Chapter 2
489 Words
I was woken up by my alarm. The incessant beeping was grating on my ears. And I knew if I wasn't quick about it, my alarm would get the attention of Miss Ashley.
I gently pressed the 'off' button, taking a moment to enjoy the silence as the sun started to poke its head above the horizon.
Another day, another load of laundry.
I sighed as I launched myself out of bed. I said a silent prayer to the Moon Goddess as I suffered through the freezing shower. They said they would fix the water heater in this building...it's been 4 years and we're starting to suspect the fix isn't going to happen.
The morning continued on same as always. To the point where I was an autopilot for most of it.
Collect laundry, keeping it sorted by person, separate regular wash from dry cleaning, rinse and repeat until it was time for school.
My stomach growled as I walked through the kitchen, the heavenly scents of cinnamon rolls, omelets, and muffins threatened to overwhelm me.
"No wolf, huh?" Came a loud obnoxious voice. I turned and looked upon the dog face known as Miss Ashley.
She was potentially a beauty in her younger years. Now, pushing 60, life has not been kind to her. What was once luscious brown hair has gone grey and limp. Frown lines permanently etched across her face, with several scars to go with her thrice broken nose.
"No, ma'am." I bowed my head to her.
Miss Ashley's laugh reverberated through the kitchen. If no-one paid attention to her before, they did now, looking at me with pity. Goddess how I hated when they looked at me like that.
"Guess you won't be my problem too much longer then." The old lady grabbed a muffin off the stack and put it in my hand. "I'd rather sooner than later."
"Thank you," I went to take a bite from the muffin when Miss Ashley's shrieking voice ran through the air again.
"Did I say the muffin was for you?" She slapped it out of my hand. "Ungrateful brat."
I looked down at what was left of the muffin on the ground. I took several deep breaths, trying to calm the rage inside of me. "I'm sorry. That was my mistake. I'll make up for the wasted food this afternoon."
"Damned right you will." Miss Ashley looked at me how you would to roadkill. Disgust and pity. "Now," She handed me another muffin, "give this to Mr. Jackson. Foolish child didn't eat again this morning."
I wanted to scream in her face that I didn't either. That I was starving, and just wanted something to curb my hunger. But I already knew it wouldn't do any good. Most people here wrote me off before I was even born.
Before my parents had even met.
A gamma wolf and a human woman.
And their infertile halfbreed daughter.
- Writer
