Tango 2 the Alpha's Heart

Lilly POV "You're nothing but a useless wrench!" Sade yelled. As her vile words ripped through me, I was petrified with dread. Her hand connected with the side of my face; I let out a gasp and fell to the floor. I gritted my teeth and attempted to repress cries of anguish as the ache from her strike to my cheek became worse. "That is precisely your place—" she said with a sneer. The wrath and animosity in her chocolate-brown eyes grew darker. "On the filthy floor! Now clean this mess before I lose my temper and rearrange your lovely little face!" I scrambled to my knees and remained silent. It's been like this for as long as I can remember. Even when it wasn't my fault, I faced blame and punishment for the smallest things. This time Sade's tea wasn't to her liking—it was too hot for her taste. I started gathering the broken porcelain pieces while I was internally moaning. This was my life, and I couldn't change a thing. There was no way out. Escaping wasn't an option. There was nothing for me out there, not a life. Not a mate. Not a future. Besides, who would want a she-wolf like me? My fate was sealed. I accepted my purpose. I would forever serve the home of Angelica and her daughter Sade! I sighed. According to urban legend, Angelica's mate died while serving in the Royal Army, defending the king. His death devastated her, leaving her to raise their pup alone. Perhaps that explains Angelica's icy demeanor... When I was younger, I foolishly believed that my fated mate would suddenly appear, save me from the Goddess's forsaken home, and rescue me from this abyss of sorrow. My hopes and dreams were scattered into a million pieces on the night of my eighteenth birthday. I couldn't shift. I was wolfless. I wasn't blessed with a wolf at all. My life had no purpose anymore. After all these years of abuse, I finally gave up hoping and dreaming that I could escape this hellhole. I would never be your normal wolf… A breath escaped my lips as my fingers skillfully picked up the broken porcelain from the floor. If only I could remember where I came from. There were few or no details of my childhood life. Most of it was just a blur. The only vivid memory I had was that of a huge raging fire consuming everything around me and the sound of growling, crying, and screaming... Angelica was waiting for me when I woke up in what seemed like a warehouse. She looked like an angel sent from the heavens with long blond hair, a white dress, and big green eyes. She informed me that she had taken over as my guardian because my parents had passed away in the fire. She looked familiar and friendly enough—maybe that is why I trusted her blindly and went with her… Before that, I couldn't remember a single thing. I can't recall any faces, smells, or even sounds, but I quickly learned that the angelic woman was actually a heartless monster hiding beneath her stunning exterior. An audible breath escaped my lips, and a smile tickled at the corner of my lips. My life wasn't all that awful—especially after I turned eighteen, and I started dreaming of him. I didn't know his name, but he was my one and only friend. He waited for me every night in my dreams. Even thinking of him caused a lump in my throat. He was perfect. Tall, muscular, and heavenly-looking, he was absolutely a dream. The fact that I was wolfless was of no concern to him. It didn't matter to him that I was an orphan and not a rank wolf pack member. He was friendly, kind, and full of life. His warmth chased the coldness away. He made me feel welcome and loved. In my darkest hour, he shone a light. His stormy grey eyes were always full of life. In every instance, his embraces provide comfort. He cared about me. My heart quickened, thinking back at all the long conversations we had. His playful teasing made me blush. His tender touch and powerful laughter filled my heart with joy. I could feel a small electric spark move between us with every touch, and the tension was slowly growing between us. He smelled like freshly baked pumpkin pie, and it made my mouth water to taste him. His autumn scent was irresistible to me... I wanted him. I wanted to feel him. His scent brought me comfort and a sense of security. He smelled like home. Every night, just before sunrise, whenever it was time to say our goodbyes, he would hold my hand, and we would sway gently to the beat of his heart until he vanished into the sunlight. "Oh, Sade," Angelica sneered from the upper stairs, jolting me out of my thoughts. "What did the wolfless brat do this time?" Angelica looked very much like Sade. They were both fortunate to have high cheekbones and beautiful, wavy blond hair that hung down to their waists. Sade had brown eyes, whereas Angelica had green ones. They shared the same fortune of having large breasts, a trim waist, and full lips. Naturally, men were captivated by them. Angelica's gaze shifted to the mess on the floor. "She scalded me with the tea!" Sade let out a piercing cry as a menacing grin spread across her face. "I burned my lower lip!" It was a typical lie, but arguing would only get me into more trouble. As she descended the last flight of stairs, Angelica's perfectly painted red lips were accompanied by a chilly, repulsive grin. She froze just in front of me, reached down, and snatched a lock of my hair and yanked my head forward. I slammed down on top of the shattered bits, and it pierced my cheek. I let out a little whimper as I felt something warm—either tears or blood—trickle down the side of my cheek. "Now you listen to me, brat!" She snarled at me as she forcefully yanked my head back. "This serves as your last warning! If you persist in your misbehavior, I shall auction you off to the highest bidder. I believe you will find that entertaining!" A knock on the front door erupted Angelica, and her head snapped back in the direction of the sound. "Are you expecting someone?" She hissed at Sade. "No," Sade replied, crossing her arms around her chest and staring at her. "See who it is," Angelica snapped. "But Mom!" She groaned. "It is Little Miss Perfect's job to answer the door, not..." "Now, Sade!" Angelica gave the order, then turned back to face me. Sade huffed, rolled her eyes, and quickly left the kitchen to answer the door. "You think you are Miss Perfect, don't you?" Angelica shot me a disapproving look and growled. "At least now you've ruined your beautiful face—not even a secondhand wolf would look your way!" "Mother!" As soon as Angelica heard Sade's horrified voice coming from the foyer, she released her grip on me. "This isn't over!" With a vicious expression on her face, Angelica stepped on my hand with her high heel. I bit my tongue in hopes of refraining from letting her know how much it was hurting me. Powerful scents suddenly filled the surrounding air, and I couldn't help but wonder who the unexpected visitors were. Were they here to save me? ****