Chapter 2
1067 Words
Rhea POV
I feel dizzy. My head spins as I hold it tight, the pain throbbing. I hadn’t eaten since last night, and honestly, I’d lost my appetite anyway. After a few deep breaths, I regain my balance, stand up slowly, and dust myself off.
Kelvin didn’t even give me a dime before shoving me out. Had he forgotten I had nothing with me? Mom and Dad had already stripped me of everything, my phone, my clothes, my allowance, when they sent me away. Helpless, my mind drifts back to that awful day they dragged me to the academy. I remember having a few coins in my pocket from some loose change I’d stashed.
Not sure if they’re still there, I search my jeans and find them, just a handful, maybe enough for a taxi if I’m lucky. I stuff them back in and start walking, pulling up my hoodie cap against the winter cold that seeps through.
I arrive home late, way after dark, because I had to trek some parts of the way to manage the little money for transport. I spot Kelvin’s sleek black car parked outside, and my heart pounds in fear. He’s home already.
What would happen if they see me now? How would everyone react to me showing up this late? I stand at the door, hesitating, my hand hovering over the knob as I hear their voices.
“Kelvin, what took you so long?” Dad’s voice booms,” We expected you hours ago.”
“Traffic, Dad. You know how it is on the expressway.”
Then I hear Sophia’s soft sniffles, like she’s been crying. Kelvin notices too, his voice sharpening just a bit. “Sophia, what’s wrong with your face? Did Rhea do something to you already? I know since she’s back, she must’ve pulled something stupid again. Seems like she didn’t learn her lesson at that academy.”
Dad cuts in. “Where is she, Kelvin? You were supposed to bring her straight home.”
Kelvin pauses, and I can picture him shrugging casually. “What? She’s not back yet? I figured she’d be here by now.”
Ethan chimes in. “I know you ditched her for that race, Kelvin. We all heard the rumors flying around the pack. Alphas from three packs betting big, you couldn’t resist, could you?”
Kelvin scoffs, not even denying it. “Come on, you all knew I had that race lined up. But no, you insisted I go pick her up. I never wanted to go in the first place. She’s not my problem.”
Mom’s voice joins. “Where is Rhea? We sent you to get her, not leave her stranded.”
“I told her to take a cab,” Kelvin replies coolly. “She’s a big girl. She can handle it.”
Sophia’s crying gets a little louder, her voice breaking as she speaks up, sounding so nice and concerned. “This isn’t right. I’m not happy that all this is happening to Rhea because of me. It’s my fault she got sent away in the first place. We should go look for her. What if something happened on the road? It’s winter out there, she could be freezing.”
Dad soothes her gently. “Sophia, calm down. It’s not your fault. You’ve been nothing but kind to this family.”
Ethan adds, his tone reassuring. “Yeah, don’t cry, sis. We’ll handle it. You’re too good-hearted for this drama.”
Kelvin agrees. “See? Sophia’s always so nice and calm, yet Rhea hated her for no reason. I just hope she doesn’t make another scene when she gets here. We’ve had enough of that.”
They’re about to come look for me but I push the door open and step inside before they can. All eyes turn to me as I enter the grand sitting room, the familiar scent hitting me. It didn’t change at all in looks. Except from the Christmas decorations all over the pack house.
There’s no warmth in their gazes, no love or excitement, just cold stares.
Dad snaps immediately, his alpha presence filling the room. “What were you doing out so late, Rhea? Do you want people to start gossiping about this family? The pack’s already watching us closely after everything.”
Everyone seems to hold their breath, expecting me to snap back or cause a fuss like the old me would. But I keep my voice calm, my eyes down. “Sorry. It won’t happen again.”
Sophia hurries over before anyone else moves. “Rhea! Oh, I’ve missed you so much. It’s so nice to have you back home. Merry Christmas.”
Mom approaches next, her hand reaching out to touch my arm. I stiffen under her fingers, the contact feeling strange after three years. She tilts her head, studying me. “You’ve lost weight, Rhea. Was it hard out there at the academy?”
The last I remembered, no one ever cared enough to ask or visit. But hearing Mom notice it now stirs something emotional inside me, opening up those old wounds I thought were scarred over. I’d hoped to heal from the torture, but no, it all rushes back, the isolation, the pain.
“You look nice this way, Rhea. Really slim and elegant. That pretty dress I saw in town would look amazing on you. Unlike me, I’ve been trying so hard to lose weight, but nothing works.”
In that academy, students were treated so cruelly, like we were less than wolves. Most times, we ate once a day, scraps that barely filled our stomachs, and no one ever complained because we were all disowned kids, rejects being broken down so we could “change.” It was hell for me, every day a fight to survive. My once healthy body are all gone. Sophia makes it sound like some kind of beauty secret, but to me, it just hurts deeper inside. Is she mocking me or complimenting me? I can’t tell anymore.
All of a sudden, mom no longer notice how dry my skin looks without proper care. Just like that, she steps back, and the tiny spark of warmth I felt for her freezes over. I’m back in this house where it’s always about Sophia, not me.
Where was the woman who loved and cared about me so much?
- Writer
