The last thing a group of shifters expected was to find two toddlers cuddled together in the middle of the woods, yet that's exactly what happens.
When Ryo, Hesterin, Griff and Callie stumble across a pair of twins of an unlikely breed they all vow...
A/N just FYI Reclaim_the_Rainbow absolutely none of this chapter was planned lol I just thought I'd add a little spice also this chapter is a bit shorter since there wasn't anything else I could fit in
I hung out in my room after that, my sketch books tossed about precariously. I needed to find inspiration, but even with the ocean view right outside my window I couldn't think of anything to draw. A knock on my door brought my attention away from my books for a moment and in walked Ashton. He paused as he noticed my on my bed and scratched the back of his neck awkwardly.
"Sorry, I thought this was Ashlyn's room." He muttered, though he was studying my relaxed posture and the sketch books thrown about. "Nah, you're fine. I could use a distraction. You settling in ok?" I asked, looking back at my books and squinting. "It's fine I guess. I wasn't expecting everything to be so big, the building looks small on the outside." "You'll get used to it. Apparently the watchtower was enchanted by a witch a long time ago to ensure anyone who needed shelter would have everything they could possibly need here. We have two gigantic libraries with all the books we could hope for." "Weird. Can I ask a personal question?" He moved over to the beanbag in the corner closest to my bed and watched my reaction.
"I suppose." I answered, letting out a deep breath and facing him. "What did your bother mean when he said you guys had no where else to go? What happened?" My body tensed as the question left his lips and I immediately lowered my gaze, my eyebrows furrowing. "We were two years old when Callie, Hesterin, Ryo and Griff found us being chased by hunters. They saved us back then and we've lived with them here ever since." "Oh."
We didn't say anything for a long time and I quickly went to closing up my books. "Your sisters room is to the right of mine by the way." I informed him, hopping off my bed and putting them on my desk. "Im sorry, I ask dumb questions that hurt people when I'm trying to protect my sister." He apologized sincerely, standing and heading for the door. "I know that feeling all too well." I gave him a small smile when he glanced at me to show I wasn't upset with him before he left, leaving me to suffer with the memories alone.
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I didn't bother going to dinner that night, too mentally exhausted to put on a happy face. I simply changed into pj's and climbed under the comforter, snuggling into the pillows as I readied myself for sleep. The nightmares attacked immediately, his face engraved in my mind as he laughed while I went through the pain of being burned. Marked. Branded. It didn't matter what it was called. It hurt, I wanted it to be over. Scream after scream left my throat raw and scratchy as tears cascaded down my cheeks, my pleas falling on deaf ears.
"This, my child, is the only reason you're still alive." He laughed before a man swathed in shadows handed him a fire stoker with what seemed to be a star shaped brand. Without wasting another second he pressed the burning hot brand to the skin on my shoulder. A silent scream tore through my throat as I lurched forward, praying this dream would end. The pain rocked through my body, long after he'd pulled it away with a sadistic smirk. "Remember who you belong to." He muttered, lightly tapping my forehead.
I sprang up in my bed, my chest heaving as sweat rolled down my back uncomfortably. Triston, Ashton and even Ashlyn all stared at me from the side of the bed, eyes wide with worry and confusion. I furiously wiped at my cheeks and marched into my wall in closet, pulling out a fresh pair of pj's. "Lia? Are you ok?" Tristan asked softly as I made my way towards my en-suite bathroom. "Yes, I'm fine." I lied smoothly, turning on the water.
"Lia." "Tan, please just drop it. I appreciate you all coming in to check on me and everything, but seriously, I just need space." "I'll leave you be for now, but we seriously need to talk in the morning." "Ok dad." I huffed, shutting the bathroom door and stripping down. I paused as I looked at my reflection and my eyes widened to the size of saucers, fear gripping my mind like a leech.
Just where it had been in the nightmare, sat the very same Star brand. The flesh around it as red and raw, heat emanating from the fresh wound. Tears welled in my eyes as I pressed my fingers to it, disbelief turning into complete and utter terror. "No no no this can't be happening..." I muttered to myself, rubbing a hand through my hair. I tried to convince myself I was just hallucinating, it was all left over flashes from the nightmare, but as soon as the warm water touched the red welt I arched my back and let out a pain filled hiss.
Definitely not a hallucination....
I hurriedly washed the sweat from my body and made my way to my bean bag, hoping to get lost in a good book.
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