As I walked to the next scene, tears streamed down my face. Clyde's words still echoed in my mind: "Maybe soon, we'll welcome a child." The thought of him starting a family with Ani shattered me.
Emma's gentle voice broke the spell.
"Hey, are you okay?"
I nodded, wiping away tears.
"Sorry, just getting into character."
Emma smiled sympathetically.
"We're about to film Talia's backstory, Natasha's father had forbidden her from using her her real name as it was a precious name of his mother's. Are you ready?"
I took a deep breath.
"Let's do this."
The cameras rolled.
Emma's portrayal of young Talia ended, and I took over.
The scene unfolded: my brother, Kael, tenderly tending to the scar on my face.
Flashbacks revealed our father's shame.
As an alpha, he couldn't accept losing his mate after finally having a daughter.
A daughter, not a son.
In our pack's patriarchal tradition, females couldn't inherit the alpha title.
The pack's expectations weighed heavily on him.
He adopted a boy, Kael, five years older than me.
A worthy successor.
A male heir to carry on the family legacy.
The scene shifted.
I stood on the practice battlefield, sword in hand.
Eighteen, yet my wolf remained elusive.
Frustration and fear fueled my training.
Why hadn't I shifted?
Was I truly worthy?
The camera panned out.
My eyes locked onto the horizon.
A glimpse of my wolf's presence teased.
But in this world, my sex predetermined my fate.
No matter my strength or courage.
I'd never be alpha.
I trudged into the manor, exhausted from the gruesome training session. Sweat-drenched and parched, I sought my father's approval, hoping for a glimmer of pride.
Instead, his gaze filled with disgust, his eyes scanning me as if I were a defective product.
"Talia, cover yourself," he spat, his voice laced with revulsion.
I hesitated, confused, my heart sinking.
"What's wrong, Father?" I asked, trying to keep my tone steady.
"You're...unpresentable," he spat, turning away, as if unable to bear the sight of me.
"Your face, Talia. It's an abomination," he added, his words cutting deep.
The scar.
The reminder of his rage.
The night he struck me.
"Wear a mask, Talia. Always," he ordered, his tone dripping with disdain.
I bit back tears.
"Yes, Father," I whispered.
Seeking solace, I retreated to the bath.
Steaming water enveloped me.
I submerged, letting the warmth wash away my father's venom.
Emerging, refreshed, I approached the mirror.
A reflection stared back.
Beautiful, yet marred.
Dark, wavy hair cascaded down my back.
Weird white streaks danced through the strands.
Glass-like skin glowed.
Ethereal, like the moon.
But the scar.
That long, scary scar.
A constant reminder.
My father's handiwork.
A younger Talia's screams echoed in my mind.
The night he struck me.
The night my innocence shattered.
I touched the scar.
A painful memory.
A painful truth.
My father's rejection.
Tears threatened to fall.
I fought them back.
I wouldn't give him that power.
After dressing and securing the mask over my scar, I emerged downstairs, searching for solace. The grand staircase creaked beneath my feet, echoing through the cavernous hallway. Portraits of our ancestors lined the walls, their eyes seeming to judge me.
Kael stood by the breakfast table, his warm smile a beacon amidst the chill.
"Talia, join me?" he invited, his voice gentle.
My stomach churned, nausea threatening.
"I'm not hungry," I lied, avoiding eye contact.
Kael's eyes narrowed, concern etched on his face.
"Try, for me?" he coaxed.
I shook my head, the mask constricting.
"You know Father's rules," I whispered.
Kael's expression turned sympathetic.
"I wish..." he trailed off.
We both knew.
As the adopted son, Kael would inherit the alpha title.
A position that, by birthright, should have been mine.
But our pack's patriarchal traditions forbade female alphas.
Kael, despite being five years older, had become my confidant.
He cared for me, despite everyone's scorn.
"Go, Talia. Clear your head," Kael said.
I nodded.
Walking out into the crisp morning air, I wandered through the manor's gardens.
The scent of blooming flowers and fresh-cut grass filled my lungs.
I strolled along winding paths, lost in thought.
Why was I born female?
Why was I scarred?
Why was I unwanted?
The questions swirled.
As I turned a corner, a hidden courtyard caught my eye.
A small fountain bubbled.
A bench beckoned.
I sat.
Alone.
The silence enveloped me.
Memories flooded back.
Mother's stories of our pack's history.
Her dreams for me.
Father's disappointment.
The weight crushed me.