The Runt novel Chapter 10

ABANDONMENT ISSUES AND NEW NIGHTMARES

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My adopted father was clearly eager to be rid of me so I no longer have a home to run back to, and as much as I always dreamed of it happening – I don't have a mate who is going to fix everything wrong in my world. No... everything that is wrong is going to stay broken, and everything that I thought was good is now destroyed. In a period of weeks I went from having a family of hundreds to feeling the most abandoned I've ever been and considering my origins, that is saying something.

I've never felt unwanted before – until now.

I've never felt unloved before – not once in my entire life – until now.

I've never felt unliked before – until now.

I've never felt such hostility by people who are supposed to be my 'family' – but I've also never been kicked from home like I was so I've breaking all kinds of thresholds these days. I've survived two weeks like this but something tells me that everything is changing after tonight – Alpha Michael's demeanour promises me I have a lifetime of dread and sorrow to look forward to.

I eat as quickly as I can and the minute I lay my fork down he tells me to get out of his sight, which I happily do. For the first time since my arrival, I regret that my door doesn't lock because something about Alpha Michael's behaviour tonight was off, frightening... threatening.

For the first time since my arrival – I wish Alpha Kace were here.

I use the attached bathroom to change into my baby doll nighties and brush my teeth before exiting and crawling into bed. I survived another day in this place, tomorrow is another day-

"Not much of a she-wolf, are you?" The voice comes from a dark corner in my bedroom and frightens me so drastically, I scream. A light turns on and reveals Alpha Michael sitting in the armchair in the corner of my room, next to the small table and now turned-on lamp. Silently I wonder how I never picked up his scent, and Nova gives me a small, embarrassed shrug – she has no better explanation. Of all the times for my already poor senses to fail, now is one of those times. I couldn't be more vulnerable as I lay in the bed in my nighties – the only style I own because of my size forces me to shop in the children's' department and the selection isn't as great.

"What are you doing here?" I say, or rather squeak in a voice I scarcely recognize as my own. Even at my sickest I've never sounded as weak as I do right now because the fear coursing through my veins is drowning everything else out. Alpha Michael smirks as he stands then walks over to me.

I die inside and collapse externally at the realization and that 'this' is going to happen and as he slowly slides into me, Nova's tears are falling freely as are mine. His moves are slow and surprisingly gentle for a rapist and as I brace myself for the final intrusion – for him to break my hymen and take my virginity – the bedroom door swings open widely.

Alpha Kace.

"How embarrassing," is all his father says, pulling himself out of me. He squeezes my face tightly before releasing me, as if to silently tell me to keep my mouth shut, or else. "I'm sorry son, you weren't meant to see us together," he says sheepishly. He is playing the part of the 'caught in the act' lover perfectly as opposed to the 'raping my son's mate' part he should actually portray.

Terrified, I'm unable to speak and since we're not mated I can't mindlink Alpha Kace so am forced to rely on simple body language and trust – which means I'm in trouble. There is no way Alpha Kace is going to believe me over his own father, especially when I can't even open my own mouth to defend myself!

We shouldn't need to – he should trust in the mate bond and know better, Nova declares angrily, choosing that route as opposed to the state of complete horror I'm currently stuck in. I meet Alpha Kace's eyes – no doubt mine are full of the emotions I'm currently running through while his are equally expressive - suspicion, doubt and betrayal. None of them are in my favour, as I expected and I know my living hell is about to get worst.

I'm not sure how, but they'll find a way.