The Broken Wolf

(1) The First Time She Saw him

The elegant gala shone brightly as guests mingled cheerfully voices filling the night air with idle practiced chatter, I stood flush against the snack bar studying the various pastries with increasing hunger restrained only by the stifling anxiety building in my chest. The constant thrum of my heart the only thing keeping me from teetering over.

My nerves only increased as the seconds ticked by. This was my first party, okay my first adult party. The odd deviance during high school had been hard wrought and barely enjoyed under threat of whatever punishment I’d receive for being out without permission. Tonight, I found myself dressed in a form-fitting dress the satin silk hugging curves I didn’t know I had my hair usually—always—a mess now neatly pulled into a tight coif around my head loose tendrils sneaking touches against the nape of my neck.

The feeling of a deer in headlights increased with every passing moment. I didn’t belong here. Not really. And with every shaky breath I was sure they could all tell.

“Ah, there she is.” Asher appeared from within the crowd all loose button down and flirty grin he wrapped an arm around my shoulders and spun me around forcibly to meet his friends.

The men varied in size, and age. The youngest still old enough to be my father. They studied me hungry eyes trailing unwanted paths down my body. I shivered as disgust coiled in my gut my meager dinner threating to spew right back out.

“This is Elodie, my little sister. Say hello.” He pinched my shoulder the movement slight barely noticeable before gripping the spot tightly his fingers digging into my skin promising to bruise.

“Hello.” I managed my voice dry and impassive. My skin itched everywhere Asher touched—everywhere their eyes looked—I wanted out. Desperately. But there was no help here. I was on my own.

Just like I’d always been.

“Isn’t she a beauty.” One of the men murmured.

“She’s the pride and joy of our pack. Our father dotes on her.” The lie came easily they were his specialty, after all. “Of course, we all do.”

I kept mute knowing better than to wear my emotions. As soon as this display was over I would be rushing to the nearest restroom and dousing my arms in hot water. Or preferably bleach.

I hated feeling exposed, hated even more when it was Asher doing the exposing. My sadistic half-brother took a grim sort of pleasure out of putting me in uncomfortable situations. I think it made him feel bigger than. I learned a long time ago to minimize my reactions refusing to give him even a silver of satisfaction. Though that never really stopped him.

“Nineteen you said? Has she shifted?” One of the men questioned absently still studying me with the scrutiny of a patron at the zoo. I figured I was the exotic animal primly on display withering behind my cage to the enjoyment of all in attendance.

“Not yet.”

The man frowned his gaze returning to my face suddenly clouded with disinterest. “Well…she might do. You’ll let your grandfather know of my interest?”

“It would be my honor, a pleasure as always Alpha Madoc.” The man, Madoc, nodded once gave another onceover and stepped through the group of men who murmured to each other before nodding in Asher’s direction and dissipating in a similar fashion.

I held back my sigh of relief. Out of the pot into the fire.

“Cheer up little sister.” Asher’s smile never wavered as he pivoted me away from the snacks further into the party winking at various girls who oohed and awed as we cut through. What they saw in him I would never be able to tell. Sure he was handsome—had inherited the Sterling’s families good looks tall broad shouldered fit, he’d attracted many eager girls human or otherwise with his shaggy blonde hair and his bright blue eyes curating the image of the boy-next-door. But there was something rotten in his gaze, something evil.

“This is a momentous occasion, for all we know we just met your future husband.” His smile broadened as we came to a stop in a corner further away from the noise of the party. He patted my arms the movement deceptively caring—a front for any onlookers. “You should be excited.”

The idea of being sold off to the highest bidder was about as enticing as stabbing a fork through my eye. I stared at him mutely. The party would be ending tomorrow fireworks scheduled to go off at around eleven marking the end of this auction.

It was the perfect opportunity, maybe the only chance I’d ever get. I stared up at Asher he didn’t know it yet but I would soon be free.

He stared right back his smile wavering a frown pulling at his features.

“What.” He demanded tone bordering on violent as he practically growled.

“I didn’t say anything.” I blinked up at him. Being used to Asher’s quick mood changes meant I was rarely fazed by them anymore. He was as predictable as he was dangerous. Which to me was very.

He growled once more seemingly displeased with whatever he saw on my face. “Stay near I have a few more folks to introduce you to.”

With that he turned and melted back into the crowd.

I let out a puff of breath letting my eyes close momentarily as I tried to center myself.

Luck had never been on my side, even the moon hadn’t bothered to show on the night of my birth. I was a defective product broken beyond repair. A truth that seemed seared into my skin. Still I prayed, that tomorrow would be different. That tomorrow all the luck and good fortune that had eluded me would finally find me.

Blinking I skimmed my gaze over the crowd mapping the door the staff waded through in my mind noting it for later.

It was then I saw him.

He stood out in the room his tall muscular form garnering attention even as he stood further away masked by the shadows, he was handsome—I could tell—his hair neatly combed away from his face arms covered in a dark suit. I didn’t recognize him. Not odd since the entirety of my preparation for tonight had consisted of being lectured on the importance of listening to Asher not on who the other guests might be.

I snapped my mouth shut dotting my fingers along my chin to check if I was drooling—I wasn’t.

Something about him called to me. He was strong, by far the strongest one in the room. I could sense it even with my dulled capabilities.

I took a shaky step forward.

“We’re done here,” Asher stepped in front of me effectively blocking my view. I blinked at him snapping out of my sudden daze. He gripped my arm dragging me from the party.

We made it out the front door and he shoved me into the bag seat of the stretch car that had brought us earlier. I snapped my gaze to the entry watching the gate disappear as we drove down the driveway and home.

Who was that?