Chapter 31
Chapter 31
Chapter 31
Rhea
It’s late when I reach home; when I do, my family’s waiting for me.
It feels like an ambush.
My brother stands by the wall next to the kitchen while my father is in front of him in the hallway. My mother is near the couch. The air between the three is thick with tension, one that becomes darker and heavier upon my arrival. It’s so strong, and not only the air but the silence is, too.
I take another step in, curious to know if I have done something or if I’m in any trouble.
My brother steps away from the wall and walks ahead.
“Luke,” Mom takes his name in a warning tone. “We’ll talk about this-”
He cuts her off, “Now!”
I step forward, brows furrowing, “What do y
want to talk about?”
I look to my father and then to my mother for guidance, but their expressions mirror my confusion. Before I can ponder what it is further, Luke approaches me and gives his head a shake, a disappointed shake.
“You really think you can become anything? You’re nothing but a runt. And you will always remain that. No matter what you do or what-”
“Luke,” Mom scowls, eyes widening with a warning, but it doesn’t hinder his anger. She nears him and grabs his arm.
But he still manages to spit out what he wants to say, “You’ll always be a filthy runt.”
“Stop it, Luke.”
“I don’t want to see her there, Mom,” He snaps at her, his piercing gaze away from mine now. “Everyone’s talking about it. Everyone knows that she’s my fucking sister. It’s embarrassing, and it’s disgusting-”
“Talking about what?” I enquire, although I’ve got an inkling of what it could be. I hoped I was wrong, that it wouldn’t mean what I think it does.
ve got reach m
But Luke only snarls, and tries to take another step to reach me.
I back away, my heart thudding, fear rising within me.
He turns to face my mom. “Tell her to stop going there.”
“She works there.”
“If this is about the training, the Alpha allowed me to train. He permitted me to be in the training grounds,” I state, as clearly as possible, not wishing to create a scene, not wanting this to escalate further. “But it’s only until the holidays are over, and then I’ll be gone.”
“This is not about the fucking training,” Luke snaps at me, raising his voice.
It’s a side of him I don’t see, I haven’t seen–maybe in my nightmares.
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14:02 Sat, 12 Apr 糖
Chapter 31
“Just stay fucking home, whore.”
What?
89%
My hand reaches my chest as I take a cautious step back. Silence drops down upon the room as I hear my mom’s stuttered breath and her attempt to control him.
“What are you talking about?” My voice wavers as I peer back at Luke.
Something about his features tells me he won’t soften his words.
“Don’t make me repeat it, whore. I said, you fucking stay home. Don’t show your face around. Everyone knows what a runt, a fucking whore you are. You’ll bring us all shame if you don’t stop now.”
Mom looks absolutely aghast. She glances over at me. Her face softens with pain and worry. But not for me. It’s for him.
“What are you talking about?” I repeat, unable to wrap my head around this. It’s not about the training. What is it about then?
Ezra?
“There are rumors of you whoring
men from other packs.”
Self out,” Luke admits while looking right at my face, his voice stern. “To fucking
I blink away the dryness from my eyes. “Wh–What?”
Luke lets out a deep, aggravated sigh and rolls his eyes in irritation.
“Don’t act so stupid,” His gaze squints, “Everyone knows about it—”
“No, no, they aren’t true. They aren’t,” I shake my head, “I’m not doing anything of that sort. I’m not doing anything. You have to believe me. I’ve done nothing wrong.” I say, aware of the hitch in my voice, while I look at my parents and then back at my brother, who doesn’t believe a single word that’s coming out of me.
“These rumors must’ve started for a reason. They didn’t come out of nowhere.” My mom grabs my arm and pulls me.
I look at her, and my lips part, “No, Mom. I’ve done nothing.”
“Oh, look at her. Acting all so fucking saint!”
Something inside me snaps when Luke says that. He grabs his head and takes a round around the house. I pull my arm away from my Mom and turn to him instead.
“I’ve done nothing wrong. And I can only guess that Ezra is behind all this—”
“Shut the hell up.”
“Do you even have any idea what he has done to me? No, you don’t. Because all you care about is jumping around your tail, acting like the big wolf, and trying to prove something to no one,” My emotions don’t seem to pause or stop for even a moment. “He’s trying to ruin my life-”
“Oh, stop making up stories,” Luke nears me in a hurry and then shoves his finger in my face. “He didn’t say anything to me. Why the fuck would he even say anything about you to me? Nobody fucking cares about you, Rhea. You’re a fucking runt.”
He looks like he wants to shove his claws into my gut or a knife up my throat. This never used to be like this. I do not ever remember such rage between us, not as children, at least.
He comes at me with a slow caution, getting close to my face and leaving little less than a few inches between us.
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14:02 Sat, 12 Apr
Chapter 31
“I didn’t do anything.” I say, my voice lowered.
“So you didn’t offer yourself up to the Alpha of BloodClaws?”
89%1
When that question is asked, the quietness is absolute. It leaves me a little disturbed and bewildered by what is happening.
1-1–I shake my head, trying to find words to explain myself.
“Oh my God!” Mom breathes out.
“No, I didn’t-
“Go to your room, Rhea. Please.”
“Mom-
“Go. Now!”
I step back from Luke and bring my gaze to my mother, but she turns away. My heart falls, becoming heavy with the pain. But I do as she says. I go to my room.
I try to understand and make sense of this, but I can’t. I haven’t done anything. I haven’t done anything at all. And maybe I should tell Mom what exactly happened. She might–no-
I can’t tell anyone anything.
But who would start a rumor?
Catelyn?
