Chapter 3

Aella

The rain dripped from my body down the walkway, the concrete harsh against my knees, my teeth chattered uncontrollably.

The door to the house screeched open, “come in, mutt” a voice said from the porch. I heard the footsteps receding, not even bothering to make sure I heard her, probably one of the maids.

I dragged my numb body up, from the position it's been in for the past six hours, because Andrea and her daughter got back before me.

My knees wobbled, shakily I dragged my sore body into the mansion, sliding in through the front door, wasting more time would lead to even more punishments.

The air reeked of Jasmine and lily, a different fragrance from its usual murky smell, what's the occasion? I wondered.

They were probably celebrating something that I wasn't privy to or invited to, again. With a sigh I turned towards the dimly lit corner of the house, the only place unbothered by the festivities and where I could get some sort of rest.

Opening the thatched door that led to my room, with its hinges barely hanging on, It barely qualified as a door, but at least it was mine. I changed out of my wet clothes.

Covering my body with the thin material I used as a blanket, exhaustion hit as I lay on my bed, giving in to the darkness, its stony texture doing nothing to help my aching body, if anything it made it worse.

“Ah!” I woke up with a shrill scream to someone dousing me with a bucket full of water. “Water clouded my vision,”

“Get your stupid self off that bed and go make breakfast, we have guests coming” blinking the water away I saw Andrea holding a bucket by her hands as she stood beside the bed, disgust swimming in her eyes.

“Yes madam” I muttered, pulling my weak body up, I had once called her mother the first day I arrived here, she smiled at it with greeted teeth but by the next day I understood why I should never call her mother.

“Useless bitch, you will regret your miserable existence if my Lilith wakes up before you're done with her breakfast” she cursed and left.

I laughed self-mockingly, I don't think I can regret my miserable existence more than I already do.

Changing out of the wet clothes I quickly rushed into the kitchen, plates stopped clattering as I stepped in, I saw Abuela looking at me with pity swimming in her gaze.

“Oh child, how are you doing” she dropped the plates and engulfed me in a bear hug. Tears sprang out of my eyes, only Abuela ever cared to ask how I was doing, she has been the mother I never had.

Sniffing I pulled out of the hug, “I'm fine, Abuela” I shook my head as I said softly, not wanting to tell her my encounters but I had a feeling she already knew.

“That witch again?” She asked.

I nodded softly, heading to the pantry to bring out things with which to cook with, the last thing I wanted was to get abuela in trouble.

Andrea hated her guts cause she's the only one who dared to cal her out whenever she treated me badly, no one else cared. I can't imagine how much worse, life here would have been without her.

We worked seamlessly and effortlessly, a practiced routine as we brought the meal to life, putting the final dish on fire, I wiped off the beads of sweat from my forehead, as I left the food to simmer.

“Abuela!” I exclaimed, holding my startled heart as I turned only to see her standing right behind me. “Stop that, I don't want to end up dying before you.” I said.

“Don't worry child, you're stronger than you think, a little scare would do you more harm than good” she grinned.

“Now, before I forget, “Happy 18th birthday” she said handing me a small box which she pulled from her pockets.

“Oh my moons, you didn't have to,” I said taking the box from her, I smiled, at least someone remembered my birthday

Opening the box, I found a necklace with a red pendant with the word ‘Z’ engraved on it. Tears brimmed at the corner of my eyes, “it's beautiful” I whispered.

“Abuela, I curled my arms round her body,”

“Don't cry princess, your mum left this for you for your eighteenth birthday,” she dragged my hair behind my ears.

“What is going on here.” Andrea barked as she walked in, we quickly separated, I hid the necklace underneath my clothes before she could sight it.

“Nothing madam” I replied, clutching the necklace tightly hoping she hadn't seen it, lest it becomes one of the numerous things she has taken away from me.

“Hope the food is ready? My daughter's finance would soon be here, I don't want any mistakes.” She said, glaring at me,

I lowered my head, as she spoke, not daring to look her in the eyes, “fools, serve the dinner and make yourself scarce. Don't stain the Alpha with your presence.” She turned and left.

I froze, the world around me blurred, did she just say Alpha. It can't be. “Abuela, who is coming?” I asked.

“Alpha Crux,” she hummed. “I heard he selected Lilith as his chosen Luna and is coming to propose today.” She replied, bringing out plates for dishing food.

I froze, “it can't be,” I whispered, my vision turned hazy as I gasped for breath. The entire room spun right before my eyes.

“No” I muttered, tears streaking down my face, as my knees crashed into the hard tiles, “mate” I whimpered.

They have succeeded in taking everything from me, and now even my mate has been cruelly taken away.

First my mother, now my mate.

Was it ever going to stop?

“It's not my fault I was born this way, fat and wolfless.

Were they right?

Am I really unworthy of a mate?

“Zorya”

A voice called out, shaking me out of my trance.

I looked around to find myself in an empty desert, “abuela” I screamed.

“How did I end up here?”

“Come to us Zorya”

I heard again, this time it sounded closer, it came from behind.

Heart pounding I tried to turn, “Aella, Aella” I heard abuela’s voice.

“Abuela!” I screamed back, trying to find the source of the voice.

A cold hand touched my shoulder, my blood ran cold, it felt like I was being pulled into an endless abyss of darkness.

“Aella,” the voice called again, this time stronger.

“Run Aella, Run”

Cold air touched my ears, just before the word faded

A wicked laughter ran through the empty run “I’m coming for you Zorya”