Bound by Blood and Lies

Jessica's POV

"Huff... huff... haah... huff... haah..." Were the only sounds I could hear-my own ragged breaths. The darkness was silent, sending a chill down my spine. I sprinted through the forest as fast as I could, my bare feet coming in contact with the cold grass covered in little drops of night dues.

"Oh, Jessica... Sweet child, come back home-home to where you belong," Her voice echoed under the night sky. She was getting close, so close I could feel her breath against the back of my neck.

Then, I saw it-my safe haven-a cottage with flickering firelight glowing inside. For some reason, she was scared of the light. I wasn't sure how I knew this, but I did. If I could get there before she catches up with me then I'll be safe.

All of a sudden the ground before me began to rumble, losing hold of each other, forming a rift between me and the cottage.

It was her. She was doing this.

"You can't run away from me, Jessica..." Her shrill frightening voice resonated in the air.

I wasn't going to let her get to me-not today. I took in a deep breath, getting ready for the crossing. Just as I was about to cross over, I felt a hand grab me by the hair, long sharp claws piercing my scalp.

Then her voice came, different this time, laced with a hint of excited mockery. "You are her, and she is you. You'll never leave me..." Then she whispered into my ears, hot flame burning my skin. "And I'll never leave you, Jessica!"

I screamed, jerking up from bed. Panting, I turned around, surveying my surroundings. Relief washed over me when I realized that I was in my room. It was just a nightmare-one that kept repeating itself.

Standing up, I headed for the small window by the corner. I moved the drapes aside, letting sunlight in.

My room was a small basement beneath the Redwood mansion. It was dark and cold. I was used to the darkness, and the cold never really bothered me.

I was eight when I was brought to the Mansion. Though I was a child, I still remembered the glares that were shot at me when Alpha Raymond introduced me to his family. They hated my guts.

I remembered hearing him and his mate, Luna Annie arguing for days. I remember her hitting me and always supporting her kids when they were mean to me.

Two years after I was brought to the Mansion I was moved to the basement. The first month was torture. The dark scared me, and the noises from the rats running around the room made me shed tears. I would always climb up the bed, draw my legs toward my chest, and wrap my hands around them just to feel safe.

It's been years now, and the basement, which was torture in the past, became my hiding place away from the world outside.

All of a sudden I heard banging coming from my door. "Jessica! What the hell are you doing in there?!" someone yelled.

"Skies!" I had forgotten about my chores.

A smack landed on my face as I threw the door open. I looked to see that it was Beatrice.

"I won't have you slacking on my watch, do you understand, girl?!" She growled as she glared at me.

"Yes Ma'am," I replied, walking past her.

She grabbed me by the shoulder and spun me, slamming my back against the wall. She pointed at me. "Let this be the last time you try to walk out on me. Understood?"