Wake up you worthless girl!".
Layla jerked awake at the sudden command. Her eyes snapped open and looked around frantically, trying to get her bearings."I said wake up!". The voice commanded her sharply again and was preceded by a bucket of cold water that was splashed on her.Layla jumped up from the sack she had slept on through out the night. Her bones protested with her sudden movement, aching terribly from laying on the hard ground every night. She wiped the droplets of water from her face and stood still, shivering slightly from her drenched dress coupled with the morning chill. She looked up at the woman who stood at the entrance of the basement and curtsied a little.Madame Parker glared at the mute girl with so much venom in her eyes."What are you waiting for? Get to work right this instant!",she snapped at Layla.Layla quickly ran past her and climbed out of the basement. She made her way to the kitchen and stopped, staring unbelievably at the mountain of dirty dishes and utensils. It was only just yesterday she washed every single dish and pot, every cutlery and cup. And today the sink was already filled to the brim.Layla wasn't surprised though. She was used to the hard work she was subjected to everyday. Hearing Madame Parker's approaching footsteps, she snapped out of her daze and rushed towards the sink to begin her daily chores.Madam Parker entered the kitchen and walked passed Layla who had her hands deep in a large bowl of soapy water. She opened the refrigerator and pulled out a pack of stale bread. Closing the fridge, she turned and threw the pack at Layla who struggled to catch it."That's your breakfast girl. Finish that up and go wash the bathrooms. The house needs cleaning and my clothes needs washing".Layla looked down at the pack of bread that had probably spent more than a month in the fridge. The bread already had brown edges filled with mucus and it had an offensive odour. Saddened by it, she dropped it beside her on the ground."What's that? Not happy with it?",Madame Parker asked. She marched towards Layla and gripped the girl's hair in a tight fist, making Layla cry out in pain."You should be thankful you ungrateful brat", Madame Parker spat out viciously. "I could have left you in the arms of your worthless mother the day you were born. You're only alive because she begged me to take you. You deserve everything you're getting now and more".Layla was sobbing softly as Madame Parker pushed her away. She heard it so many times. How her mother died bringing her into the world. How her mother in her last dying breathe begged Madame Parker who was her only sister, to take her and raise her. Layla was reminded of it every day and it hurt her deeply."You're a worthless girl and you deserve no name",Madame Parker continued bitingly. "A child who was born of rape and who took her mother's life at birth should not be allowed to live. You should have died with your mother the day you were born. Dumb girl! I hope you never get to speak ever again! You will spend the rest of your life here because no man will want a mute girl who was born from rape!".Having spoken to her satisfaction and enjoying Layla's tears of pain, she kicked the bowl of water aside and it overturned, spilling out the soapy water all over the kitchen."Get to work this instant!',Madame Parker said sharply and walked out of the kitchen.Layla slumped down on the ground, her eyes reddened from crying, her face streaked with tears. She drew her knees up and cradled her head in her arms, crying her heart out. To be called a child of rape was enough pain to her but, to be reminded that she took her mother's life at birth was the ultimate sorrow, coupled with the fact that she was mute. Layla was tired of life in Madame Parker's home. The only reason why she remained there was because she had no where else to go. She didn't know her father and her mother was gone. She had no other relatives apart from Madame Parker. She was all alone in the world.Layla got tired of crying and she pulled herself up. There was nothing else to do than to continue living. There was no way out. Her whole life was lined out for her. She would serve Madame Parker until she grew old and died, without getting to love or be loved in return, without her children and grandchildren surrounding her. It was certain for her.She quickly picked up a mop and bucket and began to clean the spilled water. She finished with that and returned to the dishes she was washing. As she washed, she let her mind reminisce the past years she had lived in Madame Parker's home.For as long as Layla could remember, she had always been abused and treated like a nobody. The abuse started at a young age and continued for so long until she lost her ability to speak. She was whipped at the slightest offense and she had the scars to prove it. Long faded red whip marks on her back, legs and arms. She was rarely allowed to go outside the house so she didn't have to hide the scars that marred her skin. Madame Parker who had warned her countless times never to address her as 'aunty' didn't have children yet. Layla sometimes believed that she wasn't given children because of her cruel heart and wickedness. Her husband, Uncle Parker was no better. He treated Layla like she didn't exist and only punished her when she really deserved it unlike Madame Parker who would use every opportunity to hit her.Layla's mind trip was cut short when she heard a knock on the front door. She remained where she was, cleaning the dishes because Madame Parker had warned her never to answer the door or show herself when there was a visitor.She heard whispers as Madame Parker conversed with whoever was at the door. Then footsteps as they climbed up the stairs to Uncle Parker's study. The door was slammed shut and the house became silent.Layla grew suspicious suddenly. Madame Parker's visitors never went up when they came. They always stayed in the living room, watching TV and laughing loudly as they got drunk on liquor. Her curiosity was piqued.She arranged the last dish on the rack and threw the soapy water down the sink. In a matter of minutes she was done. One mind told her to get on with her work and forget about Madame Parker's visitors but, the other part, the stronger part urged her to climb up to Uncle Parker's study and eavesdrop. She knew she would be in so much trouble if she got caught but curiosity got the better of her.Holding the hem of her dress, Layla tiptoed up the stairs, deliberately skipping one particular step that creaked. Her heart pounded loudly in her chest as she got closer to the study and stopped in front of the door. She was breathing hard now as she leaned forward and placed her ears against the cold wood.She could clearly hear Madame Parker's voice. Uncle Parker's voice was deeper and not so loud and the visitor's voice was moderate."This might be our only chance Gary",Madam Parker was saying to her husband. "She's all grown up now. We can't keep her here any longer".Layla frowned as she listened. Who was all grown up? Were they talking about her? She continued to listen."How old is she now?",Uncle Parker asked."She will be twenty three in four months time", Madame Parker replied."A perfect age for the job",the visitor said. "I've seen her. She has the body that men will lust after. I hope she is the quiet type"."Yes she is",Madame Parker said quickly. "She is very docile. She won't give you any trouble".By now Layla was sweating hard and her heart threatened to bust through her chest. They were planning to give her away to some stranger. She began to tremble in fear as she listened."It is settled then",the visitor said. "I shall come for her tonight. Prepare her"."I promise you Rufus, she will be well prepared. She is still a virgin so Lord Brandon will have to pay double before he touches her".Layla's eyes widened when she realized she was to be given out to a man. She took a step back in shock and her foot slipped from the edge of the stairs. A strangled cry left her lips as she tumbled down the stairs loudly.Layla tumbled down the stairs and landed at the bottom with a loud thud. Her body ached terribly and her head felt like it would split in two.It turned worse as the door to the study was yanked open and Madame Parker marched out. She took one look at Layla and knew instantly what she had been up to."You worthless girl! What have you been doing? Eavesdropping on us? Spying?", she snapped angrily. Layla struggled to her feet and shook her head in fear as Madam Parker lifted her dress and marched down the stairs towards her. She fell to her knees, tears spilling down her eyes. She had been caught and there was no escaping it."You stupid girl. You have such guts to listen in on my conversation when you should be doing your chores!",Madam Parker spat angrily and raised her hand high up, delivering a harsh slap on Layla's face.Layla fell, blinded momentarily by the pain on her face. She tried to crawl away from the wrath of the furious woman and was dragged back viciously."Where do yo
Layla tore through the busy road, moving swiftly through the moving vehicles. Drivers honked as she dashed past the front of their cars and a few cursed at her.She didn't stop though. She kept running through the downpour, the rain obscuring her view. Pedestrians stared at her as she ran past them, taking in her drenched dress that was plastered to her body, her hair that was matted to her face with the rain. And a few wondered why she was in such a hurry. No one stopped her though. They all went about their businesses, trying to get to their various homes before it turned completely dark.Layla kept running without glancing behind her. She was terrified that if she so much as slowed down to look back, she would see Madame Parker coming after her like a furious maddened woman. So she kept running. Even when she left the busy roads and entered a deserted street, she kept running. Even when she got tired and out of breath, she kept running. She didn't know where she was going. She hadn
On the roof of one of the tall mansions in the the Qinn's territory, surrounded by the ocean of the hidden island, was a man.Not just any man.Supreme Alpha Riven Qinn. Alpha King of Dark Creek Pack, Supreme Alpha of all other packs. Strongest and most powerful lycan ever. His domain stretched forth over the entire island that was hidden by the Fae. The Qinn legacy was known to be the wealthiest and strongest bloodline through out the entire realm of the supernatural creatures. Riven Qinn had everything. Wealth. Power. Dominance. Immortality.But one thing remained absent in his entire life. A mate. Mates were what completed the life of the shifters. It didn't matter how long you've lived. If you didn't have your mate beside you, it was all for nothing.After living for centuries, Riven had begun giving up hope of ever finding his one true mate. As the years went passed, so did his hope. And he wondered what crime he had committed to make the moon goddess Selene punish him that way.
Riven's mansion was a chaos of movement. All shifters, both young and ancient, werewolf and lycan, all moved around the pack house, running different errands. Everyone got orders from the Alpha that hadn't left his room since the previous night.Ever since Caleb ran through the entire rooms of the mansion like a mad beast, informing everyone of the arrival of the Alpha's mate, the entire household had gone into a state of restlessness. No one slept a wink through out the night. They all gathered at the entrance of Riven's chamber, wanting to have a look at the long awaited Alpha's mate.But Riven was having none of that. The only person allowed into his room was Henrietta, the ancient witch. Not even Cade, his beta was allowed. He was in a state of protectiveness and he didn't want his mate to be disturbed. After Henrietta checked on Layla and recited a spell to know what Layla's ailment was, she reported her findings to Riven and told him of the herbs she would need in healing Layla
For many days, Layla drifted in and out of consciousness. She was plaged with nightmares of Madame Parker capturing her and selling her off to some brutal men. She would wake up trashing, her legs tangled in the bedsheets, sweating profusely and crying out in fear.And each time she had those dreams, Riven was always there to soothe her. He was there to whisper safe words to her, calming her with his voice and the tingles that danced each time their bodies touched. Layla found a safe haven in his arms and she stopped fighting him off. She knew as long as he was there with her, she was safe.The healing ritual was done and the potion applied to Layla's body. Soon the sickly paleness disappeared and colour gradually returned to her skin. Her cheeks retained its rosy colour and her eyes lost its dark circles. Her veins that had been visible receded and her wild looking eyes became calm. She was still not totally free with Riven and certainly not to the crowd of shifters that waited anxi
"So this is Riven's mate? What a shame!",Cara said scornfully and folded her arms before her, staring icily at Layla.When the news reached her father's pack about Riven finding his mate, jealousy had begun to eat deep into her. A part of her had been happy that Riven didn't find his mate. As a matter of fact, her father, the Alpha of Silver Moon Pack had been trying to establish a relationship between her and Riven. Being connected to the great Qinn dynasty was an opportunity of a life time and she had been trying to do her part by getting closer to Riven. There had been a series of hot passion in between the bedsheets between them but apart from that, Riven never made any attempt to go further with their relationship. Even when she knew he only wanted her to release his sexual desires, she still clung to him with the blind hope that he would mark her one day and make her his Luna.Now that hope was dashed brutally as she stared at the scrawny girl before her, dressed in a gray sac a
Riven gripped the first shifter be could find around the neck, lifted him up and roared into his face."WHERE IS SHE?"."Alpha...",the shifter choked out over the tight grip around his neck. He couldn't breathe and he could feel the muscles of his throat tearing up as Riven's claws emerged and pierced into his skin. If Riven didn't stop, he would die."WHERE IS SHE?",Riven roared again, his fury mounting when he didn't get the response he needed."Alpha you will kill him!",Cade said as he arrived with Caleb, shifting back into his human form. The shifter Riven held was already choking, blood spilling down the sides of his throat and wetting Riven's claws.With the way Riven had raced out of the Ancient Temple in blinding speed, he knew something was wrong. And a minute later, the mind linked had reached him about the Luna's disappearance. He and Caleb had shifted instantly, taking off after the Alpha.Riven didn't bother to acknowledge the words of his beta. He flung the shifter he he
"Cade!",Riven barked out the minute he emerged from his room.Cade had been standing close by, waiting for him to come out."Yes Alpha", he responded instantly and moved his body away from the wall he had been leaning on."Get me Alex. And let the rest of the shifters gather at the meeting room. Immediately!"."On it Alpha",Cade said and his eyes turned blurry as he mind linked the entire shifters. Caleb joined him and they both followed Riven to the meeting room, a large open room where Riven always held impromptu meetings concerning the pack.Caleb moved further and opened the door quickly, holding his breath as Riven walked through. The aura surrounding Riven was so dangerous and scary and this only proved how furious he was.Riven settled on one of the chairs in the room. It was a large golden throne seat with a similar one beside it. The other was for his mate and she would sit beside him someday as the Luna of his pack.Cade and Caleb stood on either side of him and watched as t