Chapter 4: A Poisoned Knife

DORA

‘Remember what I said you piece of shit!’ My father mindlinked me, making my heart race.

“It’s my fault. I-I made mistakes, and that’s why I am being punished.” I said with trembling lips.

Alpha Reed cocked his head to his side, making a strand of his midnight hair fall into his eyes. “From the way you’re breathing, you sound like you have several broken ribs. You’ve got a broken nose and bruises all over your body. You don’t look like you’ve been punished, Dora. You look like you’ve been tortured…for a very long time. What baffles me is why your father and brother would do this to you.”

His words made fresh tears rush to my eyes. I wanted to break down and sob, but I held it all in. “I wouldn’t blame them.’ I choked out, fighting the stream of tears falling down my face. “I deserve the punishment.”

“Why?”

I felt a different kind of pain at that question. It reminded me of a terrible memory I always tried to keep buried.

I took a deep breath, “Because I am responsible for the death of our Luna, my mother.”I swallowed and looked away.

“How? What happened?”

I met his eyes again in fear. If this man hears what I have done, will he also condemn me like my family did?

Or will he stand up from this couch and take their side?

“It’s okay. You can tell me.” He said, and his eyes reflected his sincerity.

I swallowed again and licked my lips. “I was a child when it happened. I was far out in the woods when an intruder alert went off, so I had to rush home. Instead of hiding, my mother had gone out to look for me, and I found her.” My throat constricted as I remembered her serene face smiling at me. “But I didn't see him on time.”

“See who?” Alpha Reed asked.

“I couldn’t see his face. He was an assassin. He came out of nowhere and stabbed her with a poisoned knife and… My voice trailed off as the memory of my mother coughing out blood and falling to her knees played in my mind's eye.

Alpha Reed looked at my father.

“That's a lie!” He pointed and yelled. “You were holding that knife, you little bitch! I saw you!

Alpha stared at me again for a long moment and I couldn’t decipher what was happening behind those dark eyes of his. His face was blank and stoic.

Suddenly he stood up. “I have made my decision concerning the treaty.” He said and walked out of the living room.

My heart sank as my father and brother threw death glares my way.

“You better not have ruined this for us.” My brother mindlinked me, “Or else, by the gods, I will have your head off your body.”

With that said, they left the living room after him and the moment I was left alone, I burst into loud, bitter tears.

I was dead for sure.

There’s no way Alpha Reed would want a treaty with my pack after what he’d seen. My father would come in angry and upset and he would order my brother to finish me off.

I was hugging my knees to my body, rocking back and forth when the door opened and a stern looking woman came in. Immediately, I scrambled to my feet, but the sudden movement made me dizzy and weak so I fell to my knees.

“Dora!” The woman yelled before rushing towards me but I held a hand up to stop her.

“W-who are you?” I stuttered.

“Forgive my manners. I was upset at what these assholes did to you. My name is Angel.” She said, raising her palms up to show she meant no harm, “I was sent by Alpha Reed to check your wounds and attend to them.”

I stared at her cautiously for a moment. “Y-you look a lot like him.” I stated.

Angel smiled. “That’s because Alpha Reed is also my brother.” She moved a bag that had been slung across her shoulder forward and brought out some gauze and ointments. “Can you please come sit, so I can tend to your wounds?”

I hesitated for a moment, eyeing her warily. No one has ever shown me that type of kindness and it felt unnatural to experience it now. Still, I obeyed and slowly made my way back to the couch. Angel sat, facing me and when she reached for my face, I instantly drew back.

“It’s okay. I won’t hurt you.” Angel said but I watched her like a hawk as she slowly reached for me again. The moment her soft hands touched my face, I sighed in relief.

“Why?” I asked.

“Why, what?”

“Why is Alpha Reed helping me?”

Angel sighed, while checking my face and softly applying medicine on my wounds. ”I have no idea, Dora. All I know is that my brother has taken an interest in you so that means you won’t be staying here anymore.”

I froze. What did she mean by that? Was I going to prison? “Wait. Stop. Please.” I said weakly and Angel obeyed. “Where is he taking me to? Am I in trouble?”

“No! Not at all!” Angel shook her head, her face serious. “What I meant was that my brother is negotiating your release as we speak. Consider your suffering over, Dora. You will soon be free.”