Chapter 3

"He was angry with me for getting an A- on my exam. He was yelling even before you came upstairs for supper," Leonard explained, his voice tinged with regret.

"Leonard, that's not why. Just trust me, okay? You owe me no apologies," I reassured him, my protective instincts for my brother unwavering.

Another thud reverberated, signaling their father's presence as his footsteps echoed into the hall. I sprang to my feet, suppressing a yelp of pain caused by my swift movement.

Leonard swiftly rose and returned to his seat, carrying my glass of orange juice with him. Stealthily as a mouse, I unlocked the basement door and slipped through the crack into the dimly lit staircase, closing the door behind me with a gentle touch. Pressing my ear against the door once more, I strained to listen.

"Morning, son," their father's voice resonated.

"Morning," Leonard replied.

The sounds of the refrigerator opening and the toaster lever snapping down filled the air.

"Where's your sister?" their father inquired.

"She left. Said she'd walk to school," Leonard responded, his words muffled by a mouthful of cereal.

"Aren't those her books on the counter?" their father probed.

"Uh, yeah. Those are hers. I told her I would bring them, so she didn't have to carry them that far," Leonard explained.

"Are you lying to me, boy?" their father's tone turned sharp.

"Of course not, father," Leonard defended.

"You need to work harder at school, boy. Make up for the shame she brought to our family. One day you can be Alpha, and much will be expected of you," their father's voice carried authority.

"I know, father. I hope if I do, I'll become a strong and compassionate leader," Leonard expressed his aspirations.

"Compassionate? Compassion is another word for weakness. Do you think I wanted to treat your sister like that? Even though she deserves everything she gets. She should have been terminated years ago, and by pack rules, that's what every member expected. The mercy I showed your sister!" their father's disdain dripped from his words, saliva glistening off his chin.

He rose from his seat, pacing the room, his fingers raking through his hair in agitation, giving him the appearance of a deranged figure.

"It got me nowhere! You think she deserved life, after what she did to my wife, your mother? Who in their right mind would want a monstrosity such as her to walk this earth? I live with it daily. Every time I see your mother's face in hers, I want to wipe it away. Obliterate every filthy trace. She is an abomination," their father's voice seethed with anger and resentment.

Frantically, I racked my brain for a way to escape the confines of the basement. The certainty loomed that encountering my father would result in another brutal beating. Leo and I needed to depart soon to catch the bus. Missing it would prompt the school to call, leading to beatings that would escalate beyond the brutality of the previous night.

While the punishments were always severe, any perceived slight to his status as alpha intensified the savagery. My very presence had often incited his wrath, triggering tirades about his shame. Over the years, I had learned to decipher his eyes, gauging the severity of the impending violence before the first blow landed. Unsure if this skill was a blessing or a curse.

The sound of my father belching echoed, his heavy footsteps fading into the distance. Swiftly, the door creaked open, nearly causing me to stumble.

"Shh," Leo whispered urgently. "You must hurry."

Grabbing my books from the counter, I failed to consider the falsehood Leo had woven on my behalf.

"Leave them. I'll bring them," Leo insisted.

"Right."

Silently slipping out through the kitchen door, I hugged the house's exterior, evading any potential gaze from my father through a window. Raw fear of him caused my lip to quiver, a sensation I suppressed by biting down. Tears were a luxury I denied myself long ago out of dread. Moving cautiously to avoid leaving footprints in the flower beds that could betray my escape, I advanced slowly and soundlessly.

As I rounded the far corner of the house, away from his quarters, I quickened my pace to reach the bus stop. Breathless and bleeding profusely from my wound, I arrived, blood staining my shoulder and arm beneath the bandage, marking my white shirt.

Leo raced across the grass, his backpack slung over his shoulders and my books clutched in his arms. Breathless and panic-stricken, he handed over the schoolbooks.

"Are you okay?" I inquired.

"Yeah. Here," Leo responded, passing the books to me.

"Did he see me?" I asked.

"No," Leo shook his head. "I don't think so. But Aadita he wasn't in a good state, you know?"

I nodded sadly. "I know. Thank you for protecting me, Leo."

The sounds of other were-shifters approaching prompted me to step away from Leonard. I maintained a distance to shield him from the vile abuse directed at me. He had so much potential and goodness to offer, and I was determined not to tarnish him by being known as my brother, even though it was evident to everyone.

"You don't have--" Leonard began.

"I do, you know I do. Now hush," I interrupted firmly.

The shifters arrived with a mix of moods, some grumpy or weary, while others exuded enthusiasm for the upcoming school day. Regardless of their demeanor, they sneered at me and kept their distance. The girls whispered among themselves, casting sly glances and sharing stifled laughter.

Occasionally, a finger would point in my direction, followed by mocking laughter. Adorned in plain uniforms accessorized with the latest internet trends, their hair styled and makeup enhancing their cruel expressions. I pondered what it would be like to be considered normal.

The males were even more contemptuous, leering with disdainful sneers and objectifying glances. I knew they spoke of me inappropriately, expressing their disappointment that I hadn't met a more severe fate. That sentiment echoed throughout the pack, except for Leonard. The prevailing belief was that I should be dead. Often, I found myself wishing the same.

With my head held high and eyes fixed ahead on the road, I understood that meeting their gazes and revealing the tears in my eyes would only exacerbate the situation. It would provide them with ammunition to torment me throughout the school day.

As time crawled by at an excruciating pace, the 42-foot-long bright yellow-orange school bus arrived, its doors sliding open. While the others lined up to board, I held back, creating a gap between myself and the rest. Peering through the 14 windows, I realized there was no seat that would shield me from those who had treated me with cruelty.

Leonard and his friends boarded first, making their way to the back to join the popular crowd. I took my seat directly behind the bus driver, who often partook in ridiculing me, as instructed by my father. As the others settled in, I braced myself for the physical pain of ascending the bus steps.

Each step was a struggle, suppressing cries of agony. I knew that once I reached the top, all eyes would be on me. Only Leonard's gaze would convey kindness or concern. Despite the excruciating climb, I finally made it to the top of the stairs as the bus driver closed the door.