Chapter 2

Milena~

Shifting on one foot, I grip the bag with sweating palms.

Mama opens her mouth to speak. My soul nearly leaves my body, but I wear my composure like a fine dress. “Where is your mate?” she asks, curious gaze darting to the door, expecting someone to jump right in.

I stiffen as the weight of her question hits me, ringing in my head like the pack bell.

She doesn't ask about the bag; instead, her focus is on my unknown mate. This is disgusting. At this point, best she spoke of the bag, because her question made my stomach knot.

How can she not care if her youngest daughter is about to make a strange decision? How can her concern be my mate?

A man! … Destructive being!

“You didn’t come home with him?” She stretches her neck further.

Scoffing, I roll my eyes. Obviously not.

Yeah, tradition demands bringing your mate home on your first shift. But I don’t follow traditions.

I love and enjoy my willpower.

Clearing my throat, I change the topic. “Why are you home?” She isn't supposed to be home.

No one is.

“Your father canceled our visitation. Something important came up for him.” Clapping with a smile spread across her face, she grabs my arm. “Come, Mil. Have a seat. Let’s celebrate before your father returns.” Mama leads us to the dining, then gets busy with the big red velvet cake on the table.

My foot drums on the marble as I cling to my bag like a best friend; my eyes keep gaping at the exit. It’s taking everything not to stand up and flee.

The ship I’m boarding won’t wait around.

And here I am.

Biting my lower lip, I stop myself from shedding tears watching Mama. She is cutting the cake with a warm grin and having the best moment of her life, while my bladder threatens to burst from the tension of having to lose my ship.

My one-time career opportunity. I’ve saved through teeth for four years, gathering my fare.

I refuse to lose this.

I can not.

Shooting up from my seat, I pick up a piece of cake. Eat, before pulling her into a hug. “The cake tastes great,” whispering, leaving a kiss on her cheek.

She proceeds to speak, but I pivot on my heels, sprinting towards the door without caring about the bafflement across her face. Going to push the door, it bursts open, slamming into me.

I stumble backward; my vision blurs as sharp pain radiates from my forehead.

“Surround the house!” A command booms, sending chills up and down my spine.

Rubbing my eyes and soothing the pain, I regain my vision. They land on the cruel expression of six hefty warriors who’ve invaded our living room.

A sly smile stretches a fine line across the mouth of the one who is the leader as he stares back at me.

My heart somersaults into different beats, and I take a shivering step toward Mama, gripping her arm. One after another, the warriors snarl before approaching us. Their aura wields chaos, predatory.

The leader's crafty smile widens. He swings a bag chain like he’s here to catch a Rogue.

“Beta Blackwood is not home,” Mama informs, dropping the plate of cake on the table.

“We didn't come for the Beta; we came for your Kerko,” he replies, pointing at me.

My brows furrow. Mama and I gape at each other.

“What have you done again?” Mouthing the word while shielding me.

“I haven't caused any trouble.” I grip the sides of her apron, hiding behind her. What do these men want with me? I didn’t sneak into the medical center today. Not been there after the last whooping gotten from two warriors.

Mr. Transporter? Has he reported that I dared to flee from the pack to the human pack?

Has he betrayed me?

“You have no business protecting an offender. Move away, woman,” the leader thunders.

“Forgive me. But I need to know why you want my precious girl.” Mama grips my wrist tightly.

She is fluttering. Scared. As women from the Blackhood household, we bear no right to question a man, commoner or powerful.

He scrunches his nose, disgust spreads over his features as he scrutinizes Mama. “Last warning,” he groans, rolling his chain and striking.

The iron ball lands at the feet of Mama, breaking marbles. We jump back, holding onto ourselves.

My heart sinks to my stomach, racing faster than a marathon.

The warriors exchange glances. In unison, their sardonic laughter echoes through the living room walls.

Hot sweat forms on my forehead, tears welling in my eyes. Why are they doing this to us?

“Step away from the offender.” The one wielding the chain unplucks the iron ball from the marble, rolling it in the air once again.

“Mil,” Mama whispers. “You must run. Find safety. Go and inform your father.”

I nod my head. “I can’t leave you here.” Tears drop down my cheeks.

I can’t run. If I do, they will kill Mama. These creatures are ruthless. They have no value for a woman’s life.

“The whore wants to play games with us. Take the girl,” he orders.

“Run, Mil!” Mama pushes me to the side.

Without hesitation, I bolt towards the door like a moving wind, but halt when I hear a sickening thud. Then Mama screams. The striking goes off again and again, and with each, Mama's screams fade into whimpers.

The men laugh in victory.

My heart pounds violently as I turn. My throat is too heavy, and my words come out strangled. “Mama.” Fear builds goosebumps on my skin as my gaze finds her. She lies on her side in a pool of her blood, bleeding from her head.

The iron ball stuck on the side of her skull with her eyes wide open and unblinking. Gone. Is she gone? Is…?

With wobbly legs, I sprint, my knees hitting the floor as I reach for her with trembling hands. Her chest doesn't move. They’ve killed her. Monsters.

“Fucking get the girl. Alpha Vladimir is waiting.” I hear the order, but I’m too numb to move. To process. To run for safety, or fathom.

Mama can’t die. She has suffered enough without benefiting from me. She has to wake up. I can’t…

“Mil.” Her faint pitch comes alive, her jerky hand trying to touch my cheek.

She is alive! Thank heavens. I crawl closer; my hand hovers around the ball in her skull. For her to heal, I need to unpluck the weapon.

Though I'm a novice with medicine, I can save her.

Reaching to pull it out, her crimson fingers hold me. Her lips part, revealing clot-stained teeth. “Run.” She struggles to form a conversation.

“You… You’re bleeding a lot.”

“Go. Call for help—”

“Get the girl, idiots,” the leader interrupts, his anger evident.

Following his instructions, a warrior yanks my hair, pulling me through the bloody floor.

I scream, kicking the air as I struggle to break free. The warrior roars and tugs me to my feet. My scalp burns from the impact, but I keep protesting, hitting his shoulder with my fists.

Mama's condition is critical. I need to save her.

On instinct, I lurch at the warrior, sinking my teeth into his chest. Nana growls as my fangs elongate, digging deeper. Copper and warm metallic fluid gush into my mouth. I gulp it down.

The wounded man yelps and lets go, but clutches my neck. My air flow cuts, yet I don't step away. My fangs sink deeper, but pause when something hard hits the back of my head.

I freeze. Deaden. No sound, pain, or weakness. Then it comes, trickling from my temples down chin like a stream. Crimson. Warm.

I tow away from the man as the ground beneath me moves, sending my head reeling. Pain stirs as the strike lands for the second time.

My blood runs cold. Everything blurs. Light fades as my legs give in beneath me.

I collapse forward.

Darkness takes over.