“If you ruin my brand-new dress while I am at school, I will beat you within an inch of your life,” Mellisa hissed as she shoved me against the wall. Her hand started to wrap around my neck.

“I won’t touch your room while you are at college,” I stated, my eyes looking at the floor, as to not challenge her. I wanted to huff and roll my eyes at how dramatic she was being.

“Call me luna. After all, I will be your luna soon. Once Mark and Cal see me in my dress, they will be begging me to be their luna,” she gloated.

I had to bite my tongue to keep Beren from growling at Mellisa. Unfortunately, Medea, Mellisa’s wolf noticed. She growled and tightened Mellisa’s hand around my throat. She pushed herself forward and stated, “You don’t growl at your future luna. You do as I say, or I hurt the pup.”

At those words, Beren surged forwards. “You lay a finger on my pup, and you will regret the day you were born!” Beren growled back, more fiercely.

I was stunned at Medea’s words. She would hurt Rose, her flesh and blood. What kind of mother would threaten their young pup. My mind was reeling and I didn’t notice what Medea was doing.

Medea started to submit before she yelled out, “Ow, daddy she’s hurting us!” Medea gave control back to Mellisa. She stumbled back and into the wall as if she had been struck.

“What did you do?” Thomas screamed as he stormed into the hallway.

“Nothing!” I tried to defend. I knew that it was no use, but that didn’t stop me from trying. “She threatened Rose!”

“I don’t care if she kills the brat, you don’t lay a hand on your sister!” he screamed at me.

I knew I should have stopped there. I should have rolled over and submitted. I should have done what he wanted. But instead, instead, I challenged him. Beren surged forward, this time with my permission and growled, “Don’t you dare threaten my pup!”

“I will threaten her when and however I want!” Thomas shouted as he wrapped a hand around my neck.

This time, I was scared. When Mellisa had tried to choke me, I had scoffed at the thought. She did not take training seriously. Medea was a weak wolf, physically that is. She is very cunning.

This time, I knew that there was going to be trouble. My father was once a good warrior, at least that was what I was told when I was in school and training. Now, even though he was a drunk, he was still stronger than me. And, he was choking me.

“Marie! Get the chains!” Thomas ordered as he continued to put pressure on my throat.

Thomas dumped me on the ground. I bit back a scream from how I landed and from the silver. I tried to take deep breaths. As I took a breath, a foot connected with my stomach.

“How dare you hurt my daughter!” Marie screamed.

“You should have terminated the pregnancy when you found out about her,” Thomas sneered.

“I thought she would have been more useful. Also, by the time I got to the pack doctor, I was too far along. The fool wouldn’t let me,” she hissed. I could hear the rage and disdain dripping from each word.

I wanted to demand why they hated me so much. I was their daughter. Their first born. Many believed that the first born to a family would bring good luck to the family. The second born, was a blessing as well. It meant the moon goddess was blessing the line with multiple pups. Your legacy would be strong and secure.

Why was I hated when I was supposed to bring luck? Why were the people in my life causing me the most pain? What had I ever done to deserve this?

“Mama?” came the whisper that froze the blood in my veins.