BEAUTY & THE BRUTE

Three

"You don't belong here"

"Whoever allowed her to stay anyway?"

"I am a member of this pack. My mother was born and raised here. You can't kick me out"

"Yes I can. The Alpha is my brother and I have the right to make you leave"

"Don't talk to me like..." A slap made her head snap to the side.

"I dare you to talk back, you piece of s**t"

She pursed her lips together in anger. She wasn't afraid of them but she couldn't talk back. Not when it was three against one. Later when they were alone, she would give them a taste of their own medicine. Consequences be damned. Olga, Katya and Irina acted like they owned the place. Perhaps Olga did because her brother was the Alpha but not the other two. They had no right to treat her that way just because she was different. It wasn't as if she'd asked to be born that way. Her mother had always told her never to forget. Being different didn't mean she was weak. One day, they would all fall at her feet. Out of anger or awe? Their choice. So while the three hurled insults at her, she kept her mouth shut and eyes directed to the ground. Once they were done, they shoved her out of the way.

Not one to let go of a grudge, she waited until it was dark then went after them. Katya was first. She was on her way to a club they normally went to. Dressed in a pair of shorts, rank top and jeans. Her face covered in make-up. She didn't know what hit her. In a few seconds, she was out cold and when she woke up, her face was covered in scars. The kind that would never heal. Gone was her pretty face. She would forever be ugly. A week later, Irina was found in the forest with her spine broken. She would heal but never be able to walk again. Only Olga was left and she had to think how to handle her. After all, she had her brother backing her up. It took months for her to come up with the perfect lesson.

She slapped her in front of people. Because there were witnesses, Olga took that chance to ask her brother to kick her out of the pack. But instead, he asked them to fight. The winner would decide what to do with the other. There were no rules. Olga smirked, thinking she was going to win. After all, she had successfully shifted a few months. Her opponent couldn't fully shift because she was half wolf. But to her shock and disappointment, she lost. And just as the other girl was about to render her blind, a wolf came out of nowhere and knocked her off Olga. It lifted its sharp claws and...

Beverly came to, shouting "No!" Gail was at her side in seconds.

"Are you okay, ma'am? You fell asleep"

She looked around and realized she was still in the tub. What a strange dream that was. Getting up, she put her hands through the bathrobe Gail was holding and got out of the cold water.

"How long did I sleep?"

"Half an hour"

Why did it feel like she'd slept longer? Sitting in front of the dressing table, she picked up one of the lipsticks. Her mind still on the dream. It was so vivid, that if she didn't know who she was, she'd think those were her lost memories. Judging from their names and accent, those people had to be Russians. But she'd never even left the country. The one time she'd decided to go on vacation, her father had sent half the enforcers with her. Claiming they were her bodyguards. In reality, their job had been to keep an eye so she wouldn't do something crazy or disappear. The resort she'd gone to had been cleared out, so that she was the only one in the premises. The only people left behind were the staff. They made such a big deal out of it that she hadn't bothered going on another vacation. So how could she have met those Russians? Could it just be a dream?

"Straight or curls?"

"Ponytail"

"Yes, ma'am"

Since she didn't want to continue thinking about the dream, she switched her thoughts to the man she'd met in the morning. For someone who was meant to be her mate, he didn't evoke any kind of feelings in her. Wasn't she supposed to be excited or at least drawn to him?

"Gail, what are your thoughts on mates?"

"I'm not sure" she replied shrugging.

"Don't think about it. Just tell me what comes to mind when you think about them"

"Not everything is as it seems"

"Elaborate"

She carefully piled her hair on top of her head "Those who haven't meet their mates pray to the goddess day and night for a chance to meet them. But once they do, they realize it's not all roses and violets. Not every mate is sweet and loving to their significant other"

"Are you speaking from experience?"

"More or less. Shall I make it sleek or messy?"

"Sleek. Not a hair out of place" Beverly replied wondering why Gail was evasive whenever it came to her past. According to the rest of the pack, she had been the one who found her and made her her assistant. No one knew where she came from or why she'd agreed to work for her. She could have asked her to leave but Beverly thought that she needed at least one person on her side. Gail hadn't grown up in Blue Moon which meant she wouldn't treat her like the rest of the pack. With Auburn hair, brown eyes and a few inches shorter than her, she was more than pretty and could have any man she wanted. Why was she wasting her time serving her? It definitely wasn't for the money. There was also something extraordinary about her that Beverly couldn't quite put her finger on it.

"One day, when I'm ready, I'll let you in on my secrets"

"No thanks. I'm not interested"

"Yes ma'am" Gail answered taking a step back "What would you like for breakfast?"

"Meat"

"I'll have the kitchen prepare it"

An hour later, she walked into the dining room. Not surprised that it was empty or that Gail had practically ordered them to make all types of meat. Instead of asking her to clarify what type of meat she wanted, she always went over and beyond her duties. Beverly didn't want to know why the others listened to her. At first she'd thought Gail had threatened them and that maybe one of them would be courageous enough to tell her but no one came forward. They were cowards and she wouldn't lift a finger to do anything until they brought the issue up themselves.

The rest of the day went by fast but Beverly noticed two things. First, her father didn't come back from the supposed meeting he went to and second, Mikaela was nowhere to be seen. Had she finally decided to leave the pack? Or had her mate whisked her away? She prayed to the goddess it was the latter. She also hoped the guy was rotten to the core and he treated her like s**t. Standing at the front door, she watched people scurry away, trying to get out of her sight. It was funny and annoying at the same time. She was just standing there, doing nothing. Was there a need for them to be afraid?

"Ma'am" a warrior called, approaching her.

"What?"

"You have a guest"

Beverly furrowed her eyebrows "A guest? Did they say they were looking for me?"

"Yes"

"Who?"

"The Alpha of Hell Manes, Roman Vance"

She thought for a few seconds then said "I don't think I've ever met him. Why is he here?"

"Now, now, darling. I can't believe you already forgot about me"

"Who let him in without my permission?"

"I would need permission to enter if I was here for other business but if I came to see my mate, believe me, no one would dare stop me"

For some reason, what he said ticked her off. This was her pack. Her home. Who did he think he was to waltz in there and spout such nonsense? Blood rushed to her ears. Beverly realized what was happening and tried to control her feelings but it impossible. Hadn't she tried to stop it before and failed? She had no power over what happened to her body. Once she was angry... There was a sharp pain on her neck moments before she passed out. Beverly couldn't tell if it was real or just her imagination but she could have sworn she heard Gail talking.

"...piss her off if you don't..."

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