Betrayed By Family, Chosen By Four

Chapter 1: So close to leaving.

Finley Pov:

“You can do this. Just a week before you turn eighteen years old and you can get the f**k out of here. Just keep your mouth shut, your head low, and get your s**t done before anyone can b***h about anything.” I told myself in the mirror as I put make up over the black eye my drunk father decided to give me last night.

“Get the hell out of there. Nothing you do will make you look any better.” My oldest and meanest brother, Evert, yelled as he pounded on the door. “I want my breakfast now.”

“Make your own damn breakfast you lazy ass cow.” I mumbled finishing the cover up the best I could.

“What did you say?” He banged the door even harder making it shake like it was going to fall down.

“Be right there.” I yelled back as sweet and nice as I could. He was going to starve when I left and that was one of the top ten things I was happiest about.

I took one last look in the mirror pulling my dull, red hair into a tight bun. My golden eyes were dull and lifeless. They had been since about a year after my mother’s passing when I finally realized I no longer had anyone on my side anymore and all my love was gone, for good.

I pulled the door open walking straight into Evert who had made sure to wait for me. His arm was around my throat cutting off oxygen before I even realized what had happened. He chuckled as he pulled me backwards.

“I know you were mouthing off in there. Just because you are getting close to the age where you can think you can leave doesn’t mean you can start getting a backbone now.” He squeezed tighter. My eyes were watering as I scratched at his arm trying to get it off of me. “Remember this feeling because if you keep it up you will end up right back here. There is no one left to save you not even the two losers you call friends.”

He let go throwing me down to the floor. I waited until I heard the bathroom door shut before I got up. I already knew the spot where his arm had been was red and would begin to bruise. I shouldn’t bruise at all since I had my wolf but she was weak. Too weak to help with anything due to the lack of food, restrictions on her shifting, and the wolfsbane my family would sometimes put in my food. One day she would be strong, shifting when she wanted, and be able to keep the bruises off of me.

‘One day I will.’ She whispered from her curled up spot in my head. It was her most favorite spot and it held comfort in it even for me.

I made breakfast in a hurry ignoring the glares and name calling. I just needed to get it done and head to school. I had to get there first or I would end up in more pain than I was now. I was safe while in the classroom but the hallways and walk to and from school was free game for some of the more asshole pack members.

“Don’t burn the bacon, stupid. Just because you are in a rush because you are a coward and can’t fight to defend yourself doesn’t mean we should have to suffer!” My twin brother, Brody, shouted smacking the spatula out of my hand. “Can’t wait to be rid of you.” Same asshole, same.

My youngest brother, Dean, doesn’t say much and doesn’t add on to the insults but he never says anything to defend me. I still took it as a positive and I never burned his bacon or extra salted his eggs ‘by accident.’

After filling up their plates and sneaking a few bites of the foot into my pocket I was out of there. It was going to be close on time when I finally made it to the school. If I ran the whole way it would be better on time but I would also be a sweating mess and hurting the rest of the day. My body didn’t have the strength or muscle it should have.

‘I am sorry I can’t shift and help you. I hate what this pack, what our family has done to us.’ She whined as she tried to stand. ‘Maybe if I just try again.’

‘No, Minnie. Just rest. We will need your strength when it is time to leave. We know that they won’t let us leave willingly but that is just too damn bad.’ I told her knowing she hated the idea but it was what we needed.

‘Fine but when we have the strength I want a full two days of running, jumping, and sleeping in our wolf body.’

‘Deal.’

I decided not to run but jog some of it. It was a killer on my ribs and ankles but I forced myself. The last time I was later Tanner and his b***h girlfriend, Tish, saw me and tried to run me over with his mustang. They laughed it off like a joke but if I hadn’t jumped out of the way straight into a rose bush I would have been a pancake on the road. No one would care but I was not going out like that.

Rushing up to the school I almost missed my best friend, Cora, waving their arm frantically at me from the side of the school. s**t, it only meant one thing. I didn’t beat the bully click here.

“Well well well. Looks like we get a treat this morning, friends.” Tish laughed as she walked around her suv with Tanner. His arm was wrapped around her but his eyes were stuck on me looking at me like I was prey.

“Sorry, gotta go. Have to finish a project for Mrs. Lee.” I ran faster already knowing I wasn’t going to make it. “Cora is up there waiting on me.”

The fact that there would be a non participating witness usually helped keep their anger and disregard for life at bay. I heard them behind me and already knew I was still going in this school with some bruises, some blood missing, and maybe a broken bone. The last big was iffy with Cora there but they were starting to not care as much as they should. Any other pack seeing this would be appalled at the future Alpha and Luna.

“Hurry! Hurry, Finley!” Cora yelled what I already knew. They were right behind me.

A hand slapped down on my shoulder pulling me to a stop. “No hiding today. I had a rough training this morning and I need to let some steam off.” Tanner punched me in the kidney almost sending me to my knees. “I just want you to cry for me. Just a few tears and maybe a few begging sentences. Just give me what I want and I will leave you alone.” He punched me again this time a small cry fell from my lips.

“She can listen. Holy s**t. I thought she was deaf and dumb but she is just dump.” Tish laughed as she yanked my hair back. My scalp felt like it was going with it but I refused to whimper for her. Her ego was too f*****g big for the door anyway.

“I said to whimper for me damnit. Stop acting like a tough b***h and give me what I want.” Tanner growled as he kicked me in the back of my knee sending me to the ground.

No! No! I kept yelling it in my head as I did my best to hold in the pain and the tears. Tish jumped in with him as they each took a turn hitting me anywhere they could reach. I realized then Cora wasn’t a deterrent at all but now she was a victim because she had to watch what they had always done to me.

“Teacher, Tanner. Teach almost here.” One of their groupie yelled out.

“Damnit. They always ruin the fun.” He walked around to crouch in front of me grabbing my face with his hand. “One day it will just be you and me. That day you will wish you were dead but I will only grant that after I have my way with you. I like my virgins skinny.” He whispered before shoving down on the ground.

“What did ya tell her?” Tish asked as he cleaned his jeans off.

“Nothing important. Just wanted to make sure she knew who was her master.” He laughed kicking dust at me.

They left joining their friends. I gave myself a minute before sitting up. I was bruised, bleeding, and a broken rib was helping the pain get stronger. I was right about what was going to happen but that last part was new.

‘We have to leave soon. Maybe even before eighteen.’ Minnie told me her anger rushing through us.

‘I agree.’