Vows of Silence

16

It was quiet. Not dead quiet but quiet enough that I could hear people pick up the serving spoons and put them down. At first, I thought, maybe it was because of my wolf, but yesterday morning didn't sound like this. Everyone was whispering or speaking at a almost quieter than normal volume. They came down the stairs walking instead of running or jumping over the last four steps. Even Rebecca wasn't barking orders at me. Did I wake up somewhere else? Am I still dreaming? Why are they suddenly acting weird? I rolled my eyes as I searched the fridge for ketchup. There was only one bottle out and it was almost empty. Rebecca had me make potatoes, bacon, scrambled eggs, and sausage. I refilled the cereal dispensers before everyone came downstairs to eat. I grabbed the bottle from the back of the fridge and made my way to the dining room. I almost ran into a hard back that was standing in the entry way. A hand came out in front of me and stopped me before I bumped him. It was the Alpha and the other men. It was one of his guards, I think, that had his hand out. He didn't even need to look back to know that someone was behind them.

That's why everyone is so quiet. Well, more like they're why everyone is so quiet. He was just standing there. I tried to go around him, but the man grabbed my arm. Is he allowed to do that? Just grab people? It wasn't a hard grab, so I didn't mind too much. He finally walked in and everyone stood up from their seats and kept their heads down. I walked over to the serving table while they all waited for the Alpha to sit. I felt his eyes on me again. It made the hair on my neck stand up. I straightened my back before I turned around. I locked eyes with his brown ones. They weren't a regular brown. They had touches of green and little bits of blue in them. Like mine. I've never seen anyone else have eyes like mine. He was searching my eyes as if there was something about me he didn't understand. Why didn't I look at his eyes yesterday? Did I not realize? Huh, weird. I felt weird all of a sudden. Like I was standing naked in front of everybody. I felt another set of eyes on me. Angry eyes. Beta Micheal was sitting on the left side of the table and glaring at me. I forgot it was disrespectful to look anyone in the eye, especially Alphas. I moved my head and almost ran back to the kitchen. The others were looking between me and the Alpha. What was Beta Micheal going to do? I didn't see Alpha Damian at the table. I leaned against the fridge door and let the cold metal sink into my back through my clothes. I closed my eyes for just a second and I felt a hand grab my throat.

"Beta Micheal'' was the only thing I was able to say as his hand tightened my airway. I grabbed his hand and tried to pull it away but his finger nails dug into my skin. I smelled my blood as he picked me up and carried me by my neck into the laundry room. The second the door shut, he threw me against the floor. I hit my head on the last step and wrapped my hand around it.

''What the f*ck is wrong with you!'' He almost screamed. His voice was loud, but I knew that no one was going to hear him from here. I didn't say anything. My head hurt too much. I didn't feel him come down the stairs until he kicked my head away from the step. I was too focused on the pain from the kick that I didn't feel him grab my hair until he pulled me up by it. My face felt wet and I all I could smell was that strange smell that remained me of the pennies I would find behind the couch pillows that I was allowed to keep. I knew there was blood on my face from where he kicked me in the nose.

''You're pathetic,'' he dropped me and walked over to the sink. I heard the water turn on and smelled the soap as he washed his hands. I stayed on the floor. I didn't dare move. I watched his boot-clad feet walk past me and heard them step up the stairs. I waited for the door to close. Oh no! My shirt! It was clean! I pulled myself up off the floor and stumbled over to the sink. Well, that wasn't too bad. I guess he didn't want to get his clothes dirty and have to face the Alpha. I splashed water on my face and watched the sink turn red. I kept rinsing and rinsing until the water ran clear. My head felt like it was going to explode. I gripped the egdes of the sink as the world titled. I wasn't dizzy, I just feel off. I closed my eyes and now it felt like the world was turning. Like when you're little and you close your eyes and spin and you can feel the world moving around you even though you can't see it. I lowered myself to the floor and sat there until I didn't think I would throw up if I stood up. I need a mirror.

I crept up the stairs and listened from that little space that lets light in. Nothing. But they were being extra quiet today. I waited a bit longer with my ear pressed against the door. The hard cement step was digging into my ribs. I think if I'm fast enough, I can look in the mirror on the refrigerator door. It was a small mirror with an old fabric blue frame that was peeling at the edges but it would have to do. I opened the door, just a c***k and a tiny squeak came from the hinges. It was almost as nervous as I was. I saw no one so I pushed it the rest of the way and almost jumped over to the fridge. There was a bruise and dark red mark by my nose and lip that stung when I touched it but other than that it didn't look too bad. I spotted a head of black hair standing behind me. I spun around and pressed my back against the fridge. Alpha Damian. His eyes were nice but the longer he stared at my face, the more the look in his eyes changed.

''What happened to you?'' He was just above a whisper. The other Alpha must be in the dining room. I saw his chest moved as he breathed next to me.

''Micheal did this to you? Why?'' I didn't know what to say. Normally, I just spoke the truth but right now, I don't know if that's the right answer.

''I...I...um...''I froze. My mouth couldn't form words. My brain couldn't form a thought. Alpha Damian hands gripped my shoulders as he lowered himself to look into my eyes. I've never realized how tall he was. His hands were burning into my shoulders and the tiniest spark felt like it was going off between our skin. Like when the stoves not working and its making that clicking sound with tiny flames jumping out like fireworks. Just as fast as it came, it left. His hands let me go and pushed himself away. The other Alpha walked before I could turn to look at Alpha Damian.

''Alpha Devon, is there anything I can help you with?'' Alpha Damian straightened his back and stood straight. Devon, that's his name.