his broken love

Chapter Six

Zera's Pov

I woke up holding two small hands. I wasn't sure whose they were but I knew they didn't belong to a male. One was much smaller than the other. I look over to see that there is a little girl sitting in a chair with her head down on the bed fast asleep. She looked to be around 4 maybe 5 years old. When I looked to my other side I saw Angelica with tear streaks on her face sleeping peacefully on the bed. I sat up and noticed a curtain over in the corner that wasn't there before.

At the foot of the bed there was a tray of food that smelled amazing. I haven't eaten a thing in days so I was hungry. I looked around to make sure that nobody was going to stop me from having a little, and when I was satisfied that I was the only person awake in the room I took an egg and savored the taste. Right when I was about to take a second bite I heard a little giggle from behind me.

"Momma brought that tray in for you, you don't have to sneak any of it like we would tell you that you can't eat." She giggled the entire sentence.

I wish that I could relax, but the truth is that I can't believe this is real. The moment I do I will wake up at home and be attacked by HIM again. "Th-thank you." I said in a whisper. I knew she heard me because she beamed with joy.

When I finished eating she showed me the bathroom so I could clean up and use the facilities. I thought that she would just leave but when I came out she was sitting on a bench swinging her legs back and forth. I didn't want to go back to bed so I decided to have her give me a quick tour of the house. I never realized how big this place was until now.

"Momma said when you're strong enough we are gonna go to the cabin for a while." Livy said as we walked down the stairs.

"I'm sorry that I''m keeping you from going." I said quietly.

"You're not keeping us here because we want you to be able to travel that far away. Momma says not to rush you and I agree." She said politely and matter of fact.

"I didn't think you would want me to go with you. I mean I might just cause more trouble." I said with tears in my eyes.

"Nonsense, you are not causing any trouble here. We just want to make sure that you are well enough to travel. Even if we have to take more than one car we will all go as the family we are. You are family now after all." Izzy said from the bottom of the stairs. "Now come on down I would like you to meet my other daughter she just arrived today. Her name is Maria"

I followed Izzy to the sitting room and met her daughter. She was very polite and didn't complain when I was hesitant or quiet. She said that she would be here for a few months while her house is being remodeled and not to worry about her getting in my business or my way. I told her not to worry about me I didn't plan on be up and around much I like to be alone more often than not now adays.

"Mom has already filled me in on your situation and I don't want to let on that I know how you feel or any of that but if you want to talk to me I will be here for you I promise." Maria said as she put her hand up in a mock oath.

"I'm here for you too and so is Momma and Angie." Livy said with enthusiasm. " And when you're ready to meet them I'm sure Luka and David would be there too along with Papa and Lucious." Now she has the biggest grin I have ever seen on a face that small.

"Thank you. I appreciate it, I really do, but I'm not sure if I can handle seeing the older males yet. I'm sorry." I said feeling ashamed by my inadequacy.

"Honey you don't have to deal with them until you're ready. But she is right the entire streak will be there for you if you need them. You're one of us and we stand by out own." Izzy was calm but very stern about that face.

I furrowed my brow and asked, "Isn't a streak a group of tigers?"

"Well yes, and it is also family to us. Did you get the breakfast that I had put up there for you?" she asked. I nodded then she continued. "Have you ever felt like there was something that needed fed inside you? Like something that has sharper instincts or skills after you've eaten a meal?"

When I shrugged she threw a box of Kleenex at me and I dodged them without a problem. My eyes widened because I've never been good at dodging anything. When my dad threw things at me I always got hit. I feel more alert this morning for some reason. What's with that? "How did that not hit me?" I finally asked.

"Because you sensed it coming and you reflexively dodged it. I've been trying to tell you that you are like us in a way but we don't know what animal spirit you have inside you. That's what we are trying to figure out, but since we don't know if you have ever transformed, so you might not be able to tell us what your spirit is." She explained as casually as can be.

"But I don't have that. If I did I don't think that I would have ever been abused like that. I mean I would have fought back and none of that would have happened. Right?" I said unsure of what was going on. "And if I have this animal spirit in me wouldn't my mom have had one too?"

"She most likely did but she may not have known or he kept you both too weak to access it. That's the only thing that I can think of for him to be able to over power a purebred mother and her cub." She wrung her fingers together before she continued. "How long has it been since you have had a decent meal?"

"Before this morning I never have been able to sit and eat a full meal." I said honestly.

She looked like she was going to cry even though she doesn't look hurt. "My poor little Honey. I'm so sorry that we didn't find you sooner. Can you tell me what your mother's name was? Maybe that can help me find her streak." Izzy was really trying to help me.

I shook my head and looked at my hands. What kid doesn't know their mother's name? I feel like a disgrace, and I don't know if I will ever remember anything about what my mom had told me about her past. "I'm sorry I know that she used to tell me about her family but I can't remember what she said. I wish I could, but I was so young." I started to cry and couldn't stop. I felt a lot better when I felt someone wrap me in loving arms and pet my head. I knew it had to be Izzy but then I felt small arms around my waist and I couldn't help but pet Livy.

"It's gonna be okay Honey. We are all here for you." Maria and Izzy said in unison.