They compelled me to revert to my wolf form after administering a liquid that left me numb and weak for days.
“I can never be with you,” I told Aaron, who was sitting beside me. Each day I opened my eyes to see him, and my irritation grew.
Without hesitation, I placed the bracelet he had given me on the table. “This is your bracelet. Give it to someone who can handle your excesses. I’m exhausted; I can’t be a mate to you and your brothers.”
He shot me a skeptical glance before picking up the bracelet and spinning it around his fingers.
“So, you’re really throwing away our love just when I was trying to protect you? What did you expect me to do? You wanted me to share a truth you clearly weren’t ready to hear?”
“Forget whether I wanted to hear the truth or not; you should have told me anyway. You and your brothers turned me into a punching bag and toyed with my emotions, especially you, Aaron,” I replied, tears streaming down my face.
He reacted as if my words were foreign to him, which was typical. He always believed he was right, that he was doing me a favor, expecting my gratitude in return.
“Have you forgotten how I saved you in the woods? Do you think you’re doing us a favor by being our mate? We’re the ones doing you a favor; trust me, you’d be dead if we rejected you!”
I met his gaze, recalling the times he had struck me repeatedly, treating me like a slave. I had spent years trying to please him, but not anymore. For the first time, I was prioritizing myself.
“I’ve been a walking corpse all these years with you. Even if you all killed me now, it wouldn’t matter; I’d welcome death. You’ve always said I’m unworthy of you. Let me go and find another woman.”
He remained silent after that, simply reclining in his chair and observing me. I couldn't care less if I was replaced or even harmed; all I wanted was to distance myself from him and his malevolent brothers.
“You're completely in the dark about this, Sharon. Instead of seeking clarity, you're contemplating rejecting the bond and fleeing. Do you really think that's the answer to our dilemma?”
He questioned, tightening his grip on the bracelet. When I failed to reply, he tore it apart, and just as I anticipated, he raised his hand to strike me. But Ryker intervened, stepping in and shooting him a fierce glare that made him lower his hand.
“There’s an issue,” Ryker stated, handing a letter to Aaron.
As Aaron read the letter, his expression grew increasingly grim with each passing moment.
“That fool Marcelo is overstepping his bounds. How dare he demand our woman in exchange for the deal?”
“And that’s not all. He’s threatening to infiltrate our packs, which poses a serious risk for us. We need to devise a plan to counter him. Since he desires Sharon, why not use her as leverage against him?”
After hearing Ryker out, Aaron slammed his fists on the table, his composure shattering. “I don’t care what you think; I refuse to yield to Marcelo’s demands. Our father owns the pack and we must stand our ground!”
Ryker nodded in agreement, issued a few commands to his men, and exited, leaving me alone with Aaron once more. For some reason, I felt a strange sense of safety with Ryker around.
“You should stay,” he said, his tone softening. “It’s an order.”
I shook my head defiantly. “No, you don’t have the right to control me anymore, Aaron. I’m exhausted. I want nothing to do with you or your brothers. Just leave me be.”
“You think I don’t notice the way you look at him?” he said, halting me in my tracks as I turned to face him.
“What on earth are you talking about?”
“You know exactly what I mean, Sharon, so don’t even think about playing innocent! You really believe you can just walk away from me and chase after my brothers? That’ll only happen over my dead body!”
My heart races when I heard him label me a hybrid.
I've always been intrigued by my origins, desperate to understand why I couldn't shift like other wolves. Aaron never provided answers; instead, he just kept feeding me more of those strange portions.
“Why did you just call me a hybrid?” I asked, bewildered, and he chuckled darkly.
“Because that’s what you are. You’re a monster, Sharon, and I’ve been using my secret portions to keep your demons in check! You’re the offspring of two hybrids, which means you have powers that your body can’t handle.”
“And is that why you’ve been punishing me?”
“You see it as punishment, but I see it as control. I can’t let my mate dominate me, no matter her abilities. In time, your powers will be mine, and you’ll be reduced to the weak wolf you were meant to be.”
It’s been three days since Aaron left, and his words have been echoing in my mind nonstop. How did he uncover the truth about my family?
I had a multitude of questions swirling in my head, yet no one seemed willing to provide answers.
For starters, everyone in my pack insisted I was orphaned, claiming I had a dormant wolf, and they nearly handed me over to the old vampire king before I managed to escape.
My parents were a complete mystery to me; I didn’t even know their names.
Lost in my thoughts, the door creaked open, and the three of them stepped into the room, their expressions unreadable, as if I had committed some unforgivable act.
“What do you want?” I snapped, and Vincent’s gaze darkened as he began to circle me. Out of the trio, he was the one I feared the most.
Every time our eyes met, I was haunted by memories of how he had taken advantage of me.
What kind of person does that to their mate just because they can’t handle rejection?
“Sharon, time is running out, and our patience is wearing thin. Your presence in our lives was meant to simplify things, but it’s done the opposite. Your wolf is aggressive and prevents us from connecting with you! You’re not a mate to us; we need your powers for our pack’s expansion!”
I hissed, fury evident on my face. “You can try all you want, but I will never give in to your demands. Why can’t you just reject me?”
Ryker, who had been silently observing, stepped forward. “I’ll be straightforward, and I hope you understand this quickly. You’re a hybrid, born of a werewolf and vampire father and a witch and warlock mother. We are Lycans, and we’ve existed long before you were even born.”
I shifted nervously in my seat, fear creeping in as I searched for any sign of a joke, but their faces were devoid of humor. “Are you serious?”
“Sharon, this is more than just serious. Your parents were the Alpha and Luna of the very pack that cast you out, and their powers have been wreaking havoc across all realms from beyond the grave. You are our only hope to break free from their wrath. If you refuse, the existence of all realms could be at stake”
“Wait a minute, are you really suggesting that I should marry you to placate my parents and stop their revenge? I couldn't care less if everyone perishes; if that's what they desire, then so be it!” I declared firmly, watching as they ran their hands through their hair in exasperation.
“You don’t grasp the extent of our sacrifices to reach you. Our lives have been unbearable without you. Even if you don’t want to do this for yourself, do it for your parents. Seek vengeance against those who took their lives and made you suffer!”
Vincent pleaded, and I turned to him, surprised by his vulnerability. Could they genuinely be serious, or was this all a manipulation to force me into their bond?
“Who was responsible for my parents' deaths?” I inquired, noticing the three of them exchange knowing looks before facing me.
“We won’t reveal that unless you agree to our bond,” they replied in unison. She and I shared a humorless laugh.
“I knew it! You all think I’m foolish, don’t you? Just because I’m weak and can’t defend myself doesn’t mean I’m naive. I will not accept your bond willingly, and if you try to force me, I’ll unleash my wolf!” I asserted, wiping away the tears that had formed in my eyes.
“Why do you have your bags packed?” Aaron suddenly asked, drawing my attention back to them.
“It took you long enough to catch on, but I’m leaving. I’m taking my child and going far away. I took your money, Aaron, and I’m heading to a place you’ll never find me!” I shouted, and they exchanged bewildered looks. My phone buzzed, signaling that my Uber had arrived.
I grabbed my suitcase, and just as I reached the door, Aaron lunged to stop me, but Ryker held him back.
“Let her do what she needs to do for once. Give her the space to think. When she’s ready, she’ll come back to us. But don’t make us come looking for you, Sharon; the fallout won’t be pretty.”
I didn’t respond. I simply went downstairs and hopped into the taxi that whisked me straight to the airport. As I stepped out, the chilly air hit me, and I began to second-guess my choice, unsure of where I was even going.
My flight was delayed by two hours, and with no other options, I searched for a place to sit. But I couldn’t shake the feeling of being watched; it wasn’t Aaron or his brothers—I would have sensed them.
I quickened my pace, dragging my suitcase behind me, and spotted a black tinted car parked at the curb. It reminded me of the day I first met Vincent, prompting me to move even faster. Just before I could enter the terminal, two men in black stepped in my way.
“Sharon,” one of them said my name with an unsettling politeness.
“Who are you?” I asked, gripping my suitcase handle tightly.
The other man took a step forward and gestured toward the car. “We’re here to take you home.”
