Anywhere but here.

Fiona's POV

I'm the most unlucky person in the world. 

That was all I could think about as I knelt on the ground cleaning the bathroom floor with a toothbrush. That was my stepmother's way of punishing me for waking up late even though I was sick. 

“Make it sparkle! I want to see my face in those tiles when you're done” My stepsister mocked me as she passed by the guest bathroom. I ignored her as I'd grown accustomed to the insults and unfair treatment I received in my own house. 

My back was sore and aching when I finally finished after hours of cleaning. My fever had gone up but of course, no one cared about that. I joined the rest of the family in the living room and sat down for lunch when my father snapped at me.

“What do you think you're doing?” His voice startled me.

“I-I want to eat…” 

“Then go to the kitchen and wait for the leftovers. Don't be greedy” I still found it hard to believe just how terribly my own father treated me, especially since he married my stepmother.

“But I'm sick, father,” I said with a chest-rattling cough at the end.

My father rose to his feet. His face was a mix of anger and annoyance.

“Maybe this illness will finally rid us of your bad luck. It's the least you deserve after killing your mother. Now get out!” 

I stood up weakly, hot tears making their way down my face. Maybe they were all right and I was unfortunate and unlucky. My mother had died when I was five because she'd gone out in a storm when I insisted on having a cake for my birthday. I was just a child but I'd carried that guilt with me my entire life. The constant reminder I got from everyone around me didn't help. 

I waited in the kitchen and I barely got any food after they were done eating. 

“Fiona, get a bag and go to the market. Here's a list of things you'll be getting and here's the money. Don't you dare lose it” my stepmother tossed a small piece of paper and a bundle of cash to me.

I could barely even walk, yet I was supposed to go to the market. I didn't bother protesting. Perhaps I'd go stand in front of a car so I could finally be released of my burden. 

I somehow managed to reach the market on foot. It was just 15 minutes away from my house. I kept pushing away the nausea I felt due to all the smells and the hot sun. While I was busy selecting some fruit at the stall, I suddenly heard people screaming and I saw them rubbing away but I couldn't understand what was happening. 

I saw a man running in my direction. He was going so fast I barely had time to react. He grabbed me as soon as he reached me and I screamed.

“Let go of me! Who are you?” 

The man simply sneered as she shone his sharp canines at me. My blood immediately ran cold. He was a werewolf. For years I'd heard about they're growing population but I'd never actually encountered one since I was always in the house. 

“Please don't hurt me”

“Shut up” He growled at me.

Just then, I saw another person approaching us. The man was tall and very clearly muscular. He had a calm expression on his face as he stalked towards me and the werewolf holding me hostage. 

“Take a step back unless you want humans getting hurt” My kidnapper yelled. His voice was shaky, he was scared of this man.

“You're pathetic,” The man said as he continued to come closer. His aura was so strong and overpowering, I found myself transfixed by him. 

The werewolf bared his fangs towards my neck, threatening to end my life but the man didn't seem to care. 

“If you kill her, you'll have nothing standing between me and you, then you'll run but I'll catch you. Then I'll sever your head. I gave you rogues a chance to leave. This is your punishment for refusing” 

I was still processing what he'd said when he dashed towards the other man. I heard a sickening crack and in the blink of an eye, his head was staring at me on the ground. That was enough to make me puke my guts out. I fell to the ground as I barged out what little I had in my tummy. 

The man lowered himself to the ground and stared at me. His eyes were golden, unlike anything I'd ever seen before. I knew he was a werewolf too. There were people gathered around us but I didn't notice them.

“Are you okay?” He asked me.

I nodded my head slightly but I only felt more dizzy. I knew I'd already spent too much time outside. If I didn't return soon, I would be the one getting beheaded by my stepmother. 

“T-thank you” I managed to say and rose to my feet, picking up my bag of groceries with me. 

“You don't seem well” 

“I'm fine please,” I said before I bolted out of there without giving him a chance to speak 

When I got back, My stepmother and Stepsister, Unice were seated in the living room and I just knew they'd been waiting for me.

“There she is mother” Unice pointed at me. She was almost five years younger than me but she had no respect whatsoever.

“I sent you to the market and you went to see a man?!” Stepmother thundered.

“I… what?” my head was spinning in all directions by then.

“I saw you in the market with that man who was holding you. You're so shameless” 

“That's not what happened” I replied weakly but my stepmother had already risen to her feet. It was then I noticed the belt she had in her hand.

“No, please!” I begged and cried but she didn't listen as the belt continued to hit my skin. I didn't know how long it lasted before I finally passed out.

When I woke up, I was still on the floor in the exact same place I'd been when my stepmother decided to whip me. My body was sore and hot enough to boil water. I could barely move and I felt pain every time I moved to check the marks on my battered body. 

“Oh, you're awake. Good, we'll be having a guest coming tonight” My father's voice brought me back to reality as he sat at the dining table holding a newspaper.

“You're of no use in this house and I have debts so I've decided to use you to pay back” He spoke so nonchalantly that it took me a few seconds to process what he was saying. 

“What? What do you mean?”

“I sold you to the Alpha King”