(The Beginning )
Sabrina and her mother's freedom ended the day her mother agreed to marry Brook… an old, nasty wolf who was also a widower with many possessions. After her father's death, their pack had suddenly become harsh towards them, cutting off their supplies and leaving them to scrape for food. No one wanted to associate with a home that had no leader or protection, especially when his death had been caused by a terrible sickness.
Her mother, Carolina, was still beautiful and elegant despite everything and she was advised to remarry an older wolf in the pack who had also lost his wife years ago. This they said, would give her and her child another chance at a stable life, good food and better shelter. Despite knowing that Brook's behavior was hostile and violent, she swallowed her pride and married him. He fed them, gave them a place to sleep and provided a form of protection, even if it came at the cost of their happiness.
Years had passed since that fateful day, and every moment felt like a chore. Carolina and Sabrina had endured Brook's violent practices, his cold nature and his never ending control over their lives. But Sabrina held on to one hope… her upcoming ceremony. She was eighteen now and soon, she would be cleansed by the Moon Goddess. It was a sacred rite that marked the transition into adulthood, and most importantly, it was the day when she would be mated to the partner chosen for her. She clung to this hope, believing it was her one chance to escape the hell she lived in.
That morning, as she lay on her small bed lost in thought, the familiar sounds of shouting filled the house.
"What is it this time, Brook? It's still so early in the morning and I barely got any sleep last night!" Carolina's frustrated voice echoed from her bedroom. It was a routine that had repeated itself for years. She and Brook always argued, their fights sparked by his unreasonable demands and harsh temperament.
"All I'm saying is that I can no longer cater to two grown women," Brook barked. "I have a solution though. Sabrina is of age now… it's time she gets married."
Carolina's heart clenched at his words. "But she's only eighteen! Her ceremony is in a month. Can't we just wait until then? The Moon Goddess will choose her mate, and she'll be with the person she's destined for."
Brook scoffed. "And so what? What if she ends up with some young fool who takes years before deciding on marriage? I don't have the means or the will to care for a disrespectful and stubborn girl who argues with every man she meets. She even disrespects my friends!"
"She does that because your friends harass her Brook," Carolina snapped. "They say disgusting things to her, despite the fact that they're old enough to be her father."
"I don't care!" Brook growled. "I'll find her a suitor immediately. Maybe one of those same friends you complain about."
Carolina's stomach twisted in horror. "You can't do that! What about her ritual ceremony, her mating rites? Do you not care about the Moon Goddess or the importance of this ceremony to our kind? This is our tradition. You can't change it just because it's convenient for you."
Brook dismissed her with a wave of his hand. "I'm not stopping her from attending her little ceremony. I'm just saying that once it's over, she will marry someone I choose… someone who's ready now, not a boy who still has years to grow."
Tears welled in Carolina's eyes. She knew there was little she could do to fight him, but she had to try. She had to protect her daughter, even if she had failed so many times before. "Please honey," she whispered, her voice trembling. "Give our daughter a chance to live a normal life. I promise, once she's mated I'll convince them to marry quickly and start a family. Just give her this time."
Brook eyed her for a moment, his expression hard. He had always hated seeing her cry. With a huff, he finally relented. "Alright. But I will still look into possible suitors. I don't trust the Moon Goddess to pick someone who can tolerate that girl's sharp tongue. And no more of your whining woman. What I've said is final." He shifted on the bed, groaning as his old bones protested. "Now go boil some water. I want my morning tea."
Carolina wiped her tears and turned away, knowing there was no point in arguing further. Brook always got his way.
Sabrina had heard everything from her room. Her heart pounded in her chest, a mixture of fear and anger swirling inside her. Why couldn't her mother stand up to him fully? Why did she always have to beg and plead instead of fighting for her? She felt so alone. A lump formed in her throat as she thought of her father. If he were still alive, none of this would be happening.
She slid out of bed and dropped to her knees beside it, clasping her hands together as she whispered a desperate prayer.
"Dear Moon Goddess, you are all I have now. Please help me find my mate so he can take me away from this misery. Don't let my stepfather marry me off to some strange, old, creepy man. I don't want to be separated from my mother, and I don't want to leave her in this horrible place alone."
She paused, realizing she had used a curse word. "I'm sorry," she whispered. "Please forgive me. Just… please help my mother too. Give her the strength to stand up for herself one day. Thank you. I love you."
With that, she took a deep breath, wiped her facenand got up. She had chores to do.
In the kitchen, she started preparing Brook's breakfast. He liked his meal served at exactly seven in the morning before he went out to sit in his old chair and play chess with himself. He claimed it helped keep his mind sharp, though Sabrina often joked with her mother that it was a miracle he was still sane. More than once, they had thought he had died in that chair because of the way he slumped over while napping… a thought that despite the horror of it, made her chuckle.
"Sabrina!"
Her mother's voice called from her bedroom.
"I'm in the kitchen Mama," she called back.
"Where are you, darling?"
Sabrina sighed. "I said I'm in the kitchen, Mama. Come here!" she called out louder.
Despite being a wolf, her mother's hearing wasn't as sharp as it used to be. It was her body's way of shutting out the world… of protecting her from all the cruel words and whispers that had haunted her since her husband's death.
A moment later, Carolina appeared in the doorway, forcing a smile as she approached her daughter. She hid her pain well, but Sabrina knew it was there, just beneath the surface.
Soon… it will all be over.