The Howls Of His Love

CHAPTER TWO

I got my answer the second I arrived home. Cassie was fuming, clawing in my head to let loose but she couldn't. Not now, at least or it would blow our cover and I couldn't let anything happen to her. We've already been through enough.

My parent was in the living room, sipping tea and having a wonderful discussion with my cousin, Layla. I didn't know what they said but with the way their lips curled up, it had to be. They never smiled like that at me.

I shook off the sadness. Now wasn't the time to think about all of this. I had a goal to achieve today, so I cleared my throat.

Wilson and Amy Silver raised their heads to know the cause of the interruption and their beautiful smiles were replaced with a frown that came from the depths of hell. Now that was the expression I was used to.

"What is wrong with you, Decker? Why is your face flushed?" Layla asked concern etched on her face. She was concerned? What universe did I travel to that would make Layla Silver concerned for me?

"Oh Layla, you know the amount of joy you get when you make my life a living hell and someone already did that on your behalf so I don't need your fake pity." I sneered and they all looked aghast.

I had never spoken to them like this. I was the perfect daughter, always doing what I was told but that would continue depending on the outcome of this meeting.

My father stood up, nostrils flared. "What is this nonsense? How dare you speak to your cousin like that? Your impetuousness is foul. How many times have I told you that behaving like this is not becoming of a Silver?" This lecture was engraved in my brain.

"Silvers are one of the most powerful wolves in our pack." He would say.

"Silvers are the building rocks of the pack. Our silver fur shines in the moon because of the Blessed moon goddess, so we must stand out in all we do." So the fact that I didn't have a wolf was a shame. If they knew I had a wolf they would take her away because she wasn't 'right.'

I rolled my eyes and the action made my mother gasp.

"Do you see this? Do you see how rude your daughter is? If it wasn't for our relationship with the Alpha's family, you would have never been the next Luna of this pack so you should be grateful!" He glared at me and I scoffed.

"Wilson, calm down," my mother said, though her trembling hands betrayed her nerves. "You can't keep shouting at her."

My eyes were red and swollen making my face blotchy. My hair was no better because of how many times I almost ripped it off my scalp due to my frustration. This situation was tearing me apart. Everything that had been happening since I was born would break me down sooner or later.

"Did you know?" I asked my mother. She was never particularly nice, just neglectful grieving the death of her first daughter, Astra. I understood her grief but she never cared how it affected me. Astra was my sister too. She meant the world to me.

Her death ten years ago shattered this family. It was my fault, all of them said. I needed to atone for my sins. I should have been there. I should have....

The list went on but the years of being beaten and abused by my father and cousin weren't enough.

"Know what?"

"Know that Shawn and Nesta were a couple? Were you aware?" I inquired, narrowing my eyes at each of them making sure they wouldn't lie to me.

"What? I don't understand." Layla shook her head. "What lies are you making up now, cousin? You would do anything to get out of this marriage even if it means letting this family's business fall? Do you understand the weight of this bond? You are to be the Luna of this pack for the sake of this family and you complain? Any girl would be more than happy to be in your situation!"

I gave her a chilling stare as I said, "Then why don't you marry him? You are a Silver too. Your dad is my dad's brother. What's the difference? After all any girl would be lucky to be in my position." The last line I spoke dripped with mockery.

Layla became flustered instantly. "You..."

"That's enough! You are getting married to Lucas Dawson in two weeks so I don't want to hear any more of this debauchery!" My father ordered and I flat-out laughed.

"Debauchery? He is cheating on me with my best friend! They were together today in a hotel having s*x and you want me to marry him!? No way in hell would happen so, dear father, call the Alpha and call off this wedding." I retorted, anger flowing in my veins. Did they care? Did they give a s**t what their daughter would suffer?

"You overreact, Chloe." My mother rose to her feet and walked towards me, speaking softly. "Shawn needs to be mated before the next full moon since he can't find a mate, both of you will have to mate. When you mate, everything will be fine, sweetie." She placed her hand on my cheek and I moved away instantly.

"That's not how it works and you know it, mother. The bond is fake and not as strong as a real mating bond. He will never be loyal to me. I will be unhappy, mother. Please see that." I couldn't live my whole life repenting for things I didn't cause. I couldn't keep breaking apart to fix this family.

Astra's death did more damage than anyone would like to give credit for. Dad became an alcoholic, beating me while reminding me that I caused her death. Marrying Lucas would be a continuation of that because he believed Astra was his mate even though they had to be sixteen to be sure but he thought so.

"Happy? You want to be happy after you murdered your sister!?" My mother's countenance shifted and she yelled. "After you robbed her of a life she deserved to have!? You don't get that! You will marry Lucas and that is the end of this discussion."

"No."

"You have no say in this! This is important to our family!"

Family? This wasn't a family. This mansion had everything from regality to sophistication but it wasn't my home. It never was.