My brother and father finally became aware of me and turned sharply. “Have you been eavesdropping on us?” My father snapped as I stood there and mutely shook my head, trying to deny it.
I would have tried to go into the pack house, but I had been frightened that any sudden movements would have drawn their attention.
“The little murderer was listening to both of us” my brother said, glaring at me.
I shook my head a little more forcibly. It would have been difficult not to have heard them considering they were practically yelling at each other. Their voices had carried across the grounds. My father’s eyes narrowed and he looked at me closely.
Shit. He knew. I don’t know how, but he knew. He always knew. His lip curled back. When he spoke it was filled with contempt. “You’ve been swimming in the lake again” he said evenly.
I stared at him, the blood draining out of my face. What gave it away? I was dry. The wind had dried the water in my hair and on my clothes. There should be nothing to show I had been anywhere near water. But my father looked at me with anger.
“How many times have you been told not to go swimming in the lake?” he asked in a dangerous voice.
I didn’t understand the reason I couldn’t. Why did he continue to demand I stay away? Why did he try to make it forbidden? I had tried. Really tried to stay away, but my body craved the water with such desperation that I couldn’t stay away, no matter how hard I tried to. No amount of punishments or beatings prevented me from doing it. The urge to be in the water, to feel it against my skin was much too strong.
“How many times” my father said in a louder voice.
I trembled and stared at the ground. He moved towards me and I waited for the inevitable. I could barely feel any of the wounds that had been on my back. In fact, I thought frowning, I couldn’t feel them at all. My father grasped me by the chin. “I would beat you, but it does no good” he spat out “you continue to defy my orders” he growled “and you continue to look more like her” he paused, his eyes beginning to blaze “like her every damn day” he growled.
By her, he meant my mother. I stared at him defiantly as he tightened his fingers on my chin, my eyes welling up with tears. I felt the hard slap against my face as he used his free hand to strike me. I blinked. He let go of me with an expression of anger.
“Stay away from the lake” he roared “or I swear to god, I won’t be responsible for my actions Riley” he added ominously “I will do anything it takes to prevent you from becoming…” he trailed off.
Becoming what? What was he keeping from me? He shut his lips, his jaw clenching, as though he was aware that he had already let slip too much.
Damnit. It was frustrating. I just wanted answers. Damien shot me a cold glance and then strode past me, shoving me with his shoulder and causing me to stumble.
“Murderer” he hissed.
“Let’s go, son, we need to over our defenses and strategies,” my father said callously, storming towards the pack house with Damien in his wake.
He glanced over his shoulder at me “Get your ass inside and start helping to prepare dinner” he snapped “and keep your head down. I don’t want to see your face if I can help it.”
I bowed my head and began to make my way toward the pack house after them. For the first time, I had gotten away from them relatively unscathed, but it still begged the question, what was the secret they were keeping from me?
Riley POV
Something is going on. Even as hidden as I am, I’ve managed to gather that Alpha Rowan’s pack has been merging with ours. It fills me with fear. What we are doing is going against Alpha Jaxon’s directives and I know instinctively that we will pay the price. There is no way that my father’s plan is going to work. All it will do is infuriate the Alpha that much more. He will bring his wrath upon us and all of us will suffer for my father’s arrogance. I will no doubt suffer the most, for being his daughter and having his bloodline. It won’t matter that I had nothing to do with it. I sit on my threadbare mattress and contemplate running away, but suspect that with the added patrol and new pack members, I wouldn’t make it far.Damien comes down, holding a paper bag in his hand. My stomach rumbles. Food. My mouth salivate even as I try to keep the hopeful gleam in my eyes. Damien is never nice for free. There is always a price to be had or strings attached. He laughs out loud at me, seeing the crumpledness of my clothes and the dishevelledness of my hair.
“What’s up useless” he mocks, flinging the bag so hard that it hits me right in the face.As usual, I do not answer but he knows better than to expect one. I can’t talk after all.
“I’m only bringing this because Father wants you to eat. Not sure why he’s showing a sudden concern for you” he said with a glower “and I don’t appreciate being treated like a damn servant in order to bring it to you. It should be an omega’s job but Father wants you kept out of damn sight.”
I slowly begin to open the bag. I expect moldy food, soggy food, or something completely inedible despite my father’s orders. Instead, I’m greeted with something reminiscent of a feast. Two cheese and pickle sandwiches, which were my favorite sandwiches when I was a small child. A packet of crisps. An apple and a juice box. It’s more food than I’ve had in months. My stomach growls in anticipation and my mouth waters. But I’m suspicious and I look at my brother who shrugs.
“Father’s orders,” he said with grimness “who knows” he added gleefully “maybe it’s a last meal or something.”
He joked but it could be the truth. I glance back at the bag, not sure if I’m hungry anymore. But if it’s a last meal then it would be foolish to waste it. Wouldn’t it? I was so hungry that tears were coming to my eyes. My stomach was like a gaping hole. I took a tentative bite of the sandwich and tasted nothing sinister. There was no strange aftertaste. Nothing that tasted as though it shouldn’t be there. I took another bite, my stomach urging me to continue. I was hungry, no I was ravenous. I was starving. Before I could so much as blink, I had polished off the first sandwich while Damien sat down and watched with an impatient look on his face. I ignored him.
My hands shook as I picked up the second sandwich and began to devour it. I tore off huge chunks, unable to prevent myself from doing it. It was like I was transfixed by the food. When was the last time I had a proper meal like this? The last time I had eaten so well? I couldn’t remember. The second sandwich was polished off. I began to eat the apple next, almost moaning as the sweetness of its juice hit my tastebuds. The apple was fresh and juicy. The skin was ripe and a delectable red. I chewed, trying to slow down a little and savor it.
“God, could you be any more of a pig” Damien muttered in disgust.
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