Chapter Five

                                       Timika

I open my eyes. I realise how far I have come since that day!

For so long, I have wished I could just go home, go back to the life I had. But that life did not exist anymore. There would be no one. For long I had no idea where I fit in now. Would I just disintegrate into nothingness… just lose any purpose of life, my wolf side, would I even have a future? 

For the first time I feel like the anger has left me a little. Maybe it was finally crying, giving way to my emotions, or maybe it was the wish I just made. Either way, I feel like I can finally breathe again. 

In time Auntie Lilura and Uncle Garren made me realise there would still be more. I was not born simply to live on the run my whole life. 

Moon goddess had a destiny for me. And right now, I finally feel that maybe, just maybe one day I would have my life back.

I get up and make my way back to the little cottage. 

I have been living here with Uncle Garren and Auntie Lil for the past 8months. We will be moving again in 4months time, like we do every time we reach the 12month mark at our current hide-out. 

Uncle Garren and Auntie Lil have been my guardians since my Mum died, 6months after my dad’s murder. 

We all knew Dad’s murder was planned by Zuko. We all knew the man was not like the rest of us, but we treated him as part of the family. 

BIG MISTAKE!

Turns out, he had always hated Papa. He had been in love with my mother since they were in high school.

He had found his mate, but rejected, raped, and killed her. 

Why he hadn’t just let her go, and give her a chance at happiness after him, just shows how wicked he is!

No wonder Moon Goddess never gave him a Second Chance Mate.

After my father’s death, he had Uncle Garren and Auntie Lilura locked up in the dungeons. Claiming to the rest of the pack that they were behind my father’s death. Most people knew the truth, but with no proof, no one could do anything or take it to the Council. And everyone was too damn scared to say anything to provoke the maniac of a man who was now the self-proclaimed Alpha.

Luckily, Uncle Garren knew there was trouble the moment he realised Dad was gone. He arranged for Xander to go off and live with family in another pack. I have not seen Xan since the last day I spent with him after my 11th Birthday. I have missed him terribly. Sometimes I am scared time will have changed the bond we use to share.

I was locked up in my room for 6months! Not able to see Mama, only to hear her cries and screams!

I was only brought food and clean clothes by the Omegas. I could tell this was hard on the whole pack. The omegas avoided eye contact and they looked rattled and nervous all the time.

Zuko took my mother as his mate. He forcefully marked her! He raped her numerous times a day, he would beat, and abuse her mentally and physically when she would cry over my father. 

I heard all this happening, every day, for 6months! And I could do nothing! She was so close, yet so far. When I myself needed comfort, there was no one to comfort me, no one to wipe my tears or hold me in a loving hug. I had lost my dad and I had to hear how my mother was being abused daily.  

Something no child should have to experience repeatedly all by themselves.

Back then I wished I had my wolf to comfort me, and to at least have a companion.

But I was all alone. Only having to experience this hell because of a sick, twisted man. A man who only days ago we trusted. 

This made me hate all men!

How did we never notice this side to him? Just shows how someone can hide their true intentions for years.

Sometimes he would enter my room and just stare at me, with an expression I did not understand at the time. But it made me feel uncomfortable and like I wanted to hide from him. He would then just say…” Soon it will be your turn, little Princess. A young Imka” … referring to me as a younger version of my mother.

I hated him!

I will never trust any other man ever again!

Hearing what my mother was going through, because of a man who craved power and authority, I hated the idea!

I knew about sex back then, not all the details I know now. But hearing my mother’s screams while being abused, it changed me forever!

I will never want any of this! 

I now feared sex, I would never want it! The mere thought of it felt dirty and disgusting!

Some nights, he would be out late.

I could hear Mama try to sing to me. She was so weak.  Her once sweet voice was now hoarse and broken. She was breathless like she had trouble breathing, it broke my heart. I prayed the Moon Goddess would save Mama. I knew she was dying…

After 6 months, Mum’s body gave in. The loss of her mate, being abused and being kept from me, all became too much. She left this hell and joined Daddy. It felt like the last piece of my heart had broken, yet, I also felt relieved. 

Zuko had been out of town that night Mama died.

Auntie Lil appeared in my room, using magic. She told me that Mum had passed, and I needed to get my stuff. We only had a few minutes to spare.

I grabbed my most important belongings and a few clothing pieces. My mind was a mess. I struggled to focus, and my body felt heavy, my movements felt way too slow.

Uncle Garren unlocked my bedroom door from the outside. I rushed and hugged him.

As much as I hated men, his bear hug felt safe and comforting.

I almost had the urge to snuggle closer into his warmth and cry all the tears I’ve bottled up for all these months, but there was no time. We had to move! 

  

Then I made my way to the room next to mine.

 

There she was… Mama…

I gasped when I saw her!

Her body was thin and frail. Her always glowing skin was now pale, almost translucent. Her once crystal-green eyes were now a brownish-grey colour and her sandy blonde hair, were now a mousy brown shade. 

I kneeled next to her and kissed her forehead. I could still faintly smell her scent of sweet roses.  

“I’m so sorry Mama” I whispered. 

Seeing my tears drop silently onto her cheek.

“Go be with Daddy now. I love you Mama” I stroked her small face, while trying to copy her every detail to memory.

“Timika, we have to go, NOW!!!” Uncle Garren called out to me.

I nodded and kissed her cheek one last time. 

Leaving her body behind was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do!

The woman who prayed so hard to have me, who birthed me, raised me with so much love, who sang me to sleep and taught me how to sing and love music. She showed me all the beautiful things in life.

And now… she was gone.

I wiped my tears from my face, got up and ran to Uncle Garren. 

We got to an old car ,waiting outside. The three of us got inside, Auntie Lil cast a spell to make the entire car invisible, also masking our scents for 24hours. 

This gave us a chance to get away. 

I looked out the back-window of the car as we drove away. Taking a last look at the house I’ve grown up in, our pack house. The house that would be mine to have taken over one day.

I looked out to the garden as we made a turn. I saw the empty swing that hangs under the oak tree, a memory of Mommy swaying on it on my birthday returned. I looked at the old oak tree for a final second, the tree where so many memories have been made under. Tears fell silently downs my face. Completely heartbroken,  I wondered what life would be like now?

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

We have been in hiding ever since.

We stay off grit and usually find a little cottage situated between mountains or on farmland. We don’t have cell phones or anything that can be tracked. Uncle Garren calls Xander from pay-phones only once a month from the nearby town.

Zuko has sent out trackers numerous times. He wants me back, either to kill me, as the title is rightfully mine to take. Or he has some sick twisted plan for me. Either way, we are not taking any chances!

I have been home-schooled, which I will graduate in a few months. I find the schoolwork easy and have done a few grades in a shorter time.

I have no social life, and sometimes really wish I had a friend.

Uncle Garren started training me right when we got to our first hide-out.

I’m skilled at this and being of Alpha blood gives me a major upper hand. Uncle Garren says my small frame and size will have any opponent misjudging and underestimating me.

I am fast, precise, and I have more strength than one will ever think is packed in my tiny body. I love sparing, mixed Martial Arts, running and even boxing, I’m good at it too.   

I have changed my name to Kenzie Hart on my fake ID.  At first it was part of the cover. 

But now hearing my real name, burns emotions in me I have suppressed for so long!

That’s the name my parents gave me. I can’t stand to hear it, and not be from them! Not hearing their voices saying my name. It hurts too much!

Auntie Lil told me she would visit my Mum using magic, and teleporting to her during those 6months. This gave some comfort, to know she was supported to some extent. 

Mama knew she would die and had arranged with Aunt Lil to have everything taken care of, so my family funds would go to me once I turned 18.

So that was the plan. Once I turn 18years old, I would go to university, get a job, and lead my own life. 

We all knew that destiny would one day force me to go back for my pack and avenge my parents. I had to believe I was born for a reason. Papa believed it.  And when the time came I would do just that.

So, we agreed that I will have that time in-between to have a chance at a normal life. I am quite excited about it!

I reach the little cottage and poke my head inside. Auntie Lil and Uncle Garren are sitting at the little round dining table in the kitchen.

“Uncle Garren…” I say softly, tucking the loose pieces of my hair behind my ears.

He whips his head my direction.

“You all good?” he asked in a low voice, but his blue eyes hold tenderness in them.

“Yeah, sorry about earlier” I apologise sincerely.

“It’s okay kiddo, we get it. All forgotten.” He adds, giving me a little wink.

Uncle Garren is a large man, who was one of our pack’s best warriors! But he had the biggest heart and had always shown me tenderness, love and understanding when I needed it most. 

I would forever be grateful towards him and Auntie Lilura for giving up so much to keep me safe and taken care of.

Auntie Lil passes me a glass of milk and three delicious chocolate-chip cookies we baked a few days ago. 

“Come on Love, have this, and then back to training, yes?” Her lilac eyes filled with care.

I nod my head, feeling quite embarrassed about my dramatic outburst earlier. But this is not my first outburst, and they never make me feel bad about it.

I take a seat. “Thank you, Auntie Lil,” I smile a her softly.  She nods, leans in, and kisses my forehead.

We all enjoy our milk and cookies in a comfortable silence.

…………………………………………………………………………………………….

“You ready Kenz?” Uncle Garren asks, taking his stance.

I was born ready!

I don’t answer. I nod my head, take my stance, and take in a deep breath, letting it go. I narrow my eyes at him.

Let’s do this!!!

I feel the fire within me again. I feel strong and focused. 

He comes at me with a move he hasn’t used before. Everything feels like it is going in slow motion. I know what he is trying to do, my mind has already calculated the outcome and how to avoid getting struck. 

I move swiftly out of his grasp, swinging my body in a fast move to get out of his attempted attack. I quickly swing my arm to get him of balance and before a second passes, I punch him on the jaw, hitting a nerve that makes him tumble to the ground.

As he is going down, I lower myself and swing my leg out to kick his legs out from under him, making him fall on his butt. 

I walk over pressing my foot over his throat, making him whimper and tap out, showing he surrenders. I stand with my hands on my hips, a little triumphant smile crosses my face.

Uncle Garren never goes easy on me! He trains me hard and gives his all. Cause in real combat there is no one taking pity on you. 

He has trained me every day, two times a day, not including boxing, running and weights. We started with mixed martial arts only a year ago, but I’m a fast learner. He has been the one to get me here.

“Nicely done!” he says while getting up.

“I went easy on you today” he states, rubbing the back of his neck.

“Of course you did, Uncle G” I reply knowingly. Walking past him, laughing lightly.

The ego getting a little bruised there, Uncle. But to me this just shows, I’m growing and getting better thanks to him! 

Two hours later I am done with my sparing, running and even got a little bit of boxing done. But now I’m tired. It has been an emotionally exhausting day, more than physically. 

The sun is setting, and I take a moment to catch the last few beautiful moments, watching the sun set behind the mountain. A cool breeze is blowing and feels amazing against my body, after a long day. 

“Kenz, dinner will be ready in 20min! Wash up!” Auntie Lil calls out.

Tomorrow I will be helping auntie Lil with baking my birthday cake. Only two more days. Then I will be sixteen, and it will be full moon!

For the first time in so long, I feel excitement flutter in my body…. I will finally meet my wolf!...