C7 7

Jenny

I waited too long before deciding to take action. Being alone again was a horrible feeling. I found myself wondering why everyone ignored me. What exactly had I done in my past life to deserve this?

I had to return to my mother's house to retrieve some of my things. I didn't have much there, just a few clothes and the most important object I own, a photo of my father. Taking it from my mother's wallet was risky.

I patiently waited until midnight, the time my mother typically went to her bedroom with her boyfriend. She usually left her wallet in the living room, giving me a chance.

After getting dressed in my new clothes, I paused to look at myself. I realized that my clothes might attract the unwanted attention of my mother and her abusive boyfriend which worried me. I pushed my fears aside, set on retrieving my belongings. I had to go back for it. After all, I had no one else in the world except my elusive father.

The short five-minute walk to my mother's house was next to the lake house. It was only two miles distance, but in our territorial world, that could have been a chasm. Everyone else seemed to recognize the danger of straying too close to the edge. Everyone except me knew the lake house belonged to our Pack's Alpha.

I was an outsider, living in my mother’s house, working as her maid. I had no access or knowledge of pack business. On top of that, I doubted anyone even knew I existed. Or maybe, they intentionally avoided me, considering I odd and unattractive.

I sighed, pulling my hair into a ponytail before using my skills to break into the house without a key. It was a dangerous mission. No would welcome me back after the things I had done and the rebellious attitude I showed. These were unforgivable mistakes to the pack, a group of arrogant, unfeeling werewolves.

In the deep darkness, I tiptoed through the house, making my way to the living room. I found my mother's wallet, which relieved me. I quickly decided to take everything, including the money. But before I could reach the door, a bright light filled the area, revealing my mother's ugly boyfriend standing in the way with growls echoing in the room.

Fear kept me in place. I had nowhere to go. The house was eerily empty, not even my mother was there, which was very strange. Eventually, I realized it was a trap, intentionally set to catch me. I had completely forgotten that a she-wolf mother could easily pick up her daughter's scent. The realization that my mother had heartlessly left me with her boyfriend gave me the chills. His lustful stare was clear proof of his bad intentions.

Desperate, I locked myself in my mother's room, tried to jump out the window, only to find it locked too. In my panic, I pulled up a chair, trying to break the window, but it was too late. He forced his way into the room, hitting me with a series of blows until I was suffocating beneath his large body. The strikes continued, each one threatening to knock me out. I opened my eyes later, with no idea how much time had passed or what had happened while I was out. Thankfully, he hadn't touched me yet.

He splashed my face with cold water, smirking. "So, you're back and looking clean and attractive. Did you sell your body?"

"What do you want from me?" I asked calmly. I was desperate to end the pain and move on in my life. I even thought about giving myself to him if it meant I could leave.

He touched his chin and then moved his hand to my chest, even though I was still fully clothed. I had a feeling he was trying to get a rise out of me. Not likely! He confidently put his hand between my legs, "I didn't initially want you, to be honest, but look at you now. I'd do anything to be with you."

Somehow, I responded with unexpected confidence. "Then end things with my mom first. And I'll be yours." Surprisingly, he agreed. But then my mom walked into the room, screaming in shock, "What the hell?!"

He trembled, seeing her angry face, "Baby, I was just---" This interruption gave me the chance to untie my hands and run. They were distracted, and my mom blocked him from chasing me. She didn't want to lose her boyfriend and she didn't want him touching me anymore.

As I ran away, she threatened me, "I'll get my revenge on you later, Jenny. And you won't survive it."

I ran until I got to the lake house, surprised to see the lights on. I felt both excited and nervous. Both my hand and lips were bleeding. My clothes were ripped, a clear sign of struggle.

His voice echoed in my ears, "Where have you been, Jenny? I've been waiting for you for so long --". He stopped when our eyes met, then gave me a comforting hug, which I had longed for. Holding my face in his hands, he looked at my bruised lips. "What happened?"

I swallowed hard, tried to lie. But the bond between us was too strong; I blurted out, "Nothing, I just tripped."

To my surprise, he said, "I could hear your thoughts!" We were both shocked, but it probably confirmed our bond.

He studied my eyes, then had me sit. Kneeling in front of me, he licked the blood off my wounded hand. "Who did this to you, Jenny?"

I sighed deeply, shutting my eyes. "My mom's boyfriend. He hurt me."

And boy! I had no idea what the pack leader Zachary's reaction would be!