Ch. 3

I pulled up to our house a few minutes later, house, if you could even call it that. It had 12 rooms and 7 bathrooms, its own gym, its own theatre. Most nights after my father was asleep, I’d sneak out to my car to sleep, it’s the only thing that’s mine and that feels safe. I turned off the ignition and decided to wait outside for Cami. If I was being honest waiting was for my own benefit, I couldn’t be sure if my Father was home yet, and with Cami in tow  I wouldn’t have to answer my Fathers’ questions about training, or be under his watchful gaze. He liked to put on act towards everyone that he was the most humble alpha, had no idea how he had gotten here. His nice guy persona which everyone bought, I was still unsure how he ended up in the middle of every battle, slaughtered entire packs, and was still considered a “good guy.” He quoted W.H Auden to me and my brother many times, “Private faces in public places are wiser and nicer than public faces in private places.” That’s what he told me, what he really meant is he can’t risk anyone seeing him for who he truly is, a monster. When Ace and his mother lived here, it wasn’t as nearly as bad. We had a full staff then who roamed about the house, a private chef, a tutor for Ace, personal assistant for Carol. Ace moved out when he turned 18 and completed his transformation, it’s customary in pack life for a newly turned wolf to venture out on their own- almost like a “rumspringa”. Father allowed it because it was what was expected of him, he had already made it perfectly clear I would not be afforded the same luxury, my duty was to him, or to whoever he decided to marry me off too & create an alliance that worked in his favor. As for Carol, once Ace left, she decided to relocate to Paris for her “Retirement”. I suspect my Father wanted her out of the house as much as she wanted to be, I don’t think they were ever in love- only married for status and power. I could hear Camis beaten down VW bug coming from a mile away. A smile touched my lips, she was always driving too fast, with the top down, and within the next 20 seconds her cherry red car peeled into the drive and skidded to stop right next to me. I looked over and really smiled, windblown hair and laughing Cami exited her car. I took that as my que as well. It was time.

“Would you STOP fidgeting, please?” I huffed and bit back a yelp as Cami shoved another bobby pin into my hair.

“If you would STOP yanking my hair in all different directions, I’d consider it.” My voice was tired, resigned, I was ready for this entire night to be over. Although my birthday was tonight, the full moon wasn’t until Sunday. I had to wait two excruciating days after my birthday to finally meet my wolf. These last few weeks I felt her more closely than I ever had before, almost as if she was right under my skin, just waiting to be released. I couldn’t wait to feel her energy entirely, maybe then I could run, maybe then I would be safe.

“Okay, that’s it, you’re perfect and I’m a genius” Cami squealed in delight as she turned my chair around to face the mirror behind me. I think I stopped breathing for a minute as I looked at Camis handiwork, my deep red hair was curled in flawless waves fell to my midsection with half of it pinned back so you could see eyes. My green eyes which normally were murky and sullen looked bright and alive with a Smokey grey eye shadow, my cheeks were stained a perfect shade of rose gold.

“I concede, you win, I look like someone else entirely.”

“On the contrary, you look exactly how you should, like a Queen.”

The next part wasn’t as fun, it was getting me into my dress that of course Cami picked out for me and wouldn’t let me see it for fear that I would retaliate and wear jeans. Which I considered since I knew it would really piss off my father, but I knew what the consequences were, and putting on a dress paled in comparison. I pulled the black dress bag from my bed where it was sitting, and unzipped it. The dress, of course, was gorgeous but nothing I would have picked out in a million years. It was a deep red that matched my hair color, with a corset bodice that flowed into a silk skirt that reached all the way down to the floor, the back had black lace crisscrossed through the corset but ended before the silk. It was breathtaking.

“I can’t wear this, I’ll look ridiculous.”

“You are wearing it and that’s final, this is a formal event. This is basically your coming out party! One way or another you are putting this dress on even if I have to force you into it.” Her eyes held a devilish gleam and I knew that I didn’t have a choice.

“Fine, but you’re helping me into this contraption.” I plastered my best scowl onto my face but that just ended up with us in a fitful of laughter. Cami grabbed the dress before I could undoubtedly change my mind.

“Here, undress and then grab a hold of my shoulders and step in.” she started scrunching up the bottom of the dress to make it easier for me to step into.

“Uh…okay, could you maybe turn around though?”

“Babe, I hate to tell you this, but you have to get used to nudity, you’re a wolf shifter… its part of the deal.”

A nervous laugh escaped me, not only had I never been kissed, I’d never really been naked around anyone. I changed in the stalls at school, and I only trained here or at the rec center alone.

“Fine.” I said through gritted teeth and began peeling off my jeans and white tshirt.

A surprised gasp infiltrated my senses as I was looking down while removing my shirt.

“What? What happened??” I all but screeched as a hand reached out to touch my stomach.

“Where… how… what are all these scars and bruises on you?” all the color had drained from her face, it looked almost translucent but left a sickly glow.

I blanched. I was at a loss for words.

“Does he do this to you?”

I was unable to speak, literally. So I just stood there, silently begging her to stop asking me questions.

“Aurora, tell me the truth. Does your father do this to you?” Her eyes were misty

I wasn’t sure what to do next as his alpha will washed over me, I couldn’t make my mouth move.

“You can’t tell me can you…” her voice trailed off as she choked back a sob. “Does Ace know? Does he… does he do this also?” she barely managed to get the words out

“Ace would never do anything to hurt me or anyone he cared about.” My voice was clipped, I was angry that anyone would think Ace could do something like this. I was relieved I could set that record straight.

“Does he know?” She looked me dead in the eye this time, I could see the anger brewing behind them.

I hung my head low, I knew she would blame him for not helping me, but she didn’t understand, I was glad it was me, I was glad he took out his punishment on ME. Females couldn’t be pack alphas, sure, they could be born an alpha but they were never “Pack” alphas. I’m glad I suffered the brutality so my father wouldn’t harden my brother’s soul, he was good and kind, and he would lead this pack fiercely and fairly.

“It’s better this way.” I managed to say

“Nothing is better this way Aurora, how could you think that? I knew it got rough sometimes, the broken wrists and arms, odd bruise here and there. I figured he pushed you too hard during your training sessions. I figured he was an asshole but was trying to make you strong. But this?” She gestured to my unclothed body, up close you could see all the white lines that were trying so desperately to fade back into nothing. She let her grip on the dress fall as she stood to face me. “Nothing about this is okay.” She fumed.

“Cami, let it go. You cannot put a target on your back, I won’t let that happen. You know my Father is different than he appears, but he is still your pack alpha, and your families. Don’t give him a reason to see you as a problem.” I grabbed her shoulders nearly shaking her hoping she would understand how serious this was.

She took a step back from me, worry etched on her face.

“That’s… that’s why you’ve never ran isn’t it? You knew he would come after those who you care about. It’s why you tried to keep your distance from me? Why you don’t go to parties or make friends. Why we don’t hang out much outside of school, or the library? To protect me?”

“To protect everyone.” I whispered.

I was shocked when I felt her arms close in around my body.

“There are those who would stand with you, if they knew the truth. Those who would fight for you.”

I lifted my hand to cover her mouth.

“You cannot speak of this, or this way. I’ve accepted my fate, and my path. I need you to do the same. I need you to be safe. If it’s not me, it would be someone else, and I cannot… I will not have that on my conscience. I couldn’t live with myself.”

“Spoken like a true alpha.” Her eyes were back to misty again, she pointed at me, “Know I’m only doing this for you, but if I ever see an opportunity to put him on his ass. I’m taking it.” Cami was fierce, her wolf might only be a beta, but heaven nor hell could help those who stood in her way. I felt the air change around me, it was almost as if I felt static in the air, goosebumps prickled over my skin.

“You’re a force to be reckon with Cami, never let anyone tell you different.”

“I could say the same thing about you, Aurora, a selfless, brilliant light.”

I grabbed her hands and gave her a squeeze.

“Now help me into this dress, before I miss my own party all together.”