I open the door a moment after my father knocks. He barges in, shoving me up against the wall.
Not a good start.
“Sit down on the couch,” he barks at me.
I obey like his order doesn’t grate on my last nerve. My legs are stiff as I move so I’m sitting on the couch, legs together, hands on my knees, and my eyes fixed on the floor.
He paces, letting the tension build and then some.
“Now, I’ve been hearing some things in town.”
I heave a sigh and then have to bite back a growl when my stepmother and two half sisters come in, followed by Cindel’s bodyguard slash fuck friend, Preston. He’s a whiny little bitch who thinks the only way to achieve greatness is to sleep your way to the top. If my father swung that way, he would be warming my father’s bed, not Cindel’s.
Preston’s got grey hair, but looks young and pretty rather than handsome, but he’s meaner than a snake.
My stepmother stands next to my father and taps her foot. She is the pure picture of Cindel, but older. And she hates me. I get it; my father fucked around on her and knocked up the help and the pack’s disgusting omega wolf. It cost my stepmother her place in the pack. The shame of it is something she’s never forgiven, and she’s taught her daughter where to hate, too.
“Look at me,” she spits out, clearly wishing she didn’t have to speak to me directly at all.
I lift my head obediently. She’s gloriously naturally blonde, small and petite, but her face is sharper in a way her daughters isn’t. Alora isn’t a beauty. She’s too mean.
“You have disgraced our pack. These lies about you being an omega wolf have got to stop.”
“I went on a date. That’s all I did. I don’t know what you’re talking about-”
My father’s hand cracks across my face.
I transfer my glare to him. “Why are you hitting me?” I ask my father, cupping my cheek where it’s turned numb.
His eyes widen and then narrow, but I think I see fear there.
“You will not go on any more dates. The pack has decided who you will breed with. Jonas is waiting for you. This nonsense of a wolf suddenly coming to you will stop.”
I bark a hysterical laugh. “I’m not breeding with the pack.”
“Oh, yes you are,” Cindel sneers at me. She imitates her mother, copying the pose almost exactly. Ellen, on the other hand, hangs back, yawning. She looks nervous.
Not a good sign.
“I will die first.”
“I can arrange that, you useless bitch!” My father roars.
There’s a warning growl as my father’s hand lifts again, and I see my five wolves appear from every corner. They stalk towards my family, who gather in a tight group.
No! No! I begged them. I told them not to.
“What is this? You’re consorting with another pack? Have you whored yourself out to them?”
I shake my head, ignoring my father’s drivel.
Cindel whimpers as Angel fixes her with a stare that promises death.
I study my wolves intently, wishing they hadn’t been so stupid, but it’s done now. I have to roll with it.
I stand up, embracing who I am. “Father. Do you know what I am?” I smile.
The fear flashes in his eyes again. “No, you aren’t. We tested you.”
