01 Leeches
Nala
I sat in the living room, waiting for my guardians to tell me what they wanted to say. They had summoned me to join them in the living room, and I knew it was for a serious reason because I wasn't allowed in the living room whenever they were home. It had been like that since they took me in when I was six, and now I was twenty-one, and it was still the same.
I watched my aunt Trisha look at Uncle Mike, urging him to speak. It must be serious because usually, she is quick to say her mind, but not today. Today, she would let the person I was related to by blood speak to me.
Uncle Mike shifted on the couch and then looked at me. With a deep sigh, he began to speak.
"Nala, there has been a recent development that has caused your aunt and me to deliberate on your matter, and so we have decided," he said, and I remained silent.
I learned a long time ago not to interrupt them when they speak. A beating was always in order. Though they never hit me anymore, I still have the scars to show for it, albeit hidden.
"Next week, you will be marrying Future Delta Brian," he said, and I was shocked!
"What?" I asked, and I saw anger flash in my aunt's eyes.
"I am supposed to marry Maxwell. I am the oldest daughter of the Gamma family and Maxwell's betrothed. I have been trained to be Luna. Why should I marry Brian now? I don't even talk to him," I complained, and my aunt sighed.
"Maxwell has been at battle for a year now, and no one knows when he will come back…" she said, and I interrupted her.
"That is not true. He is coming back next week. Doesn't everyone know that?" I said, and she smiled.
"Rumours, just rumours." She said, and I looked at her.
"Well, I am willing to wait. I would rather Maxwell than Brian," I said, and my aunt chuckled.
"You are getting older, Nala. It is natural that even when Maxwell returns, he will go for your younger cousin. She just turned eighteen and got her wolf. We just don't want you to waste your time. Besides, things are hard, and we can't afford to feed a grown woman anymore," she said, and I got up.
"You must be kidding. Please tell me this is some sick joke because I am not finding it funny," I said, and my Uncle yelled.
"Watch your language, Nala!" he warned.
'No, I won't. Did you hear what she just said?" I said to my Uncle and looked at his wife.
"You can't feed me? You can't afford it. Have you ever worked a day in your life? Do you even know how to earn your own money?" I said, and my Uncle growled, but I refused to stop speaking.
"I work and pay my way. When was the last time I ate from your pantry? I earn a living here. I feed myself, clothe myself, and take care of my needs. I have been doing this since I turned sixteen," I said, and she growled at me.
"Well, you still use our stuff..." she said, and I laughed hysterically. Was this woman stupid, or was she on something?
"Your stuff? Your stuff!" I asked her, and my Uncle stood up.
"Your stuff or my stuff! Stuff you stole from me. Stuff that my parent left me?" I said, and my Uncle slapped me.
He hated it every time I reminded him that they were enjoying my inheritance.
He hated being in my father's shadow, but that is where he will always be. He is nothing compared to my dad. He is just a bitter, sick, competitive man who cheated, manipulated, and lied his way through life. Both he and his wife deserved each other.
"You are an ingrate, Nala. When your father died and your useless mother ran away, we took you in so you wouldn't end up dead. That is what happens to rogues. We made sure you had a semblance of a home and a balance, and you call it stealing," he yelled at me, and I didn't care anymore; they could both go to hell.
"Yes, Uncle, it is stealing when you refused to hand me my father's property and money when I turned eighteen. It is stealing when you switched my trust fund and assets into your daughter's name. It is stealing when I sleep in the old maid's room in what is supposed to be my house. Now your wife is telling me I used her stuff. Stuff my father bought, stuff you pay for with money that belongs to me!" I yelled, and he hit me with so much might that I tasted blood im my mouth.
"When the Alpha asked us to take you in, I didn't want to because you will be …" he started, but I wasn't done talking.
"Take me in, you say. How pathetic. You and your family moved into my house and took over everything," I said, and he chuckled.
"You'll marry Brian whether you like it or not. And he will teach you humility and respect," he said, and I figured that was the plan all along.
"So that your daughter will be Luna. Once I am out of the way, Kayla can be offered to Maxwell since she is also a Gamma. Wow. You never cease to amaze me," I said, and he looked at me.
"It is the alpha's orders," he said.
Of course, it would be the Alpha's orders. After all, they were friends. The former Alpha had died along with my father and former Beta at battle. Alpha Caleb was Alpha Amos' younger brother, who took over. The guy was a bastard. He banished his brother's only child. I never knew the boy. I was only six when it happened. He erased Alpha Amos as if he never existed and took over everything. Sometimes, I believe his clique were the one that ran my mother out of town.
I guess birds of the same wing flock together. He was just as evil as my Uncle.
"Then Alpha isn't smart enough to see how manipulative and conniving you two are. He isn't smart enough to see your true intentions," I said, and I smirked.
"Let me guess, you two know you can't use me, so you want your daughter to become Luna. What are you planning? Are you planning a takeover? Alpha Caleb is blinded by friendship. I am sure he will learn," I said, guessing their true intentions, and Trisha laughed.
"Did you just call the alpha stupid?" she said, and I knew where she was going. She wanted to get me in trouble in the pack.
"I wonder what kind of Luna you would be when you do not respect your alpha, Nala,"' she said, and I didn't care.
"You will marry Brian, and it is finally." My Uncle said.
"And you will give me my father's money and properties. Every single dime," I shut back, and he smirked at me.
"You and what army, Nala? Look around you; you are at our mercy. Do not push me," he said, and he and his wife left the living room.
I had cried so much that tears weren't what I needed now. I needed to think my way out of this. Brian wasn't a good person, and I can't have suffered with my guardians only to end up in a f****d up marriage with a psycho.
