3 months later -

:

"No, no! Mom, I'm sorry! Please!" I begged, trying to shield myself against her relentless kicks.

Laughter boomed from above me, her amusement shown on her face. Others joined her, enjoying my screams of pain and pleads to stop.

They never did, in fact, they only increase the hits from each cry. By this time they finished, my lip was busted, eyes swollen so much that it was difficult to see, and blood pooled around my small body.

Disappointed that I was no longer making any sounds, they skipped away and did their own business. As they departed, one after another, spat and hissed words at me. Ones that pierced my heart, and my overly broken soul.

"You're worthless. It's your fault my wife died! Your fault! I hope you die your piece of shít!" One man spat, stepping on my hand until a crunch was heard. A small whimper left me, my body numbed to the pain.

The man walked away, as another woman replaced him. "How pathetic, no wonder why your mother disowned you," she whispered with a hiss, pulling me by the hair up just so my swollen eyes could meet with hers.

With a thump, she tossed my head back into the ground; another woman replacing her as she left.

The new woman looked at me with so much disgust, so much that I wanted to cower away. She kneeled down to my level, spitting at me, "You'll do good if you dropped dead the next day, then again, who will entertain us?" She huffed, acting superior.

"I can't believe the Luna gave birth to such a monster. The pack burning, the deaths of the pack members, it's all your fault," she added on.

Just like that, everyone else left but my mother. I had a bit of hope that she would save me, but she didn't. She only scoffed, before saying, "Just remember that it's your fault your father is in a coma. Oh, and make sure you clean up this mess. We don't want others to see how messy you are don't we?"

Mother kicked me one last time before walking away, her heels echoing across the room.

I laid there on the chilling floor for what seemed like hours, until I lifted myself on my broken fingers. Wobbling on my feet, I steadily cleaned off the dry blood on the floor.

Eventually, I got to the cold shower, since it was the only thing they would let me bathe in. My clothes were rags, all torn up. Then again, they always were after the fire.

Looking in the mirror, I grimaced. I could no longer recognize the boy I used to be. He no longer existed, because what laid before me was a boy with bruised skin, his eyes almost shut with pained purple. Lips chapped with new blood forming on it. Cheeks swollen from the punches, and a body that no one would ever want.

Scars lingered all over it, even whip marks.

I collapsed there, choked sobs of apologies to everything and everyone.

My mate would never want a murderer.

It's my fault that the pack house was lit on fire, my fault that many pack members died, why father is in a coma, my fault I was kidnapped, my fault of why they all hate me.

Everything is my fault.

I wish I wasn't born.

I'm a mistake.

After all, who could love a monster like me?

***

I sat up on the bed quickly, looking around at my surroundings. Noting that I was in my room, I let out a sigh of relief.

I'm safe and sound, calm down. It was just a dream.

Another flashback hit me, and then another one.

***

"Shut up, shut up, SHUT UP!" she screeched.

I screamed as she lashed out at me, her hands wrapping around my throat.

"IT'S YOUR FAULT! I'M IN FUCKING HEAT WITHOUT YOUR FATHER TO SATISFY ME. IT HURTS. IT HURTS!!" she half screamed with a sob.

I tried gasping for air, but she only tightened her grip.

"Mom... please," I begged, my eyes pooling with tears.

She shook her head rapidly, "Shut. Up. Talk again, I DARE YOU."

Mom took out her whip, ready to beat me once again.

I shut my mouth, deadly afraid. My lips starting to bleed due to the amount of pressure I was putting onto them.

"If you be quiet, mommy won't yell or hit at you anymore... okay?" She asked, her voice deadly soft.

I nodded, fear shaking each and every corner of my being.

She then used the whip and slashed me, daring me to make another sound.

"Your mate won't want you after I'm done with you! Of how hideous your body is! She will be disgusted, and you won't be worthy of her! It's all your FAULT! If you make a sound as I do this... the punishment will continue," she hissed.

I squeezed my eyes tight, holding my screams of pain as each slash burned into my skin. The wolf bane preventing me from healing.

When she finished, I laid in my pool of blood. Not moving or attempting to make a single sound.

Mother leaned down to my ear, her tone soft. "Mommy is so proud of you... you didn't make a sound. Don't talk, because if you do, mommy will hit you, okay?"

I didn't respond.

She smiled, satisfied as she left my bedroom.

And she kept that promise... until I overthrew her and took the alpha title.

But I still didn't talk, I was too afraid.

Until Rhea came along and saved me.

***

A groan of frustration left me, cursing myself for even dreaming of the past. Of what my mother and some of the pack members did to me.

Looking over to my left, I was about to cuddle up with Rhea again. Only to see it empty. It had been for the last three months.

That's right, my mate is in a coma. I thought bitterly, my mouth forming a frown.

Apollo had been silent for those months, not wanting to speak or do anything. He didn't wish to be active or even be 'alive' until his mate was awake.

Out of nowhere, a droplet of water dripped onto my leg.

That's when I noticed tears pooling at my eyes, and when my eyes once again land on Rhea's pillow, the tears finally came.

Months and months I kept them in, knowing that crying was a unmanly thing to do. It wasn't a manly thing though, because a man that cries shows he's human. A man that cries doesn't mean he's weak, it only meant he's been strong for too long.

I wanted my mate, she was the only thing that kept me sane. The one that kept the nightmares away. Without her, I would be nothing. Yes, we've only met for a few weeks or months. That's not the point though, because the moon goddess made it that way.

The bond makes mates instantly fall in love with one another, but I was fairly certain I would have fallen for Rhea even without the bond.

Feeling exhausted, and wishing to never wake up without Rhea, I wrap myself in Rhea's pillow. Her scent that kept me sane for the meantime, made me feel safe.

Wake up Rhea, I'll be waiting.