Stolen by her Wolves

II – Father’s love

Crystal

The next day arrived, with the weight of yesterday's torment still fresh on my mind. As I continued my chores, the voices of Marla and Maurice echoed in my ears, their words like a never-ending chorus of cruelty. But then, something unexpected happened. There was a knock on the door.

My heart skipped a beat, and I rushed to answer it, praying it was someone who could offer me a glimmer of kindness. As I swung the door open, my eyes widened in surprise and joy. It was Gary, the Beta of the Crest Moon Pack and my stepfather.

"Dad! You are back!" I exclaimed, my voice filled with relief and happiness. I threw my arms around him, embracing him tightly.

He returned the hug, his strong arms enveloping me. "Crystal, my dear," he said warmly. "How have you been?"

Tears welled up in my eyes, but they were tears of happiness. Gary was the only person in this pack who had shown me love and kindness. "I've missed you, dad," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper.

Gary looked at me with concern, his eyes filled with a mixture of empathy and worry. "I've missed you too, Crystal. But there's something I heard that I need to ask you about. I want you tell me the truth. Okay?"

My heart sank at the mention of Maurice and Marla. What had they been saying about me now? "What is it, dad?"

He sighed, and then his voice took on a serious tone. "Well, Maurice was crying earlier, she told me that you've been bullying her and causing a mess in the house, which is why Marla was so angry with you and make you sleep in the attic. Is that true?"

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. The lies that Maurice had spun to further her cruelty were astonishing. "Dad, it's not true," I said, my voice trembling with disbelief. "I would never do such a thing. I'm the one who's always mistreated."

Gary's brows furrowed in thought, and he gazed at me intently. "Crystal, I've known you for a long time, and I find it hard to believe you would act that way. But I had to ask. I don't want any trouble in this pack."

I lowered my head, my heart heavy with the weight of the false accusations. "I'm sorry, dad. I'm sorry for causing trouble, even though I didn't do anything."

Without warning, Gary pulled me into another hug, holding me close. "Crystal, I know you're a good girl."

Tears welled up in my eyes again, but this time, they were tears of gratitude. Gary was the only one who saw the truth, the only one who stood by my side. "Thank you, dad. Thank you for believing in me."

He held me for a moment longer before letting go and looking at me with a reassuring smile. "You're like a daughter to me, Crystal. I'll always be here for you. Now, let's try to resolve this with Marla and Maurice. I don't want any more misunderstandings."

I nodded, my heart swelling with affection for Gary. "I'll do my best, dad. I just want the torment to stop."

We made our way to the main bedroom where Marla and Maurice were. As we entered, their expressions were a mixture of surprise and annoyance.

Gary cleared his throat and said, "We need to address the situation regarding Crystal. I've spoken with her, and she denies the allegations."

Marla crossed her arms, a defiant look on her face. "Gary, you know how Crystal is. She's always been trouble."

Maurice chimed in, her voice dripping with faux innocence. "Yes, dad. She's been causing problems for us for a long time."

I couldn't believe the audacity of their lies. I had been nothing but a victim in this house, and they were trying to turn the situation around.

Gary's expression grew stern as he addressed them. "I trust Crystal, and I don't want any more trouble between you. We are a family, and we should be supporting each other. Crystal has been through a lot, and it's time for her to find her place in this family."

Marla and Maurice exchanged glances, and their faces contorted with annoyance. They had been caught in their web of lies, and they didn't like it.

Gary turned to me and said, "Crystal, you have my support. Don't let their words bring you down."

I nodded, my heart filled with gratitude for the one person who showed me love in this pack. "Thank you, dad."

As we left the room, Gary put a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "Crystal, I believe in you. Don't ever forget that."

Tears welled up in my eyes again, but this time, they were tears of hope. With Gary's support, I felt like I had a chance to stand up against the torment that had plagued my life for so long.

As I left the room with Gary, I couldn't help but feel the weight of Maurice and Marla's gazes on my back. Their eyes bore into me, filled with resentment and anger. It was clear that they saw Gary's support as a threat to their cruel control over my life, and I knew they wouldn't take it lightly.

I walked with my head held low, not wanting to provoke them further. I knew that this was far from over, and that their revenge would be swift and merciless. They would stop at nothing to make me suffer even more for daring to stand up against them.

In the distance, I could hear Maurice's spiteful whisper to Marla, "She's just a trouble, Mother. We can't let her get away with this."

Marla's response was equally filled with malice, "Don't worry, my dear. We'll find a way to put her back in her place."

My heart sank as their words reached my ears. I knew that my battle was far from over, and that the torment I had endured would only intensify.