A Puppet's Revenge (Wattys 2015)

Chapter Five

The sound of an agonised howl combined with the loud cracking of bones reached my ears, and I immediately realised that I wasn't going to be getting away that easily:

Lucas has shifted.

"Oh, crap..." I broke into a sprint, allowing my body to break into the speed of the wolf as I ran from my mate.

My mate?! Him? How is that fair? He tried to sacrifice me!

A small sob began to claw it's way up from my chest as the situation finally registered in my mind. The instinct urging me to return to a mate who has abused me on a near daily basis for months now, no way José! Why should I?

Lunar Goddess, what should I do?
I sent a hopeless prayer to my saviour, at least, I think it's a prayer... How do you talk to a Werewolf goddess anyway? "How does this thing work?" I wheeze, thunking myself on the head with my hand - as if that makes anything better. Another howl sounded behind me, closer this time. Indecision warred inside of me: this is my mate, my one and only perfect match, he might be able to save me from... no, don't think about that, now is not the time! But, on the other hand, Lucas has abused me for months and shown complete disregard for my feelings so why should I even consider his? Or do anything that would ultimately benefit him?

The answer came to me in a heartbeat.

I shouldn't.

"You called for me, child." A voice chimed inside of my head. "How may I be of assistance?"

"Oh, okay, yeah. Hi!" I stammered awkwardly. "Um I've just discovered who my mate is and I'm not exactly pleased. Can I get a refund or something?"

"You were designed and created as two beings to belong solely to each other. I have been grieving for you the moment you told me of your abuse, and I am impressing my desire for punishment unto you."

"Okay, what does that mean?"

"'Give him Hell', Kass Montgomery."

There was a sudden sense of absence in my mind and I knew that the goddess had made her departure.

Well, I mean, I'm glad that she doesn't really seem to mind what I do to him, but did any of that really help me? No, not really.

Coming back to my senses, I realised that I was finally nearing the edge of the woods - the lights from the Pack House illuminating the large and well-arranged garden in a soft yellow glow that brightened as I drew closer. Suddenly, the rapid pounding of paws ceased and instead the hurried sounds of cracking bones took its place. 

I didn't stop running.

"No, please come back!" Lucas' broken voice echoed in the surrounding space as he cried out from somewhere behind me. I did my best to shrug off the way his voice cracked and went hoarse at the end, because if I began to think about it, I know without a doubt that I'd go to his side in an instant. The instinct was already beginning to nag at my conscience and I refuse to give in to it. I refuse to help him.

No. I smile to myself as I break free of the woods and run into the open arms of my mother who was waiting worriedly by the pathway at the edge of the garden. "We're going home now, sweetie. Your Dad's bringing the car around." I begin to grin. No: I'll give him hell alright. He's been playing with me for too long. 

This will be a puppet's revenge.

     *************

My dad drove us home in tense silence, constantly peering into the rear-view mirror to check on me and sharing remorseful looks with my mum. All was still silent even as we pulled into our drive and entered the house.