She wanted to make me look sick, to make sure no man thought I was pretty enough to abuse.
The things those men would have done to me would have hurt me worse than she did.
I’m not sure I was ever strong enough to survive the torture my mother endured.
But I know I can undo what Colleen did.
I refuse to let anything ruin my chance at a normal life.
That’s what my goal is now that I’m free of that house.
To find some semblance of normal in this world.
So, if I need to eat to stay healthy, I’ll eat.
If I need to stay in this room for another week, I’ll stay.
I’ll do whatever it takes, because I won’t let the man who took my mother’s life steal mine as well. He’s the one who deserves to be held captive now, and for the rest of his miserable life.
If there’s any real justice in this world, that monster will never see the light of day again.
Chapter Five
Shayne
Running isn’t exactly my favorite pastime, but when you live with one grouchy Alpha, one demanding Beta, and one very needy Omega in a less than spacious two-bedroom apartment, spending some time outside everyday becomes an absolute necessity.
In general, I prefer working out on machines in the gym, but I don’t get the same high from that, and it’s nowhere near as fulfilling by the time I’m walking back home, drenched in sweat and buzzing from beating my last sprint record.
It’s worth the burn, for sure.
If it was just a little easier to make myself get started it wouldn’t feel like such a chore. I nod at one of our neighbors as he leaves the apartment building. I don’t know his name, but he’s usually going out for a run when I’m coming back in.
“Have a good one,” I tell him as I pass.
“Thanks!” he calls back as he heads out.
I catch the door before it closes, and I step into the cool, dark corridor of our apartment building.
It feels like we have aircon in here. I don’t know what exactly makes the corridor and stairwell so cold, but it’s like stepping into a refrigerator every time and it feels incredible.
I take in a few breaths and enjoy the cool air before I make my way up the stairs.
I go slowly to make the most of it before I get to our apartment.
I’ll be jumping in the shower once I get inside and then I’ll be drinking an ice-cold water.
Simple plans but they sound like heaven right now.
Two flights later and a few feet down the corridor and I’m looking at our apartment door.
I get my keys out of the zipped pocket in my shorts, and I unlock the door.
Right away, I can tell Falcon is still in a shitty mood.
The mail is on the floor next to the table it’s supposed to sit on, scattered like he picked it out of the letter box and flung it near the table as he started to walk away.
I clear my throat as I close the door. “I’m home!”
