Exchange

“I'm so sorry Adina it had to go this way, we are not going to leave you there I promise, it's just for a short while until we get the money.”

I couldn't say anything, I could watch her, bewildered. It was at that moment I understood that saying that blood is thicker than water. 

They've all claimed that we are family, equals, but when things went down the drain, I was the first person they pushed toward danger. 

My shoulders immediately tensed up when it sunk in. They were truly going to send her to the werewolves. Good lord! Cold sweat dripped on my back as I shot a nervous look at Selene, who was scrutinizing my expression — waiting for my reply. Does she expect me to abruptly say yes in this kind of situation?

“I… Mom,” I subconsciously grabbed hold of her skirt. I couldn't help it! Werewolves are creatures I feared deeply, I've even dreamt about them. Heard horrific stories about them, so the thought of going to them turned my legs into jelly. 

“Hush dear,” Selene gave me a reassuring hug, but the look of expectation gave her away. No matter what, she won't choose me over her daughter. It's as simple as that. I could feel her heartbreaking too, she was also struggling to do this, and she felt helpless. “Adina, don't forget the reason you have to do this, it's for your junior sister… If you can't do it, then I understand, we'll think of a way— ”

I'm only two years older than Marley, it doesn't mean they can exchange me…

“What do you mean by she can't do it?” Blake, who has been quiet all this while finally, spoke up. “Selene, we've trained her whole life, she basically owes us her life. This is what she should do.”

“Blake…” Selene tried to stop him from speaking, however, her actions made him furious.

“What? Am I lying? You shouldn't even have to ask, this is something that you should trade her for without thinking. Is it that you like her more than your daughter? Marley is in their hands, we should be hurrying to take her back before they hurt her. She's just a child, can you imagine how scared she might be at this moment? I think it's a fate we found Adina when she was little, she was meant to do this.”

“What are you saying, Blake? I love both of them, they are my daughters.”

“No, they are not!” 

Just when they were about to start arguing, I took a deep breath and blurted. “I'll do it. I'll go in place of Marley.”

I regretted saying it instantly, but I can't back down even when fear and uncertainty threatened to crash my resolve.

“Good girl…” Blake said in satisfaction like he's been waiting for this moment. He immediately headed towards the door. “Get ready, I'm going to discuss it with them.”

The moment he left, I ran into my room, shutting the door behind me. Falling to the floor, I hugged my legs tightly as I tried my best to calm my pounding heart while talking to myself inwardly, saying that it would be alright, that everything will be alright. I focused on hardening my heart, preparing myself for whatever I'm about to face. The fear of the unknown was killing. 

It's like I'm going to sit still and remain there after they get Marley back. I'll also have to think for myself. A plan was formulated in my mind at that instance, giving me a tiny bit of courage. Standing up, I quickly dressed up in black jeans and a black hoodie before moving toward the mirror. 

I studied my reflection, looking at the red – haired lady. My face was free of any makeup that emphasis on my smooth, natural and innocent features.

It has finally arrived, the day I'll leave this house. Will I ever come back? I've always fantasized about this day, whether it will be on good notes or bad terms with them if Blake will suddenly get fed up with me and chase me out. But, I never thought I will end up leaving this way.

Blake is right, this is what I should do in appreciation for taking care of me right from childhood. However, the thought of going into the werewolves' midst made my stomach churn with uneasiness. 

A knock on the door startled me. “Dina? Are you okay? Your father is back.”

Selene was indirectly saying, it is time.

Glancing at my room for the last time, I was about to make my way outside when something caught my attention. A knife. Without giving it much thought, I grabbed it, hiding it inside my hoodie. Who knows, it might come in handy soon. 'You can do this, Adina.' I tell myself.

When I opened the door, Selene threw herself in my arms, hugging me tightly as her body trembled. She was crying in guilt.

I hugged her back, fighting the urge to cry. “It's okay mom, I understand. Everything will be alright.”

To be honest, I don't blame her for this. I am heartbroken at her decision, but as I said, I understand. Any mother would have done the same thing in her place. I would do the same if it were my child, but not like this. If it were me, I would have fought harder before giving up.

“Hey, take this.” she brought out box I didn't notice before. She took a necklace from it and helped put it around my neck.

“I saw this around your neck when we found you. I believe it's your biological parent that left that on you.”

I stared at the gold necklace and blinked the tears from my eyes. “It's beautiful.”

She smiled. “Yeah. Blake doesn't know about it, he would have sold it.”

“Thank you.”

*

I met Blake outside the house, he merely shot me a look before walking ahead of me. Watching him, I opened my senses to gorge a reaction out of him, but like before, I sensed nothing. It's as if all the hatred he harbored towards me has vanished, leaving a sense of relief. 

“It was you, isn't it?” I finally asked.

“Shut the f*ck up, girl. I will do anything for my daughter.”

“No, that's not what I meant. You purposely gambled knowing what will happen, didn't you?” 

He ignored me this time. But his silence was more than enough for me. 

In no time, we arrived at a quiet field, there was no one in sight. Wiping my clammy hands on my pants, I tried to calm my heart, which was beating so fast like it was going to fall off my rib cage any time soon.

Suddenly, I saw shadows heading our way. Three figures appeared in our line of sight, Marley was one of them. Her head was covered with a sack. 

Peering at the two other males, my heart skipped a beat. I was expecting to see ghastly looking people since they are in their human form, but no. These men were masculine and have sturdy bodies, faces were handsome, not what I was expecting. Apart from their strange black – yellowish eyes, which were oddly mesmerizing, they were nothing like what I had imagined.

Seeing how strong they look, my nervousness intensified. Even if I'm an empath, it doesn't mean I have supernatural abilities or anything. My strength was pitifully little as that of the human.  Reading emotions was the only thing that distinguishes me from humans. If I want to fight with these werewolves, I will be dead before I know how it happened.

Lost in my own fears, I didn't realize when they got close until they took a hold of me and flung Marley to her father. The wolves gave me a look over and nodded in approval.

“The Alpha will like this one better.”

“That's right. She's a rare beauty.”

My eyes widen, hearing their conversation. Their alpha? Why do I have a bad feeling that meeting him?

No, something tells me that meeting him will be my doom, I need to escape before they take me to him! 

However, before I could put my thoughts into action, I felt a sharp pain in my neck. They have drugged me!

‘Oh, hell no!’ was the last thing I thought of before slipping into darkness.