~ NYSSA
I didn't leave my house over the next two days.
I couldn't bring myself to face the inevitable mockery that I'd receive from the pack.
After what happened, Alisa took it upon herself to tell everyone that would listen how my mate had abandoned me and decided that I was not worth his time. Everywhere I turned, there was someone laughing or making a joke at my expense.
I should have believed Rowan when he told me that he was not a good man. I was just too far caught up in the allure of leaving Henry and proving to him that someone could want me.
My phone buzzed on the nightstand and I glanced at it, a frown marring my lips when I saw Henry's name flash across my screen.
Speak of the devil.
I should have blocked his number after the rejection, but I didn't. A lonely, desperate part of me hoped that he would call me after to tell me that it was all a joke.
I let the call go to voicemail but he called again. This time, I answered knowing fully well that if I didn't, he might end up in front of my house.
"Finally," he growled as soon as I answered. "Where are you?"
"At home. What's it to you?"
"You may have forgotten that you have a job, Nyssa, but I haven't. You need to be here in the next ten minutes."
"I'm not coming in today."
He chuckled humorlessly. "Bold of you to assume that I'm asking for your opinion. If you aren't out here in the town square in the next ten minutes, I'll send guards to drag you out of your house and I don't give a damn if you're naked or not."
He hung up, not giving me a chance to argue my point.
A part of me wanted to call his bluff, but the way Henry had been acting lately told me that it wouldn't be the wisest idea. I'd end up paying for it with even more of my dignity and I didn't have much of that left.
I took a long shower and got dressed in a simple oversized shirt and jeans. I got to the square in record time and found Henry standing outside, tapping his foot anxiously as he spoke to someone.
"It's about damn time," he snapped once I arrived.
I ignored him and crossed my arms over my chest. "What do you need me to do?"
"Today is the annual children parade. It is imperative that the family of the Beta is here or have you forgotten your duty to the pack? Were you that much in love with a man that you didn't know?"
I should have known that this had something to do with Rowan.
It was as if Henry had tunnel vision when it came to him. If I didn't know for sure that Henry was into woman, I would have assumed that he had some sort of crush on the guy. He seemed more concerned with the Rowan aspects of my life than with me.
"I'll be at the judges table."
I brushed past him but he reached out, grabbing my wrist tightly and pulling me into him. I tried to jerk out of his grip but his hold was firm.
Everyone was so locked up in their own thing that no one noticed me struggling against his hold.
"You didn't act like this when I rejected you," he hissed. "You seemed perfectly fine. You weren't sad or upset-"
"Let me go!"
"Why does he get more of a reaction than I do? Did you fuck him when you were at the-"
I slapped him—hard.
A loud crack echoed through the air and a gasp left my lips because I didn't imagine for a second that a slap would elicit that much of a sound.
My heart hammered in my chest as I waited for his inevitable anger, but another crack filled the air. It was louder this time and followed by a loud bang.
The smell of smoke filled the air and that was when I heard it… screams.
"Rogues!" someone yelled.
Pandemonium broke out as people tried to run to safety.
Chairs were toppled, food went flying and everyone took off away from the danger. I turned to run when I noticed it… the parade balloons heading our way.
The children didn't know of the danger they were walking into. It was a massacre waiting to happen.
Every nerve in my body told me to run away, but against my better thoughts, I ran straight for the danger, heading towards the children to warn them.
"Get back!" I screamed as I got closer. "There are rogues! Get the kids to safety!"
It was a teacher who noticed me at first. Her eyes widened in shock and fear but she must have understood my message because she ushered the kids back and they began to run.
Relief coursed through me as I realized I'd succeeded.
I got them out.
If I hadn't gotten here in time… I didn't want to imagine the bodies of those innocent children littering the floor.
I barely had time to enjoy my relief.
The whole time I thought she ran because she heard me. I was so caught up in my own little victory that I didn't notice that she was looking at something behind me… not at me. If I'd just been more aware of my surroundings, I would have smelled him or even heard him as he snuck up behind me.
I barely acknowledged the hand on my shoulder when pain shot up my spine and spread throughout my entire body.
It was like nothing I'd ever felt before.
It felt like someone was ripping me apart from the inside.
I looked over my shoulder at the bushy haired, dark eyed rogue. He had a cruel smirk on his lips as he pulled the knife out of my back.
"Got you," he grinned, shoving me hard to the floor before running off.