Eighteen Solid Years

Willow's POV  

“Willow, wake up” 

Was the first thing I heard before I felt wet all over. My eyes snapped open instantly as I jumped off the bed. I didn't need to check to know what had happened. 

My cousin, Stella, had doused me with water in a bid to wake me up. 

“What is wrong with you?” I shot at her as I peeled off my bed spread from the bed. 

“You're going to be late for the market” she tossed the keys out stall at me. I bent down to pick them up as I glared at her. She rolled her eyes and sauntered out of my room. 

Today was my birthday, I was turning 18 and supposed to get my mate but just like any other year. No one cared and I was still going to work. My mother married a human and died right after giving birth to me and my father ran away leaving me in the care of my uncle and aunt who were omegas and already struggling to care for their two kids. 

I instantly became a burden in their lives and to pay the debts, they've made me work for my keep. 

I only work after school on weekdays but today is Saturday meaning I get to work all through. 

Yay me… 

The door to my room pushed open aggressively. My aunt stood framed in the doorway. Her eyes scanned me once in a quick and sharp motion. It felt wrong. She always had words ready for me, but now she only watched, as if trying to memorize every line of my face and body. It was creepy. 

“I'm sorry I woke up late, I'll shower and head to the shop right now” I said, and made to move, but she stretched a hand out to stop me.

“Wait Willow. Isn't today your birthday?”

My eyes widened. I could not believe it. She remembered.

“Give me the key. You don't have to work today. Seth would work today” she continued. Seth was Stella's older brother. He should have been at college, but there was no money, so he stayed at home while the family saved for next year.

“Thank you” I managed to say due to the shock I was experiencing.

She reached behind her and produced a bag I had not noticed. 

“I got this for you. Clean up and put it on. I'm making breakfast” she said, and left before I could answer.

I stared at the bag, stunned. In all eighteen years of my life, no one had remembered my birthday like this. No one had ever brought me a gift. For seven years I had been the one stirring the porridge, flipping the eggs, making sure everyone else ate first, it was the first time in seven years that I was not the one making breakfast. The small, warm swell of something like hope sat in my chest.

Today felt different. I could feel it, and I hoped I was right. 

Excitement made me hurry through the shower. I was done in less than ten minutes. The dress my aunt had bought was beautiful. I had never owned anything new. I wore hand-me-downs from Stella and Seth, patched sleeves and faded collars. This dress was untouched, soft as if it belonged to someone with a nice family background.

The mirror greeted me with an unfamiliar reflection. The black knee-length gown hugged me in places I had never noticed before. I had never seen myself as curvy before this. I sat and smoothed my hair, thinking of my mother. My brown hair and brown eyes were hers. My mother had been pretty. There was comfort in the fact that I looked like her.

“There she is. My beautiful niece” my uncle called as I came down the stairs.

Something tightened inside me. My uncle had never been kind to me. He had never accepted me. He said I was a mistake his sister had made, that I should have died instead of her. His words haunted me daily.

I tried to accept my aunt's sudden kindness, but my uncle's sudden softness felt wrong. I descended the stairs and saw them all watching me. Stella was setting the table with the good dishes. That could only mean one thing: we were having a guest.

Was that why they were being so pleasant?

Was it someone from my father’s family? Was it my father?

Was I finally going to leave the werewolf town and go live with humans who wouldn't treat me bad for being a half human. 

“There is something you should know,” my aunt began.

“You are 18 now. You are an adult” my uncle added.

“What's going on?” I asked, my voice smaller than I felt. My stomach twisted, I knew I was not going to like what they had to say 

“We can no longer take care of you. We are barely surviving” my aunt said. Her voice cracked. She was a strong woman; when she trembled, I knew something had to be terribly wrong. 

“What's happening?” I asked again.

“We found a man for you to marry” my uncle cut in.

Marriage? 

Me? 

“What?” My breath stopped cold.

“He is very wealthy. He will help us out and he will take good care of you” he said, like it was a simple transaction.

“I'm still in high school” I said, clutching at the last thread of argument.

“I don't care,” he replied.

My thinking wheels began to move quickly.

“My mate…” I suddenly said out loud 

“What about my mate? I could still find him” 

My aunt shook her head 

“You're half human, the chances that you have a mate are very slim. This man wants you now” 

She was right. I didn't even have a wolf. Why did I think I would get a mate? 

“Please, I don't want to get married. I'll work harder. I'll open the shop during the day on weekdays…” I was still talking when my uncle stepped forward and struck me hard across the face. I stumbled back and pressed my palm to my cheek. Pain bloomed through my skin. 

“You will do as I say or I will kill you with my own hands” he snarled.

“Kill me” I whispered, daring him with my eyes. “Because I'd rather die than be sold off” 

He grabbed my neck in his hands and squeezed. The world narrowed to the pressure at my throat. I clawed at his grip, gasping as my legs lifted off the floor. Fear and fury mixed within me. I scratched his hand and begged him to let go, but he did not relent until his wife intervened.

“Leave her alone. Please we need her to look fine or else he may not want her” she begged.

He released me and I crumpled to the floor. My hand went to my throat where his fingers had left an imprint. I rubbed until the blood returned properly to the skin. 

Then a knock sounded at the door.

“Get up quickly,” my aunt hissed.

I stood, wiping a tear that had escaped down my cheek. Whoever was at that door was my future, and the thought made my stomach flip with dread.

The door opened and my jaw dropped immediately.