Taming The Alpha’s Daughter

One

Temperance

20th Birthday

“Nova, are you there?” I ask. She had been silent for hours since my brother came down to give us what he called our “Birthday Present.”

The present was… Well, let’s just say it is the sort of present you would rather go without. Something no sane person would ever, in their right mind, consider a present to begin with.

I shake my head to rid myself of the awful thoughts. The more I focus on something, the more it eats at me, the more violently it haunts me. I would rather forget. For good.

I press forward, and an inaudible gasp leaves me as I try to see if for once, I can take back the control from my wolf. I am not asking for too much, right? Just a few seconds, minutes at most, to see the world with my own eyes, instead of borrowing the eyes of others as I usually do. Perhaps it’s selfish of me to ask anything at all, but I never really do that. It’s my birthday after all. Just this once…

“How long have I been in the dark today?” I whisper, surprised that I can hear my own voice. This time, at least I can speak, which means Nova’s restraint is slipping.

“Too long!” Shadow snaps from somewhere off to the left of me. I want to be brave, I want to tell Nova to stop taking control over everything. However, I know my requests will be in vain, earning me more shouts and anger from our companion, Shadow. He thinks I’m weak,, and she is right. He believes what she claims.

Besides, I really don’t want to be blocked out for silent treatment. I hate being alone, I hate the silence as the dread creeps up on me. There is nothing worse than living with your own thoughts. There is no place more dangerous than one’s mind. And my mind always seems to conjure up the worst scenarios.

I hold my breath as I try to move past the barrier that separates me from Nova.

“What are you doing? Get back! Are you trying to get us killed?” Nova groans and strengthens the barrier as I fight her for control.

I still try, but each time I do, it feels like she does anything in her power to push me away. Each attempt is unsuccessful, but I still don’t want to give up without really trying. I haven’t seen actual daylight for as long as I can remember. Nova says it isn’t safe.

Yet, that doesn’t mean I don’t feel what they do to her. Sure, she tries to hide it, refusing to speak of it. But I get glimpses from her memory. I catch on to her pain every time her barriers drop. The only time I am actually let out is when we are back in the cage in the basement. Ironic, isn’t it.

It’s not like I can see anyway. The basement is