Share

8

Penulis: SkyWatcher
last update Terakhir Diperbarui: 2024-08-06 05:58:48

ASTRID

I shivered and trembled as I lay on the cold hardwood floor. Tears flowed freely from my eyes and I couldn't help but whimper in pain. Physical and emotional pain. I curled in on myself and wept and wept. I forgot to be scared of someone finding me lying in the hallway like that. When I'd cried enough for the fear to seep back into my bones, my heart collapsed at the cruel realisation that if anyone found me lying there in the pitiable state I was in, they would feel anything but pity. They might even try to inflict more pain on me.

I’d started to pride myself on being strong of heart and logical about feelings since I returned from prison. Justin thought I killed his mate and sister, he believed I was evil, any action he carried out against me should be justified and I shouldn't take it to heart because he was acting on ignorance. I'd been acting on this principle all this time and I'd been impressed with myself for being able to bear all his harsh treatments so far with this ideology in mind.

But this… this was the stroke that literally broke the wolf’s back. I couldn't not feel hurt. How? How could someone be so mean? In what way could I have possibly offended the moon goddess for her to have placed me in a position for my mate to treat me like this?

My body racked with moe sobs and I just couldn't find the strength to stand up. This was too much. This was just too much. Kris' face flashed before my eyes. Kris asking me to promise to always be there for her family because in that way I would be there for her. I cried out in pain.

How could you ask this of me Kris?

My body shook with emotion. I was going to be here forever. Until I avenged her. I would have to endure everything they put me through. "I can't go for long Kris. I'm barely hanging on."

I was way past the pain that was in my hands, arms, legs, and the pain that was around my neck and I ached for the fact that I couldn't run and save myself. At this point I didn't think I had it in me anymore to stay and uncover the truth to everyone… but I had to. And the realisation hurt more than anything I'd ever felt. The realisation that I would most definitely go through even worse pain than this and I would still have to stay. It hurt worse than going to prison for two years for a crime I didn't commit. It hurt, and it hurt some more.

I wasn't know how long it took me but I eventually found the strength to begin crawling. My hands and knees stung where I was wounded by the glass shards of the table I'd fallen into but I knew I had to leave the hallway. I crawled to the guest room I'd been given which wasn't too far from Justin's room – for which I was grateful – and I collapsed against the door as I closed it behind me. I sat and just stared off into space, feeling the stinging of the bruises and cuts all over my body in full force now. I couldn't find any more tears in me to cry. So I just stared and thought.

If I hadn't stopped to eavesdrop I would probably still be whole and uninjured. It was my fault in that sense.

But then there was the issue of someone outside of those who were supposed to, knowing about I and Justin's marriage. There was nobody for me to tell. Why didn't he understand that? Who did he think I really was?

It was most definitely the person he'd been talking so comfortably with that had told him. Which sprang the curiosity in my mind again of who the person was. But I made it die at that. It was none of my business and I'd indirectly suffered enough at the hands of the person.

I forced myself into the bathroom to clean myself up. My clothing was a mess and I decided I never wanted to see them again as a reminder of those horrid minutes of torture so I just put them in a corner of the bathroom. I pulled pieces of glass out of several places in my skin, tears welling up in my eyes at several points as I recalled how he'd kicked my elbow, or how he'd dragged me through the rubble of glass shards.

"I really hate it here, Kris." I mumbled in tears.

While I cleaned myself up, it occurred to me that things might improve for me if Justin didn't see me so often. My room was not far from his and the chances of us running into each other and my getting hurt was greatly increased with that. I sighed as my thought process arrived at the point where I knew that there was no way anyone here would be accommodating enough to give me a new room just because I was uncomfortable with being hurt.

But I had to find a way to stay out of his way. I couldn't continue to endure this.

A light bulb immediately sprang on my head. The basement.

I suddenly remembered it from I and Kris' adventures all over the house and our occasional underground sleepovers. In truth I was as familiar with this house as I was with mine. I knew there were some camp beds down there and it wouldn't be difficult for me to just set up a little corner for myself in there.

I didn't waste any time packing up a few clothes, dressing up and going down there. I figured I'd just test the theory out for a few days and based on how well it worked I would decide whether or not I would be staying in the basement permanently.

I wrinkled my nose as I stepped into the basement. A veil of dust and spiderwebs greeted me and I was momentarily surprised. I'd forgotten my wounds for a moment and in my scrambling to get away from some spiderwebs, I bumped into various items which made the cuts start bleeding again. My eyes stung and tears welled up in them as I continued to basically dance around the room to avoid the webs. And I kept bumping into things along the way.

As I arrived at the other end of the room where…

I couldn't hold it in any longer, I burst into tears and collapsed onto the floor.

In the two years since Kris' death, no one had been in this basement. The mini sleepover set up that was usually always clean and pretty at the edge of the room was dilapidated and barely recognisable. I couldn't stop myself from crying. I knelt beside it, gripping the camp bed tightly as for the third time that day, my body was given over to violent sobbing. At one point I thought I caught a whiff of her scent and it almost broke me.

I did my best to pull myself together and I began to clean up the area. I didn't know how I would clean the entire basement itself but I didn't let myself think about that at that moment.

I picked up the string of lights we usually used when we had the sleepovers and I couldn't help the thousands of memories that flooded me. Kris and I, lying inside our fort made of duvets, staring up at the lights which were stuck to the top. Talking about the other girls in our grade, talking about our test scores, talking about guys… My chest clenched at that. I remembered the day I'd finally confessed that I had feelings for Justin. I'd been so surprised that she'd been in support of it. It was like she'd known he was my mate even when I hadn't known then. I remembered how she comforted me everytime he dismissed me and made me feel like he'd never have my time.

It dawned on me then that Justin's hatred of me probably didn't start after he thought I'd killed Kris and Audrey. He'd always been slightly mean to me growing up. Usually yelling at me at the slightest provocation. We'd just thought it was because Kris and I were like younger sister pests to him but now I wondered, what if it was so easy for him to disbelieve me when I'd told him I was innocent and for him to treat me so animalistically because he'd always had a hard spot for me in his heart.

I couldn't help but smile sadly as I shut my eyes and shook my head. It wasn't exactly like I'd done it deliberately but at that moment I felt like such a fool for letting myself fall for my best friend's older brother. I mean I now knew he was my mate but it didn't exactly matter. If I hadn't fallen for him, it might make this pain all the more easier to bear.

I didn't know when or how I slept off but I was startled awake by a rustling sound near the door and, thinking that someone had found me and was here to inflict harm on me in some way, I sprang up immediately, my body trembling.

But it was just a rat. "No one is here to kill me yet. Just a rat."

I collapsed back onto the floor in relief and miscalculating the distance between the bed I wanted to lean against and a couple of boxes, I crashed into the boxes. Groaning, I immediately got to my feet and bent to rearrange the boxes. I didn't remember them being here back then so I decided to take a closer look at the spilled contents.

My heart froze.

It took me a moment to recover and I stiffly picked up the items and stared at them like they were strange artifacts. They were Kris's belongings.

I swallowed as I continued to inspect them and bask in the feeling of being closer to her even if for a moment. I felt a lump rise in my throat but I forced it back down. I'd done enough crying for the day.

I picked up a picture. It was actually a string of pictures connected together. My chest twisted as I recalled the day we'd DIYed the strings and connected the pictures. But I couldn't help but smile as I looked through the pictures. I missed her so much and it hurt so much but we'd had good times. I came across a good number of the pictures that Audrey photobombed and my blood ran cold as I stared hard at the girl who had ruined my life. The hate nearly overwhelmed me and I really wished I could get a chance to kill her for a second time. I swore again at that moment to find my evidence and show everyone what she really was, whether or not I died in the process.

My jaw hardened and I tucked the pictures back into the box roughly then I picked up the next item. I realised it was Kris's diary. I had been the kind of best friend that let her have her own secrets. I knew basically everything about her and I didn't mind that she had a diary where she documented both the parts of her life that I knew and the little I didn't.

It occurred to me at that moment that some clues to the proof I needed could be in here.

I pursed my lips as I struggled within myself. Weirdly enough, a part of me still wanted to preserve Kris’s privacy and not go through the diary. But I needed answers. Kris had always been smarter. She'd most likely observed or discovered things I hadn't noticed.

I swallowed and slowly opened the diary’s last page.

“What are you doing here?”

I jerked, surprised. Immediately, I chucked the diary into a corner, not wanting to be caught with it and turned to face the familiar voice.

Luna Eloise.

“I–”

“There's nothing for you to steal here Astrid.” her voice spat with such venom, I knew I was in for it.

Lanjutkan membaca buku ini secara gratis
Pindai kode untuk mengunduh Aplikasi

Bab terbaru

  • Hated By My Hockey Alpha Mate   86

    JUSTINMy heart was pounding against my chest widely and a strange feeling settled over me as my eyes drifted from my father to my mother . I had never seen my parents so- tense like that before, the seemed so bothered about something I couldn’t understand why it was. My father’s jaw was tight and my mother’s lips were pressed together in a tight line as if she was trying to hold back her words. For the first time in my entire life, it seemed like there was an unresolved issue lingering between them, something neither of them wanted to talk about.My mother sat down and my father sat beside her, he held her hands tightly as if to anchor him. Then with a small sigh, he started talking. “There’s something I haven’t told you before and I guess this is the time for you to know, Justin,” he let out, his voice firm but I could tell the tension underneath it. “Years before I met your mother or even began dating her… I used to date a witch.”I frowned at what he said, refusing to believe his

  • Hated By My Hockey Alpha Mate   85

    JUSTINI knew something was off about that girl right from the start. And right here, she proved me right the moment she disappeared. Of course, she was a witch but why had she come here only to disappear? Why show herself now if it wasn’t a part of some plan?I turned around and saw Astrid with wide and startled eyes, a million thoughts were swirling in her head. I could hear her thoughts and she was back to thinking about her wolf, back to believing she needed a witch to fix whatever was wrong with her wolf. But not this witch. Raina, Sasha, or whatever she called herself. She was the wrong person for that. A very wrong one and I had this feeling she was dangerous too. It was clear too.I walked to Astrid and placed my hand on her arm, but her mind was too preoccupied with what she was thinking she knew about Raina. “Astrid,” I whispered through our link. “Look at me. She is not the witch you're looking for, snap out of it, baby. Raina is a liar and a friend of Hunter’s. She can’t

  • Hated By My Hockey Alpha Mate   84

    ASTRIDI was sure it was him- or at least, I thought I was. Maybe it was just my mind playing tricks on me, spinning my fears into shadows outside the window. I didn’t feel safe. Not anywhere. Not anymore. The only place I felt safe was in Justin’s arms. But what are we going to do now?I was trembling and crying quietly into his chest as he held me tight, his hands rubbing my back up and down soothingly. The only thing that comforted me was his presence and the warmth of his body. Not even a minute later, the room was filled with everyone else. The door burst open, and my parents and Justin’s came inside. I could feel their eyes on me, I could see the worry in their eyes and I started feeling overwhelmed. “What happened?” Justin’s mother asked, her voice laced with concern. “The fucker was here,” Justin replied her, his voice was strained and I could tell he was trying to control his anger. “Astrid saw him.”They all let out a low gasp immediately the words came out of Justin’s m

  • Hated By My Hockey Alpha Mate   83

    JUSTINI was torn between staying with Astrid to protect her and the baby and going over to where Hunter was to confront him. I felt that familiar feeling of fear and all my body became tense as my mind started racing, calculating the risks. Under no circumstances must Hunter find out about the baby. If he found out, his games could get dirtier, more dangerous, and I could not afford that. Not now. Not ever. I pressed a kiss to Astrid’s temple, she was too focused on her ice cream, completely unaware of anything happening while mine was melting in my hand, dripping down my fingers. So, I got to eating it and took my eyes back to where Hunter was, but he was gone like he had never been there. I turned Astrid and tried to get her walking so we could get out of there but she wasn’t budging. “I want another one,” she whined, holding out her empty cone. I forced a smile, trying to keep my fear out of my eyes and our link. “We have to leave sweetheart,” I said, my voice steady despite th

  • Hated By My Hockey Alpha Mate   82

    JUSTINWith an opponent hot on my heels, I ran across the pitch, the wind whipping over my hair. I didn't care that running had scorched my lungs and pushed my legs to the breaking point. There was only one thing on my mind- reaching the goal post. I focused, dodged an opponent and narrowed my eyes. And Immediately I got to the goal post, I swung the pusher against the ball straight into the net. The stadium exploded in cheers as soon as the ball got past the goalkeeper and into the net.Victory. I turned immediately to the stands, my eyes searching for the one face that made this whole moment worth it. Astrid was there, her eyes shining with pride and a big smile playing at the corners of her lips. I blew her a kiss, grinning like a fool. I could barely hear my teammates rushing towards me, to celebrate with me. The championship game had just started and this was our third win. I ran to where she was in the crowd in the stand as soon as the game ended. I immediately lifted her int

  • Hated By My Hockey Alpha Mate   81

    HUNTERI stared at Raina and her mother, Celeste, with a bored expression plastered across my face. The room felt suffocating with their presence, their very existence was dripping with deceit. If there was one thing I had learnt from dealing with these two, it was that they were up to something. The fact that they had the audacity to show up at my pack unannounced only confirmed my suspicions. Whatever they were planning, I needed to figure it out- and fast. I had zoned out for a moment, allowing the dull hum of their voices fade to become background noise, but then, Celeste called my name, snapping me back to the conversation. I blinked, trying to focus on her as she spoke. “Hunter, we heard what happened,” she said with sympathy in her voice and I rolled my eyes. “So, what are your plans now?” She asked, her voice smooth and practiced. It was as if she was trying to sound genuinely concerned, but I knew better. I could see the calculation in her eyes, the way her lips curled into

  • Hated By My Hockey Alpha Mate   80

    ASTRID "It was- I…” I opened my mouth to respond, but then it hit me. It has actually been a while. I stared up at her, my eyes widening as a wave of terror and bewilderment passed over me. With my heart pounding, I muttered, "It can't be." “We have… well- it can’t be what I’m thinking right? I mean yes, we have done it a few times. Well a lot since that day but could I really be?” My heart was beating fast against my chest and the room bounced a little in my eyes. Goddess.She nodded knowingly. “There is a high chance,” she replied. “I have a few pregnancy test strips in the pack’s first aid kit downstairs. You stay put, I'll go and grab one for you.” I nodded in response.As she left the room, I felt my mind waving. This was exciting, but also terrifying. This was not the right time at all. A lot was still going on. Hunter was still out there. What if he found out? And school- oh my God, I still had two years left. How was I supposed to manage being pregnant and finishing school? I

  • Hated By My Hockey Alpha Mate   79

    ASTRIDA few weeks has passed since I found out about my adoption, Hunter’s intentions and Justin getting hurt. My relationship with Justin had gotten even better and it was flourishing. Even now, I was still in shock at how much had changed so quickly. I no longer felt the weight surrounding me, and for the first time in my life, I felt like I fit somewhere. My relationship with my parents was… progressing. Slowly. But, we were getting there. The hardest part, though, was trying to get used to Justin’s mother change in attitude and how she was so sweet to me now. I was finding it hard to accommodate her but I was sure I’d get there eventually. Justin had helped me pack my things back into the Alpha’s home after everything had settled down and it felt good to be back, surrounded by people that cared about me. And I could always see Justin and not wait or count down until time I would get to see him. Everything was going well. All was well. But there was a nagging feeling at the back

  • Hated By My Hockey Alpha Mate   78

    ASTRIDBest news of the year. Hell, best news of my life. She loves me.Astrid, the girl who always made my heart race, who kept me awake at night, and haunted my thoughts whether she was around or not, had finally confessed to loving me back. I felt a raw, powerful feeling go through my veins as soon as she finished speaking. A high I hadn't felt in years. It was taking up all of my mental space, making the physical anguish I was experiencing seem unreal and distant. I forced myself up, scowling at the way the stitches were pulling at my flesh, ignoring the pulsating pain in my ribs. Astrid, always the worrier, immediately moved to get me to lay back down. She attempted to gently lead me back to the bed by saying, "Justin, you're still hurt." But I would have none of it. Grabbing her wrist, I pulled her in until she was inches from my face. I could smell her skin, that subtle aroma that always made me crazy, and I could feel the warmth of her breath. She made an effort to make me

Jelajahi dan baca novel bagus secara gratis
Akses gratis ke berbagai novel bagus di aplikasi GoodNovel. Unduh buku yang kamu suka dan baca di mana saja & kapan saja.
Baca buku gratis di Aplikasi
Pindai kode untuk membaca di Aplikasi
DMCA.com Protection Status