Page 17 of The Alpha and His Song: Volume One

Normally that rant was true. The fact was Melanie had me on a grocery service so if I wanted to buy the things my mom told me to, I could. I just didn’t like them, and she’d left me here to rot. I did get some nicer foods, and more often; however, my habits to pick cheap things were what they were. I normally had bills to worry about.

Mom said, “Luke couldn’t get into this building for some reason, and then you were being shadowed.” I smiled knowing that Melanie had people looking out for me. That was sweet. I shrugged, “Shouldn’t that make you happy? People are looking out for me, so you don’t have to worry. I’m just a burden to you anyway.”

Mom gasped, “Who is filling your head with such lies? We are leaving immediately. These new friends are a bad influence. All you need is me and Luke.” I yanked my arm away from her staring at her in utter shock.

I yelled, “Those are your words, mom. I heard you tell your boyfriend before you left that I was a burden. You’ve said it to my face many times. I don’t even bother you that much, and you still feel that way. You don’t even leave a reliable way for me to contact you, yet Luke has your number! Do you even know what he’s like? He’s abusive, mom.”

Now my mom’s eyes narrowed into slits, “I don’t know who this Ashley is, but she’s clearly filled your head with lies.” I snorted, “I didn’t tell Ashley about Luke, or he’d have gotten beaten up. She’s amazing and fierce.”

“Luke comments about my weight all the time. I’m not heavy, in fact I’m underweight according to the school nurse who nearly called CPS. Luke doesn’t really even seem to like me. I think he might hate me. If I don’t do my hair just the way he likes it his anger explodes.”

I acknowledged, “Luke was so nice in the beginning, and I thought I loved him. Then we had sex and he became sinister and possessive. I couldn’t breathe without him getting mad. He called and yelled at me if I was one minute late getting back to my apartment.”

“I don’t even know how he knew my schedule. One day, I was working on a project after school and lost track of time. I ran four miles in the snow to try to get back on time. Luke ended up being at my apartment. He hit me, mom, and had me committed!”

Mom interrupted, “Tell your sob stories to someone else, Odette. Men are men. That’s the way of the world. Luke can take care of you. He can give you a good life and comes from a very wealthy family.” I frowned, “You said we do too.”

Mom boasted with a smile, “We do.” Then her face turned angry saying, “Our family turned their backs on me. You can only count on yourself, Odette. You and Luke will be together. Just try not to upset him.”

I scoffed, “Are you kidding me? No, we won’t. You’re not forcing me to be with him. Arranged marriages aren’t a thing in this country. Do you know what year it is?” Mom hissed, “You will not be like the others, Odette. You will not turn your back on me, and you will do what I say!”

I yelled, “Others? What others? Stop saying Lux turned his back on you! His father loves him. That’s why he took him, so that Lux wouldn’t have to live like I do!” Mom slapped me without warning. Then she apologized, like she always did.

“Odette, I’m sorry. It’s just that it hurts that Lux was like everyone else.” I held my cheek. I told her, “If you ever raise your hand to me again you won’t like what follows. I’m not the same girl you left behind this time.”

“You and Luke had me committed to that place where people hurt me. The Odette you knew shattered in that place, and I’ll never let either of you hurt me again. I trusted you both even though you’ve both gotten violent with me.”

“I was scared and hurting then I got kidnapped. NEITHER OF YOU WERE THERE! Luke and I are over. I will never marry Luke, and Lux wasn’t like your revolving door of boyfriends. He just had someone who loved him that was willing to give him a loving home you’re incapable of providing.”

Mom rolled her eyes ignoring my valid points saying, “You are so naive. There’s nothing wrong with Luke.” I argued, “He’s abusive and controlling. We shouldn't have been together anyway. He’s in college and I’m in high school.”

I could admit now that Luke manipulated me, and I was so desperate for love I fell for it. My mother snorted, “Age is just a number, it doesn’t matter.” I disagreed, “Of course it matters. Especially at my age. The law backs me up on that too. Why aren’t you on my side? I’m your daughter.”

Mom snorted. I swore she muttered, “Humans and their laws don’t apply to us.” Humans? Was she insane? We were humans. Maybe I could get her locked up like she did me. CPS had to be better. That was always the fear tactic mom held over my head, but honestly Melanie could probably set me up with good people.

Mom sighed, “Odette, there is one person in this world you can rely on. Yourself. Why do you think I raised you to be so self-sufficient and independent?” Raised was a strong word for giving birth and occasionally checking to make sure I was alive. Lux raised me.

Flashback

Odette woke up hearing Lux in the kitchen. I knew it was weird I could hear him, but I needed to get moving. I was my big brother’s helper. I glanced at the wall calendar Lux got me and my heart felt like it dropped. He was leaving today, and mom would do her standard check in before leaving again.

I pushed that aside because Lux was here still. I skipped out into the kitchen determined to be in a good mood. Lux greeted, “Good morning.” I scooted a chair, that I swore Lux purchased, over and held my hand out for the spatula.

Lux laughed, “Thank goodness my little helper is up. You know flipping them is hard for me.” I smiled proudly saying, “I’m the bestest flipper helper!” My brother tapped my nose, “That you are.” Lux worked with me on my letters, reading, and talking. I was more advanced than anyone else in my pre-school. Which is where he’d take me before he went back to his dad’s place.

My brother handed me the spatula and told me when to flip them. Once everything was cooked, we sat down at the table. Lux announced, “I packed your lunch for the rest of the week. It’s all in the fridge. I labeled them for each day. Miss. Johnson next door is going to walk you to preschool, ok?”

I nodded sadly because I hated it when my brother wasn’t here. Lux gently said, “I’ll be back in a few days.” I smiled saying, “I know. I just like it when you’re here. Will you tell me more stories about your dad’s place? Do you think mom would agree if you asked again to let me go see it with you?”

The answer was no, and we both knew it. I just wanted to see his dad’s house in person. It sounded like the most magical place on earth. Lux replied, “I’ll ask her kiddo.” He said that because he hated telling me no. Even though that was the answer. It was ok because Lux would be back and then we’d have fun again.

Flashback Ends

Mom touched my arm gently saying, “Luke and his family can help us. You don’t have to love him, just try not to make him so angry. Once I found out you were a girl, Luke’s father and I decided that you and Luke would get married one day.” I gaped at her.

I stood as fury filled my veins. I vowed, “I won’t ever marry Luke. We don’t fit together, and he doesn’t love me.” Mom snorted, “Love? Oh, you silly naive girl. Do you want flowers and candy? Luke can buy you those. Do you want to have nice things and a house? Luke can give you those and a mansion.”

I interrupted, “I don’t care about that. I want someone who loves me, mom. Not someone who hits me but can buy nice things.” Mom hissed, “Love is for the weak, and I did not raise a weak daughter.” I asked, “How would you know? You didn’t raise me at all.”