MORANA
"Where did you go, Morana?"
His voice is calm, too calm. That's what terrifies me the most. My body trembles on instinct. Whenever Dad speaks like this, it means the storm is already brewing
'Run away, Morana.' It's not my voice, but I hear it. I don't have my wolf yet, but sometimes, in moments like this, I would hear something deep inside me urging me to survive.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
The sound of his footsteps draws closer. I want to turn around. I want to bolt through the back door and run straight to Zacreus. He's the only place my father's fists can't reach.
I take one step back—
A sharp yank on my hair sends me crashing to the floor.
Pain bursts through my skull. My cheek scrapes the cold stone, and I gasp. When I lift my trembling hand, strands of my silver hair are tangled in my fingers, streaked in red.
The blood sets him off.
We're not supposed to bleed like this. Our kind heals fast. But I've always been different. Fragile. Weak. Bleeding makes him furious.
"Pathetic trash."
His boot slams into my ribs. I curl inwards, holding in the scream that claws at my throat. I've learned by now, screaming only makes it worse. I don't beg. I don't cry. I take it, like always, waiting for it to be over.
"You went out again, didn't you? I told you to stay inside. But you couldn't wait. Had to go whoring around with the Alpha?"
"It's going to be him," I whisper as the poison in his words seeps into my skin, rendering me immobile. My voice is barely a breath, but the words pour out anyway. "He's my mate. I know it."
His laugh is cruel. "You wish he was. You think someone like him would want something like you? The formidable Alpha of Blackbane… and a defect?" My father looks at me with such condescension that it makes me wonder… why?
Why does he hate me so much? The father I remember was loving and caring, braiding my hair, looking so handsome and gentle. Yet as I look at him now, his face is filled with scars and his eyes drip venom when he looks at me.
I want to scream at him that I am not worthless. That I feel the bond. And that… Zacreus is mine. But I keep the quiet, knowing that's the only way to survive his wrath.
"Eyes down!" He commands.
My spine stiffens, but I don't obey. For the first time, I look him in the eyes. Even as tears sting the corner of my vision, I don't look away.
"What? Are you rebelling now?" He crouches, one hand on his knee while his other grabs my face with punishing force. His calloused fingers dig into my jaw.
'Pak'
The slap comes first. Then another.
'Pak'
My face whips to the side and my vision flashes white as the floor tilts. I can hear the ringing in my ears as my head hangs low.
"That's better," he snarls, "Keep your head down and mouth shut Just two more days, Morana. Pray to the Moon Goddess he's your mate. Because if he is not…" He straightens, "There is no place in the world for a wretched whore like you."
My body tethers at the edge of unconsciousness yet I am wide awake. Every word he uttered stabs into me like a thorn. His footsteps retreat. My ears are buzzing, but I catch the sound of the door shutting.
For a few seconds, I lie there, unmoving.
"Cousin! Morana!"
A beautiful face comes into my view as Julia cradles me into her arms, "How could he…?" Her voice breaks. "You just healed. And he—"
"Help me to my room," I whisper. My stomach burns. My ribs ache. But my voice stays steadier than I expect it to be.
She manages to half-carry me to my bed, her arms trembling under my weight. The moment I collapse onto the mattress, she bursts into tears again.
"You can't let this keep happening. I'll go to the Alpha. I'll beg for an audience. He'll listen to me, he—he loves you!"
Panic strikes. I lunge forward, catching the hem of her sleeve before she can leave. "No," I gasp. "No… don't."
Julia slumps on the bed beside me, "What are you so afraid of? The Alpha loves you more than anything. He will protect you from uncle. Nobody else can stand against the Beta and you know that. Then why are you… stopping me?"