Who's Afraid Of The Big Bad Wolf?

A year ago...

I had run up the stairs of the house as fast as my legs would carry me, my chest burning from the exertion, knowing that he would be not far behind. If he were to catch me, it would be catastrophic...

But, the second I was inside of my room, I slammed the door shut, praying to the moon goddess and any other available god that I was now safe, and I reached for the lock as I leaned my bruised, aching body against the heavy wood of my bedroom door tryign hard to catch my breath.

With a slight flick of my wrist the door was locked, and I turned to place my back against the firm wood, and slowly slid my frail body along the wood as my body collapsed under me now that I knew that I was safe. Tears spilling from my eyes. Another day of the same thing. Another day of being punished for something I had no control over…

My breathing was erratic as I sobbed. And I waited. Simply waited… For I knew it was coming… This was a sequence that was played over so frequently within my day to day life I could do it on repeat with no need to be present. I knew every thing that would occur, my father was so predictable...

And, just as I knew, it would, it came. Boom. Boom. Boom! There was a hammering on the other side of my door. An angry fist thumping at the heavy wood of my bedroom door. The only thing keeping me safe right now. I reached my hand out to my bed, gripping hold of my pillow as I sretched to reach it. Covering my face with it in order to hide the sounds of my tears, for I knew they only further angered the man on the other side of the door.

The fists slammed into the door once again. Harder this time. Boom. Boom. Boom! “Get back out here, I have not finished with you!” My father yelled angrily. “I did not dismiss you, Mari. Did I say you could walk away? Or should I say run away. Running away like the pathetic and useless piece of shit you are. No daughter of mine. A fucking Beta's daughter? I don't think so. A Beta's daughter would have some damn courage. Where was your courage when you scuttle of all fear and trepidation, huh? Fucking pathetic. That is what you are.”

Fear? He was not wrong. My body trembled in fear. Had done the moment he had begun his rant at me. All over me making his drink incorrectly. And right now, hearing the angry tone of his voice, no matter how many times he may demand it, I had no intention of opening my door to him. I would sit behind the door as long as it took, and could only hope that my brother would be home soon. My Dad would leave me alone then…

I buried my face deeper into the pillow resting upon my knees. My tears being absorbed by the soft fabric. This was a normal day for me. Shocking really, for a daughter of a pack Beta, right? A man you would expect to be an upstanding and decent guy. Well, to everyone else he certainly maintained that façade. But to me… well, I saw the other side of him… and far too often unfortunately. Finding even the slightest fault in the things that I do... giving him the slightest reasoning for becoming angry... and then I was made to suffer...

The suffering was all his way of punishing me. Not for what I did that day. I knew that. I had always known that. No. He was punishing me for something that I had no control over, But, sadly, it was something he would forever hold me accountable for. And, due to that, I would continue to suffer. And that something, was the loss of his mate. Something that could break a werewolf. And it had most certainly broken my father. Or changed him in the least. He had gone from a loving, fun and carefree man, from what I can gather to the withdrawn and introverted man he was now. And I was the cause… or so he said.

And, from a young age, I had been punished for that. Day in, and day out. It was not a life I cherished. And I could not wait until I came of age, and was able to make my escape.

“Do you not hear me, Mari? You know I do not like to be ignored. Perhaps we should looks at doubling your chores as a punishment. So you will show me the respect I fucking deserve and fucking answer me!” My Dad roared through the door, before punching it so hard it shuddered behind me, making a fresh flood of tears spill from my eyes, my arms tightening around the pillow in front of me as I gripped it tightly. I wished I was anywhere but here. I wished there was a way to escape...

I hated this man. A man I should love. My father. Anger lingered within my veins because of him, but the fear was overwhelming, and that became too much. That fear was the consuming emotion that controlled me. Controlled my every action. I knew what this man was capable of. The threats he made… the things he could do… the things that would happen to my brother if I mention any of this… so, instead, I remain silent. Doing as he demands. Allowing him to treat me like a lowly omega. Talking down to me. Criticising me. Treating me like a personal slave. Verbally abusing me... Just silently waiting for the day I come of age. The day I gain my wolf, and the day I can make my plans to escape this hell…

A year ago...

Training with my friends had been exhausting as always, but the laughter that came with it made it all the more worthwhile. The bonus of being friends with the upcoming Alpha and upcoming Gamma. We would be the guys in the leadership positions of this pack one of these days and we needed to be ready, so training was a necessity, therefore we trained hard; but we had fun whilst we did it…

I had left the Alpha-to-be, Matthew, or Matty as we all called him, and the Gamma-to-be, Conner, not far from the training field as I began to walk back toward my house. Both were headed off to meet their girls once they had showered and freshened up. For me, it was to be a night in front of my gaming PC. No girl for me, having chosen to be happily single for the time being. The last she-wolf having caused far too much drama.

My friends, not wanting to leave me out of their evening of drinks and fun, had invited me to the bars with them, but the invite was far from appealing when I would be playing third wheel to them and their girls. Besides, I was knackered and was ready to chill out. But, the moment I stepped through the front door of my family home, I begun to wish I had accepted their offer…

The atmosphere was off. And as I walked along the hallway past the kitchen there was a glass smashed not far from the large staircase. Dad. He was home. And just as that thought passed through my mind I heard his voice, just to confirm my thoughts.

“I will wait all fucking day if I need to Mari.” He snarled, from what sounded like outside of her bedroom door.

I sighed, and my wolf pushed forward ready to come to my sister’s defence. I hated this. There was no good reason for the nastiness. The slaps… the shoves.. using her like a slave… but he continued to do it despite my warnings… He may be my father. My pack Beta. My family. But this girl was my sister. She was my family too, and without my mother there, she needed me to protect her. She had nobody else. I knew that, and my wolf, Nyx, knew that. That was why he was pushing so hard to come forward. He wanted to protect my baby sister. She did not have her wolf yet, and still my father threatens her... but then, he had for as long as I can remember.

“Or maybe I should take the door off like last time?” He growled this time. “You know what happened that time?”

I was not going through that again. He had thrown all her things down the stairs. Put them in the garbage. Burning half of it too... All while hurling abuse at her for not coming out of her room. For not respecting him. Why the hell would she when she was hiding out because she was scared?! Scared of her own father… the one man she was meant to be able to depend upon the most. It was not like he deserved her respect. He had long since lost mine.

I dashed up the stairs as fast as I could, only hoping my presence would be enough to put an end to this torrant of abuse, and mean my Dad may return to whatever it was he should be doing. I glance down at my watch to check on the time. At this time of day he would often go and play tennis with his friend, our pack Alpha, or go for a run…

“Dad, come on, leave her alone.” I urged, and the moment I spoke, the dark eyes of my father flickered. As his looming figure turned to look in my direction from across the landing of our family home. A once happy and loving place…

“Stay out of it son.” He mumbled. Did he really think I was about to do that? He was a fool if he did.

“You know I cant do that, not when I can sense how scared she is.” I warned him.

“Scared?” He laughed. “What the hell has she got to be scared of? I have never seriously hurt her. A slap, maybe, or a shove, but I have never actually hurt her. Not properly, not like my father used to with me or my sister, she ought to be grateful for that. Because trust me, I could kill her given the chance…” His voice turned lower… bitter… and I do not like the way he sounds. "At the end of the day if it was not for her I would still have my mate. I could still be happy. She caused too much pain..."

“Enough!” I snapped angrily, interrupting him.“This needs to stop. You are scaring her, and you should not be treating her this way, Dad. I will get Alpha Aaron here if needs be?” I hated having to threaten my own Dad with our Alpha and his own best friend, because that could cost him his job… ultimately, cost him everything he has… everything he lives for now that Mum has gone.

Dad’s eyes flickered darker once again as they focused in upon me. “Oh, really? And lose your own title? I don’t think so.” He snarled, moving away from Mari’s door. I knew what was coming, as it so often did. If my Dad lost his title there was a strong chance I would not inherit the title from him, and he used that against me, and I knew that was likely what he would mention.

“You know as well as I do, it would not be wise to breath a word of what occurs within our home to another soul, for you would ruin all of or lives. Ruin our reputations. And you could not do that to me, yourself, or your sister. And do you want me to even touch upon you destroying your mother’s memory. So do not even have the fucking nerve to threaten me with it, Leo.” He stalked off down the hallway to his own room and slammed the door angrily, leaving me stading there watching where he had only moments ago been with a pounding heart.

He was right. I was terrified of saying a fucking thing. Always had been. Terrified because he had always said we would be taken away. We would be separated, that had been his first threat when we were small. And then it was that we would lose everything. And spoil the memories of my mother… I could never do that. My Mum deserved more than that. I was stuck. So all I tried to do was protect my sister instead. The thing was, I seemed to fail miserably at that too…

I eased myself out of bed with a long stretch, having laid there for so long waiting for all sound of movement within the house to have dissipated. Knowing that the lack of sound meant my brother and my father should have left for their daily work duties, or to attend the pack training. Thankfully I was not expected to train with them…

My belly grumbled with anticipation for the breakfast I was planning to make the moment I stepped into the kitchen. I was hungry. But, it was only as I rushed down the main staircase of the house, my body still aching, in desperate need of a strong coffee was I suddenly aware of a second presence within the house. There was movements. They were only slight, but now that I was downstairs I could hear them. And my wolf, weak as she was, became on edge. That was indicator enough on it's own. Then, his familiar scent hit me the moment I walked through the kitchen door. My father.

I had hoped he was at work. But his dark eyes watched me the instant I stepped into the room. His jaw tight. This was the face of a man I hated. “I wondered when you would come skulking out of your room.” He snarled, and any appetite left me instantly. I wanted to scurry back to my room...

I knew better than to scurry away before he had done a thing. That would only feed his temper. I assumed he was implying he thought I had slept too late? “I did not sleep well.” I told him. That was not a lie. My sleep was filled with nightmares as it so often was. Nightmares of him stepping past the usual slaps and verbal abuse. Him unable to reign in the overwhelming anger that seemed to take over, and leaving him in nothing but in a red haze of rage.

A rage that would end my life. My nightmare that replayed over and over, I feared was me foretelling my fate…

“And? What do you want, sympathy?” He snapped, slamming his coffee mug upon the countertop of the breakfast bar within the large open plan kitchen. Of course. No matter what I said or did was going to be wrong.

“I was…” I began to explain, despite knowing no explaination would suffice.

“I do not expect an explaination. I expected you up at a decent hour like your brother. I have sat here quietly waiting. You have work to do.” He demanded. The thing was, I have been awake since a decent hour, as my father calls it. I had heard my brother arise, and shower, preparing for his day ahead. I had heard him leave. I had assumed that it was my father leaving too. He clearly had been keeping quiet. Lulling me into a false sense of security. Any movements he had made were small. And, now my wolf was weaker, my hearing was not as strong as it should be. I had not picked up on it. She grew weaker by the day I feared. Wolfsbane, I was sure. I just needed to discover how he was lacing me with it. Poisoning me. Sedating me. Just as he had been since the day my wolf had come.

His eyes met mine. But I have no intention of arguing the point with my father. Because then I would be expected to explain why I then chose to hide out in my room. Hide away in the hopes he was gone...

His eyes are upon me. Dark. Filled with resentment and hate. The same feelings I hold toward him. Only I have true reason for my feelings. He appears to be waiting for a response. I knew there was my usual task around the home that were waiting for me. That was my sole purpose to this man. I was his personal slave. Nothing more than an omega. Cooking. Cleaning. A personal maid. I knew what I had to do around the home. But I was unsure of their urgency.

“I know, and I plan to do them as soon as I have breakfast and have a shower.” I explained. This had been the case ever since I was old enough to complete all of this tasks in a manner to his satisfaction. I dread to think what life must have been like for my mother if this is how he treated her… not that I have any reason for thinking that he had. All tales I hear of them, they were very much in love, and he worshipped her. Treated her like a queen.

“You think I sat here wasting my precious time over some fucking chores? Wake yourself up to reality, Mari. Though you will not be getting away with not doing them, oh, no. The chores will have to wait until this evening. Alpha stated that you were aware of the new computer system they are using?” His voice was irritated, like the mere fact I knew something he did not was frustrating him.

I enjoyed studying. My entire time in school and college had been enjoyable; and not just because it was an opportunity to escape the prison like home I was enduring when here. I loved to learn. Here he mentioned a brand new software the pack were planning on introducing for their business. Though, what this had to do with me, I had no clue. They had people they brought in to handle all of this.

“Yes, I think so. We learned of it in college. Plus I did additional training online.” I explained, and his eyes narrowed.

“Hmm, Matthew may have mentioned it.” He muttered. Matthew, or Matty to most, was the Alpha’s son, and would one day be our new Alpha. My brother’s friend, but also a friend to me, as he was in my year of school. Our father’s being friends meant we had grown up alongside one another too.

Before I could say anything more my father stood from the bar stool at the breakfast bar. “Alpha Aaron decided your presence could be helpful. Better than paying for the hired help to be at our beck and call over the length of time our guests are here. I assume you know enough of this software to be capable of handling issues if needed? Plus he said you could be used as general omega too, meeting and greeting. Helping the guests where needed. Keeps you busy and helping the Alpha too, makes you fucking useful for a change. Imagine that, the waste of space that is my daughter actually coming in useful.”

His insults were intended to hurt, but all his words meant little anymore. I was used to much worse. I simply nodded. I think I should be able to manage what they were asking of me. I could easily refresh my memory on the software to ensure I was aware of it all again. Though, I had no clue of the guests he was talking of, but this was a change to my day to day routine, and while it meant I would be working day and night, I was glad of the change.

“When does this start?” I asked, already beginning to look forward to it.

“Alpha Carter of Obsidian Storm Pack and his people will be here anytime, so get your sorry behind upstairs and make yourself presentable. I do not expect you to show me up, Mari.” His tone was vicious.

My stomach tightened with his words. Obsidian Storm Pack? They were renowned… Vicious. Brutal. And their Alpha was meant to be one of the worst. Did I really want to be helping him? I thought my own Dad was hard to please I could only imagine this Alpha would be even worse…

It was rare I left my pack now, instead choosing to send my people instead. Yes, you could say I was withdrawn. Isolated. Preferring my own company even. But, I was the Alpha of my own pack, and therefore in my mind have nobody to answer to. If I chose to stay within the confines of my own pack, then that shall be what I do. Others were merely an irritation to me.

But this, I considered an important business arrangement, and one I wanted to ensure was completed. Eldermoon Pack was one that rarely offered business deals, and they had assets that could be benficial, so this opportunity was not one to be risked. I needed to push past my inner demons and get out of pack.

“Almost there.” Hudson, my pack Beta said calmly from the drivers seat of the car. We had been driving for near four hours just to get here. A drive I could have done without, and one where my mind had been running overtime. This had better be worth it, and we had best finalise this deal. I swear this Alpha reverses on any of the things we discussed or even contemplates cancelling the deal he would learn what regret truly was…

I simply nodded in agreement with my Beta, and closest friend, as I allowed my eyes to wander out of the window of the car in a bid to distract my wandering mind. But Hudson's voice interrupts my thoughts before they even have a chance to take over. “C, come on, I can sense your irritation from here. If you are wanting this to go well you may want to at least appear approachable, and not come across like you want to kill them all and burn their pack to the ground.”

I gave my friend a cold glare. That was not the aura I was giving off, was it? Draven, my wolf released a low chuckle. ‘He may not be far wrong.’

I sighed. Heavily. It was not the first time the first impression I portrayed had got me into trouble. “I shall smile when I meet them, would that help?”

Hudson laughed. “Oh yes, lure them in with that truly friendly forced smile.” He winked playfully at me as we turned down a long driveway, which I assumed was the entrance to the pack. “But, in truth, that would be no different to the wolf dressing as Grandma in Little Red Riding Hood... 'Oh, what big teeth you have...' the little girls says as the wolf grins, before replying. 'All the better for eating you with.' Seriously your forced smile is scary as hell, creeps even me out and I have been your friend forever, so they are still going to assume you are smiling because you are looking forward to eating them, Carter.”

I rolled my eyes, while my wolf howls with laughter at everything my friend had just implied. I hated them both. Assholes. I can't help if somewhere along the lines of becoming Alpha, the pressures of the role, and then losing my fated mate that I have become far from skilled in dealing with people. In fact, I hated them. I preferred my own company. That way I do not have to deal with other people's drama, nor do I need to force conversations. Is there a crime in that?

I watched carefully from my seat, as my friend pulled up the car at the guard box, greeting the young guy with a smile. I sighed, feeling deflated. He was friendly, and easy-going, or at least capable of being both sides of the coin. Moody and ruthless as well as friendly and easy-going. There was no winning this for me. I could not change who I was. I was me. I was an Alpha. That meant mean and moody. Ruthless. Cold-hearted. Cruel. Brutal. I knew I had become worse over time. I did not like being around others. Maybe even more so since losing Gabrielle. But I could not alter the make-up which made me the man I was to please others. So, if they want this business deal here at Eldermoon Pack as much as they say they do, they would take me as I am, or leave me. Simple as that.

I listened carefully as Hudson discussed our arrival with the seemingly incompetent guard on duty. The confused expression upon his face told me he was not aware of our expected arrival, which only further fed my irritation. Surely he would have been aware of our impending arrival? This was not a spur of the moment visit. This had been planned for weeks. Yet, watching the reaction of this young wolf in front of us, he was completely unaware of the visit, and of who we were. Though, in fact, from where I was sitting he appeared to be unaware of very little… in fact, I am near certain he may even be high…

His eyes glazed over for a moment, making me assume he was mindlinking about our arrival. Hudson glanced across to me uncomfortably, while I remained watching the guard, awaiting a response. Those eyes of his, remaining glazed for quite some time, though, in truth, they were remarkedly glazed and unfocused to begin with, only further backing up my theory he was high.

“Here are your ID’s” He stuttered, attempting to pass Hudson our paperworks, and missing his hand by a mile. Wow… I was beginning to second guess my decision to work with this pack now if this was what they considered a capable guard. “And Miss Mari will be waiting for you at the packhouse doors to take you to meet the Alpha. She is the grand-daughter of our former Beta. A sweet little thing. My understanding is she will be taking care of you in the coming days.”

Hudson begun to drive on, but I faltered at this young guard's words. We were being left in the care of some minor she-wolf? A sweet little thing? Was that all we were worthy of? Grand-daughter of a former of a former Beta or not, I was expecting more. This was not what I was imagining, and far from the beginning of the meeting I was hoping for…

Standing awkwardly at the entrance to the packhouse, awaiting their arrival, I was all but trembling. Under strict instructions from my father not to mess this up. Yet, I was not entirely sure what it was I was meant to be doing…

I had been excited to have this opportunity to get out of my day to day routine but the threat of being closely monitored and punished for anything that I may do wrong terrified me. I knew I was pathetic. But, all my hopes of fleeing or standing up to my father had gone the moment my wolf was weaker than I expected.

That first day I should have realised when we struggled to shift… he had been giving me wolfsbane somehow… weakening her before she had even arrived… ruining things for me… only contiuing everyday since. Just enough to sedate my wolf enough so I was never able to fight back. Never able to shift. I was vulnerable to him, just the way that he liked. Having to do as he wanted. But, this morning he ordered me to do as I was told, and he would allow my wolf to run free. Truth be told, he knew a strong Alpha may smell the wolfsbane, I was sure of it. But, I was not about to argue. I wanted my wolf to be free. Have that chance to bond with her. I had to do as he asked. I wanted to know what being without the wolfsbane was like.

I gave my head a shake, forcing myself to focus. I was not about to think about the mess I was in right now. I had an even more ruthless man to deal with. And he would be arriving any time. I had had to rush around as it was. Only just managing to shower and dress, making myself look presentable before arriving in time to see Alpha Aaron to be told to meet the guests because apparently, waiting outside in the sunshine is below our pack Alpha. It must be below my own father too, as he had quickly left me, and stalked off to his office, with a warning that if he heard of an issues I would be made to pay. I did not question his threat. I knew the things he was capable of. Today was not a day I was looking forward to. Now there were two men, potentially more I needed to be wary of...

A long line of black SUVs approached the parking area in front of our large packhouse, and began to pull up. It would appear that not only the Alpha of Obsidian Storm Pack had arrived. He had brought half of his men too. I move to walk down the steps of the house to meet them, as a car door slammed near me, making me jump at the sudden loud noise.

“Oh, wonderful. A jumpy little thing." A deep voice broke the silence. "Were we not considered important enough for the Alpha to greet us himself?” A deep voice demanded, taking me by surprise, as I raised my gaze to find the piercing blue eyes of a fearsome looking man stalking toward me. He already looked angry, and I had not even spoken yet. My stomach tightened with nerves. A wave of nausea taking over...

“Erm…” I found myself stuttering, seemingly having lost all ability to talk. “I can on…”

“I don’t particularly want to hear excuses little shadow…” The same deep voice began. Little shadow? I found myself questioning the bizarre name he used for me.

But, before I am able to say a thing someone else talks. “Alpha Carter.” The blonde haired man by his side, with a warmer, and friendlier face interrupted with almost a warning tone. “Good morning, You must be Mari, I believe?”

I smiled awkwardly in their direction, nodding, so unsure of how to respond. I was sent here to greet our guests, and quite honestly the Alpha was far from polite...

“Beta Hudson.” The blonde man offered me his hand, which I quickly shook. “And the lump of happiness by my side, as you may have gathered is Alpha Carter. I do believe your Alpha is expecting us, we plan to stay for a number of days while we work upon the business arrangements.”

This was the same information as I had been given. Though I had not expected quite so many of them, I think, as my eyes drift over the number of people now stepping from the multitude of parked cars now within the parking area and I was unsure if my Alpha had. Did we even have enough space to accomodate them within our packhouse guestrooms?

“Pleased to meet you both.” I said, trying hard to sound confident, but disappointed as my voice betrayed me in the way that it trembled. The way that man’s presence loomed over you was intimidating, of that there was no doubt. And the disgusted way in which he continued to look at me…

“I will take you to meet Alpha Aaron, he is awaiting you arrival…” I started.

“Shame he did not have the decency to do so by meeting us here, instead of using some lowly she-wolf.” Alpha Carter interrupted, giving me yet another dirty glance.

I found myself giving him a glance back, not appreciating the rudeness, but knowing I would never have the courage to disrespect a man of his standing. He could kill me so easily... I simply offer a wry smile, and continue with what I was saying. “As I was saying, I shall take you to meet the Alpha. But I may have to enquire what will be arranged for your men as I do not believe they were expecting quite so many.”

Yet another dark, and repulsed look was thrown in my direction. Seemed I was doing well with impressing this cheerful Alpha. “And you expect me to travel unaccompanied do you, Little Miss Nobody? I do not know how much you aware of how a pack works, but an Alpha travels with an entourage if he wishes to be well protected.”

I glanced across at the Alpha. This man was far from being small. Well over six foot. Muscular. As an Alpha was meant to be. His whole aura was dominant, and that was simply standing here talking to me. I highly doubted he needed an entourage to protect himself. I had to bite my lower lip to stop myself from saying something I may regret. But one thing I did know, this man was beyond rude. “Perhaps you men would like to follow me?”

“Sure she is used to that.” One of the other men within their group piped up from behind them, causing a few chuckles from a number of the men. But a deep roar erupted from further back within the crowd, startling us all. I turned to look back, with wide eyes. A delectable scent hitting me as I did. Only as I do look back, do I see a handsome, dark haired man striding confidently toward us his dark eyes solely focused upon me.

“Alpha, I need to speak to you, please.” The man began, a man I could only assume was one of Obsidian Storm Pack’s warriors going off the way he was dressed. And, from the tantalising, manly scent tickling at my senses, drawing me in, I had a feeling he could well be my fated mate too. But, without my wolf being present it was hard to confirm. Talk about bad timing...