Chapter 2-The truth

Lauren’s POV

Filled with a burning hatred, my blood was boiling. All of the rebels will pay the price for this if it’s the last thing I do. 

Father’s head swayed in front of me, and it was too much to bear. I couldn’t leave my father’s body; he didn’t deserve this humiliation after death. It was wrong on every level, but especially for the Alpha of our pack. 

Scaling the rafters, I untied the rope from which he was hanging and was just about to loosen the last strand when I heard voices not far from me. Peering from the elevated vantage point, the rebels were back. 

“It’s her!” I heard someone scream, and I knew they had found me! Jumping to the floor, my legs began to sprint, my adrenaline pumping as I rushed away from the enemies. 

Suddenly, a sharp pain jolted through my body. My knees buckled, and before I had time to react, I fell hard to the ground, the earth and sand covering my kneecaps. 

Hearing about such feelings before from other members of my pack, I wondered if this was the pain caused by my Shift. Was my wolf finally awakening??? 

Trying to pull myself up from the floor, it seemed that it was too late. Fighting back with all of the last strength and will inside of me, the enemy was too strong, and I was knocked to the ground again. 

Peering up toward the grey sky, my Uncle Jed cast an extra shadow as he stood above me. 

“Lock her up, Barnett, and leave her there,” Jed commanded his Beta, who instantly listened to his Alpha’s command. 

“Why don’t you just KILL ME!” I aggressively growled back at my uncle.

“I will. But not now. Your time will come, child,” Uncle Jed laughed contemptuously, snarling at me as the words dripped from his evil mouth. 

“Just tell me one thing. Why do it? Why betray the pack and your younger brother like this? We’re supposed to be blood…” questioning Uncle Jed, I even struggled to understand it all. 

“I’m the one that should have been in charge of the Crimson Moon Tribe, not your father. Anthony never deserved power or women,” Jed spat back. 

I looked at him bewildered, but he continued. 

“Your incompetent father never even knew about my affair with your mother, Alisa, his ‘beloved wife’. I’ve always been the strongest Alpha amongst the pack. The Crimson Moon Tribe is rightfully mine; it should belong to the Alpha above them all, me!” 

Oh, but revenge will be sweet, Uncle. My furious thoughts felt like a battle, but I knew this was what was needed. 

Before dragging me off to my lockup, my Uncle uttered one last sentence. 

“Remember to let her hand it over,” and with that, he was gone. 

Now in the cell, Barnett demanded I give him the bone whistle. Not knowing what he was talking about, I pleaded to know what it was. But Barnett looked at me in disdain, as if I was speaking lies, and raised the whip. I closed my eyes, ready to embrace the lashing. 

“Stop,” it was my mother’s voice. Looking up at her, my eyes filled with tears, yet she showed no signs of remorse. 

I thought she still loved me, but instead of showing me sympathy, she retrieved a small bottle from a necklace that hung around her neck. It was Wolfsbane to kill off my wolf and stop me from transforming. 

Giving me no option, she forcefully opened my mouth and shoved the bitter liquid down my throat. It burned my throat as it trickled down; its acidity stinging my insides.    

Coughing and sputtering, I was in terrible pain. But still, my mother showed no signs of regret and looked at me condescendingly. 

Grabbing the edges of her dress with trembling hands, I begged her to tell me why. 

“I’m your daughter, Mother. How can you do this to me?” A tear trickled from my cheek as I spoke. But she simply shook me off of her. 

“You’re a stain on my life, child, just like your useless father. Hand over the marriage token. Maybe I’ll save your life,” Alisa threatened. 

I had no idea what she was talking about, but my mother thought I was playing dumb. All at once, she violently started tearing at my collar, searching for the so-called ‘marriage token.’ 

“I swear to you I don’t have it,” pushing her away as I argued with her, but I had another realization as we struggled. “Where’s Teresa? What did you do to her???” 

Lifting my chin, my mother simply scoffed at me. 

“Ah, but you see. Your sister is different from you. You’re now the lowest she-wolf, Lauren. And listen carefully. Three days. That’s your option. Either hand over the bone whistle or follow the same ending as your stupid father!” 

“Wait! You haven’t told me why you cheated on Father! Jed is my uncle; he’s Father’s brother! How could you Mother…” 

“If it weren’t for your father abusing his power, I would have married my real mate, Jed. Your father ruined what little chances I ever had at happiness. Do you know what that’s like? To live all these years in a world of lies when my heart has always belonged to another?!” Her tone was full of hatred as she spoke. 

“But Mother…” I uttered. 

“But, nothing! I protected you as a child as a Mother Wolf should protect her cub. But you’re no longer a child. It’s time to grow up and face the truth, whatever the cost,” and with that she exited the cell, leaving me on the ground whimpering.