#Chapter 3: Stay

Samantha's POV

The scars and bruises on my arm were like a macabre map of abuse. Some were old scars, some were new bruises, but it didn't matter how long they had been there.

All that mattered was that I had endured five years of broken skin and physical torment, with only a weakened wolf to heal me, which also meant that those scars would remain until Ava returned to her old strength.

And that could never happen as long as I remained here in this hell.

My mother's cries were distant to my own ears, as if she were saying my name from underwater as she held my arm up to reveal my humiliation to all.

Meanwhile, across the room, my father's face remained cold. But he looked away and his voice was tight as he said, "We should speak to Kade so he can end your sentence."

I nodded, holding back a sigh of relief. At least my family and I were on the same page about one thing: I needed to get the hell out of here. And quickly.

The Beta, who had been standing nearby and watching the entire exchange with a look of complete disinterest on his face, led us to Kade's office. I had only set foot in this room before when summoned, and it was never for good reasons.

His office was exactly the same as always. Bookshelves lining every single wall, with an area cut out for the fireplace. A large desk that I had endured too many spankings bent over. A couple of plush armchairs that he only reserved for guests.

Kade was sitting behind the desk with a pair of glasses perching on the end of his nose as he studied a document in front of him when we entered. He barely looked up; he hated my family just as much as he hated me.

"Alpha Kade." My father spoke first, effectively stopping my mother from blurting anything out about the cuts and bruises. "We've come to collect Samantha."

For a long moment, Kade didn't answer—just kept reading his document. Finally, he set the paper aside in no rush at all, removed his glasses, and looked up at me.

I suppressed a shudder as his gray eyes swept over me.

"I'll end her sentence now," he said calmly.

My mother let out a sigh of relief beside me. I nearly crumpled right then and there from exhaustion and joy in equal measure. "Gather your things," she said, turning to me. "We're taking you home now—"

"Home?" Kade cut her off, standing. In the enclosed space, he looked positively mountainous, all broad shoulders and thick muscles straining against his shirt. "Who said she's going home?"

"But you said you'd end her sentence—" my father began, but Kade cut him off with a raised hand.

The room fell silent as Kade slowly turned his gaze on me again. There was something strange in his expression, something unlike the usual hatred he showed me. Was that a hint of… panic in his eyes that I saw? But it was gone before I had a chance to study it.

"Oh, Goddess… He knows about the mate bond and the child, doesn't he?" I desperately asked Ava. "He won't let me go now because of it."

"He shouldn't know," Ava assured me. "I haven't revealed myself. He would have no way of sensing the bond or the child."

I chose to believe her. I had to. Because the alternative… I didn't even want to consider what punishments Kade might have in store for me if he knew the truth about everything.

"She will no longer be a servant," Kade went on coolly, as if we were discussing no more than the weather, "but I won't allow the woman who caused my parents' deaths and my sister's madness to return to a life of luxury. No. She must remain here, in Crescent Hollow pack, and live out the rest of her days witnessing my sister's pain and grief."

My throat constricted painfully. I should have known that Kade wouldn't just let me walk away. He intended to destroy my life as punishment, whether I was his slave or not.

Panic took hold of me then, and I whirled to face my mother. "Mom, please take me away from here," I begged, grasping at her hands. "Please, I don't want to stay—"

"Crescent Hollow has provided your family's pack with protection for years now, Samantha," Kade growled. I hated when he said my name; he only said it when he was angry with me. The rest of the time, I had no name. "Do you really want to take that from them now?"

My family looked at one another in shock. It was true; Crescent Hollow had protected our pack, Stoneridge—of which my father was the Alpha—for many years now.

Kade's implication was clear: if I didn't remain in Crescent Hollow as his personal punching bag, he was going to revoke that protection. Rogues could overrun the small, rural pack of Stoneridge within a fortnight if it weren't for Crescent Hollow's strength.

"No," I whispered, even though I knew begging wouldn't help me now. My family had already made up their minds just like that. "Mom… Dad… Please…"

My mother was the only one who hesitated. Serena and my father were already at the door. Neither of them was looking at me. "Margaret," my father said warningly, hand lingering on the doorknob.

I felt sick. "Mom…"

My mother shivered, but murmured, "I'm sorry, Samantha. It's for the good of the pack. At least you won't be a servant anymore…"

With that, my mother wrenched her hands free from mine and quickly followed my sister and father out the door. The last look she gave me before they were gone was tearful, but resolute. I had no choice in the matter.

They were leaving me behind with this brute. Abandoning me. Again.

I fell to my knees, ignoring the sensation of pain shooting through my joints as I made impact with the hardwood floor. As the door fell shut behind my family, one tear fell. Then another. And another.

Soon, I was sobbing openly for the first time in… I couldn't even recall how long it had been since I cried like this.

"Please," I choked out through the sobs, clasping my hands together and looking imploringly up at Kade. All my remaining dignity slipped away in an instant, replaced with the overwhelming need to escape. "Please, let me go home—"

I didn't have a chance to finish before the back of Kade's hand met my cheek. Blinding pain shot through me, sending stars dancing across my vision. The force of the slap was enough to send me slamming against the floor, belly-side down.

"No!" Ava cried, and in a moment of panic, released what little strength she had to protect me and the child from permanent harm. Her aura radiated through the room, like a warm, silver light enveloping everything.

My eyes shot open when it was over. No. No, no, no…

I looked up to find Kade standing over me, nostrils flaring and gray eyes glowing.

"You're my fated mate?!" he breathed. "And… a pup? You're pregnant?

I swallowed hard, preparing for the worst. Ava's strength was short-lived, having only shown herself for a moment to protect me and the baby before she collapsed in exhaustion. But it was enough.

Kade knew. And all I could do now was lay there on the floor, clutching my stomach and wondering what to do next. Or if there was even anything to do now.

He stepped closer and towered over me, dark figure blotting out the light.

"You hid all this from me," he growled, "and you want to leave?"