I thought I would die.
There was a change in my heartbeat. I felt as if the entire world was spinning, and as I hid behind the bed, I didn't wish to be found.
"No... How could he?"
These words played at the back of my mind. "After everything... How could he do this to me!"
I heard faint voices from across the hall, but I ignored. I didn't want to relive the horror moment.
"Alora?" I heard her voice. It wasn't so hard to miss.
The footsteps were growing louder now.
"Where do you think she might be?" I heard him speak.
Together, both of them were the very bane of my existence.
Laura and King, my stepmother and stepfather. I cried every night, wondering what I might have done to deserve such a pair like that as my guardians.
"Alora! Get out this instant." His voice was cold and rigid, filled with authority.
I was almost terrified to run out, but I kept my cool. I remained still in the shadows...
"You filthy trash!" My step mother's voice cried out, then the next minute, I felt a strong grip on my scalp. She pulled my hair and dragged me out of the corners. Wailing in pain, I gripped her hands tight, scared that she would rip out my brain.
"Please, step mother! Please, it's hurting!" I couldn't contain the pain that surged through my body. My head was banging. "I'm so--sorry, step mother."
"Leave her!" The man I called my stepfather yelled out. The air was cold, goosebumps forming on my skin. I was terrified of that man.
Even my step mother was. She instantly let go of me, "yes, King."
He said we should all call him King, and that alone satisfied his ego, being the Alpha of our little pack. His short and stout physique was not one he was proud of, so he did everything he could to get fear out of the hearts of people. And he succeeded just fine.
Laura on the other hand was a goddess, and quite the opposite of me. She was pretty, tall and curvy with blonde hair and seductive eyes, and so she instantly attracted King, even though he wasn't her mate.
I stood on the average height, and the sufferings I had endured with them was enough to have hindered any curves from forming. My stature was a petite type, and my total physical looks seemed haggard as pain and suffering had reformed me. Yet, these people still hate me so much.
What else do they want from me!
"Alora, walk with me." The man I called my stepfather said in a subtle voice, and immediately, I followed him as we made our path via a long passage. It led to his garden where he loved to plant some flowers. As cruel as the man can be, he loved his flowers.
A million thoughts coursed through my brain as I tried to think of the possible reason he had called me out. Why was he so gentle and calm?
"Alora?" I heard him call again, and I stuttered.
Adjusting the tone of my voice, I replied again. "Yes, King?"
He paused, taking a moment to study the expression on my face. He knew I was terrified. He loved it. "Do you know why I accepted you from that wretched woman you would call your mother?"
When I heard him speak, I faltered, shivering in pain and anguish. She was dead, at least he could have some respect!
I said nothing.
"Because she begged me." He continued. "Her mate rejected her, forcing her to birth you all by herself. When she had you, she was diagnosed with a terminal illness. I was the one she ran to. I saved your miserable life, Alora." Dark eyes flickered dangerously at me. "Now it is your turn to save me. Do you understand me?"
His words were firm and straight to the point, and I could do was nod, until--
"Do you understand!?" His voice was well armored with a frightening authority.
I could not meet his gaze. "Y-yes, King."
I heard him grunt a reply. I dared not reply.
****
Alpha Nolan was a terrible narcissist. He only cared about himself. He was famous, although not many people from our pack could have sworn that they'd met him before. The only thing we all knew was that he was a monster, and a man who only loved himself and cared less about anyone. He was a ruthless Alpha.
My mind was still wrapped around the thought of me getting married to such a man when my step mother came in.
She always eyes me with disdain, as though just my existence alone angered her.
"So you're here?" She asked, and a stern look was plastered on my face.
What did she want now!
"Yes stepmother, I--"
I was still trying to say before she cut me off.
"Your life is about to be ruined. That's all I can say to you." She said, arms akimbo.
I lowered my head, 'as if I didn't know that before.'
"This Alpha, he wants nothing from you other than a son. After he gets that from you, guess what will happen to you?" She asked, and an eerie breeze filled the room. Then she yelled out, "you'll probably be killed off!"
I swallowed. "Killed? But I'll be his wife,"
She sighed. "He has no mother. His mother's mom, same story. And the mother before hers, same thing. A curse was rumored to reign in their family but guess what? It may not just be a rumor after all. The Alphas end up raising their child alone. No one has dared to try to marry from that family in a long while. Sadly, you're about to become their next sacrifice. Foreshame"
And with that, she walked out of the room, leaving just me and my scary thoughts. Could everything she had been saying actually be nothing but a lie? If she was right, why would my step father actually trade me off to my doom?
Alas, there was nothing I could do about it. Crossing my step father would be me ready to accept my own death. And that was the last thing I wanted, as I still have hope of meeting my mate someday, even if we don't end up being together.
"Alpha Nolan... I hope you're not as cruel as rumor has it to be…"
This was such a scary thought that I feared I would die of anxiety. I sighed deeply, ready to accept my poor fate already.
"Mother Luna, please save me."