Chapter 4

CHAPTER 4

***LARISSA***

6 years ago.

I ran out of the house, looking back one last time before shifting into my wolf form and running off into the trees. I ran as fast as I could, the moonlight illuminating the forest part.

I couldn't remain in this place for the rest of my life, I had nothing to do here and I couldn't continue to suffer this humiliation.

I trusted Logan and endured so much pain because of him, only to be betrayed. I shouldn't have genuinely believed he would leave his real mate for me.

I looked up as I approached the park border and with one leap, I crossed outside the pack's territory.

I continued running not knowing not where I was going. I just wanted to go as far as I could away from here.

If I could find another pack to take me in, maybe I would be able to live freely without being seen as the daughter of a traitor.

As I ran with new hope of what my life would become, a wolf ran into me and knocked me off my feet. I crashed into a tree and the force forced me to change back into my human form. I groaned in pain, sitting up against the tree. I looked up, raising my arm to cover my face so I could protect my eyes from the torches being pointed in my face.

I looked at the four armed men standing before me while I sat here vulnerable.

I could smell their wolf scent, they were all Rogues and I knew what that meant. They were going to kill me as they did to every other wolf they came across.

"What do we have here?" One of them asked and laughed, the others bursting into laughter after him.

I felt tears sting the corners of my eyes as I waited for them to kill me. If this is how I died, at least, I died free from all the humiliation and disgrace.

"How do we kill her?" One of them asked, facing the one standing directly before me. He seemed to be their leader.

"Shoot her and let's move on," he said and I watched as they all pointed their guns at me, my heart pounding rapidly in my chest.

"Stop!" I suddenly shouted as I realized I didn't want to die. Not yet. If I died, that means I lost and I didn't get the chance to thrive without Logan.

"Please don't kill me, I'm running from my pack. I don't want to die," I said in a pleading voice.

"You can take me as your slave or anything, but please don't kill me," I begged them.

The leader held up his hand and they all lowered their guns.

"Now why did you run from your pack?" He asked, bending them to my eye level with a wicked smile on his face. I gulped, having nowhere else to look at but his slightly disfigured face. He had gruesome scars and part of his face looked like it had burnt off.

"I......I....." I stammered, not knowing what to tell him.

"I-"

"Give her a shirt, she's gonna have some use," he said, standing up with his back against me.

He began to walk away and one of them threw me a shirt. As I put it on, I tried not to think about what my life would become now.

***

Presently.

I drove into the garage and pulled up. I retrieved my keys from the engine and climbed out of the car. As I walked into the house, my children ran at me excitedly and hugged me.

"Hiii, how was school?" I asked with a smile and went to drop my bag on the couch.

"It was fine, Daniel got into a fight," Dave said and I frowned.

"Hey!" Daniel yelled at Dave for ratting him out.

"What did I tell you about getting into a fight?" I said and Daniel's expression immediately changed into that of remorse.

"I'm sorry, I just wanted to help someone who was being bullied," he said and I nodded, placing my hand on his shoulder.

"Okay, next time report to a teacher instead, okay?" I mumbled and he nodded.

"Honey, you're back" I looked back to see Jack walk out of the kitchen with a dish in his hand. He dropped it on the table and took off his apron.

He hadn't changed out of the clothes he wore to work.

"I made spaghetti and meatballs," he said and I moved aside as Dave and his siblings rushed to the dining table.

"Careful or you'll fall," Jack said and smiled before walking over to me and kissing me on the lips.

"I was gonna order something for us to eat, you haven't even changed out of your clothes," I complained, frowning, and he dismissed it with a smile.

"Don't worry, Diana wanted it and I also thought it'd be nice for you to relax when you get back," he said and I smiled.

"So how was work, I saw you had a lot of patients today," he said and went to sit down at the dining table.

"It was stressful, but I'll be fine. I just have to rest," I replied.

"Let me change out of this dress and I'll come to join you," I said and he nodded before I climbed up the stairs and went to my room.

I changed out of my clothes into a light gown and loosened my hair, allowing it to flow over my shoulders. I looked in the mirror and thought about the letter I received today. Hopefully, the letter I sent him telling him I didn't want anything to do with him ever again would stop him from trying.

"Babe?" I heard Jack's voice calling me and I walked out of my room. As I got to the stairs, I watched my children and Jack laugh together as they ate.

Everything was finally working well for me and I had the chance at a normal happy life. I've struggled so hard to bury my past behind me and I didn't want Logan to ruin everything for his selfish needs.

I won't let him ruin my life again. Never.