Chapter 2 2: On The Run

Willow's POV

I watched in horror as the crowd made jest of me, their laughter and snickers piercing my heart like a thousand knives. I couldn't believe I had let my guard down, that I had been so stupid to think the triplets actually wanted me.

They made me feel wanted... they made me feel so beautiful that for the first time, I saw colors instead of plain black and white, my heart was shattered beyond measure, I couldn't explain how this had hurt me so bad, it was worse... worse than anything I had to face.

"How could they do this to me?" I thought, tears streaming down my face. "After everything we shared, after they made me feel seen and wanted...this is how they repay me?"

"What were you expecting, do you think the triplets will want to have anything to do with you? Be for real Willow!" Sophia, a wannabe girlfriend to the triplet said and I held in my breath.

I felt her hand on my shoulder, but I shook it off. "Leave me alone, Sophia," I said, my voice shaking.

"I need to get out of here," I mumbled to myself.

Sophia looked at me with a mockery smile, but I looked away, pushing past her, and ran. I didn't stop until I reached the safety of the basement I had known as my home, I collapsed on the torn mattress, sobbing uncontrollably.

"Why did I think they wanted me?" I cried, pounding my fists on the pillow. "I'm such an idiot. I should have known better. No one wants someone like me. I'm a disgrace."

"How could I have let myself dream that way, what was I thinking? How could I have been so stupid? So fucking stupid!" I wailed louder, this hurt so bad, no words were enough to explain how I truly felt.

I thought back to the night we shared, and how they had made me feel like I was the only person in the world. But now, I realized it was all a lie.

"They used me," I whispered, my heart heavy with grief. "They used me for their own amusement, and now they're discarding me like trash."

I remembered the way Asher had smiled at me, the way Aiden had touched my hair, the way Axel had whispered sweet nothings in my ear. It had all been a ruse, a way to get me to let my guard down.

"I'm so stupid," I cried, my body shaking with sobs. "I should have known better than to trust them."

I cried until I was tired until I could cry no more, and lay on my back, looking at the ceiling. Something inside of me began to stir. It was a spark of anger, instead of feeling sorry for myself I was enraged, I was angry and I couldn't let them keep on pushing me to the side always, they have done more than enough!

"I won't let them do this to me," I said aloud, wiping my tears. "I won't let them break me."

I took a deep breath, thinking about what I was going to do, I would pack my little belongings, leave this pack, and start anew. I would show them that I was more than just a laughingstock, more than just a rejected mate.

I wiped my tears and sat down on the bed, it was way past midnight and people were busy right now, this was the perfect time for me to run away, from this pack and everything that comes with it.

I stood up and looked around searching for my belongings, something I could leave with and I found out I had little to none, I didn't let that deter me and I quietly made my way out of the basement.

I slowly walked out of the pack house, I made sure I didn't call attention to the guards and as soon as I was far away from the pack house, I ran as fast as I could, my heart pounding in my chest. I had to get out of the pack, away from the triplets and their mocking laughter. I didn't dare look back, fearing what I might see.

I was able to make it to the edge of the pack's territory, I slowed down, my breath coming in ragged gasps. I threw stones at the other side to catch the attention of the guards and when I noticed their eyes were away from me, I was able to make it out of the border.

I kept on running, into the wilderness, scared of rogues but that didn't stop me and not for once did I look back, I had never been this far from home before, and the wilderness stretched out before me like an endless sea.

I walked for hours, the darkness seeming to swallow me whole. I stumbled over roots and fallen branches, my feet aching with every step.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, I saw the lights of a city in the distance. I stumbled towards them, my legs trembling with exhaustion.

As I entered the city, I felt relief wash over me. I had made it. I was safe.

But my relief was short-lived. As I crossed the street, I didn't see the car coming. It hit me with a sickening thud, and I felt myself flying through the air.

I landed hard on the pavement, my head spinning. I tried to sit up, but a wave of dizziness washed over me, and I fell back down.

A female voice screamed, and I saw a car screech to a halt beside me. Two figures leaped out, a boy and a girl, and rushed to my side.

"Are you okay?" the boy asked, his voice full of concern.

I tried to speak, but my voice was barely a whisper. I felt myself fading away, my vision blurring.

The girl's face appeared above me, her eyes wide with worry. "Oh my goddess, she's hurt! We have to call an ambulance!"

I tried to nod, but my head felt like lead. I was unable to speak, unable to move.

Everything went black.

*

I gasped and I slowly opened my eyes, groggily taking in my surroundings. I was met with an unfamiliar ceiling and the smell of antiseptic, which quickly made me realize I was in a hospital.

A gentle voice spoke up beside me, "Oh, thank the goddess you're awake!"

I turned my head to see a kind-faced girl with a warm smile. She quickly grabbed my hand and moved closer to me.

"My name is Ruby," she said, her eyes filled with concern. "I'm so sorry to say that I was the one driving the car that hit you. I feel absolutely terrible about it. I didn't pay so much attention on the road and it almost cost your life, I feel so stupid right now."

I tried to speak, but my voice was hoarse. Ruby quickly handed me a glass of water, which I gratefully accepted.

A young man with a friendly face moved closer to us. "Hey, I'm Jason. I was riding with Ruby when the accident happened. I hope you're doing okay. We made sure to rush you to the hospital immediately when you collapsed, we are so sorry for what we caused."

I nodded, still trying to process everything.

"We should let the doctor know she had woken up," Ruby said and Jason nodded. She pressed a button at the side of the bed and a few minutes later, the doctor came in and examined me.

"Is everything alright doctor?" Ruby asked and the doctor nodded.

"Of course, she is fine, just a bit battered and bruised. She fainted out of exhaustion and with enough rest, she will be back on her feet before you know it," he replied and they let out a deep sigh.

"That's great to hear!" Ruby smiled and the doctor nodded.

"I will prescribe some drugs for her to use, she will be discharged soon."

"Thank you, doctor," they both chorused.

As soon as the doctor left, Jason turned to look at me, "So, where do you stay? We can give you a ride home if you'd like."

I hesitated, unsure of what to say. I didn't have anywhere to go, no home to return to.

"You should ask her about her name," Ruby mumbled and moved forward.

"My name is Willow," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "And I don't have anywhere to go. I was wondering if maybe...you could help me out for a little while. I promise I'll be out of your hair within the week." I felt so embarrassed letting those words out of my lips but I didn't have a choice.

Ruby's face lit up with a warm smile. "Of course, Willow! You're more than welcome to come stay with us. It's the least we can do after what happened."

I felt a wave of gratitude wash over me. "Thank you so much, Ruby. That's incredibly kind of you."

Ruby waved her hand dismissively. "It's no problem at all. We'll get you all settled in and comfortable. And maybe, just maybe, this is my way of saying sorry for hitting you with my car! So don't feel too bad and we can talk about you when we get home, okay?"

"Okay," I mumbled and she smiled.

"That's great, I will go and meet the doctor so that you can be discharged," Ruby said and I nodded, all I did was lay there and watch them walk out of the room.