LLE'

nd stained with blood. Ash and dust clung to my battered body, while torn clothing and bloodied jeans adorne

er asked, concern evident in his

se myself. "I am alright," I finally managed to croak, my voice fi

don't need help? Are you hurt?" he continued to probe. It was out of genuine worry. I

hiking. I am

u want to go

ay," I r

sing that ro

immediately climbing in

e. My months at the Dumont house had made me understand why my adopted father had pushed me away. To keep his family safe. S

ered a sense of comfort against the chilling evening air. The driver glanced at me once more, con

onal whir of passing headlights. I could feel the weight of exhaustion pulling at my eyelids, but I r

When my father realized I was missing, the Gallagher hous

rget my family and everything and start afresh. I still had money the Gallaghers prepare

ver glanced at me. I noticed hi

e finally spoke, br

where my grandmother lives. Haven't visited her in a long time," I

glowed in the midst of all that blood, rubble and flames. I was convinced I had been born an omega as I couldn't regenerate or shift into my wo

ve me wouldn't help either. The la

to stay connected with family," he said gently. "

kitchen, the warmth of my adoptive father's embrace when I returned home, and the sound of our laughter, which annoyed our neighbours by the way, ec

whispered, more to

s of Marblefay. The driver slowed down and pulled up to the side of

illed with gratitude. "Thank you, r

rself, alright? And next time you go hiking, take

he truck, waving at him as he turned his tru

. I resumed my journey in solitary, my ste

ess was

nce and a smile crept up my mouth. My tired le

my home and pounding on the door relentlessly. It was the only sound t

, tears clouding my eyes because I ho

gotten about me. I hope

ch the door, and I heard the latch being undone. Hope surged wit

n, instead of my parents, my unc

d me he was going to swing it and that expression s

anded, his fist grabbing onto the bat so

ked, pushing past him and not cari

all I cared, he was just fami

now her. She was introverted and made no effort to come to family g

so. So the words just glided out of my mouth softly as I avoided he

!" My uncle's words ec

It was just hard to process what he was saying. It sure

universe would make it happen. "You're lying," I repeated for good measure. If I said it enough, pe

ere killed like animals be

retorted, horrified by

had in its place was a numbing emptiness. I replayed the moment I l

d his wife. But had it really been for my sake? My knees bu

nse. Something told me he wasn't like his wife though. He detested my p

na of the Lily of the Valley

e was paying people I knew a visit. Flashes of what the assassin said to

e past. But I am done talking about this with you. Unlike my brother, I cherish my blood. My true blo

s this way and if my presence here was going to bring

of the house with this cruel

cold to the touch too but it did not matte

essly wandered the streets, unsure

orld was crumbling around me.

Because if I had been there at the right time, I... The words formed a lump in my thro

ody or mind, whichever one died first, gave

ce called again wi

ically running towards me. Her worried

walking and w

t up to me, gas

s it?"

piece of paper. She handed it to me with comforting hand

ed. "It was addressed to you so I kept it. I figured you

other side. She was right. It was address

tried to force a smile.

and went

opened the note to read and though the former seemed to

as stronger as I smoothened the p

my own name at the top of the page

ammie,"

e hopes that one day you will re

dead. I do not want you to blame yourself. The fate that

ou, Camille. Something about how y

was there at your birth. While I still swore my oa

time and I was ordered to replace you with another child at the maternity centre and then kill y

power that is both beautiful and dangerous, a power that your maternal bloodline has hel

but I didn't put into considera

faile

ned, but you must find it in your heart to for

lle Gallagher. Even as I and y

life, Cammie. You've been de

h l

a

er written on the page. Not just because it hurt b

I deserved a b

to keep