~Daliah's POV~
I had just strolled into Beta Orion's manor to pay a short visit to my daughter when I noticed a figure in the distance, giggling as she held the Beta's arm possessively; And at first, I wasn't so concerned about their close proximity or how beautiful she looked in that silk red dress until I saw who it was.
My heart plummeted.
Ms Jennifer.
I noticed the way she smiled sweetly at him, tugging at his arm like it was a lifeline of some sort. Her big blue eyes blinked up at him when he shook his head at one of her jokes and to my utter shock, I heard her whisper a word I never knew she was capable of.
"Please." She whined. "Pretty please… I really need your help."
I didn't care what their topic of conversation was or what she was asking him for, as all I cared about was the fact that they were close. And that she was here… a breath away from my daughter. The same daughter she had threatened to hurt.
Sweat broke out on my skin as I watched their exchange, and I soon began to hyperventilate when the children ran out of the house to join the adults. With blurry vision, I watched as Tiffany hugged Ms Jennifer's legs while Amara stood a few feet away from them, her eyes watchful but respectful. She even greeted.
"Look who came out finally!" She smiled, bending to pick up Tiffany, whilst doing nothing to hide her obvious contempt for my kid. "You again?" She sassed, wrinkling her nose in disgust. "Who the hell is this mutt?"
My heart sank.
I saw the way the Beta froze at the name calling. I even noticed how Tiffany frowned too as she struggled out of Ms Jennifer's hold to stand by Dahlia with her arm draped around her. "Her name isn't mutt." She said with resolve. "Her name is Amara and she's my friend."
If this was a normal circumstance, that should have made me feel better that my daughter at least had a friend who stands up for her but it didn't. If anything, I felt worse. Ten times worse.
I hated that Amara had to suffer for all my shortcomings. I hated that she was easily bullied. And what I hated was the fact that there was nothing I could do about it. Absolutely nothing!
Watching the exchange, I came to another conclusion; That I needed to leave this place… and soon.
I needed to flee from this pack. To run. I didn't care where or what I'd do wherever I went when I arrived, but I had to leave. For my daughter's sake. For mine.
Making a mental note to self, the wheels in my head soon began to turn. She wasn't safe here. Not with Ms Jennifer poking her pretty nose everywhere or the fact that Alpha Zarek had business with the Alpha of Silvermoon pack.
By the gods, he might even be friends with Amara's biological father!
That thought sent a shiver down my spine but just as it came, it was soon replaced by another form of shiver when Amara's eyes found mine in the distance.
The grim expression on her face wore off, replaced instead with a smile so bright, my heart ached. She screamed; "Mommy!" whilst running over.
And for the first time in my life, I wasn't so pleased to see her. I wasn't even sure I wanted her to see me because now, both children were running towards me with their arms spread out.
And Jennifer… she was behind them with a mischievous glint in her eyes, as if to say; 'You have nowhere to hide.' I shivered; but tore my eyes away from hers just in time to pull both girls into my arms.
"Hey ladies!" I rasped, gasping as their plump bodies crashed into mine for a tight hug. "You both seem very pleased to see me." I chuckled.
"I missed you mommy!" Amara cried, ignoring my question.
Tears sprung into my eyes as she wrapped her small arms tightly around my neck and buried her face in the crook of my neck. For a split second, I felt good… I felt a momentary peace and the aching in my heart lessened too.
"I missed you too." I rasped even though I wanted to point out to her that it's been less than 36 hours since the last time I came visiting.
She also used to always be by my hips… day in, day out. This was a whole new experience for her.
Wiping away my tears with the back of my hands, I pulled away from her and held her at arm's length, scrutinizing her face. "How are you?" I asked her.
I saw her open her mouth, as if wanting to say something but just then, she slapped her lips back shut and glanced behind us to stare pointedly at Jennifer. My aching heart constricted as it dawned on me that even my baby, as young as she was, knew danger when she saw one.
"It's fine… you'll be fine."
"But I won't." She cried, her grip on my arm tightening as she looked up at me with pleading eyes. "Take me with you… take Tiffany and I with you."
"But this is the safest place for both of you." I reasoned with her. "Beta Orion— Tiffany's dad— will protect you both, trust me."
For the first time, Amara looked up at me, her gaze unsure. She muttered; "I'm not sure, mommy."
"What?"
"I'm not sure I trust that." She answered and if I was hurting before, then I certainly felt worse now.
It wasn't until that moment that I noticed the sadness in her eyes. The yearning… she was too young for this. Too innocent for this kind of life. A feeling like my heart was being crushed by a fist settled in my chest, and with it came a heaviness in my guts.
And then, I noticed the bruise.
My eyes flew open. "Who did this?" I snapped, pointing to the lines of purple and deep red around her upper left arm. She said nothing, shaking instead.
"Please Amara, talk to me." I cried but still, she was mute. Even her body now felt rigid.
If you do not tell me who did this, then I'll march up to the Beta and confront him myself." I snapped, momentarily ignoring the fact that his daughter was with us, listening to both of us.
This time, it was Tiffany who spoke up. She said; "Aunt Jennifer did. She said it was a mistake and thought that she was a servant kid."
But I knew that it was no mistake. And I was sure as hell that Amara knew too because then she held my arms, tears glistening in her eyes. "Mommy please…"
She was not safe here.
I am not safe here.
I need to leave.
I need to get her out of here.
Pulling her into my arms as I struggled to keep my tears at bay, I whispered into her ears but low enough that only she could hear me. I said; "I'll get you out of here baby; I promise… but it's not today; I need to do something. Afterwards, we'll flee."
She nodded. "Okay."
For someone so young, she was definitely too smart and too understanding that it sometimes hurt my chest to think about it. I brought her bruised arm to my face and after placing a gentle kiss to the purple skin, I whispered; "I just kissed the pain away."
She smiled.
"Do you still feel the pain?"
"No." She muttered.
I raised my head then to look straight at Ms Jennifer and I wasn't so surprised when I noticed that she was also staring straight back with a smirk plastered across her face.
Amara wasn't safe here and, and that I was sure of.