The Power Of Three Shall Rise ***SAMPLE***

Chapter Four

Audrey's P.O.V.

I opened the door to the dining hall to see all the pack had gathered for breakfast this morning. Usually, mother only ate with dad, his sister, her brother and their mates and children. She gave the pack more love than us for sure but even kept most of them at a distance.

My theory was that it was because she didn't want them seeing the real her. As my eyes scanned the room. Mother was sitting at the head of the table, as always. But usually dad sat to her right and uncle Aaron to her left, but today the right seat next to her was empty and dad was one seat over. And Edith was sitting to her left looking very un-pleased about it and Erma was between Edith and uncle Aaron.

With a noticeable scowl on my face I took my seat next to her. I mind-linked my sisters what I learned from Anita and told them not to eat anything set before us, we'll get food later. They both agreed and mother didn't seem to notice our silent conversation.

"Well now that my eldest daughter has joined us, bring out the food," Lynn commanded the servants in a sickly sweet voice that made me shiver in disgust.

The servants didn't buy her facade; they were noticeably trembling as they brought the food out. Anita, among them looked the most scared. Her eyes were bloodshot from crying so much and she wasn't meeting the eyes of any wolf. Anita was shaking so much she accidently missed Brad's cup and poured coffee straight on him.

He let out a bone-chilling growl almost immediately and grabbed Anita by her throat with a forceful grip, "You'll pay for that wench," he threatened her.

Brad Romano was a ruthless wolf, the most ruthless in the pack and my mother's personal enforcer. He made my skin crawl. Anita had always cared for us even if she was deathly afraid of our mother. I wouldn't stand for Brad's threats to her.

I stood with so much force my chair fell back with a bang, "Unhand her Brad!"

"What?" he said, tightening his grip on her throat glaring at me, "You dare command me 'zeta'? You have no rank in this pack, princess or not, you have no place to speak to me!" he growled.

"ENOUGH!" Lynn growled menacingly at him, "Let the servant go it was an accident. And don't you DARE EVER disrespect my daughter again. To disrespect her is a disrespect to your Matriarch. Tell me Brad do you want to disrespect me?"

"No my queen," Brad replied, submitting to her and letting Anita go.

Lynn placed her hand on my arm comfortingly. I glared at her hand and shrugged her off. There was nothing she could do to ever gain my trust not after everything she's done to me in my 16 years of life.

There were a few small gasps around the room at my blatant disrespect of her after she took up for me to Brad in front of the whole Royal pack. Lynn raised a hand to silence them. Her face was expressionless but I knew inside she was raging and doing what she could to not backhand me in front of everyone.

She had some kind of plan that she needed our trust for and if she needed our trust she needed the pack to also not be suspicious of her. That could play to my advantage. If I could make her snap whatever she has planned would temporarily fall apart.

The pack then minded their own business falling into conversation with each other as they ate. My sisters and I however, sat in silence.

"Audrey, why aren't you eating sweetie?" Lynn asked in a fake sweet voice. I faced her silently answering her through a mind link, 'I will NEVER trust you. I know you have some kind of plan involving my sisters and I. What other reason would you all of a sudden, after 16 years of torment and abuse, want to be so caring of us. You hate us, you always have.'

Before she could reply I blocked her from my mind which clearly angered her.

She slammed her fist on the table, "Everyone out NOW!" she exclaimed in an eerily growl.

It took only seconds for the pack to clear out. Dad followed them out after mother shot him a glare and growl so feral that I was afraid for him.

Had she treated her own mate similarly to us all these years? I'd never seen her growl at him like that before, only us.

After everyone was out except for mom and us she went to speak, "I tried Audrey I really did."

I scoffed, "You've only ever tried to hate us nothing more."

She growled loudly at my comment, "I never wanted daughters in the first place I needed sons. You were nothing more than a cruel curse by the moon goddess in a feeble attempt to stop me from getting what I want."

"And just what is it that you want 'mother'," I spat at her.

"AHHH!" she screamed frustratedly and sent all the plates near her off the table crashing to the floor.

"I want the other side of the continent. I deserve it. It should be mine and it will be, as soon as I get rid of you three there will be nothing standing in my way," she growled towering over me.

After that she stormed out slamming the door of the dining hall behind her.

"Edith take Erma upstairs and pack lightly, only what you need. We're getting out of here." I instructed her.

"What are you gonna do?" she asked.

"I’m going to see aunt Gwen, we're gonna need her help," Was all I said before getting up and walking out.

I finally knew why the moon goddess warned me not to trust anyone. Our own mother wants us dead and I know she won't stop until she makes that happen.