The Wolf

Esme POV

After Alpha Knox and his posy left I went downstairs. I hoped Kira hadn’t left.

“Let me go!” She demanded.

Oh geez. I hurried and found my best friend glaring at Beta, Justin. Ugh, he was the bane of my existence!

“Stop it, Justin.” I came between them.

He shoved me into Kira but my best friend caught me and steadied me.

“Your smelly friend shouldn’t be here,” he barked.

“You don’t know that. She was delivering the meat you and your friends devour every night.”

He threw his head back and laughed. “Do you think I’m dumb or what?”

No, but it was a good excuse because Kira’s Uncle owned the local butchery and supplied a lot of our meat only Kira never did delivery for him before we just always used it as our cover story in case something like this happened.

“Everyone knows you are Kira’s only friend,” Justin frowned at us.

“Doesn’t mean anything,” I said, subtly shoving Kira towards the backdoor. “She was just leaving.”

“You two are in huge trouble. You know the rules, Esme.” Justin marched towards us.

Crap, why can’t he just let things go?

“We didn’t do anything wrong. Don’t you have a rat to chase or something?” Kira spat.

Justin shook his head. “You keep saying the wrong things, kittens. You have to sharpen your negotiation skills.”

“Justin can you—” Giselle stumbled into the kitchen. She took in the scene and scowled. “What are they doing here?”

“Kira was delivering meat now she’s leaving,” I said quickly.

“Ugh, good,” Giselle responded.

Giselle was easier to please than the brut Justin.

“Bye Kira,” I whispered and shoved her towards the door. She looked at me apologetically but she knew it was better for both of us not to argue.

“What do you want, Giselle? I was in the middle of something.”

“I don’t care. Leo’s looking for you.”

“Are you his lap dog now?” Justin asked.

“You’re the first person I’ll get rid of when I become Luna,” Giselle forced a smile.

It hurt me to realize Leo already had someone to replace me. She was the High Beta’s daughter. She was someone people respected. Mate bond or not Leo wanted her, not me.

I didn’t want Leo anyway. It didn’t matter that I got my hopes up or that I thought he would love and protect me the way he did to his Pack. At least he rejected me before I got my wolf.

“Chanel, you should be resting!” Giselle scolded.

“Don’t tell me what to do,” Chanel barked.

Chanel stumbled into the kitchen, wearing an open white robe. Her hair was wild and stringy. She kind of reminded me of a ghost. She had bags under her eyes and crust on her mouth. I cringed. Giselle was right, Chanel needed to sleep.

This was the first time she showed her face since the incident and I wished she hadn’t.

I backed up hoping none of them would notice.

“You!” Chanel barked.

Chanel zoned in on me.

Couldn’t the floor open up and swallow me whole?

She marched towards me. Giselle flipped her hair over her shoulder and trotted behind her. Justin stared and watched.

“What?” I asked.

“Hold her,” Chanel ordered.

My eyes turned to saucers. “What? Why?”

“I said hold her!” she demanded.

Justin marched over and pinned my arms behind my back.

“Don’t move, slave,” he whispered in my ear, his breath heating up my ear.

“You can’t do this,” I struggled but his told felt like a metal chain.

“I’m not weak. I can’t be weak,” Chanel said, her crazed eyes locked on me but it was like she was looking beyond me.

“The Pack doctor said you needed to rest,” Giselle said.

“Shut up!” Chanel shouted.

Giselle flinched and bowed her head.

“You don’t get it. My Father will never forgive me for being weak. I’m not weak. Esme on the other hand is weak. You’re nothing.”

I pressed my lips together. She wasn’t okay a sarcastic remark would only throw her over the edge.

Justin tightened his grip and made it impossible for me to escape.

“I’ll show them all,” Chanel said before her fist connected with my gut.

I cried out.

Justin held me like a punching bag as Chanel pummelled me. Giselle barely watched in amusement. No one’s coming for me. Chanel’s knuckles connected with my forehead over and over until blood trickled down my face. This time I won’t need a first aid box I will be in the hospital for days. Justin’s chuckle broke something inside me. No one would come to save me.

My wolf woke from her deep sleep. She jumped to the edge of my skin. Her strength overpowered me. I felt her reflect in my eyes.

“Get off me!” I growled and shoved Chanel with all my might.

She tumbled into Giselle’s arms. They both hit the ground. Justin let me go in surprise.

“You have a wolf?” Giselle gasped.

“No, you’re wolfless!” Chanel shouted.

Justin gawked at me. “This shouldn’t be possible.”

I think I had broken bones. My blood splattered on the floor. I ran out of the kitchen and emerged in the empty living room. I pushed the sliding glass door open and ran into the back garden putting as much distance between Chanel and I as possible.