Chapter 3

LORETTA'S POV.

No one was ready to lend me some money for my grandmother's treatment, no matter how hard I begged. Desperately.

Those who offered their help, wanted something in return, and that, I couldn't give.

I couldn't trade my pride as a woman because of money, so I declined their offer, causing them to sneer at me.

 Four hours had gone by, yet I couldn't get even three thousand dollars.

Tears welled up in the corner of my eyes once again.

My mind suddenly wandered to my father, maybe, just maybe, he would help if I begged him.

“ I really hope he helps with the bills.” I muttered and dragged my feet down the lonely street.

The cloud was covered with rain and the sky rumbled with thunderstorms, but my mind was too cloudy to even notice that it was about to pour.

I haven't even gotten close to the house, when the rain began to pour heavily, drenching me from the top of my head to the sole of my feet.

The rain pouring down on me was nothing compared to the pain, the anguish and heartbreak I was feeling inside of me.

I was helpless once again.

Just like always.

If I can't save my grandmother, I would probably hate myself for being worthless.

“ Isn't it better to be dead than being worthless?” My inner mind said to me, as I dragged my feet down the road.

The rain wasn't helping matters, as it kept pouring without signs of stopping anytime soon.

My mind went around and around in an endless loop, as I sucked in a large amount of breath.

And after walking for what seems like forever, I finally got home, but unfortunately, I was locked out.

My stepmother and Rosé didn't want me back home.

I knew locking me out of the house was on purpose, but I was too consumed with the current situation of my grandma's condition, to even think about them.

“ Father! Father! Please open the door!” 

I banged on the door, but there was no answer.

I was sure my face had already turned pale and my lips purple due to the heavy rain pour, but I didn't mind it.

I was shivering inside of me due to the cold, but I was too overwhelmed by the condition of my grandmother, to even think straight.

If I slack off even for a second, she would join my mother on the other side of the dead, and I didn't want that.

She was all I have left, since my father already chose my stepmother and her daughter over me and my grandmother, seventeen years ago.

“ Father! Please save grandma! She's dying!”

 I continued banging on the door with my fist, my lips shivering from the cold, and my body freezing.

One hour…..

Two hours…..

I continued banging on the door and the rain didn't do justice or even help, as it kept pouring violently.

Just when I thought of giving up, the door pushed open, revealing my stepmother and Rosé, as they took graceful steps towards me.

It was as if they were walking on a fucking Louis Vuitton walk show.

Smirk graced their lips, as they watched me with contempt and disdain.

“ I thought you were never returning. Too bad you've shown your ugly face again.” Rosé grimaced.

“ Please where is father?” I asked, my eyes clouded with desperation.

I had little to no time to banter words with them.

Ignoring the mother and daughter was the best option I could come up with, as I needed to save my strength to persuade my father into helping me with the bills.

“ And where do you think you're going?” 

My stepmother dragged me back roughly by the arm, her face etched with irritation and her teeth gritted.

“ I have no time please!” I tried to force myself out of her hold, but she tightened it.

“ Your father isn't at home.” She replied, a smirk dancing at the corner of her lips

I can't wait until he returns, my grandmother would be dead by then, so I inhaled before looking my stepmother directly in the eyes.

Something I have never tried to do in the past seventeen years.

“ Mother, please lend me $10,000, I will pay you back. My grandmother is dying.” I begged for the first time.

“ Oh wow, and you think I will lend you such a huge amount of money?” She cocked her brows, with mischievous intent in her eyes.

“ Please, I will do anything you want, just save my grandmother.” 

I begged, tears streaming down my eyes like the heavy rainfall.

“ Will you do anything?” 

Rosé asked, her hands folded under her breasts as she approached me with a sinister smile.

“ Yes, anything.” I sniffled.

“ Then agree to the marriage and get out of our lives.” 

She leaned closer, her face filled with hatred, and her eyes clouded with disdain.

“ I…I can't do that.” I swallowed, as the thought of getting married to the beast of Northern Pack, caused a shiver to run down my spine.

“ Well said then, your grandmother would join your dead mother soon, and mind you, her death would be on you.”

The mother and daughter laughed like manics, their eyes filled with ridicule.

They both turned around, ready to walk out on me, but I knew better than to let the opportunity slip from my grasp.

It didn't matter if I get married to the beast of Northern Pack, all that mattered was; paying up for my grandmother's surgery fees.

Only when she is healthy will I feel alive again.

“ I…will do it!” I voiced out, just before they could finally walk out on me.

“ You've made a good choice, Loretta, now go in, arrange your dirty belongings and prepare to leave this house and this pack, first thing tomorrow morning.” Rosé smirked at me.

“ What about my grandmother's fees for surgery?” I asked.

“ We will take care of her, so you don't have to worry.” They replied and flashed me one of their numerous pretentious smiles.

“ She's dying at the moment!” I couldn't help but shout.

“ I said we will take care of it!” Rosé yelled and kicked my stomach angrily, causing a yelp to escape my lips.

I groaned, rolling on my stomach, as I felt all my intestines twist in pain.

…..

Like they promised, they paid for my grandma's bills and the surgery started at once after the payment was deposited.

While the surgery was going on in the hospital, I returned home to prepare my luggage, ready to leave for my new home the next day.

    Morning came before I knew it and the Beta from Northern Pack came to pick me up.

I felt my stomach twist with dread, but I couldn't help it.

I had to keep to my end of the bargain, since my stepmother and stepsister kept to theirs.

“ You should be grateful he asked for your hand in marriage.” My father said to me, as I walked out of the house.

“ But I don't want to get married.” I muttered as tears threatened to leave my eyes.

“ You don't have a choice, do you?” My stepmother chirped in, and glared at me, urging me to leave with the Beta.

I chuckled bitterly at the thought of how eager they were to chase me out of the Dark Hallow pack, into the arms of a beast.

A beast who would stop at nothing to devour me.