Page 3 of Outcast
For everyone but me.
A wistful sigh escaped my lips as I struggled with thoughts of wanting more out of my life. I took in the cottages and surrounding forest, breathing in the comforting scent of the pine trees. This was home, but Milo was right. I did deserve more than this servitude. But what could I do about it? Run?
We lived several hours from the closest human town, and I had no means of getting there. The pack would hunt me down before I even made it to the edge of our territory.
My gloomy thoughts followed me as I approached my small cottage and pushed open the door. I deposited the bucket and towels in the far corner where I stored my cleaning supplies and decided to shower and get this blood off of me immediately. Everything else could wait.
I stripped out of my blood-smeared leggings and cotton shirt, dropping them into my bin for washing, and threw on a red robe. It should be a safe option with everyone gone.
I’d head to the showers while everyone was preoccupied so I could clean myself without fear of humiliation or attacks from any of the other women my age. They treated me the worst out of anyone else in the pack. The reasoning behind it was beyond me. I had nothing for them to be jealous of.
The older ones ignored me like a passing gnat, not even worth their acknowledgement, while the middle-aged women sneered at me but held their tongues.
I’d had my fair share of clothes stolen while I showered in an attempt to humiliate me as I ran to my cottage naked. They’d crushed herbs into my soap to give me rashes. You name it and it’d probably happened to me at some point.
I’d learned the best way to avoid the wrath of Sofia, the ringleader of all the bullies, was to complete my list of chores at certain times while they were in classes. Learning her schedule had been a game changer.
I couldn’t help but wonder if Sofia wasn’t here, would I fit in? Would I have friends?
She loved to parade around and say she would be Jameson’s fated mate, ruling the pack at his side.
Honestly, it made me laugh that she was so obsessed with him because Jameson showed zero interest in her, or anyone else for that matter. Well—aside from the attention he paid me in his efforts to make my life hell whenever he could.
She knew that though, and thus the reason for the big, red fucking target on my back. Apparently, she’d prefer to receive the wrath he bestowed upon me rather than the cold shoulder treatment she always got.
I’d trade with her anyday. If only it were that simple.
Opening the door of my cottage with my shower bag in hand, filled with soaps, a few pieces of makeup, and my fresh clothes packed in it, I stumbled to an abrupt stop, greeted by the sight of Jameson’s best friend, Seth.
He peered down at me, his amusement at my disheveled state clear from the smug smirk on his face.
“Rough day?”
I couldn’t contain the snide comment that flew from my lips in response. “Like you give a shit, Seth.”
Fuck, fuck, fuck. Why did I say that?I hadn't talked back to a shifter in years, once I realized it made it easier for me to disappear from their minds if I stayed subservient.
For a brief moment, early on in my time with the pack, I’d thought that we could be friends with the brief looks of intrigue he sent my way, but he had made his loyalty to Jameson perfectly clear over the years.
Instead of the wrath that I expected to receive, that same intrigue that I hadn’t seen in years, flared in his eyes. His eyes had always fascinated me, as they were such a deep blue that they appeared almost purple in hue.
Not that I spent a ton of time staring at them or anything.
“So, our Kitten has claws after all,” he mused, a dark, slender brow raised at me, and his lips still firmly tugged into that infuriating smirk.
I felt my back straighten at having stuck up for myself for the first time in my life without getting smacked down for it. Maybe it was time for me to demand more for myself and my life here.
Narrowing my eyes at him, I let this unknown strength pour out of my soul to fill me and imbue my words. “You have no idea.”
I’d decided. Things were going to change.
Chapter Two
Kira
His large handcame up to grip my chin tightly between his fingers as he tilted it up. Gazing into his eyes, I felt an involuntary gasp escape at what I saw reflected in his gaze.
Desire. Intrigue. Confusion.
