Chapter 1 ARIA
Aria’s POV.
“You are nothing!”
Smack!
“You will always be nothing!”
Smack!!
“Bottom of the food chain, that’s all you’ll ever be. You’re just here to satisfy me—don’t you ever get ideas.”
Smack! Smack!! Smack!!!
“Now get on your knees and strip!”
All I could hear was the ringing in my ears. My body had reached its limit, pain thrumming in every nerve. Fear or not, I couldn’t move.
The stench of sweat and whiskey clung to his breath as he leaned closer. His nails bit into my chin, forcing my head up. My pulse hammered in my skull like a drum. I wanted to spit in his face, but my body refused to obey. Fear, pain, exhaustion, they all blurred together.
“Don’t you hear me, bitch?”
Smack! Smack!! Smack!!!
I stayed limp, unresponsive.
“Why do you always have to test me, huh? Why won’t you just listen?”
I stared at nothing, numb.
“You think you’re just going to keep ignoring me?! I’ve had enough of this shit. Malrik!”
He came rushing in immediately.
“Drag this bitch out. Put her in the cells. No food till I say so.”
“Yes, sir.”
“And don’t get her filthy blood on my rug. That’s real wolf skin,” he added smugly.
“Yes, sir.”
A rough hand tangled in my hair, yanking my head back. Here we go again…
\---
My eyes shot open.
It took me a full minute to realize I was awake. My claws weren’t out and there was no cell. Just my bedroom. Just the soft hum of the AC and Nyra’s low voice in the back of my mind.
“You’re safe. Breathe.”
I curled my knees to my chest and pressed my palms to my eyes until the tremors eased.
My lungs dragged in air like I’d been drowning. Another nightmare. Just what I needed.
The sheets clung to my skin, soaked in sweat. I glanced at the AC it hummed, working fine. No excuse. The glowing red of my alarm clock read 4:13 a.m. Well, shit. Guess it was an early morning.
I shoved the covers back, padded into the bathroom, and twisted the shower cold. Water sluiced over me, shocking, grounding. When I stepped out, I didn’t bother dressing. I’d planned a run anyway, and I couldn’t afford to ruin more clothes. A ponytail would do.
“We should eat something first. I’m starving.”
“Running on a full stomach isn’t ideal, Nyra. And where the hell would we find food at five in the morning?”
“You have a kitchen. You could whip something up.”
We both cracked up. I couldn’t cook for shit, and she knew it.
Nyra was my wolf. My anchor. My partner. The best damn thing in this messed-up world. Without her, I’d be gone a long time ago.
I grabbed an apple, bit it down to the core on my way to the front door, tossed the rind in the trash, and stepped outside. A wave of cold air slapped my face. Now that was what I needed.
“You ready, girl?” I asked.
“You know I am,” Nyra purred, smirking in my head.
I let go. Let her in. My body rippled, broke, and reformed in seconds.
My bones cracked and slid like puzzle pieces finding their place. The change burned, but it was a welcome burn, a release. Fur rippled down my arms, my senses sharpened, every sound in the forest rising to a symphony. The night air tasted like pine and frost, like freedom.
Black fur shimmered into being, sleek and small. Omegas weren’t built for combat, but speed? That was mine.
Paws hit the earth, and I shot forward, tearing into the trees. The forest welcomed me like an old friend, shadows parting around me, the wind in my fur.
This.., this was freedom.
And it was the only thing keeping me sane.
What a beautiful way to begin my day.