108- This moment...

CRYSTAL

**FLASHBACK**

I hid under the table with my heart pounding in my chest. His footsteps are just outside the door.

The door opens and I hold my breath, eyes going wide in panic.

If he finds me, it's over. I won't feel my ears for a while but I can't do it. I can't step outside-

“Ah!” I squeal when his large hands grab my legs and pull me out effortlessly. The bright light from my window almost blinds me and I'm hanging upside down in my father's grip.

His brows are furiously knitted and the scowls are no joke. Uh-oh! I'm in big trouble.

“ What are you doing here, Crystal?” I gulp at his voice as he makes no attempt to set me down on my own two feet. “ Hiding? An Alpha never hides.”

There he goes again. Alpha this, Alpha that. Can't I just go one day without hearing that!

“ I was…” I think of what to say. “ Looking for my–”

“ Looking for a lie?” He half glares but his face softens and he carefully lets me down. “ You should eat more.”

He just makes it look so easy. I'm fourteen a