Bonnie
I wake up with a thick layer of sweat covering my entire body while I struggle to catch my breath. It's not often that my father's abuse finds its way into my dreams, but when it does, it's hell. It's usually the worst kind of beating that haunts my nights and, after the beatings that I received Tuesday night, I'm not surprised that I'm dreaming about it. I have for the last two nights and I don't see it stopping any time soon.
Yes, you heard me right. I said beatings, as in more than one. You see, I knew and had accepted that I would be punished after school. One because my dad hadn't finished with me in the morning before Alpha Mind linked him and two because I sneaked out for school without saying a word. I knew that it would make my dad even worse, but I just needed to get away.
However, what I wasn't expecting was the kind of revenge he would get on me. Physical or mental abuse along with starvation and taking away my clothes were standard practice for my dad, but this time he decided to tell my brother about me 'blaming him' and, in turn, that led to me not only getting a beating from my dad but also my brother and, I'll be honest, for a moment back there, I didn't think I was going to survive that night, but sadly I did.
I winch as I sit up while holding onto my side. I've had broken ribs before, but this is honestly the worst. I think my good old asshole of a brother got more than one. How f*****g nice of him! If having broken ribs wasn't bad enough, another part of my punishment was losing access to my bed, so I had to sleep on my floor with one single sheet.
A loud bang on my door makes me jerk and whine from the pain "Mutt, you had better be awake!" My dad's voice bellows through the door. "I'm awake sir," I call back. Yes, another thing I'm not allowed to do is call him dad in the house. When we're around company, then I must, but otherwise it's sir or master. "You had better be downstairs in the next five minutes to make breakfast, or so help me, I will have your brother deal with you. I don't have time to beat your ass this morning." I look at the old alarm clock that's sitting on my window and groan when I see it's only 4.30 am. f**k my life.
I've barely slept, and it takes all I have to get up off of the floor, but I do it and get myself downstairs to make breakfast. Soon enough, I have made a stack of pancakes and added bowls of fruit and a bottle of syrup to the table alongside bacon and eggs. "Is this all there is? Not much of a spread considering we have to travel for six hours."
It's the day of the ball and I know that he's expecting a good breakfast to fill them before all the traveling, but this is the best I can manage right now, and I was praying that it would be enough. How dumb of me. "I'm sorry sir. Is there something else I can get you?" Before he can answer, both Blue and Rowan come strutting into the kitchen, both dressed to impress and looking smug about it. Rowan is dressed in a black suit with a white shirt underneath his suit jacket and shining black shoes. His hair is gelled to perfection and the waft of aftershave that fills the room makes me wonder if he even has any left anymore.
Blue is dressed in a skin-tight blue dress that leaves no room for the imagination. Her long blonde hair is straight and stops just below her shoulders while she wears high heels on her feet and a s**t load of makeup on her face. I know there will be a ball tonight, but I didn't think that she would be dressing for it already. Surely she would want to get ready there? Either way, she looks like she's heading for a nightclub, not a mating ball.
Blue and I are non-identical twins and, whereas I have many faults, she is beautiful, which just makes it even more of a shame that she's such a giant b***h. If she had the personality to match her looks, she would make someone an incredible mate. As it stands, I can barely stand to be around her for long. She hasn't met her mate yet, but when she does... boy will I feel sorry for him, whoever he may be. He would be better off not meeting her ever, rather than having her as a mate. However, knowing how good her luck always seems to be, I don't doubt that she'll end up with an incredible mate who will just put up with her bullshit. Poor guy.
"Hello!" My dad's bellowing voice drags me from my wandering mind and back into my shitty present. "Sorry, sir. I got distracted for a moment there." He walks across the room until he's standing right in front of me, then leans down until his face is right in front of mine. He's so close that I can feel his breath on my face and I want to gag, but thankfully, I hold it in. "That's the second time this morning I have had to shout at you. Just thank your lucky stars that I need to keep your face clean for tonight, or you would be getting the slap that you deserve right now."
I nod but don't speak as he turns and walks away. He walks around the table and sits at the head while keeping his eyes on me. "Don't worry, mutt, I won't forget about it. When we get back from the ball, you will be punished accordingly. Now, how about you get breakfast served before you get the packing done so we can leave? And who knows, maybe you'll get it done right the first time and I won't have to add any more punishment." At his words, both Rowan and Blue start laughing because they know the truth. They both know that no matter how I pack everything that is needed, no matter how high my standard will be when I pack, somehow my father will find a fault and another punishment will be added to the stack.
"Oh and, in case you didn't already know, you won't be joining us for breakfast this morning." I had already guessed that it would be part of my punishment, which, of course, is why I just so happened to wake up hungry, but as much as my stomach is growling for food, missing breakfast or any meal is not uncommon for me, and I've learned to handle it, so today won't be any different.
Soon enough, I cleaned up, put everything away from breakfast and packed everyone's night bags. If packs live fairly local to the pack that is hosting the Blue Moon Ball, then they will head home after the ball, but the ones who live too far will stay overnight and attend breakfast the next day before leaving to travel home. Some will stay at the pack house or on the parklands while others will stay at local hotels or a place of their choosing. Our pack has recently become allies with the Diamond Pack and so, because of this, we have been invited to stay at the pack house.
"We will be leaving in 5 minutes!" My dad bellows up the stairs. I quickly double-check my bag to make sure that I have everything before we head out. What none of my family knows is that I don't plan on returning with them after the ball. Both Lily and I have come up with a plan and that plan involves us leaving the Diamond Pack in the middle of the night and running with all we have. Luckily for me, I don't have much, barely anything, so even with packing some clothes and a few personal items, including a picture of my mom, I can still fit them into an overnight bag and no one is any the wiser.
As we step outside to get into my dad's SUV, I see Lily and her dad leaving their own house and heading for their car. She looks across at me and I see that look in her eyes. She is packed and ready for this just as much as me. As we set off for the Diamond Pack, I look around for the last time at my pack and I realize that I'm not even sad to leave. I won't miss anyone or anything about this place. Yes, there are some nice people here, but not nice enough to make me stay. I try not to show any emotion, but inside I'm bursting with excitement at the idea of never having to come back here, to finally be free just me and Lilly. Finally, free and away from the pain that is my family.
Aksara