Loved and Abused

Chapter 4

Sasha's POV

unedited

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After the coronation, I headed to the after party. The party was held at the pack house, a five story building. It has crimson red shutters, and is painted a light grey. The inside, however, was a light beige, with colonial creme trim around the rooms. The kitchen is a light yellow with dark brown trim, and the pack members rooms were all sorts of colors. One little boy, Cody, has blue and red on his walls. Serenity's room, I found out, Is an assortment of colors. One would say a rainbow room. My room is white, with dark trim, and dark, almost black furniture. An Elegant type furniture and room setting. I walked to my room, instead of taking the elevator. I needed some time to think about everything. My father's funeral is tomorrow, but I don't know if I can handle it. My father and I were very close. He was my role model and my friend, one of the closest, actually. I just can't believe he's dead. He was sleeping when I left the house, which was at about mid-night. He must have gotten up in that time frame. But that boy. I tracked the man down, but never confronted him. Instead I called anonymously, and alerted the police. I would have intervened, but he wasn't a werewolf, or any other supernatural creature. The cops had arrested him for murder, they already found the body so there wasn't an issue with evidence. I snapped out of my thoughts when I ran into something hard. I felt sparks instantly. It was either James, or Eric. I looked up to see James standing there, staring at me. Almost like he was in a trance. He snapped out of his trance apparently, because before I could register what was happening, he pulled me into him. He practically smothered me, I couldn't breathe at all. "I'm sorry. I wish this didn't have to happen to you. I know you two were very close." he whispered into my shoulder. I told him everything that had happened and that I have reason to believe that Miranda had killed him. "That can't be possible. If she was his mate, then she would have felt something, even the tiniest bit of pain." "I'm going to look into it anyway." I said. I walked up the rest of the stairs to my room, with James in tow. When I reached my room, the first thing I did was plop down on my bed. I still have to go home to Miranda and go to work. Then I have my Alpha duties. I have to find out how to squeeze my duties into my schedule. If I don't then Miranda will find out. I use the money I make as a waiter for the bills. Seeings as Miranda doesn't have a job. I lie there thinking how I'm going to make this work, when I feel a dip in the bed. James pulls me closer to him and starts to take in my scent. His scent is so intoxicating. Pine. Eric smells of peppermint. Those are my two favorite smells. I start to slowly, but surely drift off to sleep.

THREE HOURS LATER

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I start to wake up. Where am I? I asked myself. I shot up out of the bed like a rocket. I risked a quick glance at the clock, 8:45! I'm late for my shift! I ran home, only to be greeted at the door by Miranda. "Where have you been? Your shift started 45 minutes ago." I need a lie and fast. "I was at Erin's house." She looked to believe it. "No, no you weren't. You were at that sorry excuse of boy's house. Weren't you?" she inquired. "No, I told you where I was. Now, if you'll excuse I have to get to work." I squeezed past her and ran up to my room to change into my uniform. I grabbed it off my door hook and slipped it on. It was a little light yellow dress with a white apron and collar. I slipped my name tag on and sprinted down the road. I made it to the bus stop with just enough time to catch my breath. Once loaded onto the bus we took off into the night. The small city in Wyoming, consisted of three diners, a theater, five motels, a grocery store, and a gas station. We passed the store and were headed to Hal's Diner. It's the most popular diner in town. Hal's wife landed me the job, and is the cook, along with Hal himself. I jumped off the bus and darted through the doors. The diner had checker tiled floors, and light red walls. The counter tops were like a type of fake granite with stainless steel wrapped around it. I clocked in at 9:00 sharp. Mary, a older lady who also worked there, called out to me. I headed over to her with a fake smile plastered on my face. "Where have you been? you're an hour late!" "Sorry, I had a rough night." I said. Hopefully she bought it, because I didn't feel like explaining anything. She looked at me with a sad expression, then said "Did it happen again? 'Cause if it is I can-" I didn't let her finish. "No, I'm having some issues. That's all." I said. "What kind of issues?" she questioned. Well, should I tell her my dad died, or just tell her family matters. "Ugh, well, my ugh, my dad died. Two days ago." I managed to choke out. "Oh, honey I'm so sorry. You need to tell Hal and Vanessa! You can get fired! That's the third time you've been late in one week!" she practically yelled. I nodded and went into the kitchen to see two mad owners glaring at me, but Vanessa's was more of a sympathetic glare than a mad one. I dropped my gaze and took a sudden interest in my shoes. They had a hole in the toe of the shoe. I'll have to get new ones with whatever money I have after I pay the bills. Hal was the first to break the silence. "Where have you been? You shift started an hour ago!" Now he was mad. "I-I-" I didn't get time to finish before Hal cut me off. "You're fired!" he yelled. This time Vanessa spoke. She had a look of surprise on her face, while, I on the other hand was on the verge of tears. "Honey! Lets not be rash. We haven't even heard her excuse!" I couldn't take it anymore. Traitor tears started to fall down my cheeks. Vanessa rushed over to me to try and comfort me. "I-I.... My d-dad... h-he is.. is." I took a deep breath then said in between gasps, "He died... day before yesterday. That's why I've been late. I have to plan his funeral. My mother's to drunk to do it." Vanessa gasped, everyone in town loved my father. He was kind and honorable. He was an all around gentleman. "Oh my, I'm sorry to hear that!" Vanessa gasped out. Hal looked at me with disbelief evident in his eyes. "He can't be, can he?" Hal asked. I sighed and looked down at my shoes again. Now I had stopped crying and finally looked at Hal. "I'll go change into my clothes. I'll be right back." I squeaked out. "No. That won't be necessary. Just don't be late again. Ok?" he said lowly. "Yes sir." I said. I walked out of the kitchen with tear stains and puffy eyes. I walked up to my table with my pad in hand. "I'm sorry for the wait. How may I help you?" I asked the couple. They were in their mid to late thirties, the woman had midnight black hair with a slender appearance and the man had dark brown hair and stocky build. "Ugh, I'll have the bacon burger with fries and a vanilla milkshake. Jerry?" "Um, well, I'll have the 8-rack of baby back ribs with mashed potatoes and peas with a chocolate milkshake." I took their menus and headed back to the counter to place their order. After I made the milkshakes I took them to the couple. My tear stains had made my concealer fade out on my checks, so now a giant bruise was evident on my right cheek. "Sweet heart are you alright? What happened to your face?" she asked. "Wha... Oh, um, I-" I was cut off mid-sentence by the woman. "Is everything alright at home?" What is she talking about? I mean, yeah really bad stuff happens to me in that house I used to call home. "Of course. Why wouldn't it be?" I replied. "Honey, it's clear as day. The bruise on your face." My face paled at that moment. The woman looked at me with concern in her eyes. The bell on the counter rang out. There's the food. I turned and walked up to the counter, grabbed the food and headed back to the couple's booth. "Here you go. The bacon burger with fries. The 8-rack baby back ribs, mashed potatoes and peas, with a milkshake." I put the food down and left them to their food. "Ugh.... miss." The lady had come up to the counter. "Yes ma'am? How may I help you?" "Can you come with me?" That's an odd question. I wonder what she wants? "Ok." And with that I followed the lady, she had led me into the girls' room. "Let me see your face." she stated."What?" I questioned. "Sit down on the sink. I need to look at you." "What? Why? And what are you talking about?" She pushed me onto the sink and brought a wet paper towel to my face. As she brushed over my cheek, I winced. It throbbed every time someone touched it. "This looks bad, sweets. You need to see a doctor. You may had a fractured jaw. I can't tell." Then I smelt it. I let out a low, guttural, growl. "Why are you on my territory? And what is your business will the Blue Moon Pack, Rogue?" She dropped what she was doing and backed away from me. "I'm sorry Alpha Reed. A-After diner I was going to stop by your office to talk to you about my mate and I becoming apart of your pack." " You should have come straight to me, especially when you could have been killed." She gulped.