The Beaten Path.

chapter 14: United

Kelly's POV
"Start talking," I say to Jarred as I glare at him.

"When we were eight, I was told that you killed your father and sister."

"By who?" Faith interjects, her eyes wide with shock.

"My father and Kelly's mom, April. They told everyone in the pack that you were the cause of their deaths and ordered everyone to shun you. We were told to treat you like a rogue."

Faith and I gasp at this revelation.

"My father recounted their side of the story at a pack meeting that Kelly wasn't a part of. He said that Kelly had tricked her sister into going into the woods, where her rogue friend was waiting to attack her sister as soon as they were in the cover of the trees."

Faith grabs my hand, both of us listening in disbelief to the lies Joe and my mother spun about the events. I let her hold my hand; it's nice to have someone's comfort after everything I've endured. I return my focus to Jarred.

"Once Mae was attacked, Kelly ran to her father, begging for help, but it was only to lead him to the rogue as well. Being a protective father, he followed Kelly to his death.

"They only found out because one of the patrols saw the whole thing and reported it to everyone, essentially repeating the same story. My father had the patrol member killed for not intervening."

"What?" Faith and I exclaim in unison, jaws dropped and eyes wide in horror.

"From that day forward, I treated Kelly like she was nothing—a speck of dirt. I was ordered to beat her whenever we crossed paths.

"At first, I hated how she would beg me to stop because I wanted to so badly. Kelly was like my sister before then; our parents were best friends. After a while, Kelly didn't react when I hit her. It was as if she no longer felt it, which broke my heart even more.

"When Kelly met Dominic, her mate, I was happy for her but couldn't show it because I didn't want my father to know I was glad I wouldn't have to beat her anymore. But then April and my father dragged me into their plan to kidnap Kelly to abuse her more. I went along with it because I didn't want to lose my future title as Alpha.

"After my father said he was going to mate with Kelly and kill my mother, I knew I couldn't stay and continue to help him. So, after my father and April fell asleep, I took my only shot to get Kelly out of there, as well as myself. No, I didn't do it for her; I did it mainly for myself.

"After I decided to escape, I went straight to Kelly, and, well, you know the rest of the story."

"Wow, just wow. Why would my mother and your father do this, knowing damn well none of that story they told was the truth?"

"I'm not sure, Kelly, but for what it's worth, I am truly sorry for everything."

"Well, Jarred, I think you have a lot to make up for, but I'm glad you helped Kelly, even if it was only for selfish reasons."

"I don't trust you, Jarred, but I do forgive you. It takes too much energy to hate someone, so I forgive you."

"Thank you, Kelly. I will earn your trust back, I promise."

"You better," Faith and I say in unison, bursting out in laughter.

"Wow, we are on the same wavelength, Kelly!"

"I know, it's crazy! We are meant to be!"

"We sure are!"

After our conversation, we helped Faith clean up. Once we finished, we followed her to her room to gather some of her things, since she's coming back to the Blood Night pack. After helping her pack, she showed us to the spare rooms.