Share

2 - Know Your Place

Author: Saree
last update Last Updated: 2024-11-11 09:39:58

~Harlow’s Point of View~

~Warning: Assault~

Just play it cool, act like nothing is different. I mean, so far it isn’t anyhow right? Goddess I’m such a bad liar, it never ends well.

I keep my head low as usual as I wander into the house where I’m supposed to live, but dread coming into more and more. But I got a J-O-B today!! Things are going to change.

I sigh as I see pups are running all over, long past their bedtime. I’ve tried my best not to get too close to any of them, but sometimes it’s hard. It isn’t their fault, none of this is.

When I see the bed that’s supposed to be mine is empty, I breathe a sigh of relief. Snatching my nightgown, I quickly handle my business in the bathroom and get ready for bed. For the first time in a long while, I feel hopeful. I feel like a better future isn’t too far off. It doesn’t hurt that I’m going to bed on a full stomach for once.

Just as I lay eyes on my bed again, there are two toddlers in it, passed out cold. I make a face and hang my head. 

“There’s plenty of room in my bed,” I hear, as I look up into Billy’s eyes. The awful waft of booze practically floats off him and I hold my breath. I quickly turn my gaze back toward the floor, ready to just crawl under the bed and sleep. Done it plenty of times before. 

“I’ll manage,” I say, and step to the side. 

Suddenly, a large hand slaps itself onto my arm. Everything in me freezes, pure panic grips me. Whatever has happened, he’s never tried anything sexual with me. But it couldn’t last forever. I’m not naive enough to think my virginity will wait to find some perfect mythical fated mate, but I always hoped I’d be the one to at least choose my first.

“Betty is away tonight…” he whispers, as I bite the inside of my cheek. My first instinct is to scream, but there’s no one to care. Suddenly sleeping in the shed with it locked, is sounding pretty good. 

My arm practically burns with his touch, so much so that I jerk it away, not caring about the consequences. 

“I better get my rest then, I’ll need to make breakfast for the pups before I leave for school,” I say, though I’m not dumb enough to think he’ll give up easily. There’s no chance I’ll turn my back to him either, so I take a large step behind me, then another. 

Right now I’d rather be at any one of the half dozen foster homes that had taken me in over the years. I’d even lived in the woods with some other orphans for a few months. That seemed like a good idea at the time but they were no better; everyone was out for themselves. You had to sleep with one eye open. It wasn’t even the males I feared then, the girls were the absolute worst.

My head stays down and when he doesn’t grab for me again, I keep moving. Maybe I feel a surge of empowerment after my meeting with Skip, maybe I’ve just had enough of Billy. I have a sudden burst of feeling more awake than I ever have, more driven.

If I had to guess my age I’d say I was about 17, at least I felt like it. Birthdays weren’t a priority for me to keep track of while trying to survive. I didn’t even know how to read until a couple of years ago. I wasn’t helpless certainly; but that’s how Billy operates -- praying on the weak. His mate is just like him and the two of them together are a different kind of terror. 

They’ve absolutely pegged me as pathetic and I can’t do it anymore. I need to fight.

Finding strength from somewhere, I spin on my heel and throw myself forward with all I’ve got. I practically lunge keeping my feet light and fast. I don’t look back, I don’t even breathe. Where will I go? I have no idea. I’ll take my chances in the woods tonight. Tomorrow is a new day, a new chance to figure it out. I just have to get away. 

Betty and Billy live on the outskirts of a large pack, and get basically “tolerated” though they’re rogues. There are a few other cabins around, some camps. Maybe the pack will take me in, I have to hope. We’re always told packs hate all rogues, even pups.

By the time I make my way through the house and blow through the kitchen, I have a fleeting thought that he’s not following me. I don’t hear him at least. I take the smallest second to draw a deep breath as I push through the screen door, throwing it open so hard it slams against the house. My feet continue forward, even though the grass is damp. Even though it’s squishy. 

You’re outside, just keep going! Just get into the woods Harlow, almost--

“Uhhfff,” I cry out, when I hit what feels like a wall. It’s unforgiving, and massive. My foot brushes up against a large boot telling me I didn’t hit a tree.

“Ohhh, she’s a fighter, I like it. A little too much. I’ll enjoy making sure she knows her place,” a loud voice booms, just in my ear. Bile rises in my throat but I can’t let it get to me. I need to keep all my wits about me.

My gut instinct is to fight, but as I look up, I see at least two more males. I nearly faint taking them in, realizing I’ve got nowhere to go. Fighting gives them exactly what they want, they’ll probably get off on it. When big arms come around me, my hands instinctively push back on the chest I’m pressed against and try to break the hold.

“She’s a pup but she’s had her monthly time for years. She’s fair game,” Billy taunts, just behind me. I gulp as pure panic sets in. It doesn’t even matter that I went to the devil for help earlier, he’s not here now. 

Sweat begins to bead on my skin, a heat courses over me. 

“Ohh she’s sweet alright. Clean, innocent … and pure,” I hear, as the male’s hot and rotten breath washes over me. His hands move to my butt, and squeeze tightly, making me jump. 

My body reacts before I even can, and I gather all the spit I can, then project it right into the face of the wall still caging me to him. I know fully well he could snap my neck, I’m the skinniest I’ve ever been. With the little food I get, I also don’t have a huge amount of energy. But if I have to fight for my life? 

I’ll go out with all I’ve got left in me. My integrity is all I have.

I whip my body to the right to get out of his grip, but I only make it one step before hands grab at me. Before the males start yelling at me to fight back. My feet leave the ground as I continue to struggle, as my arms and legs thrust and shove with all they’ve got. 

None of it matters. 

I scream, not for someone in particular. Just loud, guttural. Like I’m on fire, like I’m possessed. Maybe a bear would even hear me and help. I scream until my lungs burn but it does nothing. The males carry me into the woods, and no amount of kicking or thrashing is going to stop them. 

I feel primal, like a wild animal that’s been caged. I feel like I’m burning and their touches, their harsh grips are literally searing into my skin. I let out a final warrior cry but maybe it's just a last ditch effort for help. It doesn’t matter what I do though, their hands are gone and I’m dropping. 

“Uh! Uhh,” I groan, as practically all the air bursts out of my lungs like flames. My entire body feels like a thousand degrees, but when they loom over me… I realize two are already naked. It’s as if a flash of ice surges through me all at once, and I freeze. It’s dark out here, but it’s impossible not to see them so close. Hands pull at me from all directions and I can’t move for what seems like eternity.

“Come on girl, tell me how much you want it,” one of them shouts, as he grabs my leg. My body pulls it away on its own, finally able to budge.

“Yeah pup, keep fighting, it’s hot,” another taunts. 

“She smells so damn good, she’s near her fertile time too. Which one of us will be the lucky daddy? I bet we can keep her out here for days of fun,” another says, leaning down into my face. Now, when the bile rises again, there’s no stopping it. I jerk my head to the side and lose everything I ate today. But they don’t stop, not for a second.

Tears well in my eyes as I push my palms into the ground and try to crawl away. But once I lift myself up even a little, someone grabs my ankles and flips me over. I grunt in frustration because now, there’s absolutely nowhere to go. Nothing I can do. I try in vain to scream, but my lungs can’t contract enough.

Then there’s weight on my back, on my leg. A big hand holds my head still. I’m completely at their mercy as they tear at my gown, at my underwear. With my cheek against mud, it’s all I can do to try and be somewhere else. To ignore the pain of what they’re doing. There are slaps, scratches and even kicks to every part of me. 

That’s the least of my worries. Any attempt I make to move is futile, so I finally go limp. I pretend I’m dead, I pretend to already be plotting my revenge. Haunting them all as a ghost perhaps. 

It takes all I have but I try to ignore when they spread my legs, when it feels as if they’ll break me in two. When a new and blunt burning sensation hits me, it takes any last semblance of innocence I once had. When they congratulate whichever male it is that’s ruining me, that’s doing all he can to break my spirit, tears soak my cheeks and just create mud that my face is being rubbed into. 

The weight on me is almost too much, it feels as if two are sitting directly on me. Breathing takes almost all my concentration.

It’s temporary, I tell myself. But I know it’s a lie. If I live, this complete humiliation will follow me forever. I’ll be even more of an outcast, I’ll be labeled as a whore though none of this was my fault. Kiss school goodbye, any chance at a better life.

I feel as though I’m hallucinating when the ground literally vibrates, because I’ve never experienced an earthquake. A hard kick to my side knocks the air out of me, and my vision goes blurry.     

The growls are deafening, they seem to come from everywhere. The sudden smell of blood consumes me. It also covers me, it's warm and freakishly comforting. Almost, familiar. For a brief moment, there is no longer pain and when the darkness wants me, I let go.

Related chapters

  • Wide Awake Chaos: Shadow Warrior Series   3 - Awake

    ~Tate’s Point of View~*This is just fucking sick. I hate stuff like this. I hate that we didn’t get to kill the bastards that hurt that girl,* my wolf roars, trying to calm down. I can only agree. You just don’t hurt someone who can’t defend themselves, and especially not a young girl who doesn’t even have a wolf. It’s beyond sick.“I want to find the families of those males, and tear them to pieces too,” I mumble, under my breath. That crime scene was horrific, though I have seen much worse.My eyes can’t move from the victim that is currently across the yard, my heart breaks for what was stolen from her. But I also have to wonder, what’s ahead for her? It’ll be a long recovery. Surely the male holding her can’t provide what she needs.“He can’t just take her, councilor Black wouldn’t go for that. We could be trading one bad home for another. She’s obviously an orphan. My wolf says they’re not related,” I groan, irritated. My wolf Colt nods in my mind, confident in his scenting abi

    Last Updated : 2024-11-11
  • Wide Awake Chaos: Shadow Warrior Series   4 - To Forget

    ~Harlow’s Point of View~“There,” Lilly says, as she tucks me into the softest bed. I zoned out through getting cleaned up, somehow trusting her to be gentle. I thought I might freak out when she touched me, since she had to get everywhere, but I didn’t. I just wanted so desperately to be clean but I knew I couldn’t find the strength to do it on my own.While I’ve been looking at her now for awhile, I don’t know as though I really noticed her. She’s stunning with light blonde hair and perfect skin. Bright eyes that are kind, a touch that’s just somehow instantly soothing. Her cheeks are a bit red, her manner is calm and inviting. She looks exactly like what the perfect mom would be, if I could imagine one.“I know that talking about what happened is going to be the last thing you want to do. It doesn’t have to be tonight, but you will need to be interviewed. One of my mates is the head investigator, and he’ll be very easy to talk to if you’d like,” she offers. My lips tremble as I tr

    Last Updated : 2024-11-11
  • Wide Awake Chaos: Shadow Warrior Series   5 - Wake The Dead

    Council of the Supernatural and Shadow Warrior’s Headquarters~Mid May~~Godfrey’s Point of View~“Oooh wake the dead!! This is my favorite game,” I squeal, clapping my hands together. The three faces staring back at me are stern and not impressed. But oh who cares what those losers think! I’m allowed to be excited!“Godfrey, this is a mass murderer with a God complex that is completely unpredictable. He was punished with a thousand years in a box for a good reason! It's only been about eight hundred years and we are not equipped or prepared to deal with setting him free. This is NOT a game,” Dina says, huffing in my face.I narrow my eyes at the fairy, unphased. We voted on this, she was overruled. SORE LOSER!“I’m thinking of changing my vote,” I hear, and turn to stare at Angel. “Too late little witch! That’s not how we do things! I have already declared that the vampire will be under my watchful eye. Any misstep and I’ll take his head myself,” I say, and push past all the whiner

    Last Updated : 2024-11-11
  • Wide Awake Chaos: Shadow Warrior Series   6 - Its The Style

    ~Luc’s Point of View~~Mid August~Surely Godfrey didn't bring me back from the dead to dress me in tattered rags? The male clearly has lots of money. Though obviously lacking in taste. He wants me to look like a vagrant? A street beggar who has soiled himself and gotten into a fight with a rat? My wolf snickers, thinking about some of Godfrey’s ridiculous garments. But of course, I can’t mock him now, not in front of his mate.“Hold still okay, we may need a longer length, high waters are so not in,” Sunny says, shaking her head and pointing.“High what? I don’t believe I've covered that phrase yet,” I question. My accent is heavy, speaking without it is too hard. But they keep trying to get me to lose it. English is new to me, but I know many languages and I’m picking up quickly.She turns me slightly, so I can see myself in the mirror. While we had some reflective glass in my time, it was nothing like this. A full view of the entire length of my body is truly something. As a vain p

    Last Updated : 2024-11-25
  • Wide Awake Chaos: Shadow Warrior Series   7 - New Kid

    ~Early September~~Harlow’s Point of View~One more semester. I can do this. Then… I'm gone. A city somewhere, any random one far enough away will do. Just have to make it through a few months. “Oww! Seriously,” I whine, as a volleyball hits me in the head.“Pay attention dork,” someone shouts.I groan and move to rub my head, until I feel hands on my waist and fully panic.“Fullll mooooon!! Or half moon since your ass is so small,” someone shouts, as I gasp and squat to pull up my skirt. At least he didn’t get my underwear, I guess.Tears prick at my eyes as I try to fix myself, and I step from the center court and off to the side. I blow out a hard breath and recite my mantra: I can do this, I am strong.Do NOT cry Harlow!! Do not give them that!!By the time I’ve turned back, I’m relieved to find no one is paying any attention to me. They usually don’t. Embarrass the hell out of me, then move on. Same stuff, different day. But I have to live with it and constantly be on guard. It’

    Last Updated : 2024-11-25
  • Wide Awake Chaos: Shadow Warrior Series   8 - Oui

    ~Luke’s Point of View~*She must be slow. Damn shame because she’s pretty cute and smells naughty,* my wolf, Dante insists. I can only grin at my old friend. How lucky I am to be practically ancient and have a companion who's been with me through the worst of it all? I was impossibly selfish to him for so much of my existence and the fact that I’ve been blessed to keep him means I have a lot of making up to do.*I know it was a very, very long time ago Dante but we were once clumsy and awkward,* I jest. Hard to even remember it at this point.Besides, we're supposed to make friends, talk to everyone. She seems like the kind of kid that sees everyone and everything. But she just keeps it all to herself.*So what are we supposed to do, come right out and ask her if she knows where to get drugs,* Dante laughs.I tell him to be quiet, so I can focus. Harlow’s French is absolutely terrible, but I’d be lying if I didn’t admit I’d love to hear her once she’s better. Dante is still struggling

    Last Updated : 2024-11-26
  • Wide Awake Chaos: Shadow Warrior Series   9 - Light My Flame

    ~Luke’s Point of View~Once in the hall I pull my schedule out of my pocket, and sigh with relief when I see it's time for lunch. I’m starved, but then again, I always am. The council was able to make a deal with the school to accommodate me, and since I require something that isn’t exactly on the menu I have to be very careful. At the idea of quenching the ever present burn in my throat, my feet move a bit faster. But again, at a human pace. I make my way to the cafeteria, finding the space simply by following the smell. The foods of today are so vastly different and for the most part… garbage. I’ve been very spoiled living in the Shadows headquarters, getting meals catered to my needs. That isn’t going to be my daily reality now though the Alpha of my new pack is making an effort.I quickly see the side door that Chance told me would be there, and it nearly kills me not to just dash to it. Every second wasted is time I don’t get what I need. What I crave. Most importantly, it's time

    Last Updated : 2024-11-26
  • Wide Awake Chaos: Shadow Warrior Series   10 - Squeaky Wheel

    ~Harlow’s Point of View~“It was crazy, unlike anything I’ve ever seen! And then there were Shadows literally all over,” I say, eyeing the basket of food in front of me. But my stomach sinks, thinking about the male that died. I didn’t know him, he was a popular jock though, and his death will be a big deal.“I’m hearing his uncle is the Gamma of Dark Thunder,” Skip says, rubbing his face.My eyes go wide, figuring that’s really bad. Things like this just don’t happen here! I mean, not that I’ve seen. But then again, I don’t expect things like what happened to me to happen. I make a face and reach for an onion ring.I wait while Skip goes to speak to several others, and I slightly wonder why he cares about some teenage boy. By the time he comes back, I’ve downed the entire basket of food and a milkshake. I rub my full belly, noting the slight pudge that seems to get a little more pronounced by the day. This bar is gross for the most part, but the food is too good.“I gotta go honey, yo

    Last Updated : 2024-11-29

Latest chapter

  • Wide Awake Chaos: Shadow Warrior Series   43 - The Tree

    ~Harlow’s Point of View~My eyes wander between Diana and Ben, waiting for them to ask who the father of the baby is, and why he isn’t here. But Diana is busy, fumbling in her bag and finding a book then flipping through it.“Ahh! Hmmhmm,” she says, after a quick read.“Hit the lights and set the mood so Ben can begin his spell,” she says, but doesn’t look up. Skylar does as she asked but thankfully leaves a light in the kitchen for me to have some vision. I draw a deep inhale and catch the various herbs she’s placed around me. And honestly, they are relaxing. I wait patiently while she fastens her hair back and adjusts her dress. “Okay, I’m going to levitate over you, so you can watch my eyes, don’t freak out. I won’t fall on you. Once you’re deep in the trance I’ll go back to my seat. I’m going to work to get you there, but once you are, Ben is going to be able to kind of follow along with you, see what you see. Though it won’t be as vivid, he’ll sort of share in your experience.

  • Wide Awake Chaos: Shadow Warrior Series   42 - Yeah, Right!

    ~Two Nights Later~~Harlow’s Point of View~“I can’t believe I agreed to this,” I whisper, fidgeting with the hem of my shirt. “Well she’s already on her way, and not someone I’d care to piss off so looks like we’re doing it,” Lilly says, putting her hands on her hips and looming over me.All three of her mates are around their house, and three of their children are on patrols outside. It seems with the Blacks, being a Shadow is a family affair. So I’m perfectly safe here, nothing to worry about. It’s totally normal to invite a vampire and a warlock over for a chit chat. A vamp that’s… how old? Two thousand years?? Fuck, what does that even mean? I can’t even begin to wrap my head around it.“She’s very tame about blood due to her age, she’s well adjusted. But she’ll need to taste you. You should be aware that will allow Diana to have a blood bond with you. It’s almost like a signal, she can find you. Just a few drops it wouldn’t be that obvious, but the more frequently she does it,

  • Wide Awake Chaos: Shadow Warrior Series   41 - Burning For You

    ~Anna’s Point of View~What in the stupid human is this little girl doing?I scowl as I watch the little redheaded Harlow from high on a tree branch. She makes pretty dumb decisions, and if not for her looks I’m not entirely sure what Luke sees in her. But I truly don’t take him to be that shallow of a male. There has to be more to this story.I teleport from place to place around the forest as I follow her, trying to keep my distance but also never letting her out of my sight. Babysitting is so not my thing, but Shane insisted Luke was far too close to her and needed to cool off.That won’t last. It’s obvious the male is bat shit crazy for her. A little red riding hood wolf basically. How fucking charming. I could kill the council for pulling me off my overseas mission for this backwoods nonsense. But I’m here, so I’m doing this.My body freezes when Harlow looks around, having heard the wind blowing some leaves and making a rustling sound. It wasn’t me! I’m too good at this.When I r

  • Wide Awake Chaos: Shadow Warrior Series   40 - Flirting With Disaster

    ~Harlow’s Point of View~~A Week Later~Sweat prickles my entire body, making me thrash around. I know I’m dreaming, but I just can’t seem to wake up. There’s a fire and all I want to do is get away from the intensity of the heat, but I can’t budge. My mind says it isn’t real, but the urgency my body feels says otherwise. A male figure calls out to me from the shadows, and he’s familiar. I yell for him, and when I feel his hands on me, I search for his face. Suddenly my legs are free, then the air is cleaner. I cough to rid my lungs of the smoke but it burns so bad. “Daddy,” I cry out, as I’m put down on the hard ground. The jolt of it makes me choke, and when I draw a deep inhale, it doesn’t burn because the air out here is clean.My body jerks upright as I continue to try and gasp, and get all the air I can. My eyes dart around my bedroom, in the familiar Dark Thunder packhouse. There’s only a faint light from outside as the sun is still trying to rise. I close my eyes and hold my

  • Wide Awake Chaos: Shadow Warrior Series   39 - Try Me

    ~Harlow’s Point of View~Suddenly all I can think about is getting to headquarters, getting answers from River or someone. And I have to come clean, I have to--No. No, no. The bar! I need to go by the bar and demand answers. That's my first priority.“And you? You’re Harlow,” the giant mountain of a male shouts, making me jerk upright in full attention. Because well, he sounds like he should have a whistle and be yelling at me to do push ups. The few close by practically part in unison as he stalks toward me. I gulp and push myself off the table and to my feet.“Uhm, yes,” I say, tentatively. “In private, now,” he snaps, making me jump. Out of nowhere, Penelope seems to appear, and I swear she hadn’t been there before.“I’ll go with you. Because… of course you’ll need someone you know with you,” she mumbles, but she brushes past the guy without any fear. I look up to see Beta Ryan only a few steps away, clearly fuming.Penelope leads us to the far side of the packhouse and away from

  • Wide Awake Chaos: Shadow Warrior Series   38 - Coward

    ~Harlow’s Point of View~Tears soak the blanket I’m holding over my face as I hear Luke getting dressed. I’m terrible at hiding my emotions, always have been. Crying in front of my bullies is the worst… or so I thought. No, this is gut wrenching.How could I possibly give him up? His heat, his intensity, his touch? He’s done nothing wrong!“Harlow I just…” Luke says, as he shrugs on his coat. I peek just my eyes out of the blanket and while I know this is what has to happen it's impossible.“Go Luke. Please? This was just a mistake okay? I’m a silly girl who just needed to get laid and I have now so I’m good. I come with more baggage and issues than you deserve. It can’t ever be more and we both know it. You were just a cute face and a great cock, that’s all. You won’t be a real boyfriend to me, a father to my baby. So just go,” I say, then pull the blanket back over my head. It's a low blow, especially since he’s hardly had much time to sit with the whole baby thing. Literally no tim

  • Wide Awake Chaos: Shadow Warrior Series   37 - Not So Fast

    ~Luke’s Point of View~Harlow says nothing on the ride home from the school, and I don’t know what to make of it. The entire night was a clusterfuck that quite frankly the Beta should be embarrassed by. The fact that I felt the tingle in my mind of other Shadows in the vicinity only leaves me with a hundred questions I can’t get answered right now. Were they watching, if so for what? The entire reason the pack went in was because there was no one in the area. Supposedly.They had to have come in at the last minute. Meaning with the help of a witch or a vampire. Neither of which I smelled. Could have blocked their scents but why would they need to?Godfrey made clear that my mission here was extremely “need to know.” Very few people even know about me outside of those I deal with directly. Fewer know about my “other half,” they just know me as a normal wolf. So if other Shadows that aren’t privy to my mission catch me out and about… I’m not sure what to say. That wasn’t covered at all

  • Wide Awake Chaos: Shadow Warrior Series   36 - When Worlds Collide

    ~Tate’s Point of View~“Shit! Who are those fucking people,” I whisper, as I see a literal troop of at least half a dozen males come running out of the school. They’re moving toward the hut we were just in, and it's obvious they’re looking for something. Something we have.*I don’t like this, they’re not Shadows…but wait do you feel like a weird buzz? Like there’s a mind-link connection not too far off,* Megan says, over mind-link. I do, but it could be someone on the road. There are several nearby. These people though… they’re clearly organized, some even have tactical equipment on.My basic instincts are to shield Megan, get her the hell out of here. She’s a female and therefore needs protection. But I know better, if anyone can handle her own it's Megan. We’ve had real fights several times and while I’ve won, they were all close. When she’s in a real fight for her life, there’s a different kind of fire inside her and that used to turn me on to no end.But even together, we’d be gro

  • Wide Awake Chaos: Shadow Warrior Series   35 - Territorial

    ~Tate’s Point of View~“What are we even looking for? Surely there aren’t drug packages in the school,” I whisper, as Megan and I move through the woods. I hear her feet stop and I turn back to face her as she studies the map in her hand. Leaning in, I see at least four spots we’re supposed to hit. “Looks that way though I think this one might be outside,” she whispers, pointing to a star. I shake my head, not liking this a bit. It literally seems as if everything we do is a damn set up. No wonder drug dealers just get caught all the time, they’re f’n morons.*But who is going to bust us? The Shadows,* Colt snorts, stating the obvious. I suppose that’s true. I have to imagine that they’re still watching the school even though Trek says it's closed for the week.*They pick some dumb places to have people leave packages. I’ve tried to come up with a rhyme or reason to it, but there’s nothing. The school though is kind of a central location, and neutral. I guess it makes sense to use i

Scan code to read on App
DMCA.com Protection Status