Page 19 of Claimed By the King's Gamma

9

The Next Day

The only time I get to see Ivy is in small glimpses or brief—very brief—words before being called back for my chores.However, after finishing the washing, I hang it out.I woke up extra early this morning, hoping to get my chores finished early.I had been building up courage all day, and now it is nearing.I am already talking myself out of it.

As I set the basket down on top of the empty washer, I wander into the kitchens to see Clarice.She is going over staff rosters.

Stopping next to her, I glance around at the cooks preparing for dinner.Even though I know I have two hours before I am needed back here, I still hesitate, chewing on the inside of my lip, trying to find the words.

The entire time, all I can think about is Mrs.Daley’s reaction when I asked her, and the punishment I received for thinking stupidly that now that I had shifted, she would allow it.As much as I despise remembering that place, I find myself sucked back into the past.

“Mrs.Daley?”I whispered behind her, making her jump as she stood at the kitchen counter sipping the fresh brew I had just made her.

“What is it?”she snapped, and I flinched at her bitter tone.Her eyes narrowed at me, and I instantly regretted thinking of asking for anything.

“I um… I wanted… I,” I stuttered terribly, trying to force the words out.

“What is it?Spit it out before I lash you,” she snarled.

“I wanted to know if I might be allowed to shift and go for a run.I will be quick, and I will stay close to the orphanage,” I whispered, dropping my gaze to the floor.Mrs.Daley laughed and gripped my shoulder, making me peer up at her.

“Where is the other rogue?”

“She said she would cover afternoon tea for me if you allowed it.And I finished all my chores, even changed your bed linen and made you that banana pie you like, it’s in the fridge,” I told her, hopeful.

How fucked up is hope?It will destroy every desire you ever have when you are repeatedly shown how cruel one can be.Now I always question the intention behind every good deed because they never go unpunished.

“Oh, in that case, of course.Go on.”Mrs.Daley looked at the clock above the door, and so do I.Excitement bubbled within me, and I felt giddy.She was really going to let me go!

“Be back at 4 PM for afternoon tea; you earned it,” she told me.

“Thank you, thank you, Mrs.Daley.”I almost cried at how happy I felt as I rushed off to tell Ivy.Ivy told me not to ask, that she would never allow it, but I had to try so she agreed to cover for me if needed, and Mrs.Daley felt generous.It must have been knowing that we made her favorite pie.

“Stay close to the forest line, Abbie.Don’t wander,” Ivy told me with worry in her eyes as I stripped my clothes off behind the garden shed.Ivy stared back at the orphanage worriedly.

“She said yes,” I reminded her.

“I know, but it isn’t like her, Abbie.Maybe you should stay.”

“Probably because she knows next month, we won’t be her problem and is feeling generous,” I tell her, too excited to find fault with Mrs.Daley’s permission.

I shifted and darted toward the trees while Ivy went to finish the afternoon tea for the kids.However, when I returned, Mrs.Daley was waiting.I could see my clothes waiting in a pile behind the shed.Happy, I moved toward her, seeing Ivy in the kitchen window, who waved and smiled at me.Only then did we both spot the patrols rushing up the side of the orphanage building.Their sight made me halt, and my tail tucked between my legs.

“There she is, she tried to run, filthy fucking mutt tried to run, and now she has come scampering back,” Mrs.Daley said, pointing to me.My eyes widened when I saw they had the kids skipping ropes in their hands.I whimpered, backing up and glancing at the window to see Ivy’s horrified expression in the window as they stalked toward me.

I turned my gaze to the four patrolling men and backed up when they used the kids’ skipping ropes as whips, caging me in and giving me nowhere to escape, and I couldn’t even shift, or I would be naked.My wolf yelped and whined as they lashed me repeatedly when I heard Ivy’s blood-curdling scream reach my ears.

“No, no, stop.Stop!She didn’t do anything!”Ivy screamed.

Lifting my head, my fur was ripping out everywhere, the grass-covered in white, gray, and brown fur when the skipping rope lashed across my snout and eye.I yelped loudly before weight crushed.Ivy had tossed herself over the top of my cowering form.Yet, they didn’t stop, and they just whipped her too while Mrs.Daley laughed and told them to hit us harder.

A hand grips mine, jolting me out of the memory.“Abbie, are you okay, dear?”Clarice asks.

“Yes, sorry,” I tell Clarice, staring back at her.I go to walk off, losing my courage as memories assault my mind.

It isn’t worth what will happen.I will shift later in my room.

Turning away, Clarice doesn’t let go of my hand.Instead, she pulls me back to her.“Abbie, what is it?Did someone hurt you?You’re as pale as a ghost,” she says, peering up at me worriedly.

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