\[Elise’s POV\]
As long as I could remember, I lived in a small town with a farming family. They were well known for taking in children who weren’t wanted in the orphanage, and although they had all the workers convinced they were these caring people who truly wanted to help the kids, they just wanted free farm hands.
Of course, I was chosen to be one of these free labor kids, and that’s how I found myself living with humans despite what I really was.
The first ten years with them weren’t so bad if I blocked out the beatings I received and the way the older kids used me as their scapegoat so that when they messed up, I would be the one who received punishment.
In the beginning, I thought if I simply remained quiet and did as I was told, they would forget I existed, but the more I did that, the more everyone decided to place the blame on me until I was locked away for being so disobedient.
I was left in a small cellar that reekedwreaked of piss and shit with a bucket to do my business and no light whatsoever. I don’t know exactly how long they left me down there before I was finally released and sent back to the fields to continue with my job like nothing ever happened.
It was after that that I decided not to expect anything from anyone. Even if my adoptive parents were strict, I thought that they cared enough about me to not want me to suffer. The joke was on me; I was more than wrong.
Ten years passed since that time, and I turned thirteen. By then, I was already planning my escape from the hell I was living in. Since hitting puberty, my body began to develop, and my older adoptive brothers didn’t miss each and every new curve that started to form on me. And they made sure every single day that I knew they were watching. How could I not? Those disgusting eyes following me each and every month still left me with the heebie jeebies.
When it turned from simple oggling to a few failed attempts at having their way with me, I knew I couldn’t stay any longer, especially since my adoptive parents pretended they didn’t see what those ass holes were doing.
It was on the night of the full moon that I planned my escape, but to my dismay, my brothers caught me before I could leave.
I’ll never forget that night for as long as I live. The way they held me down while I screamed and begged them to spare me while they ripped at my clothes and hair. If it weren’t for what happened after that, I don’t think I would have been lucky enough to escape their plans. But with luck, it was on that very night that I shifted for the first time.
Given everything that was already happening, I was scared as hell and felt out of control, but when I found myself in my wolf form, I felt powerful for the first time. That’s why I attacked those bastards, and I fully intended to kill them if my adoptive farmer didn’t shoot me.
I don’t know if it was the pain or the shock of all that was happening, but I shifted back after that and found myself being dragged to the shed behind the house, where I was locked away. And when the scent of gas hit me, I knew exactly what my adoptive father had planned.
Because the shed was so old, it went up in flames immediately, and I found myself fighting with everything I had to break through the thick wooden walls that were keeping me trapped while smoke burned in my lungs and flames pressed against my skin.
With luck, I managed to break free, and I ran as fast as I could, not even daring to look back. And when I finally stopped, I found myself in the city, where I struggled to survive by stealing food and clothes. But I stole from the wrong person, and that’s how I found myself among the mercenaries. They taught me everything I knew about fighting and would have become the family that I so desperately wanted if my heart wasn’t already frozen solid.
At least, that was what I thought until I found Alexander bloodied and broken in the rain. I don’t know what exactly spurred me to help him, but what I thought was finally a lucky break led to a tragic ending.
Now, I stare at my mother as all the memories of my past bubble up and erupt, playing one by one until I’m left with nothing.
“I’m sorry.” She whispers, reaching out in an attempt to touch me while I jerk back. “I’m so sorry you suffered so much. This is all…”
“YourYou’re fault?” I ask, not feeling sorry for her. “That’s exactly how you should feel. You abandoned your child and left her to go through absolute shit. Not just one fucking daughter, but both your daughters. What kind of mother does that?”
“One who wasn’t strong enough to do what was needed to protect her children.” My mother responds, not taking offense. “But please know that, at the time, I didn’t even know of your existence.”
Didn’t know of my existence. How the fuck did she not know that she was pregnant with twins and one of the fucking twins disappeared? Was she crazy or just a pathological liar?
“What?” I demand, unable to control the rage I feel. “Did you just think, wWhoops, I misplaced one of the twins? How the fuck can you say you didn’t know?”
For a moment, she doesn’t speak as she stares at me, her pity and sorrow evident in her eyes.
“Don’t look at me with those fucking eyes.” I growl. “I’m not going to suddenly forgive you and skip off into the sunset with you.”
Dammit. What a mess I got myself into! Here I was in gGoddess knowsknew where, arguing with the woman who gave birth to me, while William did, who knew what to try to save me. Was I really going to go out like this?
“Elise.”
My mother’s voice is stronger as she speaks, snapping me out of my head and back to the reality I’m facing.
“Please, listen to me.”
“Listen to you.” I say slowly, ready to explode again. “Why? So you can give me such a bullshit reason why you left me?”
“I didn’t know that you were alive.” She says softly. “When you and Denali were born, I was told that you died.”
Told that I died. Well, that was clearly a load of shit since I was standing here in front of her.
“And you want me to believe that?” I ask. “That’s the weakest excuse I’ve heard.”
“I’m telling the truth.” She argues, attempting to touch me again. “If you’ll just allow me to...”
“NO!” I scream, not wanting to hear her excuses. “I DON’T WANT TO HEAR WHAT YOU HAVE TO SAY! IN THE END, YOU LEFT ME!”
If she was led to believe I was dead, wouldn’t she insist on seeing a body and reports of my death? Why would she blindly believe it?
‘Because she was a victim just like you.’ Anna says quietly, taking her side. ‘All of you were.’
All of us. She was clearly referring to Denali as well. She too endured years of beatings and abuse because the woman who called herself our mother abandoned us.
“Proof,” I say slowly. “How do I get proof that you didn’t abandon me and truly believed that I was dead?”
“You survive and keep fighting.” She responds immediately. “Don’t let him win.”
“Him?” I repeat, raising a brow. “Are you referring to that bastard who helped make me?”
“That’s right.” She says sadly. “He was the one who made things how they are, and it is up to you and Denali to make things right.”