Chapter 2

The end of the day finally arrived. The anxiety that had steadily built throughout the day had slowly started to dissipate and was being replaced by nerves.

I was going to meet my mother at the pack clinic, talk to her about my plan, my idea. I needed to do it now before I lose my nerve. I hope she listens, I just want her to be happy, I don't want to see her hurting anymore.

Walking to the clinic, I planned out what I was going to say. I had done some research during lunch, trying to figure out which pack might take us in, which ones were a no-go, and which ones are allied with our current pack, The Black Lake Pack.

I had managed to narrow it down to two packs. The Dark Moon Pack, or The Oak Ridge Pack.

The Dark Moon Pack were based 600 miles away from us, but if we were determined and lucky, we could make it there. The only problem is how would we travel that far of a distance without being noticed by other packs and having them report us to our Alpha, and my father.

Now, The Oak Ridge Pack is only 40 miles from the border of our current lands. But the problem there is the Alpha. He is rumored to be a vicious, ruthless Alpha. I don’t normally put stock into rumors, but I have heard about what he has done to another pack, that was situated further North. I heard that there weren’t many pack members left, and those that were, well they would be rogues now and in hiding.

Other than the rumors and his actions, well the stories of his actions, he seems to be the best bet for our new life. We can run there in wolf form and be there within an hour. I have also heard of his complete and utter hate for our Alpha and my father. So he might take us in. I could only hope that the stories aren’t true.

With my mind running at a mile a minute, working through different ideas and scenarios, I hadn’t realized that I had already made it to the clinic.

Walking towards the entrance of the building, I spot my mother talking to another Nurse. I walk towards her, calming my heartbeat, knowing she’ll hear it, and jump to conclusions. 

As I close the distance she glances over and notices me, quietly excuses herself, and strides towards me.

“Here goes nothing!” Atonia teases.

“Hush you!” I chide.

“Fucking cranky, ain’tcha?” she retorts. But I block her out. I do not need her running commentary at the moment, I am far too nervous as it is and she is not helping.

“Hi, sweetheart. Is everything okay?” my mother queried, worry filling her voice.

“I’m fine mom, I just needed to speak to you about something. It’s kinda important. And I need you to listen, okay?” I stuttered

“Okay? But you are worrying me a little here, hun.” she wondered, watching me carefully, “Well if you are adamant about talking right now, you might as well come with me, we can speak in the office over here”. She quickly strode to the reception desk and let them know that she was taking her break now, but to come to get her if there is an emergency.

I followed behind her, hands shaking as my nerves grew. But I couldn’t back out now, I need to tell her, explain my idea.

Walking into the office, she closes the door behind us, changing the door sign to ‘DO NOT ENTER’, just so we won’t be disturbed.

I glance around the room, the stark white walls, bright luminescent lights, and the plastic chairs, and begin feeling safe here.

“Okay, so you wanted to speak to me about something important?” she hinted. I nodded slowly, avoiding her eyes. “Well, I’m listening and I promise not to interrupt.” she smiled gently.

I took a deep breath, gathered the courage, and released my breath. 

“I have been thinking, about the last 6 months, at school and…. and at home” I began, “I have thought hard over the past couple months and well I found a solution to both of our situations. I know you are dedicated to your patients here, your job. And you let everyone believe you are happy when I know that you aren’t. You also know that I am not happy, not after everything with..” I take a deep breath, trying to calm my rambling, “... Ethan and Samantha and my new and permanent social standing. And not to mention everything that father has done, his beating of me, his belittling comments to the both of us. Well, I think that maybe if you agree, we should apply to a new pack and see if they might take you and me in?”

I made the suggestion so fast that I started to believe she hadn’t caught what I had said. It took her a few, very agonizing minutes, to respond.

“Okay, so let me get this straight. You want us to apply to another pack, in hopes that they would take you and me in?” I nod in response. “What makes you think any pack would agree to this? It would mean war for them to take a Betas wife and child into their pack, as I am assuming you mean not to tell anyone at all about this?”

“I know it would mean war, mom. And for that very reason,  I have narrowed it down to 2 packs that are not allied with us here. The Dark Moon Pack and The Oak Ridge Pack. I have thought about this” I quickly added. I started to regret bringing this up.

“NO! We cannot, in good conscience ask this of any other pack, regardless of any alliances! And the Beta is my husband, Amelia, your father! You do not understand the responsibilities I have as his wife, the responsibilities you have as his daughter! So no, we can’t do this!” she scolded.

“But mom-”

“No! That is it on this subject, Amelia! I will not talk about this with you, again. Now you should head home. I will be back at 6 pm.” she snapped.

I felt dejected. I should never hope for things. It always hurts more when they don’t go the way you intend.

With tears burning my eyes, I turn and walk out before my mom can say anymore. Wishing I had never said anything in the first place.

It took me 20 minutes to get home, all I wanted to do was curl up into a ball on my bed and cry and never move again. I felt so low. So empty. So alone.

I walked straight up to my room, closing my door, curling up on my bed, pulling my duvet up to my chin and I just let the torrent of tears fall, soaking my pillow almost immediately. I just lay there, not knowing how long had passed, and not realizing that I had fallen asleep.

I woke suddenly with a start, to the sound of shattering plates and the slamming of cupboard doors, from downstairs. My heart racing with fear.

Shit! He’s home! I thought to myself. I didn’t make dinner! Fear began to fill every pore and crevasse in my body and soul.

"Let me out! I will protect us!" Atonia pleaded, but I could barely hear her.

I looked at the time on my phone, 6 pm. Mom will be home any minute, what will happen?

I heard the angry stomping of his boots on the wooden stairs at the same time my mom walked in the front door.

“Lucien? What’s going on? What has happened?” she blurted

“I am going to make her fucking pay for her insubordination! Maybe she’ll learn her lesson this time!” He growled at her.

“Lucien! Please! Leave her be, please, I beg of you!” she pleaded

My terror was tangible, I was shaking but I could not move, I could not get up and run. I was frozen in place. I knew what was coming and I couldn’t save myself.

He bashed my door in, shattering it in the process. Splinters of wood flew all over the place, slicing me as some came in my direction. I flinched at the sting and my father took that as his opportunity.

It happened so quickly and so slowly at the same time.

I watched as his closed fist came towards my face, the impact almost shattering my jaw. His other hand, knotted into my long hair, yanking me off my bed and throwing me to the floor. His steel-capped boots connected with my abdomen, breaking a rib. I screamed out loud but knew full well that nobody could hear what was happening from outside this house.

My nose had begun to bleed and my lip was swollen and split, stinging. My eyes burned from the tears streaming down my cheeks, mixing with my blood, pooling on the floorboards. I lost count of how many times he’d kicked me. I could distantly hear my mother crying, begging him to stop. It had been going on long enough now that I could feel my body healing as he continues.

How long passed? How am I still alive? Is he still here?

I woke to my mom cleaning my face, crying as she looked at me. The heartbreaking sigh that shuddered out of her when she realized I had woken up, made me start to cry.

“I am so sorry, baby. I am so, so, so sorry” she cried “I couldn’t stop him, I couldn’t get to you, I couldn’t protect you, he’s gone now, he was called away”

“It’s okay, mom” I wept.

“No! It is not ‘okay’ I should never have let it get to this point. I should never have let him hurt you” she fumed, “I will never let this happen again! Not ever!”. She was seething, I could see the cogs turning behind her hazel eyes. Her eyes immediately lit up, “I know someone who can help us! Someone from another pack who can plead our case to the Alpha, convince him! And if that doesn’t work, well we will go rogue!”

“What are you talking about?” I asked.

“We are leaving. I should have thought of it long ago, but we are going to leave this damned place, leave this damned pack, and find somewhere safe. I just need a few days to get it sorted out, get the money together. And I will need to sort out passage over borders!”

“Mom?”

“We are doing this, honey. He will never lay another hand on you, ever again!” the determination in her voice gave me so much confidence.

 We are going to be free from him.