[3] Bird

"I am sorry."

Emily collected the steel bowl from me and nodded slightly. Her cheeks gained color as she gave me a warm look.

"You do not have to be. I kept talking and forget to realize that you were scared," she said slowly. "You left home. You must be missing them all. I should have been more patient with all the words."

Mom's howls came running in my mind. Her mate's last acts of kindness towards me came too, along with Natalie and Thomas' faces. Keira's drunken smile along with Eva's sad one. Aunt Kate's pregnant belly surfaced like a long glimpse along with Fred and Jiro. Uncle Robert laughed with a shake of head while Pete patted my head, giving me the jacket.

My eyes widened and moved around immediately. "Where is my Jacket?"

Her eyes narrowed in thought as she stopped herself from getting up from the chair. "What Jacket?" She asked while furrowing her eyebrows.

My eyes burned as I shakily described, "Olive green colour. Bigger than my size. I crossed the border wearing that jacket. That was the only dowry they allowed. Please!" I said, bursting into another round of tears. "Oh my! Please don't tell me that you ripped that too!"

Her eyes turned blank in worry.

"Please! I beg you! Please tell me where it is!" I cried, looking at her pleadingly.

Emily gulped hard while nodding slowly. "Uncle Lysar brought it here. Said it smelled of an Alpha. Uncle Karam won't like it—"

I gasped in disgust. "He what? That Alpha is my brother! That's the only belonging I have of my family. His scent! His warmth! Please!" I pleaded while showing her my wet eyes. "Please Emily."

Hearing her name from my mouth, made her smile. She blinked and sighed heavily. "It is in that trunk behind you, beside that wooden cupboard."

I immediately turned my head to observe the cupboard. My eyes fell downwards, on the little trunk lying beside it.

"It is safe there. Do not open it before the rituals. No male likes any other male's scent over his mate," she said while I looked back at her, observing her getting up from the chair finally. "I have put your ripped dress into that trunk too, folded neatly. Don't pull them out. My mother always goes for weaknesses whenever she has to prove a point."

A wave of anxiety crawled my chest when I remembered the words her mother had said before leaving the room.

I was so numbed by these atrocities, I couldn't take my mind to the meaning of those words. My presence here was the first most horror for me already. Being a mate,  member of this Lycan family, pleasing everyone and giving a heir.

I so wanted to chuckle out sarcastically.

I would die rather than getting touched by some ancient caveman.

Karam. . .

I hated him already.

His name was making me clench my jaws every moment I would think of his bloody existence.

"It was Aunt Alvena who suggested that we must put it in a trunk for you. So, it stays safe, away from sight and sense." Emily told while giving me a small smile.

The bell didn't ring even after my instincts were telling me that I had heard the name before.

Western pack?

I bit my lip, flaring my nostrils while passing her a tight smile through tears. Nodding quietly, I watched her leaving the room.

Uncle Rudy had two daughters and one son. Blake, Gina and what was the name of the elder daughter.

Staring at the muddy ground that I could see out of the door, I thought hard.

Alvena? No that wasn't the name. Mom cried for her too before she was sent here.

Remembering all the Alphas and Lunas, I recalled their pups' names.

Then, slowly. It came to my mind.

Alvena

Luna Elsie's daughter.

But then, what was the name of Gina's sister?

Rubbing my head, I was thinking hard when a knock appeared.

Looking up at the intruder, my heart dropped at seeing someone shorter than Emily.

The blue evening sky didn't make a dark silhouette. I could see the same braids and pointy ears.

The expressions were confident and equally curious.

"You do not smell like a wolf," she commented with amusement in her icy blue eyes. Her face matched with Amelia, the so-called mother-figure to my fucking mate. . . I cringed mentally.

"Because I am not a wolf," I blurted out, biting my tongue while wiping my cheeks properly. "I am a human," I whispered slowly.

Her eyes lowered down to the furry blanket around me. A smirk came upon her lips. "Wolf or not, you are our new Aunt. We waited for you for so long, definitely. Since the day I have started to understand things, I have seen Uncle Karam roaming around like an eligible bachelor since the beginning. Look how the time flies."

My nostrils flared in disgust. Her aura felt so mean. Her vibe was not kind. Or maybe, I was just being judgemental.

"Who are you?" I asked in a low tone, looking at her walking around the chair to sit on it.

Her cloths were in cream colour with same black threads around her neck.

"Reveka, your eldest niece."

"How old are you?" I asked through gritted teeth.

Her eyebrows raised while I observed that she wasn't as curvy as Emily was. She was slim and had not-so-thin lips.

"Nineteen summers."

My lips trembled as I released a heavy breathe. "I am eighteen," I said, making her roll eyes. "So stop calling me your Aunt."

"Why?" She asked in amazement, leaning back on the chair. "Aunt Misty."

Blood boiled at places but I was in no situation to release my anger. "I don't like it." I said reluctantly.

She chuckled again. "Ah! But I cannot do that. Uncle Karam is our dearest of all. Well of all my cousins. Mine's dearest is Uncle Lysar. If we call them Uncle, we can't call you by name too. It's the way it has to be. Respect," she said, her face turning serious.

Her eyes rolled up and she sighed heavily when footsteps occurred all of a sudden.

I consciously looked at the door, watching two younger girls trying to push themselves inside the room. While under them was standing a little girl, giggling while covering her mouth.

My lips parted at seeing her normal ears just like mine.

"Ah! You pups! Do not play there at the door! Hurry and meet her already! If mother comes here, she will kick your butts out." Reveka said while waving at them.

The two girls blushed while entering the room, looking at me with curiosity in their eyes. While the little one was following them, shying away.

Reveka watched as one of them stood at the foot of the bed.

"Are you the bride?" The taller one asked.

My stomach twisted while Reveka nodded at them. "She is our Aunt, you swines. Aunt Misty it is, Kenny."

My chest jolted with the forcefulness that I was dealing with.

"She smells so sweet," said the one with darker hair, giggling slightly.

I blinked in blankness while Reveka wiggled her eyebrows at the other one. "Thanks, Denny. What do you think, Kenny?"

My eyes narrowed as she was Amelia's third daughter. Dark eyes and full lips, more like a mix of Emily and Reveka.

Kenny looked at me, her smile going straight as she gave me a blank look. "We like her. But she does not. She hates us."

My heart pounded hard in sudden shock. I blinked rapidly and lowered my eyes.

"Kenny, quiet. You have to ruin the mood. Always."

"I said the truth. Her eyes says it clearly."

I gulped hard, shuddering slightly.

"Is she a princess?" The little one asked and the chill on my arms melted away.

Her chubby cheeks reminded me of Jiro.

Reveka nodded in amusement. "She looks like one. She came to us in a pretty red dress, Costy."

I blinked while asking, "Who are these kids?"

Reveka observed me slowly, her narrowed eyebrows reminding me of her mother's acts. "Kenny is my real sister, the youngest one. Denisa is Uncle Robin's daughter. While this little pup was created by Uncle Salome."

"Salome?" I whispered in blankness. "There are more brothers?"

Reveka leaned ahead and rubbed her hands together. "My father's cousins."

My eyebrows raised, remembering Declan's idea of numbers of alive Alpha Lycans.

"Woah! Do not get confused. It is not that messy," said Reveka while giving me a lazy smile. She showed me the fingers. "My father, Uncle Robin, Karam and Lysar are one family. Then, it's Uncle Salome and his brother—Oskar. They have a younger sister, Aunt Noira."

My eyebrows furrowed hard. "They are your father's cousins?"

Reveka nodded. "But not the descendant of my grandfather's brother. My grandfather was the only son left alive."

I gulped slowly in confusion. "You all are Alpha. . ." I glanced at the kids and back at Reveka. ". . . Ronyn's descendants?"

Her eyes widened in surprise. She smiled widely. "Yes!" She shifted on the chair excitedly and explained, "While Uncle Salome is descendant of the second brother of Alpha Ronyn, Reed."

Chill ran down my spine in shock.

Reveka giggled excitedly while counting further. "Not just them. Uncle Salome's father, Armedyl has one brother, Radu whose pups are—Uncle Anton, Adam and Aunt Alma. Actually Alma. She is of my age only. Relation is bigger but we have grown together," she explained while smiling slightly.

I blinked at the pups who were not moving their eyes off me. "If that's just the Alpha's family, how many are the rest of the pack," I asked quietly.

Reveka's smile faded, making my heart tense. She hurriedly looked at the kids and yelled, "It is evening already! Your mothers must be waiting for you! Go away!"

When they still giggled at my one glance, she let out a growl, shaking the world for me.

The kids scurried out of the room while she got up from the chair.

I glanced out at the fading day. "When can I get my tailored clothes?" I asked helplessly even though, all of my blood was boiling at the mere thought of some freaky rituals.

"Tomorrow night, before the rituals. After we bathe you," she said while observing me.

I breathed in numbness, feeling the tears forming at the back of my eyes.

"There are two bedsheets underneath you. Wrap them until tomorrow night. The furs are heavy and ticklish," she said while tilting her head. "Do you need more soup?"

I shook my head quietly.

"I am shutting the door after me," she said while walking towards it. "If you need anything, just whisper a name. Rest while you can sleep alone. Once you are bonded, Uncle Karam won't let you sleep any night." She chuckled as if it was the joke of the century.

My life was a joke.

Nausea filled my throat at even imagining anything.

I'd be ready with a weapon to kill this Uncle Karam of theirs before he could even look at me. . . Or maybe, I would just kill myself.

"And do not cry," she said while looking at me. "Those beautiful eyes must not be covered with some unnecessary swelling." She closed the thick wooden door after getting out.

I leaned back on the pillow, staring at the bricked ceiling as the tears came softly.

Crying was the only refuge for now.

___

The faint gusts of freezing air was entering the room from the corners of closed window and doors. By observing the walls made of thick bricks, I had the slightest idea that it would definitely get cold at night. It did.

Covering myself with the furry blanket, I was warm enough. Sleep didn't came because of the disbelief that had spread all over my mind.

I still couldn't believe that I was here across the border. I feared tomorrow. I feared the future. I feared for my life.

If only I knew that two months with Mom would cost me a lifetime with the cavemen.

All the dreams, the hopes and the courage were shattering. Each bone in me was shaking me from the uncertainty I felt. Why me, God? Why me?

What would tomorrow bring? Some women humiliating me, those bloody rituals and a Lycan raping me.

My eyes squeezed on its own in terror.

Maybe, taking my own life was the option now. But how could I do it knowing Gran was back at home waiting for me? Even if I had found a knife, I knew I wouldn't be able to kill myself. I lacked those guts.

The trust on God was still not gone.

Gran's prayers would follow me to every corner of this world. No matter where I was on this planet.

Sniffling slowly, I kept my eyes closed.

Someone caressed my cheeks, moving on to run fingers through my hair.

I opened my eyes and turned on my back slightly.

Gran's face looked worried than ever. "Come back to me, Misty. Before the rituals take place. Otherwise, you'll be bonded to him. In our tongue, married. Then, even you know what happens."

Touching my cheek, her wrinkled cheeks raised with that small smile.

"Till death do you both part, it will be."

She blinked calmly.

"Make an escape, Misty."

My eyes widened as she disappeared into the darkness like dust.

Her words soaked in mind slowly. My breaths turned shallow as I thought about it.

Gran was waiting for me.

I couldn't just keep bawling on my fate like this. I couldn't just wait for a future I knew would only take me centuries back.

The depth of danger I would have to live in while staying here, was now sinking in for real. I couldn't just stay here naked, waiting for it to get worse.

Sitting up on the bed properly, I winced at the slight pain I felt in my hip bone.

Shifting more, I slowly removed the blanket while looking around in the darkness. Getting off the bed hurriedly, I stood on one foot and pulled out the white bedsheet without making much noise.

Reveka was right. There was one more white bedsheet underneath. Wrapping the upper one around myself with two rounds, I made the knot tight above my breasts and roamed hands back on the bed to remove the creases out.

The floor was freezing cold.

In the dark, nothing was familiar to my idea. I couldn't make out the idea of where the door was. But I knew, it was right in front of the bed. So, I walked around the bed and started walking towards the front.

Forwarding hands, I put slow steps until my hands touched the door. Moving my hands hurriedly, I went for the bolt only to realize the design was of ancient times.

My heart twisted slightly.

Pulling out the big iron needle from the loop, I pulled the heavy door. It took all of my energy to do it but thankfully, it wasn't a stubborn one.

Pulling it open, I was slapped by strong gusts of wind. I was tempted to run back in the room and hide under the blanket. But even this cold wind couldn't stop me from trying.

Without thinking anymore, I closed the door behind me while looking around the darkness. The moon light wasn't enough to show me around the silhouette of one storey building made of thick black bricks.

Iron buckets, wooden carts, spikes were resting against the walls like I was being thrown into sixteenth or seventeenth century.

Walking on the cold dried mud, I realized that the houses were built randomly, regardless of making a lane or a colony. And all of them were surrounded by a wall at the back, around hundred metres.

My eyes turned blank at realizing, what if I was caged inside this wall.

Not wasting anymore time, I stood closer to the wall and started walking towards the right.

The directions were pointless when I couldn't make out any ideas in the dark.

The fear of getting caught was covering me from all corners of mind. Hands were shaking while limping was tiring me out. But I had to try harder.

Looking above at the crescent moon, I couldn't even decide a direction since it was at the top.

Terror started crawling on my shoulders when the sound of shuffle came from behind me suddenly. Looking back towards the ground which the door was facing, I waited for more sound.

The hair on my neck raised when I felt someone's gaze on me.

Looking back at the street, no one was there. Taking slow steps, I started covering the distance.

Heart started pounding in mouth when I had came out of the street to walk into the ground between me and the belt of tall dense trees. The paranoia kept me fearing for someone imaginary who was following me.

Misty. . .

I halted my steps and shuddered hard. My chest heaved up and down as the loud wind surrounded me in that chilly weather. Harsh breaths kept escaping, making me as stunned as I could be.

Misty. . .

As if the wind just spoke to me. They were the whispers in my ears. For a change, the voice sounded feminine unlike before.

Maybe, Amelia or Reveka were back there, watching me getting scared of their acts. Maybe, this was a prank to make fun of my escape. Or maybe, it was Karam.

Flaring my nostrils in the freezing cold, I tightened my fists on the side and kept walking towards the trees. They were far. Very far.

While the voice was so close.

Misty. . .

I gasped and let out a shaky wail, controlling myself from bursting into a wave of tears.

I could do this. I could do this.

Resting my broken leg, I limped again slowly. When all of a sudden, footsteps started occurring.

My heart dropped and I couldn't look back. I increased my speed and kept walking the fast I could. Gasps escaped me as I increased my pace. Throat was burning. Nostrils were peeled off. Legs were shivering and aching at muscles.

Along with me, the sound of footsteps was increasing too. It scared me to death.

With painful groans, I started running faster, not giving a fuck to my broken leg.

But that was a glory of barely two minutes because soon, I fell on those useless knees and let out a yelp that would have awakened all the Lycans with oh-so sharp senses.

Loud laughter came from behind me, making me hurriedly turn around in fright.

Two men were standing tall, towering me and covering the sight of moon. The wind blew their long hair and the other one's beard blew too.

That's when I knew who it was.

"Please don't kill me," I cried as the Alpha nodded at the younger one. The man came closer to me, making me crawl back with sudden yelps. "No. Don't touch me!

Yet he forcefully reached me and snaked his arms underneath my body, despite my attempts to slap away his hand.

"My buttocks will be burned for doing this." The one who was holding me said laughingly, looking down at me with his nearly transparent eyes.

Sobs escaped me when the giant Kingston started walking ahead with a mere arrogant scoff.

"Please let me go," I managed to say in between the sobs. "Please. I am a human."

Kingston didn't turn around and kept walking. But I knew that he had heard me.

The world seemed so different from being carried at this height. The younger one only smiled in amusement while looking ahead. I felt too small in his long arms. My stomach churned when I observed his not-so-long beard. It wasn't long enough to be blown by the wind.

My heart drowned when I suddenly observed his sharp jawline. He seemed young enough. Could be be. . .

He noticed my gaze on him and smirked slightly. "Looks like the wolf in her does not smell properly," he said while looking back ahead.

I collected my lips and started feeling conscious all of a sudden. "I am no wolf," I said through clenched jaws. "I am a human—" A yelp escaped my mouth when the legs swung unknowingly, making the knees hurt.

Nervousness flickered on his face for a moment as he hurriedly glanced at my leg, then around and finally, back at my face.

"I hear pieces scrunching, brother." The boy said while glancing at my bleeding knees.

My eyes widened while Kingston only glanced sideways. I could very well see the bored expressions. "Have to cut off them legs. . ."

My blood turned cold. "What?" I shrieked in horror.

Looking back at the man who was holding at me, he was giving me an empathetic look. "Must have hurt those little knees before. Though, never a problem. She still has what is required for a heir. . ."

I was stunned.

Kingston laughed mildly.

That was the most pathetic laughter I had ever heard. Thank Goodness, I couldn't see his face.

My eyes teared up in fear of the unbelievable. "No!" I wailed finally, not being able to control the cries. "Let me go!" I started writhing in his arms. "No! Please! Let me go! My legs are fine!" I squeaked out, feeling aghast.

"Woah! Woah!" The boy slowed down as I made it hard for him to walk by moving wildly. Pushing on his covered chest, I tried to move my thighs. "Let me go!"

"Not so easy, Birdy. Your wings are hurt and would soon be cut. No more flying, love." He taunted while facing all of my harsh pushes on his face and chest.

"My legs are bloody fine! Let me go! You cavemen!" I screamed while the boy laughed loudly.

"Ah! Look! She gave us a name! Angelic she is," he teased while laughing at me, making me choke on a sob.

My nostrils flared and I clutched on to his shirt. Gritting my teeth, I exclaimed. "You are him. Aren't you! The creepy obsessed Lycan who has no job but to put a claim on some young innocent girl! Bullshit!" I snapped angrily while punching on his chest, almost hitting him on his face for which I was still low-key scared to do.

"The most useless being on this planet! I don't give a fuck to your bloody existence. Don't have anything else to do in your life rather than forcing on a human girl!" I ranted angrily while he only looked up and laughed wholeheartedly.

"What else am I?" He asked in amusement.

Tears slid down my cheeks as I observed his goofy smile. What a jerk!

"Nothing to me," I whispered through gritted teeth, sniffling when more pain occurred at the knees.

The smile faded instantly and so did the laughter. I too stopped moving as the man looked ahead while I felt the satisfaction spreading inside my heart.

Glancing at Kingston, he was now ten steps ahead of us.

Looking back at this douche, I was about to glare at him. When all of a sudden, he gave me a small smile.

"I dare you to say that to his face."

My heart jolted in sudden embarrassment. He nodded while walking ahead quietly as I was now cooperating helplessly.

"I am Lysar, sister-in-law. Welcome to the family."

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