Chapter 2
1153 Words
My grip on the railing tightened until the skin around my knuckles turned white. My feet refused to move from the landing.
This dress hung too tight, red silk slinging to my body like a second skin. I hoped the makeup was able to hide that bruise that was starting to form. The knots in my stomach twisted tighter.
The chatter from below only added to my unease.
He was downstairs. Just a few steps away. I could feel him, like a darkness seeping into the house. Even from here, the scent of power lingered in the air.
“My Luna couldn't make it today,” he gruffed. “Accept my apology, Jacob.”
His tone was anything but apologetic.
My fingers twitched, nails digging into wood.
“Of course, Theo.” My father said quickly.
I let out a shaky breath, willing my legs to move. I took a step down. Then another, and another, the creak of the fourth board was barely noticeable but his head snapped right to me.
My lungs forgot how to function. Apparently so did my feet.
Slowly, my father’s gaze followed Theo, they landed on me and a scowl formed on his lip but he didn’t say a word. Strange.
Move.
Right.
I climbed down the stairs. Theo’s dark eyes didn’t leave me once. My skin had started to prickle at the intensity, irritation slipping in.
Why does he get to have so much power over me when he’s the one who has sinned?
I met his gaze. One blue orb. One whitened by the scar that slashed right across it.
His good eye slipped to my right cheek, a flicker too fast passing his gaze. My irritation must have slipped into my face because his gaze narrowed. Slightly. Almost impossible to tell. But I caught it.
“Amelia,” my father said sternly. “The guests won’t serve themselves.”
I tore my gaze sharply away from the demon, swallowing hard. “Yes, Alpha.”
My shaky legs managed to carry me out of the house and the minute I stepped outside, my breath rushed in with a force.
Slowly, my surroundings rushed in too. The chatter of wolves, laughter of pups, music…
I straightened, fixing the unwillful strands of my hair with an exasperated breath. My stomach fell as my gaze caught a cloud of golden hair and on her arm, Tyler. I turned the opposite direction before they could see me, thankfully managing to escape most of the pack members.
“Hey,”
I said most.
I forced a smile from the corner where I sat. “Hello, Grayson.”
His gaze bounced between my empty cup and my lips… shamelessly. He offered the red cup to me, “Here,” he slurred. “You never know- where the night might take us.”
My stomach twisted.
I snatched the cup from him. Only because if I didn’t, it wouldn’t take ten minutes before he started stripping in front of everyone. Seen it once before. Never again.
His grin widened. “There you go.” He cooed like I was a pup. “Now drink it.”
I scoffed. “I’m good.”
He reached for the cup, I leaned back out of his reach. “My father said never to waste good alcohol.” He hiccuped. “Give it to me if you’re not going to.”
I sighed, pinching the crease beginning to form. I tossed the drink back without a second thought, grimacing as the liquid burned my throat.
Grayson clapped like it was a show, then his gaze flicked to behind me. “You did good, Fawn.”
I frowned at the stupid nickname he insisted on giving me. But before I could say anything, he turned on his heel, muttering something I couldn’t catch under his breath.
“Hey, baby fawn.” Rina teased from behind me, shaking my shoulders to snap me out of my head.
I shook her off with an eyeroll. “Please don’t call me that.”
She frowned. “But why not? Your eyes are so round and big, just like a-“
“Baby deer,” I cut in. “I get it. But it gets old. You have to admit.”
“Sorry I couldn’t meet you before the party started.” Her gaze faltered. “Let’s get out of here.”
I glanced back at the party. “I don’t know-“
“Come on, baby fawn.” She teased, poking my sides. “Live a little.”
My curiosity won. I followed behind a very excited Rina into the forest tree line, where the scent of pine and wet soil clung to everything. That feeling that had been nagging at me calmed for the tiniest second.
I took a deep breath, then a satisfied sigh.
“It’s not fair that you have to live like this.” Rina whispered from beside me.
I turned to find her head down, her hands shoved into the pockets of her jacket. Her voice shook as she spoke.
“It’s not fair for- for anyone to live like this.”
My chest constricted. “Hey,” I said softly, cupping her hands in my palm.
Her glistening eyes held sadness, genuine sadness. And that made me feel worse because I knew she felt that way because of me.
“I’ll be fine.”
I didn’t believe my own words.
She shook her head in my hold. “No. You won’t.”
“Of course I-“
“No.” She said sharply. “You won’t.”
I frowned. “Rina, what’s wrong? Is anyone bullying you because of me?”
A tear rolled down her cheek. “I’m so sorry.”
“Wha-“
A sharp pain exploded from my chest, hot blinding white light flashing. The ache spread slowly, like venom coursing through my body.
I looked down. Crimson. A silver dagger.
My brain refused to process why I was being stabbed. Even as the blade drove deeper. Even as blood gushed out. Even as the world tilted around me.
Rina’s sobs got softer. Or was it just me. Everything was muffled by that loud ringing in my ears. Small hands wrapped around my body, pulling me into their chest. And beneath the blood and pine, I caught her scent. Rina.
Her body shook as my vision blurred. I tried to talk, to ask why? Why would she do this? Out of everyone? I might have passed on peacefully if it was Layla, or even my father. They never hid their distaste for me.
Was I really that horrible of a creature that no one could love?
All those words were caught in my bloody throat as I slowly skipped into unconsciousness. Then a cold wind washed over me, and in one second, one quiet moment, I felt light. And then nothing.
- Writer
