Heart of a rogue

* Chapter 6

As Lucy's fury threatened to boil over, Declan moved swiftly to intercept her, his strong grip firmly restraining her as she struggled against his hold. The air crackled with tension as her determination to confront her parents clashed with the pack's urgent need for restraint.

Meanwhile, Abel stepped forward, his voice calm yet resolute as he attempted to reason with her. "Lucille, listen to me," he implored, his words carrying a sense of urgency. "You need to stay in control. Your emotions are like ripples in a pond, but you are the one who can calm the waters."

Joshua, sensing the escalating tension, offered his support to Declan. "I'll do what I can to convince them to leave," he assured, his gaze unwavering as he met Declan's troubled expression. "But we need to keep Lucille in check. We can't risk her losing control."

My anger flared, my frustration evident as I struggled against Declan's grasp, my eyes blazing with an intensity that matched the fire in her heart. "Let me go!" I demanded, my voice laced with a mixture of fury and desperation. "I need to confront them. I need to make them pay for what they've done."

She struggled against their hold. Her eyes, once filled with determination, now widened with a frantic desperation, their pupils dilating as if consumed by the turbulent ripples in her mind.

"Lucille, please," Abel pleaded, his voice tinged with worry as Declan tightened his grip, attempting to anchor her to the present moment. "You need to stay with us. Don't let the anger take over."

Beside me, Declan echoed his sentiments, his voice steady and reassuring. "Lucy, focus on your breath. You're stronger than this. You can control it," he urged, his words a lifeline amidst the chaos threatening to engulf us.

Meanwhile, Joshua wasted no time, swiftly darting off to intercept Lucille's parents before they could reach the packhouse, his determination evident in every stride.

As my breaths quickened and my heart raced, the world around me blurred into a chaotic haze. Every fiber of my being screamed for release, for the wild abandon of shifting to my wolf form and letting instinct take over. But deep down, a small voice pleaded for restraint, for control.

Then, like a beacon cutting through the darkness, Abel stepped forward, his presence a steady anchor amidst the storm raging within me. With a calm demeanor, he began to guide me through deep breathing exercises, his voice a soothing melody in the tumult of my mind.
 
I was back there...

Sitting at a table, while my mother used a wooden stick to hit my hands. Over and over again. 

Because my writing wasn't lady-like. It wasn't neat enough. I had made a mistake during my writing. 

My hands were bleeding heavily. 

I was only five. 

The more I cried, the harder she striked. Crying wasn't lady-like either. 

"Lucille, focus on your breath," he urged gently, his words penetrating the fog of my panic. "In... and out. Let each inhale ground you in the present moment."

I was back there. 

Forced to sit in my room without dinner, breakfast or another dinner. For three days, she had me starve. I only received water.

Why? Because I spilled soup on my white dress and that wasn't lady-like either. 

I was only six. 

Which was still a luxury, at least it was my room and not the closet. 

I struggled to follow his instructions at first, my breaths coming in short, uneven gasps. But gradually, as I mirrored Abel's rhythm, a sense of calm began to wash over me. His reminders of our training sessions together, of Sam, resonated deeply within me.

With each breath, I felt the tight grip of panic loosen its hold, replaced by a newfound sense of clarity. Though my body still trembled with the remnants of adrenaline, I found myself on the precipice of reason once more.

Through Abel's guidance and the memory of Sam's unwavering support, I regained control over the tempest raging within me. No longer enslaved by the overwhelming surge of emotion, I stood poised on the edge of transformation, my mind clear and focused, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. '

"I really, really hate them," I whispered, my voice trembling with emotion.

Abel gently placed a hand on my shoulder, his touch a comforting reassurance amidst the turmoil raging within me. "We know, Lucy," he murmured soothingly, his voice a soft whisper in the dimly lit room. "But we're here for you, okay?"

With a deep breath, he guided me through the breathing exercise once more, his calm demeanor a lifeline in the midst of my stormy emotions. As I focused on the rhythm of my breaths, I could feel the tension in my body beginning to ease.

But despite Abel's comforting presence, the resentment bubbling inside me refused to be quelled. "I just... I can't stand them," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper.

Abel nodded understandingly, his eyes filled with empathy as he continued to guide me through the exercise. "It's okay to feel that way, Lucy," he assured me gently. "But for now, let's focus on calming your mind and finding some peace."

Sensing the shift in my demeanor, Declan loosened his grip on my shoulders, his touch gentle yet firm. "You're doing great, Lucy," he murmured, a faint smile playing at the corners of his lips. "Just keep breathing."

I nodded, my gaze fixed on the floor as I focused on the rise and fall of my chest. With each inhalation, I felt the weight of my anger lifting, replaced by a newfound clarity of mind.

After what felt like an eternity, I finally felt stable enough for Declan to release his hold on me. As his hands fell away, I took a moment to steady myself, drawing strength from the support of my packmates.

"Thank you," I whispered, my voice barely audible.

''You're in control love.'' He lovingly placed his hand on my check, ''I'm proud of you.'' 

"Lucille,  Joshua is linking me," he said quietly, his gaze fixed on some distant point. "Stay here with Abel."

I nodded, a sense of unease gnawing at my insides as Declan stepped away, his mind clearly preoccupied with the news Joshua had relayed through their pack link.

Minutes stretched into eternity as I waited anxiously, my thoughts swirling with apprehension. What could be so urgent that Declan needed to speak with Joshua?

Finally, Declan returned, his expression grave as he met my gaze. "Lucy, I just got word from Joshua," he began, his voice tight with tension. "Your parents... they're not leaving until they've spoken to you."

A chill ran down my spine at his words, my heart pounding in my chest. The thought of facing them after all these years sent a wave of panic coursing through me, threatening to undo all the progress I had made in calming my emotions.

But as I looked into Declan's eyes, I found a glimmer of determination reflected back at me. "We'll figure this out, Lucy," he said firmly, his voice a steady anchor amidst the storm of my fears. "Together."

With a heavy sigh, I nodded in resignation. "Okay," I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper. Deep down, I knew that avoiding my parents indefinitely was not an option. No matter how hard it would be to face them, I had to confront the demons of my past at some point.

I don't know if I can control myself in their presence.