Daphne walked into the room, her breath catching in her throat at the sight before her-Adrian and Ophelia tangled in a moment of passion. On her matrimonial bed! The air was thick. It wrapped around her lungs like an iron fist, almost choking her to death. Her vision blurred as she struggled to process what she was seeing, though she wished she couldn't. Adrian was supposed to be her husband and Ophelia, her step-sister even though things didn't work out well between them, but what happened to staying away from her husband? The air around her felt suffocating. Her hand went to her burning chest and she realized how in the act the both of them were, the more reason why they didn't hear her walk in. A raw, broken cry escaped Daphne's lips. Adrian heard it immediately, his body going rigid. He froze, and his eyes widened with shock. He opened his mouth to speak but no words came. Daphne could see Ophelia, but there was no look of regret on her countenance. Instead, she adjusted on the bed with a smirk on her face. Adrian cried. "It's not what you think." "Oh-" Daphne snapped out of her thoughts. With a painful smile on her countenance, she walked further into the room and shut the door. "What the hell did you just say to me, Adrian? Screwing my sister in our bed isn't what I think?" "I can explain." "Then explain!" Daphne's voice-was filled with rage and devastation, she shouted at him with her might. "Adrian! Tell me why you're in our bed with her! Tell me why you thought this was okay!" Adrian jumped off the bed, stark naked. He clutched the duvet like a shield, his lips parting, then closing-like a man searching for an escape. "I-" he began to stutter. "I can explain this. It's not-" "Oh, please!" Ophelia shouted. "Spare me those already, Adrian. You're not trying to keep us a secret when we have been caught already." Adrian looked away. That told Daphne something. "What is she saying, Adrian?" "Isn't it obvious, sister?" Ophelia smirked. "Your beloved husband and I have been having an affair right under your nose. We've been hiding all along but now you know the truth, or don't you?" Hiding all along? Right in her matrimonial bed? Daphne did not understand. She wasn't going to. Her hand went to her burning chest and she tried too hard to take it all in-their betrayal especially. With her pounding heart, she looked at Adrian. "Tell me she's lying. And tell me now or never." "It's not a lie." His words shattered what little was left of her. This time around, two of her hands could be seen on her chest. For support, Daphne leaned on the wall, hot tears running down her face as she looked from Adrian to Ophelia once in a while. She was not done with processing the pain when the door swung open, revealing the faces of Alpha and Luna Whitmore-questioning looks on their countenance as they moped at three of them. "We heard shouts from this chamber and thought we should come to check what's happening. Can somebody tell us what's going on here?" "Glady, Mother-" Daphne let go of the wall. She looked at her step-parents before pointing at Ophelia. "Your daughter here has been having an affair with my husband under my nose." "Oh, really?" The Alpha, seeing what this was about, shut the door. He walked alongside Luna further in the room and then he let out. "No one must make a noise. The members of this Pack must not know what's going on until we're done." What? Daphne looked at four of them. Was that it? Was that all they had to say? What happened to scolding their daughter? She had expected outrage, fury, and not her step-parents looking at Ophelia with concern on their countenance. What was wrong with them?! "Can you say something?!" She shouted. "Daphne, don't be selfish." The Alpha let out. "Your sister deserves love too." What? No. He did not just say that, did he? "Relax, Daphne. She's your sister. You should treat her like one, don't you think so?" Did they really say that? She looked at Ophelia who was smiling, obviously not ashamed of what she had done. "I cannot believe this." Her hands clenched at her sides, nails biting into her palms. If she didn't hold herself together, she might tear this whole room apart "I cannot believe you're saying these things to me, Mother, Father. I cannot just believe it." "Your husband isn't a fool, Daphne. He knows he chose Ophelia for a reason." Everyone looked in the direction of Adrian who stood by the corner, his hands holding the duvet so that it did not fall off. "Maybe you should face Adrian and leave our daughter out of it." As their many hurtful words cut through the air, Daphne stiffened. They weren't even angry at Ophelia, which shouldn't be so. Or maybe it should be so, knowing fully well that Ophelia was a spoiled brat who was never scolded. But she didn't expect this. She didn't expect them to take sides with Ophelia. Not in this case. She didn't expect them to not care about her feelings-she wanted them to take her side this once and acknowledge her pain. "Don't misunderstand us, Daphne darling." Luna Whitmore let out. "We're not saying what Ophelia has done is not wrong, but don't you think you are to blame for not satisfying your husband in every way? He'll not love our daughter more than you if you did what you should have done as his wife." Betrayal upon betrayal. What to say, Daphne didn't know. How to react, she didn't know. Everyone in the room had turned their backs against her, even when they shouldn't. "Think about it, Daphne." "Think about what?!" She snorted. "My husband and your daughter are having an affair and you ask me to think about it. Is this a joke?" Ophelia called. "Father, Mother, Adrian." Four pairs of eyes fixed on Ophelia, Alpha Whitmore asked. "What is it, darling?" "Since we're all being honest today, there's something else I have to say-I'm pregnant." She looked at Adrian and let out. "I'm sorry it's coming out this way but I was scared to tell you." Adrian's reaction was immediate. Shock, fury, with his eyes almost popping out of their sockets. He shouted at the top of his voice. "You're joking, aren't you? What is the meaning of this? How can you say this to me?!" "Why are you shouting? There's nothing wrong with getting pregnant, is there?!" "What do you mean by that?" He shouted back. "We had an agreement, Ophelia. You're not supposed to get pregnant for me and you know this. How can you come up with this news all of a sudden when you've always known?!" Ophelia stretched lazily across the sheets, her smirk deepening as if enjoying the show. "There's no need to go by that agreement any longer, Adrian. All this while, it's because you didn't want to get caught and now that you're caught, there's no need to be mad about a child the moon goddess has decided to bless you with." "No, Ophelia-" "Yes, Adrian!" She cut him short like he was a kid. Something Daphne would never have done. "Your wife is barren!" She shouted. "Shouldn't you be thanking me? I'm giving you the one thing she never could-a child." As she asked, she glanced at the Alpha and Luna who didn't look like they were happy with the news. Instead of joy, Alpha and Luna Whitmore's faces darkened-a deep, tense silence filled the room as the Luna spoke. "No. This is a disaster. Ophelia, you cannot be pregnant. We won't allow it." Ophelia blinks, shocked to hear them say that. Were they not the same people supporting her a while ago? Did they not talk to Daphne like it was her right to have an affair with Adrian? What then happened? Doubts flickered in her eyes. "What the hell are you talking about, Mother?" She looked at her Father. "What is Mother talking about? Why can't you two be happy for me? I'm having a baby." "We're not saying it's not a good thing to have a child, Ophelia-" Alpha Whitmore spoke. "Your mother is only trying to saying the child is not accepted-will not be accepted because you're not supposed to be pregnant." "You confuse me-" Ophelia, for the first time, got off the bed. She was not as naked as Adrian who still covered himself with a duvet. "What are you talking about? What's going on?" "There's something you need to know, Ophelia." "Something like what, Mother?" Alpha and Luna Whitmore exchanged glances. They looked around the room before facing Ophelia who needed more than enough answers. "Can somebody speak already?" Alpha Whitmore walked forward. "There's something you must know, my child." "What is it, Father?" "Alpha Caius of The Howling Abyss Pack has chosen you as his future mate, Ophelia. That-that child ruins everything." "What?!" Daphne smiled. She was winning, after all. "What do you mean, Father? You sold me?" "No, my child. We didn't sell you. You know Alpha Caius cannot be refused. The last war from many years ago can happen if he is refused and our lives could be at stake. He is a deadly man." "And you sold me to a deadly man!" For the first time since her discovery, Daphne was happy-Ophelia's perfect little world was about to collapse. The moon goddess had shined her light upon her and this was the time to get back at Ophelia for everything she's caused her. Including her marriage.

Alpha Edgar struggled to stand on his feet and when he couldn't, he leaned on the wall. As he looked away from Ophelia and avoided her gaze, he announced. "Alpha Caius will be here to take you with him in a few days, Ophelia." All Ophelia could do was mop at him, them-the Alpha and the Luna who didn't move from a spot, but watched their daughter with pity in their eyes. The Luna then spoke. "We tried to tell you but we couldn't. And now we don't have a choice." "I don't believe this." Ophelia's words hit the walls of the large room. She looked around and met the gaze of Adrian who simply watched, although covering himself with the duvet so that he was not naked. Daphne had a smile on her countenance. How could she not? Things were beginning to seem okay for her. The revenge and justice she deserved was about to be served, how could she not like that? "You sold me to that man, Father-" "You were not sold, Ophelia." "So what is it?" Disappointment crowded her countenance. She moved front and back, tears clouding her eyes as she looked at the Alpha. And now she screamed. "How could you do this?!" Falling to the ground, Ophelia cried. "How could you do this to me, who is your daughter? What did I ever do to the both of you? How could you give me off to that dangerous monster?" "Hush, child-" Luna pleaded. "You cannot say that about a man who would become your husband. It's not the right thing to do." She walked closer so that she could lift Ophelia off the ground, but Ophelia pushed her hands away when they touched her. "You know how dangerous that man is, Mother, Father. I'm sure you know about what he's done in the past and even what he can do tomorrow. Alpha Caius is the cause of so many deaths, even from this pack! He killed the former Alpha and Luna who were Daphne's parents." Daphne's countenance changed. Even though she was having a good time laughing at Ophelia and her new situation, she didn't want to be reminded of her past-the history of her struggles even as the supposed Princess. Including how she was subjected to a slave in a pack that should be hers. It was all Alpha Caius's fault. He had caused a war that took her parent's lives, hence giving Alpha and Luna Whitmore the right to think they have power over her. But they did. The very moment they took over the throne. "We didn't have a choice, Ophelia-" Alpha Edgar's words cut short Daphne's thoughts. She looked up, shrugging off thoughts about her past so that she could concentrate on the scene. "You know the consequences of refusing a dangerous man, talk more about one as dangerous as Caius." "What do you mean, Father?" Ophelia snorted. "Don't I have the right to refuse? Do you think I don't have a right to make my own decisions?" "You have the right to make your decisions, but not in this case. It's a matter of life and death and we have no choice. Can't you see this?" There was a fearful chuckle that ran out of the Alpha's mouth. He paced the room before summoning courage to look at his daughter. "You will be dead. I and the other members of this Pack will lose their lives, including your mother-everyone! That's what will happen." "I don't care." "You don't care?" Her mother asked. As she walked away from Ophelia, she caught up with another end of the room so she could relax her back on the wall. A deep sigh escaped her mouth and she looked at the Alpha who had anger written on his face. Daphne didn't move. She didn't speak. Although she enjoyed the scene, she could not help but think about herself-how far she's come with Adrian only to be cheated on. By a woman who should be her sister. All of these would never have happened if she didn't lose her parents to that deadly war. The current Alpha and Luna will not be close to the throne. Her crown and throne will remain with her, rather than being passed down to Ophelia. A woman she's forever going to hate. "My lord-" the Luna's voice cut through everyone's thoughts. There was a smile mixed with confusion on her countenance. Alpha Edgar looked at his wife. "Ophelia cannot be taken by Alpha Caius-" The Luna announced as she looked in the direction of Ophelia who suddenly had glints of hope in her eyes. "She's pregnant with a child. Going there as an impure woman will cause the same war we are trying to avoid. Can't you see?" Alpha Edgar heaved a tired sigh. He nodded and looked at his wife. "How did I not think about this?" He then looked at Ophelia who was smiling. "Can you see what you've done to us? Can you see?" "It is not my fault you didn't tell me on time, Father. I'm old enough to be pregnant, am I not?" Ophelia snorted. "What are we going to do?" Her countenance changed. "I don't want to die." Everyone began to think, including Daphne who needed to see Ophelia by the side of the dangerous and deadly Alpha Caius. She would love to see Ophelia suffer. A sigh ran out of her mouth and now, she looked in the direction of Ophelia who had a worried look on her countenance, then at Adrian who was now seated on the bed, still wrapped on the duvet. "I have an idea, Father." Everyone turned. They looked at Ophelia, hopes in their eyes. There would be war if something wasn't done about the situation and no one wanted that. "What do you have?" it was the Alpha asking. "Father, Mother-" Ophelia cried. But she went mute the next moment, like she never had an idea in the first place. A sigh ran out of her mouth and she looked around the room. "This is something I believe we should do to save the day. But before that, I need to know if Alpha Caius knows what I look like. Did he come here by himself or did he send a message to you?" Alpha Edgar looked at the Luna. He looked back at his daughter and shook his head. "No, not at all. He sent a messenger, Ophelia. He doesn't know you, yet." "He's never going to know me, Father." The Luna cried. "What are you talking about?" Before she would speak, a wicked smile appeared. She looked in the direction of her stepsister who had her gaze on her. "Daphne is not pregnant. She can be sent to The Howling Abyss Pack in my stead." "What?!" Daphne shouted. "What did you just say?" Again, Ophelia looked at Daphne, a triumphant smile coming alive, and then she looked at Alpha Edgar who on his face had a look of relief. "Father, Mother, I cannot go to that Pack, especially because I am with child, and in order for this war to be avoided, she can represent me." "You've got to be kidding me." Daphne snorted. "You've got to be kidding me. Am I suddenly the Princess of this Pack? Am I your daughter?" She faced the Alpha who paid less attention to her. "Answer me!" "I'm sure this is a good idea-" the Alpha spoke. He looked at his wife, his daughter and Daphne who boiled with so much anger. "This is the best if you asked me. It's going to save us a lot." "Yes-" the Luna mouthed. A sigh of relief ran out of her mouth, and then that or Ophelia who feared for her life all these while. Ophelia walked to a part of the bed and sat on it. "I can have my child in peace, finally." "No, you can't!" Daphne retorted. "You're going to The Howling Abyss Pack and that's final. If you really care about the Alpha finding you out, then abort the baby." "That's a taboo and you know it." "I don't care! Why should I give a fuck?" "I am in support of everything your sister has said, Daphne-" Luna's words resounded in the room. "This is what is best for us. You know the war we are trying to avoid, why are you inconsiderate? If you go to The Howling Abyss Pack, you'll save so many lives and my daughter will be safe. It'll help maintain the deal we have with Alpha Caius." Daphne didn't believe her ears. She didn't want to believe they would do this. After all that had been done already. "I can't believe this is happening-" she scoffed and burst into laughter. "You're asking me to go live with the same man who happens to be responsible for the death of my parents?" She chuckled again, walking closer so she could look them in their faces. "And you think that I will." "Daphne-" "Don't!" She shunned the Alpha. "I know you've always hated me. Because if you didn't, you won't ask me to go there when it shouldn't be me." "Oh, Daphne. You're a generous person." "Shut up, Ophelia." "Have you forgotten you should help out your sister?" Ophelia, free from the mess, joked. She walked closer so that she could face Daphne who had hot tears running down her cheeks. "You'll do just fine, with or without us in your life." "Shut up!" Daphne raged. "You will not speak where the elders are, Ophelia. You and I know you're not fit to sit on my own throne, but I let you have it. I've been a slave since you and your parents took over from my parents. What did I not do? Do you think I'm a fool?" The Alpha called. "Daphne?" "Don't-" She looked at him. "Don't, Father. Ophelia is the one who should be with Alpha Caius. She's the one that will go there too." "That's not possible, Daphne." "I'm afraid to announce it to you, too. What you're asking for is also not possible." She scoffed and walked back to her initial position-leaning on the wall while more tears fell down from her face. She had thought she was close. She believed was this close to getting back at Ophelia for everything she's done to her. But no, it turned out Ophelia was the one who was getting at her once again and as usual. But Daphne will not take it. She would not take it from them. Not now or ever. Not when her past reflects on the issue at hand. The same man who killed her parents cannot and will not have her. Over her dead body. She looked up, ready to speak. Ready to make her decision, one last time.

"I have a right to make my own decision, Father, just as your daughter has made hers." Daphne's voice resounded in the room with echoes. "And what is your decision, child?" "I will stay back in my Father's-" "Why is that?" Luna Whitmore questioned. The way she looked at Daphne reflected nothing but hate, but at the same time, there was Daphne who didn't care what the woman thought of her. "Tell me why you should stay back in this pack when so many lives are at stake?" "Mother," Daphne spoke. "Your daughter is the one who should be there, not be." "My daughter is pregnant. But there's you and you're not pregnant-" Luna Whitmore fought back. "You're not with a child. A child in Ophelia's stomach is the reason she cannot go." "But I am married!" Daphne shouted. "What marriage?" The Alpha stepped in once again. A slight chuckle ran out of his mouth. He looked at Adrian, his daughter before Daphne who moped at him. "A marriage where the husband no longer loves you? Because if he does, you won't see him sleeping with your sister." "I-" "That's enough, Daphne-" he cut her short. "You've been given more than enough time to handle this by bringing up a suggestion and you cannot bring up any. You're going to The Howling Abyss Pack and that's final." The weight of his words weighed on Daphne. She had become speechless at this point, reminiscing the hatred these people have for her. "You're going to The Howling Abyss Pack," Alpha Edgar repeated. "It's in a few days, Daphne. So you must get ready and put on a smile when you're called on that day. Do you understand?" Did he really ask her if she understood? What did she understand that was happening? Fresh tears rolled down Daphne's face as she looked at everyone in the room. She leaned on the wall and fell to the floor, sobbing quietly, realizing how much hatred her own family had for her. Shouldn't Adrian be by her side? Shouldn't he console her? Should he not speak up on her behalf? Daphne took a moment to look at him, shaking her head in disbelief at everything that had happened in less than a day. "We're done here." That was Alpha Edgar's voice. Daphne looked up. He was looking at her, more hatred added to the previous one as he gleaned at her. He looked around the room and pointed at Adrian. "You must take full responsibility for this child. I shall have the time to speak with you later." He turned and walked towards the door. "I am right behind you, Father, Mother," Ophelia's taunting tone hit Daphne. She walked towards the door but stopped in her tracks so that she could meet the piercing gaze of Daphne who moped at everyone in the room with hate in her face. "Do you have something to say to me, sister?" Ophelia joked. She walked closer. "I was thinking you would love to thank me for giving my position as wife to the dangerous Alpha to you-" She chuckled as she walked to the door again. "You gave me the Princess throne, or rather, I took it from you, and now that I think about it, we are even because you're taking my post from me." Daphne did not speak. "I thought as much-" Ophelia did not stop. "Have you ever wondered what wonderful wife you will make for the Alpha?" She opened the door and walked out, shutting the door behind her, leaving two people in the room-Daphne and Adrian. "Get out-" Daphne stood up. Adrian, still naked, wrapped the duvet around him once again. "Can we talk?" "Get out of my room!" Throughout the night, Daphne did not stop crying. It was a good thing for her that her cheating husband did not return to their bedroom. On the other hand, Daphne did not stop thinking about how much she lost the very moment Alpha Caius killed her parents in the deadly war. If only they were alive, she would not go through this. She would not be subjected to being a second choice for a deadly situation like this. The dangerous Alpha Caius will not get a chance to get close to her, just as she was about to be. The thought of being sent to a man who was responsible for the death of her parents made her shout at the top of her voice. He was the most dangerous man she would ever come across, and she didn't want to have anything to do with him. She was not the one he asked for. It was supposed to be Ophelia. Why were they doing this to her? What was she going to do? Who would fight for her? Adrian could do that, but he wasn't. Now that she thought about it, she realized also for the first time since one year of their marriage that he did not care about her just as she thought. Perhaps, he thought he was doing her a favor. He was, or wasn't he? Daphne had been a weak Omega wolf from birth and was bullied by so many people-not until she was married to Adrian who she believed came to save the day. He was the least of her problems. What to do was something she did not stop thinking about. And at the end of the day, Daphne dozed off on the bed with a tear-dented face. The next morning, she did not feel better. Rather, she felt worse, especially at the realization of what would happen in a few days. She had only a few days to spend in this pack before she would be taken away to The Howling Abyss Pack. All against her wish. Time was slipping away. She needed to act fast. Fear gripped Daphne, over and over again. The future ahead of her was not one she would like, not for any reason. As a matter of fact, it was a traumatizing one she didn't want to taste. Unless she acted fast, she would be trapped in the same future she was running away from. Throughout the new day, Daphne wrestled with her thoughts. There were no answers coming. Time was slipping away. She needed to do something, but she didn't know what it was. Suddenly, an idea popped up. Run. She needed to run. There were no other options left for her. Despite the memories, she could not stay back anymore, even though this was her Father's pack. After all, she had been dismissed by Alpha Edgar and his wicked wife, including their daughter and even her husband. As she thought about it, it began to sink in. There was no future for her in The Mistwood Pack. She didn't have a child she should care about. There was no one that cared about her existence on the face of the earth, talk more about The Mistwood Pack-why then should she stay back? Escape was her only chance at freedom. And she would take the bull by its horn. She would leave The Mistwood Pack as soon as possible, giving back Ophelia the position they thought they'd given to her. The thought of this brought a smile to her face. Escape was her only chance at freedom, Daphne repeated these words in her heart all day. She didn't know where she would go. The Mistwood Pack had always been her home. She never saw a reason to leave, and now that she did, she didn't know where to go. No matter what, there was danger-whether she stayed back in the Pack or not. If she stayed back, she would be taken to The Howling Abyss Pack to birth children for the dangerous Alpha Caius. Children who would end up being monsters. Children who would be worse than their father. She could not stand that-Daphne would rather have an animal eat her in the wildest forest. Preparing her heart for the journey ahead of her, Daphne made up her mind to leave The Mistwood Pack as soon as the next morning came, before the day would break completely. She didn't have to go with anything. All she wished for was to leave this Pack and everything that belonged to it. Alpha Edgar and his wretched family could have it for all she cared. As Daphne lay on the bed later that night, coming to terms with the night being her last one here, she wondered whether or not she would be caught when she was ready to run away. As soon as the next morning arrived, Daphne seized her moment. She wasn't certain if it was morning, but one thing was certain-the Alpha, his entire family, and members of the pack were asleep-an opportunity to run away. As she walked out of the room, she wondered for the first time since the other day where Adrian had been spending his night. Where else? It had to be with Ophelia, but she didn't care. As a matter of fact, their union would no longer happen in a few days. Alpha Caius will come for his wife and she will be nowhere to be found. A mischievous smile appeared on Daphne's countenance while she walked through the hallway, heading into freedom. Before anyone could stop her, Daphne made her way through the hallway. In moments, she caught up with the Pack's main gate and a final look back at the pack before stepping out.