A New Start
1809 Words
Revna POV
As I ponder over what it would be like away from this hellhole, I prey to the moongoddess, he'll let me bring Jasper and Willow with me.
Annabelle's voice rings out from across the hall.
"I need these washed and ironed now - and make it snappy! "I have a movie date with my friends tonight, and I don't want to be late!" She spits, throwing a pair of clothes at me.
I glanced over to Gram, who looked shocked. Me, on the other hand? Not so much. This is my normal. I'm always treated like trash. But maybe... maybe I could tell her off this time?
I look back at Gram, who gave me a look - go ahead, or he will.
I turned to Annabelle and handed her clothes back. "I'm no longer your maid. "You'll have to do it yourself," I said calmly. Anger floods her face. Her anger rolled off her in waves and in the blink of an eye, a burning sensation explodes across the side of my face.
My back slams into the wall.
I flinch, arms raised, bracing for another blow - But Gram steps in front of me. Grabbing her wrist, he shoves her against the opposite wall.
I want to curl into a ball, to protect myself. But I'm too stunned by Gram's actions to even move.
I then hear it- a hellish growl echoing from the other end of the hallway. I turned toward the office door. My mate stands there, fire in his eyes. He moves towards me instantly, tilting my chin to examine the mark on my face. Another growl rumbles from his chest when he sees the welt.
Turns his attention to Annabelle, who's still struggling in Gram's grasp - unaware that an angry alpha is stalking toward her. Growling in her face, He snarls, " If you ever lay a hand on my mate again, I'll rip this pack apart - starting with you. Understand me?"
Just as she opens her mouth to reply, Derek steps out of his office, Drawn by the commotion.
"What the hell is going on here?" He demands, eyes narrowing as he see his daughter cornered.
His question only fuels the fury in both my mate and Gram.
"Your daughter thought it was a great idea to hit the Lord's mate," Gram replies, glaring at Annabelle. Her face is priceless-shock, disbelief, and rage all tangled together. Me? I would've died laughing if I wasn't still reeling from everything happening around me.
"Annabelle, what the hell do you think you're doing?" Derek snaps, grabbing her away from my mate. "Do you mean to start a war with the Alpha Lord?" She tries to speak, but he silences her with a slap.
"I'm sorry, my Lord," Derek says, bowing his head. "She doesn't know any better. I'll do my best to teach her proper manners."
"One more slip-up," my mate warns, voice low and lethal, "and I'll eliminate your pack. Understand me?"
"Yes my lord." Derek replies, his voice barely a whisper. He knows he doesn't stand a chance.
I'm stunned by Derek's reaction. Normally, I'd have been left to suffer in silence. But today is different.
My mate returns to my side, and leads me down the stairs toward the front door.
Just as we're about to leave, Heather appears-dressed in a hideous pink-and-white dress with matching bright pink heels.
She glares at me, oblivious to the fact that the Alpha Lord is standing beside me.
"And where do you think you're going?" She sneers. "You should be fixing lunch for--." she stops mid-sentence as my mate steps in front of me, shielding me from her venom. Without a word, he pushes her aside and we walk past.
Despite everything, a flicker of amusement tugged at my lips - her shock was almost satisfying.
" You'd all do well to remember your place around my mate," He says coldly as we pass.
We step outside and head toward the cars.
I pause at the door, fidgeting with my fingers, staring out into the forest. I can't stop thinking about Jasper and Willow.
I want -- no, I need to take them with me.
" What's wrong, Raven?" Gram asked gently.
My mate stops and turns to me, concern in his eyes.
"May I make a request?" I ask in a small voice.
"Of course. Anything," he whispers, stepping closer and taking my hand.
"Can I bring them? Please."
"Who?" Gram looks around, confused.
My mate follows my gaze to the tree line. From behind a large stump, Jasper's little nose pokes out.
I tap my leg, signaling them to come out.
Jasper, fearless as ever, bolts towards me at full speed, tail wagging with excitement.
Willow stays hidden, peeking from behind the tree. I nod to her, letting her know it's safe... She sprints toward me, reaching me in a heartbeat.
She hides behind my legs, while Jasper bounces around, completely carefree.
I giggle at his antics.
" Well, that's not who I expected," Gram laughs, watching Jasper's joyful chaos. "But okay."
My mate kneels down and scoops Jasper into his arms, showering him with attention.
" Of course they can come. I'd love it if they did". He says warmly..
He opens the car door, and offers his hand to help me in.
I picked up Willow and take his hand, just as Lucas burst through the front door...
Lucas storms on to the porch, fury in his eyes.
" You are not taking my little toy anywhere!", he shouts.
I instinctively hide behind my mate, trembling.
As if sensing my fear, he steps in front of me, pushing me in-between his back and the open car door, shielding me completely.
He nods to Gram.......
In a flash, Gram has Lucas pinned to the wall. " She is not your toy," my mate growls. "And you will not lay another finger on her."
I can feel the rage radiating off him.
"Or I'll let my beta have his way with you," My mate adds coldly.
He nods again and Gram releases Lucas, letting him collapse to the ground, gasping for air.
Lucas only glared at us, hatred burning in is eyes.
"Wish I could stay and have more fun pretty boy," Gram chuckles, dusting off his hands, "but I have more important things to do."
Gram returns to the other side of the car.
My mate gently ushers me into the car, seating me by the window. Willow climbs back into my lap for comfort, while Jasper bounces around, sniffing every corner of the vehicle. My mate settles beside me.
While Gram sits across from us, chuckling at Jasper's antics.
He opens a window, so Jasper can look out as we drive away.
I stare out the window, watching the trailer homes as we pass by, lost in thought.
Where are we going?
What's going to happen now?
Gram clears his throat, pulling from my thoughts. I realize both he and my mate have been watching me. "what did he mean by 'toy'?" Gram asks quietly.
His question earns a sharp glare from my mate.
I sigh, trying to hold back tears.
..."He use me," I whisper. "Like a toy. For his own pleasure. I tried to fight back, but he'd beat me until I blacked out..."
My voice is barely audible. I wipe away a stray tear.
Gram doesn't speak, but the look on his face says everything.
Looking over to see that Jasper had fallen asleep on my mate's lap. I sighed, fighting back the rest of the tears that threatened to fall if I let them.
I feel ugly.
Dirty.
Ruined by everything Lucas put me through.
I sense his gaze tracing along my side, gentle but intense.
When I look up, I meet his eyes --afraid of what I'll find there.
Afraid he won't want me anymore. But instead, I see love.
Concern.
A quiet promise.
he reaches over and softly wipes the tears from my cheek.
Our gaze breaks as the car rolls to a stop.
he gently hands Jasper to me and steps out to speak with the pilot.
Before exiting, Gram gives me a small smile -- one that says, you're safe now. It's going to be okay.
I peer out the window and spot the jet.
Sleek black, with a forest print curling along its side like vines.
Where are we going?
They leave me to my thoughts, sitting quietly with Willow and Jasper.
I whisper to myself, "I've seen him before..but where?
And then it hits me.
My face flushes deep red.
"My dreams" I gasp....
" All set to leave -- wait, are you okay? Are you running a fever?" he asks, reaching a out to touch my forehead.
Jasper jumps in the way, demanding attention with a wiggle and a lick-- just in time for me to hide my face. "I'm fine. just a bit tired," I manage to squeak out.
He chuckles, scooping Jasper into his arms.
"You can rest on the plan ride if you want. There's a bedroom in the back" he says through soft laughter as Jasper licks his face.
I nod as i gather Willow into my arms and climb out of the car, following him into the jet.
As we walk down the aisle, we pass a flight attendant who seems to be flirting with Gram.
He doesn't notice --or doesn't care.
The bedroom is stunning.
A king-sized bed covered in fur-like blankets and oversized pillows. Just looking at it makes my face heat up. He notices.
"you can stay in here with them. I'll be out here with Gram." His says gently, his calming my racing heart. "Thank you," I whisper.
As he turns to leave, I reach out and grab his hand.
"what's is your name?"
He smiles.
"Elijah. But you can call me anything you wish love." He brushes my cheek, making me blush again.
" Go get some rest. You're safe now." he whispers.
I nod as he kisses my forhead.
His touch doesn't scare me. That alone feels foreign. I'm not use to comfort - it makes me question everything.
It feels natural. Familiar.
which is strange, considering the constant abuse I endured at the Bloodthorn pack.
I don't understand these feelings. And his name... I swear I've heard it before. but i can't quite remember.
I stare at the bed for a moment, then gently set Willow down.
Taking a deep breath, I climb into what feels like a cloud -- though anything would feel like a cloud compared to the cold hard basement floor I used to sleep on.
Blissful sleep wraps around me like a blanket, pulling me into its arms. But these aren't dreams.
They're memories.
Ones I wish I could forget.
- Writer
