"Running to Town"

Luna's POV:

I arose slowly from the bed I had been lying in. My head was pounding and my body felt like it had been ripped in two. I stand in the doorway to my private bathroom, looking in the mirror at my bruised and beaten body. There were fresh bruises on top of old ones and the corner of my lip was bleeding. I lived in a small town in Wisconsin with the Connery Family. They took me in when I was in my third year in college. I had moved abroad with my parents after high school to study business. In my third year I had to move due to financial issues after my parents died and the Connerys took me in so I could finish school. I finished my last year of school in the states and I haven't been able to leave since. I've managed to keep my inheritance a secret from the Connerys for fear of what may happen if Samael found out. I'm 22 now and like me the Connerys weren't normal. They were werewolves or wolves as we call ourselves, and they have deep connections in the area.

My mother was a witch and my father was a demon and somewhere down the ancestral line that only shows up once every so many generations were some relatives that were wolves. I am blessed with being all three, if you could call it a blessing. Being part wolf meant that the Connerys eldest son, Samael, thought he owned me despite me not being his destined mate. Samael had a younger brother named Seth, and although he also didn't have a mate he was much kinder to me than Samael. Samael was the Alpha of the pack and like his fur his heart was black. He was merciless. He used me and my body as he wanted when he wanted with no regard to my pleas for him to stop. Then other days he would parade me around and show me off like he was the luckiest man alive. My head and my heart were in chaos as I quietly cleaned myself up and got dressed. This has been my hell for over a year and I wonder if I will ever escape.

There are clans all across the globe and we are all supposed to work in unison to maintain the code. The code is a list of laws and guidelines all creatures must follow. And contrary to popular belief demons, witches, and wolves aren't evil creatures to be feared. Demons and witches work very closely together to make sure that peace remains in the mortal realm. Most people fear us or pretend we don't exist so they can go on living their lives blindly. But there are those who are very aware of our existence and they help us in maintaining the mortal peace. Wolves are mostly in charge of bringing the creatures that break the code to justice therefore most of them study law or have integrated themselves into law enforcement like roles. Once an offending creature is caught they have to stand trial before the high counsel. The high counsel is a group of various demons, witches, and wolves that were handpicked by the Gods long ago. Many of the offending creatures who face trial are never seen or heard from again though there are rumors that they get sent back as humans losing all their magical abilities. 

Then there are those that, like the Connery's, own several towns or cities and their pack or clan is in charge of making sure peace is maintained within their regions only, contributing very little to the others. There is only one main law within the code that if broken will cause anyone to be cast out, stripped of their strengths and powers, and face possible execution if they are caught breaking it. You shall not use your strengths or powers (demonic or the latter) to harm or kill an innocent whether they be mortal or mythical, as the humans like to call us. 

Of course for a man like Samael this means nothing. He tends to make up his own rules with little regard to the code. Most everyone in the pack is afraid of Samael and they refuse to speak of his wrong doings. He managed to find a way to bind certain magical and demonic powers that I possess, only allowing me to use them for certain things such as needed items like clothes and toiletries and to cover my bruises or when he wants me to use them for him somehow. One the few occasions I have managed to break his bind and use my powers in his presence when he has pushed me too far he threw a substance into my eyes killing my powers and then brutally beating me. Whatever he uses to dampen my powers and render them useless when he is around means I am helpless to defend myself against him when he beats and abuses me or finds his way to my bed at night.

I suddenly hear a faint knock on my bedroom door. I quickly snap my fingers and every bruise and wound vanishes. When I open the door I find Seth waiting on the other side.

"Hey there's going to be a party later tonight downtown and Paul and I was wondering if you'd be interested in going." He said as his brown eyes avoided my face.

Seth always tried to get me out of the house after the nights his brother had his way with me. It was like a silent apology for not being able to save me.

"What time is it?" I ask.

"We're leaving around 8 but Paul and I were going to go into town for a bit. Do you want to come along?" Seth replies.

"Ok. Let's go now." I say as I grab my wallet and head outside with Seth to Paul's car.

We all pile in and head to the diner in town for a light lunch before shopping.

"So how are things at home?" Paul asks before taking a bit of his food.

"They're fine." I reply

Seth quickly looks out the window avoiding the question and Paul's knowing glance.

"Why do you tolerate him?" Paul asks through gritted teeth.

"There are other mates that would treat you better and be gentle with you." Paul continues.

"I don't really have a choice. I'm pretty much held against my will and anyone who challenges him ends up beaten near to death or dead." I reply flatly.

"Well maybe he will change and show you the love you deserve like he used to, If he grows up first." Paul replies trying to sound hopeful.

I quickly finish my meal and stand from the table.

"Well I'm going to run over to the store and pick up a few things." As I wave goodbye not listening to their protests about the situation at home.

I quickly make my way to the shop a few doors down from the diner and upon entering I am greeted with a friendly and familiar hello.

"Hello Luna! It's so good to see you!" Mrs. Connery greets me cheerfully.

"Yes. I needed to pick some things up for the house today." I reply with a smile.

"Well, just get what you need dear, it's on the house as usual." She replies.

I smile warmly at her. Mr. and Mrs. Connery owned one of many stores in the area. Though their eldest son was ruthless and cold they were kind and friendly. They also had no idea of their eldest son's misdoings as they stayed in town most of the time which left Samael free run of the house to do as he wished. Mrs. Connery lets me get things as they are needed for the house free of charge. They fell on hard times soon after I got here and me being a witch I used a little magic to help them through. When Samael permits me I can easily use my magic to acquire the things needed but there's something about being in the outside world and feeling like I'm somewhat normal that I like and Mrs. Connery humors me in wanting my normalcy.

I have a wide variety of powers on all sides of the witch, demonic, and wolf realm. I am able to blink which is a power I inherited from my father that allows me to travel quickly from place to place. I can also move things or create things with a simple snap of my fingers which I inherited from my mother's witch side and being able to move at lightning speed is one of the many perks of being a wolf. There are several other abilities I possess but haven't mastered because I've never had to use them and I’ve not had proper training. I can do potions and spells if I have the right tools but I haven't practiced much since graduating thanks to Samael.

I quickly browsed the isles gathering the necessary items before heading to the front. Mrs. Connery bags the items with a smile and I head on my way.

"Thanks Mrs. Connery!" I say cheerfully as I walk out the door.

I head back to where Paul had parked his car and see him and Seth already waiting. We all get back into the car and head back to the Connery house.  The ride back was quiet and slightly uncomfortable. I feel as if there's a weight sitting on my chest, getting heavier and heavier the closer to the house we get. Once Paul parks the car in the drive I get out and run inside feeling a sense of dread come over me. Seth and Paul are at my heels and as soon as the big wooden door closes behind us I hear a voice that sends shivers down my spine.