Chapter 1

TRIGGER WARNING:

This chapter may include stalking, physical violence, mental and emotional abuse, and harassment. I acknowledge that it may be challenging to engage with this content.

TWO YEARS LATER-

"ARINA, YOU WORTHLESS STUPID GIRL!"

my mother yelled at me from the top of the staircase.

"Who told you that you could sleep? Look at the place; the kitchen is dirty, the laundry isn't folded or put away, and you still haven't made breakfast"! She yelled.

"I'm sorry, Luna. I'll be there immediately." I replied timidly, wiping sleep from my eyes. I grabbed whatever clothes I could find: an oversized black shirt and ripped light blue jeans two sizes too big. I didn't have much to choose from these days.

I only had leftovers from everyone's donations to local charities. Mother gave me whatever she thought was too big, ripped, or stained. Anything considered trash.

My black waist-length hair was once full of life and shine, but now it was dull and lifeless. As a result of all the chemicals I used to clean the house, my once smooth, cream-colored skin itched constantly, and my hands became rough. Despite having house staff, I was the only one who had to do all the complicated work.

Last night, my mother hosted a dinner party that lasted into the night. After cleaning the kitchen and dining room, I had gone into the basement to grab some more towels and had fallen asleep. I hadn't slept well in almost three years, which appeared in my once bright and lively green eyes. Eyes that I got from my father.

I hadn't slept well since his death.

I had become my mother's personal servant after my father was buried and moved into the basement. Since I was the last to see Dad, Mother said I may have made him fall into cardiac arrest by doing something to his IV. 

When it came to food, I was lucky if I got to eat anything at all. If my chores were not finished, my discipline was at the discretion of Mother. Even though I loved my mother, I was not too fond of how she disciplined me. It didn't matter if others were around. I would always get yelled at by her. Occasionally, she brutally hit me in front of anyone in sight.

After leaving the basement, I headed to the kitchen. As I entered the kitchen, my mother sat at the table with her back to me so I could not see her face.

"Where have you been that you haven't even started your duties?" My mother asked. "I am sorry, Luna, it won't happen again," I replied softly.

I could no longer address her as "mom," not since that sad night.

I made my way towards the sink, not daring to make eye contact with her since doing so always made things worse. As I washed the dishes, I waited for her to say something. I could feel her cold eyes on me. Her response could be felt through her stare, and the words she said sent a chill down my spine.

"You must have been whoring around, or this would have already been completed. Now tell me where you were and with whom?" she asked sinisterly.

I knew that no matter what I told her, it would not suffice. She would eventually instruct me to grab her a broom, mop, belt, or tree branch. The only purpose of this was to discipline me. She was about to say something else when her new mate entered the kitchen and cleared his throat.

"My dear, I have a few meetings to attend this morning," Rick said, smiling, as he walked towards her and kissed her, then walked out of the kitchen.

"Play nicely, dear," he yelled as the door closed behind him.

I hated him. I never understood what she saw in him. He didn't work but always claimed he had meetings to attend to. I never knew what he did all day, and he always seemed to be in a hurry. He was always distant and cold.

"Arina," my mother's voice broke me out of my thoughts. "You know, ever since you killed your father, you have been a nuisance to this pack," Mom said as she stalked around the kitchen. When she suddenly stopped beside me, she grabbed my chin and turned my face to stare into my eyes.

"You want to know a secret?" she said.

I didn't respond or react, as I knew better. I stayed as still and quiet as I could.

Mom tilted her head slightly.

"Zeno was stupid to bring you here to love and care for you. He cared more about you than me," she said with hatred.

"Would you like to know what is even sadder?" She sneered as she removed her fingers from my chin and paused momentarily to look out the window.

"What's sad is that he worked so hard to train you, and you can't defend yourself. You're a waste of flesh. You should be dead; you should have died with him," she added.

Suddenly, her eyes widened as if she saw a ghost. She grabbed me by the neck and pushed me into the wall within seconds. Putting pressure on my windpipe, I felt her nails dig into my skin. Once she released me, I collapsed, coughing and gasping for breath. 

"YOU STUPID GIRL, LOOK WHAT YOU DID"? She yelled as she kicked me in the side of my stomach.

"Ahh." I cried out as I rolled into a ball, clutching my abdomen.

Suddenly, I felt her grab my hair and drag me to the basement. As the door opened, I felt a cold draft as I was pulled through the door and down the stairs. Upon reaching the bottom, I curled into a fetal position. My lower back was completely numb, and I knew it would bruise.

I heard Mom rummaging through stuff. I looked up to see her walking back towards me with a shovel in one hand and a big leather belt in the other hand.

"YOU SHOULD HAVE DIED!" she yelled, lifting the shovel and letting it fall over me. As the shovel struck my body, I screamed in pain.

"I think of you as worthless; you should be dead, and your presence sickens me." She growls at me between each strike. The pain of every blow is excruciating. With every impact, I feel my bones breaking. Despite all my attempts to cover myself, that doesn't keep me safe from her wrath. Another scream escapes my mouth as my body is unable to cope. Through my clothes, I can feel blood dripping.

Suddenly, I heard the shovel fall to the floor, and something cold struck my forehead. I knew she was now using the belt, but instead of hitting me with the leather, she hit me with the buckle, causing me to throw my head back in pain, only to be struck directly in the face once more.

I could barely breathe as she began to kick me countless times in the back of my head and back before she turned me over on my back, slapped me, and spit in my face simultaneously.

"Goddess, kill me now" was all I could think of as blow after blow came at me.

The pain was so excruciating, and I couldn't hold on anymore. I felt my body getting lighter and my vision going in and out.

The last thing I saw was Rick running towards us.

"ELENI, STOP!" he yelled at her as he pulled her off me and kneeled in front of me. It was the first time I had seen his face filled with panic.

"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?" He yelled at Mom.

In an instant, everything turned black.