Chapter 3

LEANNA’S POV

“Ugh,” a slight groan escaped my lips as I felt my knees buckle. It was as though there was an invisible hand forcing me to bow. 

A cold chill swept across my skin as it felt as though the weight of the world was suddenly on my shoulders. I felt my mind screaming at me to succumb. But I fought against it.

“No,” I growled, blood dripping down my lips as I fought to stay standing. In my plight, I failed to miss the look of surprise that flashed momentarily across my grandfather’s face.

The heels of my boots dug into the wood as I felt myself inching closer towards the ground. 

And just as I felt as though I was about to lose, a warm current suddenly enveloped me.

“Huh?” I failed to stifle my surprise as I found it easier to fight back against the pressure he exuded. But just before I could relish the feeling, the crushing weight disappeared almost as quickly as it came.

“Tell me, child. Who told you this?” his imperious voice came bearing down as he fixed his piercing blue pupils on my figure.

I shook my head slightly, my figure wobbly as I stood to my feet, albeit with a little difficulty.

I raised my head to face him, heat simmering in my veins as I stared at him. “Is it true or not?” I spat, uninterested in whatever excuse he had to give.

The room descended into silence as we stared each other down. Palpable tension pervaded the room as I waited for his answer.

“It is. It’s your duty as a member of the family to serve it to your full potential,” his indifferent voice rang out as he let out in a single breath.

A cold chill travelled from the soles of my feet up to my entire body as I let his words settle in.

“My duty? My duty?” I let out through gritted teeth as my figure trembled uncontrollably. “I show up everyday, training beside clan members with enough strength to send me to the clinic with just a single wrong move” I yelled, tears rolling down my face.

“All for the sake of leading one day just as my mother once did. And yet, this is how you repay me?” I let out, my voice breaking as I resisted the urge to crumple to the ground.

I stood, trembling, refusing to let him see me cower any more than I already had. 

I watched as he stared down at me with an impassive gaze. His once gentle blue eyes, now pierced through me as he let out indifferently. “You never stood a chance. Goddess forbid an invalid rule after my death,” he let out scathingly.

My gaze blanked as I let his words sink in. Invalid. He really called me that. I had heard it everyday since I failed to manifest my wolf the day I turned eighteen. I had grown accustomed to it. But I didn’t think he would ever do that to me.

“I wish you died instead,” I spat with as much scorn I could muster. The tears streaming down my face increased in intensity. I blinked them away as I felt his stony expression waver for just a moment.

I shook my head furiously as I turned towards the door. The sound of my boots hitting the wooden floor echoed across the hall as I burst out with a blurry gaze.

Sunlight shone on my figure as I stood outside the hall. Suddenly aware of the fact that I wasn’t alone. 

“You!” My tear stained eyes widened as I watched Lena and some of her loyal minions stationed outside. They huddled together, positioning themselves behind Lena. 

“What are you doing here?” I spat, clenching my fists tightly as I fought back the tears that threatened to spill. I refused to show any more weakness.

“We were just passing by,” Lena said slowly as a slight smirk tugged at her lips. I swept my gaze across her minions. Watching as their initially guilty expressions morphed into something different. Something like schadenfreude.

“Whatever,” I spat, turning in the direction I came in, unwilling to engage them any further. “Bye invali- oops, I mean Leanna,” Lena giggled softly. Her minions echoing her laughter soon after.

My head spun as my vision started to turn red. And the image of my palm landing on Lena’s obnoxious cheeks continued to play itself over and over in my mind.

My heels tilted slightly, urging me to actualize it. And I moved. I continued walking, walking until the sound of their laughter was no longer present and was just something conjured up by my mind to remind myself of how much of a coward I was.

My slow walk turned into a light jog and before I knew it, I was speeding past trees as I sought to escape it all. The lies, the betrayal, the bullying, everything.

I just wanted to get away from it all. 

And there was only one place for me at that moment. Years of escape led me to the clearing I had come to use as my escape from the toxicity of my world.

My sprint slowed as I walked towards the stone hedge I had come to use as a chair. Letting my feet dangle in the small pond in the center that reflected the moonlight.

I didn’t know when, but the night had creeped up on me. A light sigh escaped my lips as I watched fireflies flutter as they shine their light all over the clearing giving it an even more ethereal view.

A wistful look creeped up my features as I laid eyes on the beautiful scene. The thumping of my heart subsided as I let myself be enraptured by the atmosphere.

I shut my eyes tightly as I let the peace wash over my figure. Peace that would remain short lived as I heard rustling in the bushes to my right.

I jumped to my feet. The fireflies scattering, returning the clearing to a characteristic darkness as I stared at the rustling warily. 

My right hand slipped into my boot as I grabbed hold of my combat knife as I slowly shifted into a battle ready stance.

The thumping of my heartbeat that had subsided, returned once again in full force as the hint of a threat to my life began to loom.