You Wouldn't Dare (Khaos Trilogy Book 1), стр. 28
Today they ordered me to complete the obstacle course designed to test agility and strength. I’d failed at the first hurdle, my arm still bent at a funny angle from the bone that hadn’t healed correctly. If I could shift into my wolf, all would be fine, but the silver collar on my throat prevented him from even comforting me, never mind healing the various wounds on my body.
Because of this, food would not be coming today. My father had backhanded me, splitting my lip open as he told me I had humiliated him, that he expected better of me.
I was completely alone in this world. The pack was under strict orders not to speak to me, some would even spit on me as I passed. I had given up ever attempting to speak to my mother; she had long ago made her displeasure with me well known. I sent a silent prayer to the Moon Goddess for better days to come, but I knew deep down that everyone was right- I was cursed and things would only get worse for me.
Khaos – Eight Years Old
I was supposed to be in a council meeting learning matters of the state and familiarising myself with the various alliances and enemies that made up the werewolf world, but surprise, surprise, that had been cancelled. My dad had received a message from his latest girlfriend, and he was happy to accommodate her request. I stood outside his room, not moving a muscle as he had instructed me, hearing the awful sounds coming through the door behind me.
“Where is your father, you pathetic mutt?” I kept my eyes to the ground as my mother approached, having long ago learnt not to look her in the eye. The scar running from the inside of my wrist to my elbow was all the reminder I needed. “Well?! I asked you a question, boy!” She grabbed me by my shoulders and shook me, causing my teeth to rattle.
“I- he’s...” I spluttered, not knowing how to answer. The truth would get me punished. She could smell a lie a mile off, and not answering at all was not an option. I felt blood rush into my mouth as she backhanded me across my face.
“He’s in there, isn’t he?! With one of his whores?!” She screamed, digging her claws into my arm.
“Mummy, please, you’re hurting m--”
“You’ve no idea what pain is, you fucking brat. Come with me,” she demanded.
“But father said I wasn’t to leave; he’ll be angry when he notices I’m not there.” I desperately tried to pull myself out of her grip as she dragged me down the hallway. She spun around and grabbed my head, smashing it against the wall. I sank to the floor, clutching my temples as my nose bled.
“Fine! Stay with your father! You always took his side, always happy to cover up his disgusting habits and filthy sluts. There’s nothing left for me here, nothing...” her voice trailed off as she rounded the corner, leaving me alone to pick myself up and dust myself off. I went straight back to the doorway, taking up my earlier stance, and tried my best to forget the entire thing happened.
I was between a rock and a hard place – damned if I did, and damned if I didn’t.
Well, what a turn of events. The unwanted Alpha was damned, I thought to myself sarcastically.
Was anyone even surprised?
Khaos – Eleven Years Old
I have a friend!
For the first time in my life, I have a friend who likes me for me! I never for a moment felt as though I had to pretend to be anything that I wasn’t. She had looked at my scars, my horrible disfigurations that I was so ashamed of, and told me they made me unique. I don’t know if it’s possible to fall in love with someone so quickly, I don’t even know if this is love. I don’t exactly have much experience to draw on, but I do know I want her to stay in my life.
Her family visited today as her older brother is looking for his mate, so obviously, the entire Alpha family was there for their arrival.
I stood proudly as my mother hugged me close to her side and they dressed me in clean, fitting clothing for the first time that I could remember. I remembered my training and kept my back straight, my gaze focused straight ahead. I would do my parents proud.
I still wore the collar around my neck, but my father would always tell people it’s because my wolf was unpredictable, and our friends never questioned this. Who would dare defy an Alpha like my dad? As scary as he was, I was in awe of him. Everyone who met him respected him.
I saw the daughter instantly; she wasn’t a beauty by any means with her wild, curly hair, her mouth full of braces, her nose bent out of shape, but she gave the most beautiful, friendly smile that had ever been bestowed on me. I knew at that moment that she was something special, that she would shape my life in a way that I could never have imagined.
As we had guests, they permitted me a small bit of freedom and I spent the day with the girl, soon finding out her name was Louisa and she was fourteen.
She gave