Chapter 74 Her story
Aloria
The kids are being taken care of, but I feel that Daphne needs some peace an quiet right now. As I guide Daphne into a parlour, I feel a pulse of warmth from the flickering fire in the hearth, the familiar scent of chamomile and honey wafting through the air. “Come on, let’s sit. You look like you could use a cup of tea,” I say, my voice gentle but insistent.
Daphne hesitates for a moment, her eyes flickering to the door as if she’s contemplating whether to bolt or stay. I can’t blame her; the tension is palpable. But I want her to know she’s safe here. “I promise, it’ll help. Just for a moment.”
Finally, she nods, and we settle onto the soft cushions of the couch, the warmth enveloping us like a protective cocoon. I pour the steaming tea into two delicate cups, the aroma soothing my frazzled nerves. “Thank you,” she whispers, wrapping her hands around the cup, the heat radiating into her palms.
“Daphne,” I begin, keeping my voice low, “if it’s okay to ask, what happened with your mom? I know it must be painful so it is okay if you do not want to talk… but maybe it can help.”
She takes a deep breath, her gaze drifting to the window where the last rays of sunlight are fading into night. “It’s okay,” she replies, her voice trembling slightly. “It was ten years ago. I was only fourteen back then… a kid really, with big dreams.”
My heart sinks at the thought of her as a child, so vulnerable. “What happened?”
“I used to visit the pack quite often, I was friends with River… my mom had warned me but I did not believe her… I Saw the pack,as my friends.” Daphne’s gaze hardens, memories surfacing like dark clouds. “Three warriors from the pack followed me into the forest one day when I went to visit. I was just a girl who wanted to feel like I belonged somewhere.” Her voice breaks slightly, but she presses on. “They attacked me… they wanted to… to rape me.”
The pain in her eyes sends a shiver down my spine. She was just a kid… how Could they do that? I lean closer, urging her to continue. “What did you do?”
“I was so scared… thinking they would kill me,” she says, her voice barely above a whisper. “I didn’t know how to use my magic properly yet. I felt helpless. And then my mom showed up just in time.”
Tears well in her eyes, and I want to reach out and comfort her, but I can see she needs to tell this story fully. “But they had me,” she continues, her hands gripping the cup tightly. “They held me down, and they threatened her… She could not use her magic without risk of harming me… and her powers was more towards healing anyways.”
I nod, letting her continue her story. “My mother offered herself up to safe me.”
My stomach twists with nausea, the horror of her words sinking in. “What did they do?”
“They…” Her voice hitches, and she swallows hard, tears spilling over. “They raped my mom, forced me to watch. I was frozen in fear, unable to do anything… They said they would kill her if I moved. I did as they told me to, but when they were done with her, they killed her anyways.”
A wave of sickness washes over me, and I can’t help but cover my mouth with my hand, horrified. “Oh, Daphne… I’m so sorry,” I whisper, wishing I could turn back time and erase that nightmare from her past.
“And then,” she continues, her voice steadier now but laced with anger, “when they were about to come for me, River showed up.”
“River?” I echo, my heart racing at the mention of his name. “He saved you?”
“Yes,” she nods, her eyes shining with a mixture of gratitude and sorrow. “Even before he became Alpha, he fought them off. He didn’t care that they were pack members. He demanded their execution.”
I feel a swell of pride for him, even in the midst of this horror. “He did that?”
Daphne nods, her expression fierce. “He stood up for me, for my mom. He made sure those men would never hurt anyone again.”
I let out a shaky breath, the weight of her story heavy in the air between us. “I understand why you’ve stayed away from the pack,” I say softly, searching her eyes for understanding. “I can’t believe you had to go through all of that.”
“Trust me, it wasn’t easy,” she replies, her voice finally steadying. “Every time I thought about returning, the memories would come flooding back. I was terrified… I only trusted River.”
“But you’re here now,” I say, my heart swelling with admiration for her strength. “You fought through that darkness, and look at you… you’re still standing.”
Daphne meets my gaze, and for the first time, I see a flicker of hope in her eyes. “I don’t know if I can ever fully belong here. But… I want to try. I really do.”
I reach for her hand, squeezing it gently. “You’re not alone, Daphne. We’re all here for you. And together, we can face anything… you are always welcome here, and no one will hurt you.”
The fire crackles softly, and as we sit together, I feel the walls of her past beginning to crumble. The darkness that once held her captive is slowly being replaced by the light of newfound friendships.
She looks at me, a small smile breaking through her pain. “I like the sound of that.”
In that moment, I know we’ve taken a step toward healing, not just for Daphne but for all of us. The bond of the pack is strong, and together, we will overcome the shadows of the past.