Chapter 20: Chapter 19

Ever since Dane learned about me having my mother’s wolf, things had changed. For the worse. He’d gotten much crueler in his everyday treatment of me. Any little thing I did set him off, so I tried to stay out of his way for the most part. This morning, for example, his blew up after finding dishes unwashed. I had just walked into the living from taking a morning shower, and I didn’t expect a pan to hit the wall behind me, inching from where my head was. I stopped frozen in place.

Dane stood behind the kitchen counter, boring a fiery glare into me. What caused his angry at this time in the morning? No coffee yet?

“You damn wench!” He growled, wrist flicking to toss another dish, a pot this time. I yelped, crouching as quick as I could. The pot clanked loudly, clattering across the floor. I stayed on guard, ready to dodge anything that came my way. Luckily, I felt much more sure of myself and confident in my abilities physically. I knew I could easily whip out of the way if I needed to, so even as my heart thrummed in my chest, I wasn’t as afraid as I used to be.

A mug came my way, shattering into a thousand pieces. Then a thin pancake pan came flying, whirling around like a boomerang, right at my face. Eyes wide, I jumped out of the way, but not before it hit my shoulder, searing pain vibrating through it.

“I never want to see dirty fucking dishes in the sink! Wash all of the dishes, dirty and clean, and all the unused ones in the cupboards NOW, or mark my words, you’ll be sleeping on a bed of glass tonight.” He threw several plates in a row, and I could do nothing but hop around, avoiding the hit and the shards of glass on the floor. After the last one, he stormed away up, presumably to his office upstairs.

I stood shaking for a few moments. Then, someone crept softly in from the front hall. Grant had an expression I’d never seen. For once, she didn’t seem like her usual, uppity self.

Clearing her throat, Grant said quietly, “He’s been a lot worse than usual.”

Staring at her, I nodded, trying to stop my heart from trying to jump out of my chest. Looking down, I noticed my bare feet had some cuts in them form the glass. “So you’ve noticed. I’m glad it’s not just me.”

Grant swallowed. “I think…that it’s more than even you deserve.”

I didn’t know what to say to that, as I was a bit floored by the slightly apologetic look in Grant’s dark brown eyes, eyes so different from her grandfather’s.

“Anyways,” she continued, flipping her auburn hair, curling slightly today, over her shoulder. There’s a gift outside waiting for you from that little brat Vera. Also hand me that damn broom before you get it; I seriously need to get breakfast and leave,” she motioned to the broom that was closer to me, only a couple hops away as I avoided the glass. Handing it to her, I left your grumbling as she swept the shards out of the way to the kitchen. I leapt over to the front hall, finding a small box beneath a stem of lavender on the porch outside. A card sat above. I’m so sorry. Forgive me. - Thelma. Inside the box were a collection of my favorite gourmet chocolates. I smiled, the horror of the dish disaster wiped cleaned from my mind. Thelma must’ve still felt guilty about putting my mother’s wolf down for me, leading to Dane exploding. Little did she know, that I never blamed her, not in a million years.

Training with both Clive and Archer had become a regular thing…much to Archer’s disapproval. After our first run, Archer had refused to let Clive come again the next session, which was scheduled for late afternoon through the evening.

“We worked well together when we shifted,” Clive argued.

“You wasted our time today,” Archer growled. “We’re not doing this crap again.”

The next day, I found only Archer, who announced that today, we’d go on our first hunt. Initially, I was disappointed that Clive didn’t try again, but I supposed it was for the best. As enjoyable as the day before was, I was there to work. I reminded myself to figure something out with Clive, because his tips truly helped so much when facing Dane and Reily. However, the thought dissolved when, upon shifting into our wolves and running for several minutes, we run into none other than Clive, in wolf form. His golden coat glimmered, making him look like a wondrous creature against the pine trees and blue skies nearing dusk.

“Oh, what a coincidence. I didn’t you guys would be in this area. I was just patrolling nearby,” Clive spoke through mindlink, mirth clear in his mental voice.

While I laughed in my head, Archer scoffed, “Coincidence my ass! You came here on purpose knowing we’d be running, you little--”

“Well, nothing we can really do about it now. I’m hungry, you guys are out running, we may as well stick together.”

It was a compelling argument, I thought amused. “It’s okay, Archer, maybe Clive can give me some extra pointers about hunting.”

Archer’s steel gray wolf eyes visibly rolled. “I give up. Do what you wish.”

Running in the middle of two other wolves was exhilarating. I realized soon that we complemented each other; my wolf’s brilliant white fur beside Clive’s honey-comb shaded wolf and Archer’s coat of pale gray and silver. We made quite a team. First, Archer challenged me to catch a rabbit, which were relatively plentiful in these forests. They followed me as I used my sense of smell and hearing to find a target. Then, when sniffed out a rabbit foraging under a tree. We all awaited amongst the brush in various positions. I had to silently creep closer to the small white animal. When I was close enough without it sensing me, I shot out of the cover like a bullet, front paws extended. I pinned it in place, claws snagging on it neck, slicing it. It died instantly. I carried it back in my fangs.

“You did it Vera!” Clive hurrahed me supportively, making me bare my wolf teeth in a grin. The rabbit dropped to the ground.

“Well done,” Archer added, in a silky smooth inner voice.

“Thanks to the both of you,” I said gratefully.

“What do you all say we have a race?” Clive asked. “Bonus for whoever can stop for a hunt and still win.”

Surprisingly, Archer jumped in, “You’re on.”

I rolled my eyes this time. Here was go again. But honestly, it sounded fun. “I’ll beat both your asses.”

They both stared at me in surprise, before bursting out laughing. Affronted, I flew forward with a headstart, letting them laugh at me. “You snooze, you lose,” I called out with a mental cackle.

“Not fair, Vera!” Clive sad, zooming to catch up.

We continued racing through the evening, catching any game we found on the way. I was so happy I could go longer on runs without passing out. With the sun setting and bellies full, we decided to turn back.

Night had long past fallen by the time I got home. I barely passed the front hall before Dane’s voice nearly brought down the house. “Where the hell have you been?” A rough hand grabbed the top of my arm tightly, yanking me in through the doorway. Dane stood with a red face that didn’t suit his slicked-back graying hair. A bottle sat on the coffee table. He was drinking again.

“You think just because you got your wolf you can flounce around as you please? Look at this house, look at this mess!” The room truly was worse for wear. With wolves coming in and out all day, it was hard to leave anything in place. Pillows were askew, wrappers on the floor, crumbs on the dining table, the kitchen its own can of worms.

“I have the right to train as needed,” I defended myself.

He barked out a laugh. “Tell me, why the fuck am I letting you stay here if you’re not doing shit?”

I was silent for a moment. Then, “How about I move into the barracks then?”

I didn’t see the slap, I felt it, the sting flaming my right cheek. “You’ve got a lot of nerve, young lady. Maybe it’s time we went to more… classic disciplinary action.”

Grabbing my hair, which was becoming a usual, he dragged me out the room. I stumbled after him, hands on his wrist trying to lessen his grip. When he finally stopped, we were at the narrow door at the back of the house, the one that led to the basement. He opened it, revealing stairs leading to darkness. “Have fun down there,” he curled his upper lip in pleasure at my pain. Then, hand splayed on my back, he pushed, and I tumbled down into the pitch black, musty area. I was glad I still had air to breathe, with the windows shut for who-knows-how-long.

On the third day of my “imprisonment” for lack of better words, I started to lose it. Not mentally, but physically. A deep, growing hunger moaned in the recesses of my stomach and my entire body felt weak. I realized the downside to being stronger. After eating more and gaining muscle, my metabolism had increased. So now, not eating for three days felt like two weeks. Before, this was nothings. Another thing was that I had gotten used to comfort. It’d been a while since I was locked up anywhere. Mentally, I didn’t mind, but where it provided solace in the past, it now made me lonely and miss my new friends. Thelma was sure to have known what happened to me, but I wondered if Archer or Clive noticed I was gone or asked about me. Surely, they must have, right?

Funnily enough, I found myself wishing Archer would break in and deliver food. The basement did have dusty windows at the top, but I didn’t want him to risk himself with Dane. Besides, I would be out of this hellhole pack soon enough, free to roam with Archer. I could be patient.

With thoughts of future hope and my friends surrounding my, I snuggled under the dusty old coat, falling asleep to escape the hunger.

Lycan

The moon outside beckoned to the ancient wolf within the feeble girl’s body. She required sustenance. It took over, shaking out its white mane. Looking up to one of the windows, the majestic body leaped, crashing through, uncaring if any measly human heard the glass shatter. Upon land once more, the large, shimmering silvery creature bounded to the woodlands.

A howl broke through the silence. The Lycan’s ears perked up, its wise knowledge picking up on who exactly it was. It ran passed trees and jumped over brush to reach the source. In a familiar clearing, the Lycan came upon the dark gray wolf, nearly black under the cover of night. The silver eyes of Archer’s wolf, the girl’s friend and secret enemy, stared in veneration.

“It is I, the Lycan. Vera is in slumber,” the Lycan’s voice echoed through Archer’s mind.

“How is she? Is she alright?”

“She will be. I have set out to hunt and feed for her recovery. I invite you to come with me.”

Bobbing his head in acceptance, Archer followed the Lycan on an intoxicating run, one faster and more magical than any Archer had ever been on. He could barely keep up, and could only stare as the Lycan pounced upon deer and wild hares and squirrels alike. The Lycan seeemd to vault through the air, its pace making him lose track several times.

Upon having their fill, the two stopped back at the clearing. Before they could part ways, Archer spoke, I’ll be right back, please wait here.

Soon Archer returned, in his maws a bunch of wildflowers of scarlet and white torn from the earth.

Please, give these to her. I want her to know I thought of her.

I see you have strong feelings for the lady. It’s only for that reason, that I know you are not fully against her, that I am allowing to you live and stay by her side.

The gray wolf’s head bowed in respect and humility. I understand, thank you.

Task fulfilled, the eminent Lycan turned and galloped back to the Alpha’s home.

Vera

The cold stone ground is the first thing I feel when I awake. I was sprawled across the floor, my side aching from laying on it. It was cold, and realized the old coat wasn’t on me. It was thrown off to the side. I got up, m joints aching - but something was different. My hunger; it was gone. The weakness in my muscles was completely gone, as though I had been eating regular meals everyday now. The basement was much colder now because of a draft coming from somewhere.

Looking up, I noticed one of the wide windows at the top was completed shattered as if something large and powerful ran into it head-first. The early morning chill seeped in, making me quiver.

Something else was out of place. In the dim light, I caught sight of a scattering of flowers, still fresh and attached to long stems that seemed to have been pulled from the root. It was a primitive bouquet of sorts, a combination of red and white flowers - were those tulips? I wasn’t sure, but I think I recognized them. Thelma would knew for certain; her father was into gardening.

A squeeze jolted me out of my thoughts. The door! It slammed slightly against the wall and steps echoed from the stairs. Grant appeared from the doorway, holding a flash light in the darkness. Her red lips were in a thin line, and her eyes seemed more tired than usual.

“I told grandfather that my laundry wouldn’t do itself,” she said abruptly, her words flat. I didn’t know if I was delusional, but it seemed I had cracked into Grant soft side. Slightly. She’d convinced Dane to let me out earlier than he probably would have.

I let out a breathless laugh. “Sure, Grant. I’ve missed doing laundry.”

Grant rolled her eyes, then shivered. “Ugh, why is it so cold down here. Hurry up and get out,” she complained, grimacing

I pick up the flowers and followed her out.

After taking out the dried laundry, I hauled the basket up to my room to fold in record speed. My limbs were still a little weak from disuse, but it wasn’t too bad. Halfway through, a knock sounded on my bedroom door. It was Thelma.

Her small body bulldozed into me. “I missed you so much,” she gushed. “I’m so sorry couldn’t be here for you. Everyone was asking about you.”

“Everyone?” I questioned dubiously.

She looked to the side. “Well, Archer and Clive.”

I laughed, genuinely happy. “That’s everyone.” It felt good to have people worry about me or miss me. Gaze landing on the flowers I’d put in a vase on my dresser, I said, “Oh! Thelma, do you know what these are?” I gestured to them.

Stepping closer, she took just one look and seemed to know already. “These are tulips. They’re pretty common in the area. My dad loves them. Hmm, what a weird combo, though....”

“Oh, how so?”

“Well, red tulips symbolize love and passion while white tulips are used when someone what to ask for forgiveness.”

Who could have given them to me?