ent W

Years

ane'

illow littere

ons that always appear in the unguarded realms of slumber. I whip t

letely alert, drowning in adrenaline. I feel exactly as I did five years ago,

water to burst from the showerhead. I strip frantically, leaving my nightc

eed the heat, I need it to wash away the feeling of Mordred's hands on my body. I grab a sha

feels so real, as if the past five years were the dream, and this the reality. With one horrific act, Mo

ears me open. I can see his wolf glowing in his eyes; suffering his claws

t what we truly are, there is no telling the cruelty he'll inflict. It's a well-kept secret in the border country that Damien will pay anyo

that he would find some other way to exploit us. He would be

ew hiding places for the opulent spheres. The pearls my nightmares produce have kept a roof over our head and food on our table ever since we left

. Instead Mom immediately removed us from the house, rising from her sick

es, he wouldn't have needed to touch me. If she'd had a way to kill him, I'm certain she would have. Instea

dred into our lives, not for his violence. He was the only one to blame

s of malaise and exhaustion, to chronic, debilitating impairment. So now it is my turn to keep us go

_____

steps

n her from afar a few times over the years but our paths rarely cross, as s

flaunt their luxury cars and high end fashions, all the while wondering whether we'll be able to afford to eat

d her, keeping the staff I use to aid

he nickname could stay. You know, for old times sake?" I don't respond. "No?

suspected Nerissa knew, she certainly hinted at it after catching me putting

s having a talent competition in a few days, and the winner gets

y baffle

e word out into a whine.

s going? "Th

years old and this is my chance to catch his eye." She's practically bounc

Alpha's heir. I know you like him, but he could hurt you. It isn't safe." I don't know why I care. I don't have a single

nt to hear it fish girl." She counters. "Y

is relevant to any of this." I remar

ming now, "you're go

is hidden behind my sung

rule every now and then." Nerissa groans

get in trouble." Where I come fr

get away from her. She gives me a little tug, urging me to walk with her. "It's good you want to avoid that." She co

n't!" I

warns me, "

______

blinding. I fidget with my nautilus necklace, nervously squinting towards the audience. I may be

o the one Nerissa is holding in my hands. The onl

ysically. He's tall and muscular, with dark skin and striking blue eyes. Tattoos peek out of his collar and shirtsleeves, a scar runs through his left

rissa he's a criminal – he's been apprehended by the pack enforcers dozens of times for viola

y mouth so the sound is not picked up by the sensitive technology. I'm so anxious I almost

o the music. The ethereal melody holds the audience in a trance, and for a moment I'm a

what you get for mistreating us. I think bitterly. Every eye in th

save

nstead the future Alpha is scanning the auditorium, almost looking as though he is scentin

feel a strange prickling on the back of my neck. I shut the microphone off and spin around just in

o find myself cornered against the back wall. Sharp white teeth