bag she had packed her clothes into, unto her shoulders.
Urmaa saw the tears she was blinking back and felt pity for the little girl. She had had such a rough life ever since she began staying with the pack. Perhaps she would find her happiness outside of it but she couldn't shake off the fear of her falling into trouble.
She was wolfless and couldn't even heal herself if wounded. This made her unsure whether to let her leave.
Danika's lips quivered as she wanted to speak one more and that was Urmaa's cue to let her go. To let go off the hand she held on tightly to, trying to keep her from leaving.
She couldn't even talk. Of what use was keeping her back when she couldn't even talk about her own feelings. The Danika she knew.
She watched as she held on to her bag with her second hand, unable to do anything. Blinking back the tears in her own eyes as she looked away, not wanting to watch her leave.
She could only pray for her to be safe. That was the least she could do now. The only thing she could do now.
**
Danika stepped out of the pack house and to her utmost surprise, none of the soldiers had even wished to stop her from leaving.
It was enough that she wanted to leave this pack behind but doing so without anyone even caring that she was, stung at her heart the most.
She was the Alpha's daughter. His heir but only in words. If she were to recall, no one had ever even treated her like one. She was always dreaded like a stink. Always avoided.
Being the Alpha's daughter was what gave her leverage not to be treated like her fellow omegas, she could tell that was what it was all about.
Danika didn't walk a few meters away from the pack house when she felt someone following her.
She wanted to run. Perhaps the evil people who lurked at night had come after her. Or maybe it was the primal men chasing after the pheromones she had just released hours ago.
Her instincts kicked in. Perhaps to run? Or to stay back and fight. But she wasn't sure of their number and even if she were to stay back and fight, there was no guarantee that she would have the upper hand with her current emotional state.
If she were.....
She was still thinking when she felt a strong and pungent smell being introduced to her nose. She tried to struggle but her assailant had held both of her hands down before she had noticed.
She struggled as much as her strength could let her but in the next few minutes, all she could see were stars .. haven fallen. UNCONSCIOUS.