When I finally reached the last step of the wooden stairs, I saw the door to our house opening, revealing my father and aunt.
I frowned at their arrival, wondering what kind of wind brought my aunt here. She never really visited this place. She disdained the thought of meeting my father and stepping a foot on our small house. The last time she came here was after my mother died.
I tried to turn to the kitchen, hoping they didn't see me. I really didn't want to deal with my aunt.
But it was too late.
"Lizzie!" She called my name out, spreading her arms wide for a hug.
"Aunt." I greeted her and evaded the incoming bear hug. But she was faster.
She grabbed me by the shoulder and pulled me in for a tight hug. I felt uneasy and uncomfortable being hugged by my own aunt who would look at me with a disgusted look like everybody else after knowing I hadn't shifted. After all, they never wanted to have a latent wolf born to the family.
"My dear… How could they do this to you?" She patted my back gently and I felt the warmth from her body. I wondered if my mom was here, would she also hug me like this and get angry on my behalf.
But before I could completely bathe myself in the presence of my aunt and the pleasure of having someone on my side, my aunt's next words jolted me awake.
"Don't worry, my dear. Even if your mate rejected you. You can still be useful to us all."
I pulled back from her embrace and stared at her blue eyes. "What… What do you mean by that?"
She laughed at my stunned face and finally said, "Don't look at me like that, silly girl. You should be asking your father why I have come here to take you with me."
For a moment, I didn't breathe.
I turned to my father and saw him closing the door. He walked over to us and stopped behind Aunt Sally.
My father's face was devoid of any emotion that could give away what he was thinking. But the way it hardened and his eyes looked ambitious, I knew it was nothing good.
I started to back away from all of them. Aunt Sally, however, reached out for my hand and took hold of it. She gently patting the back of my hand, as if coaxing a child. If it were any other day, I might appreciate the act. I needed a mother-figure who would hold me.
I snapped my eyes to her. "Let go."
My voice barely came out as a whisper.
"Lizzie. Listen to us."
Aunt Sally continued to persuade me to listen to them. But all I could hear was my heart beating against my chest like a drum.
I turned to my dad and opened my mouth. I demanded an explanation on what Aunt Sally was talking about. What sort of trouble did he dive into this time? Did he want me to work for the gamble den as a janitress to pay back his debts again? Or did he need me to go down the Pit and fight to death?
But knockings could be heard from the door, interrupting the words I failed to throw at him.
Someone was here.
I wasn't told that someone was going to visit our home. After everything that happened in the pack's center, no one would want to come here.
I didn't even get to tell my dad what I wanted to say when he hurriedly paced toward the door and slowly opened it, revealing two men in black cloaks that covered their huge figures and a hat on top of their heads. A drizzle flowing like silk behind them.
My father's eyes were blown wide at the sight of them. "Good… good afternoon, gentlemen. I didn't know you would come here so soon."
The two men entered the door. My father, who was five-foot-ten, couldn't even block them.
The floorboards shook beneath their leathered pointy shoes and stopped walking after taking three steps forward. I glanced at them and wondered who they were. They certainly weren't part of our park. I know everybody's faces in the Crimson Pack and I would recognize their faces as soon as I saw them.
However, these two men were strangers. Or more specifically – Outsiders.
Why were they here? I wanted to ask my father but as soon as I turned my head, my heart sank as I heard my father speak.
"I was just about to bring my daughter."
"My master doesn't like waiting. Pay up or we will take what we can from you." The man spoke in promise of threats that he could easily turn to reality.
My father flinched at his words "Of course, of course."
Aunt Sally patted his shoulders as if to comfort him and turned her head to look at the men.
She flashed them a smile that would certainly make a few men from our pack turn to glance at her for a few seconds. She was certainly a beauty. If she was a bit younger, the effect would be tremendous.
Unfortunately, these men didn't even blink at her obvious attempt to seduce them.
Aunt Sally's lips twitched. "Forgive my brother. We were held up by something and wasn't able to come to you as soon as we got your notice."
They ignored my aunt. "Is she the one?"
One of the men, the taller one among the two suddenly jerked his chin, pointing at me. No, behind me. I turned slightly and saw Isabelle, who I didn't notice, standing behind me.
My father quickly shook his head. "No… No, not her."
What was going on? I stared between my father and the strange men.
Then, suddenly, as if a curtain of ice fell on my body, I stood rooted on the ground as everything dawned on me.
I realized too late what my father was talking about. Aunt Sally mentioned something about paying something up and these men pointing at Isabelle.
There was only thing I could think of.
These men demanded payment from my father. And he agreed. But we had no money. We barely get by with the food I take from selling herbs and my paintings. He had to pay them with something else. Something that wasn't money, but worth the same weight.
And there was no need for me to guess who was being sold.
The tall man in black cloak frowned when he realized who my father was selling to them. His amber eyes landing on my figure as he appraised me.
Then, he frowned. He wasn't amused. So am I.
"Her?"
Before my father could affirm the man's doubts, my mouth opened and replied to the man.
"No."
"Yes. It's her."
My father walked over behind me before he gripped my shoulders. "Yes, good sirs. This 'ere is my oldest child. She is already nineteen… She has many talents. You could make her clean the house…" his words a dagger stabbing me in the belly. He continued, "If you wish, you can beat her when she makes a mistake or do anything. For as long you are willing to clear up what I owe your Master."
The tall man was silent for a few seconds. He was contemplating something and gave me a look as if he couldn't find anything worthy of the price my father owed them.
But just as I thought that he would speak to my father and tell him that I was not good enough, he calmly turned his back on us and walked out of the house.
The smaller man, however, waited and tipped his head at me. "Follow us."
My knees wobbled. The deal was done.
I looked back at my father pleadingly. I didn't want to go. No, I didn't deserve to be treated like a cattle about to be sold to a stranger I didn't even know.
"Father... Please, don't do this." My voice squeaked as tears gathered my eyes. "Mother won't forgive you if you do this. I can help and pay your debt. I'll work harder. Just don't let them take me."
My father stared at me stoically and I could hear a piece of my heart that I desperately held onto, thinking that he would still be a father to me to this moment, shatter into dust.
I turned to Aunt Sally, but I could see the smile on her lips, like she was riding on cloud nine after knowing her brother was now free of debt.
Then, I glanced at Isabelle.
Her green-blue eyes that resembled the ocean in the morning was wide open. Shock and fear were in it. However, her body didn't move to help me, just like how she just watched my mate be taken away from me.
"Belle—" I wanted to stop father.
"Go after them, Lizzie," Isabelle whispered, urging me. "Go."
Blinking my eyes, I forced the tears that threatened to drip down my face to dry. My sister didn't even hesitate to save herself. No matter how much I treated them like a family, I was no more than a burden and dirt to them. Now, they're ridding of that dirt today.
"Wait."
I hesitated and stopped.
"Lizzie," my aunt said. Her fingers capturing hair that strayed from my braid. Her eyes soft and filled with affection. "Don't blame us too much. This is for your own good. For everyone's. You cannot stay here any longer after what happened, anyway." She patted my cheek. "Be good and stay there. Do not return. Not until you everything's paid, understand?"
I hadn't expected anything from her, but I never thought she'd come on to me like this.
I shrugged off her hand and didn't look back. I let the drizzle soak me, mixing with my tears, as I followed the men out of our house.