Chapter 5

The week was nearing its end when a knock at the front door of the house interrupted the silence. As I went to answer it, I realized it was my aunt standing there. I inquired about her whereabouts, and all she could muster was, "I had to hide for a while."

After closing the door, I inquired about my uncle's whereabouts. Her response was a slap so forceful that it sent me to the floor. She sternly warned me never to question her about her mate. The shock of the slap and the unfamiliar term 'mate' left me bewildered.

Concerned by her haggard appearance, which was uncharacteristic of her usual polished presence. I expressed my lack of patience for such nonsense, clarifying that my inquiry was innocent and announcing my intention to return to bed.

Lying in bed, I reflected on the week's events and the recent encounter downstairs. I was astonished that Ace had spoken to me. Seeing that wolf again seemed surreal. And I wondered why Ace's scent lingered when he wasn't present, or at least, I believed it was his scent.

I must have dozed off while thinking about Ace when the sounds of bumping and loud voices outside my room startled me awake. It seemed my aunt and uncle were having one of their usual disagreements. I can attest that I've never heard my uncle strike my aunt, which is a relief. Just as I thought about it, I heard my aunt scream out, saying" Get your hands off me. While laying on my bed I heard the door knob jiggle before she tried to enter my room, I jumped up and ran to the door, but it was too late by the time I go to the door to lock it she had opened it with a tall guy standing behind her.

He pushed her away and went to grab me. I yelled at him, asking him what he wanted. He looked at me smiling and said," All I want is you. I turned to run to the bathroom thinking I could get there and go out the window. But when I got to the doorknob, I was grabbed, and something was placed over my nose and mouth. I tried to fight, but I felt lightheaded, and my eyes closed on their own.

When I woke up, I realized I was in a bed that did not belong to me. I jumped up, noticing the clothes that I was wearing were not mine. I looked around the room hoping to see my phone, but no luck. I looked out the window and noticed the view looked familiar, but I looked up a little bit to get a view of the outside. It looked like I was underground or in the basement. I go to the door to get out when I hear someone talking. I jumped back in bed and pretended that I was sleeping.

While having my eyes closed, I heard the door open, and footsteps enter the room. I heard a female voice say," I know you’re not sleeping, you can get up. I turned and noticed it was my aunt and uncle standing there. I was confused about what was happening. When I tried to push past them, I felt a sharp pain in my neck, and I hit the ground.

When I woke up again, this time I was in chains. I began to cry, beg, and plead for them to let me go. They walk away and close the door. I don’t know how much time had passed before they came back asking me why I did it. I was so confused I asked them what I did. My uncle became furious with me and began to choke me. My aunt touches his shoulder and tells him if he kills me then Alpha Max is going to kill him.

Tracy asked me one more time why did I take all the money. I told them I didn’t know what they were talking about. Uncle became so upset that he slapped me across my face this time instead of choking me. They yelled at me saying they needed to get the rest of the money because Alpha Max was on the way to get me.

They told me I was going to stay down there until my eighteenth birthday, which was in two days, and after they were done with me, the alpha was going to have his fun with me. I yelled and screamed at them to let me go that I have school and that someone was going to look for me if I didn’t go to school. I knew that was a lie, but I figured I'd try and say anything to get me from wherever I was.

Two days had passed, still in this basement with no answer from the people I thought were my family. They would come and go like nothing was wrong. My aunt and uncle never spoke to me or explained what was happening; they only brought me food and allowed me to use the restroom.

Upon waking, I noticed business attire laid out in the room. I questioned what was happening and all Tracy and David would say was get dressed now. After dressing, my aunt and uncle finally informed me that I was to withdraw all the money from the bank account today, so I could enter the bank to avoid any complications. I stared at them, bewildered, questioning their intentions and what complications. I resisted their demands, questioning why they deserved the money when they had never cared for me. That's when my uncle pulled out a gun, insisting we complete the task before nightfall.

Exiting the house, I realized we were still within my own home, confused by the existence of a basement I never knew about. My aunt yelled, saying to hurry because the full moon was happening tonight. Did I mention my fondness for night air, only to be met with a harsh tug on my hair and a command to get into the car?

As we left, a familiar scent filled the car, leaving me questioning my senses. When I looked out the back window, I saw the same wolf from school. The drive seemed endless, and upon arrival, the bank appeared closed due to the darkness, but to my surprise, it was open. My aunt guided me to the entrance of the imposing building. Once inside, I was overcome with sickness, struggling to breathe, overheating, itching, and pain. I asked her what was happening to me, and with a look of realization, she said it seemed to be starting, that I had inherited something from my father.