Blood And Silver:Rise of the Alpha’s Rejected Mate
Chapter 74

Chapter 74 AURORA No ! I leaped up from my desk so fast I knocked the heavy wooden chair over .

Yes , the clone of me hissed .

She rose and folded her arms across her chest in a superior way , then tilted her chin up so she was looking down her nose at me .

Youve forgotten yourself .

Who you were made to be .

Raised to be .

I took a step back , and the wicked version of myself answered by stepping around my desk .

Dont run from it , Ann .

You are a monster years in the making .

I opened my mouth to argue that I was no monster , but nothing .

came out .

The other me picked my journal up off my desk and weighed it in her hand .

Read this .

Youll see .

She offered it to me .

I shook my head .

Refused to take it .

Her smile turned into an evil grimace .

You wont go willingly ? Fine .

Go by force .

She lunged forward .

The book fell open with her movement , and she shoved it into my face .

I braced for the impact .

But there was no impact .

Chapter 74 2/6 Instead , when the pages hit me , the world went dark .

My office was gone .

The safe , cozy sights and scents of the Blue Ridge pack house were gone .

Instead , there was the old , musty scent of basement and damp .

stone .

I looked around .

I was in the Broken Forest pack house , where Id found the pages .

I looked down at myself .

Unlike my usual pastels or light neutrals , I wore black .

It made my skin look white as printer paper in comparison .

I touched my hair .

It was long and pulled into a thick French braid that hung straight down my back .

In the first instant , it was as alien to me as if Id been shoved into a new body .

Then , like a door opening inside my mind , I realized it was familiar .

All of this was familiar .

This was me .

It was the life Id lived for years .

I was in a memory .

I wasnt in my room this time but walking down a long hall .

Chapter 74 3/6 Someone moved at my side .

I didnt have to look to know it was Esther Reed .

She looked tall , and that meant I had to be young .

How old ? Your latest mission was a failure , she snapped .

Fear welled up in my belly .

I knew what failure meant .

Id bet whipped .

Bled .

When you served it , nothing could atone for failure except suffering .

Mother , no ! I cried .

My voice also sounded young .

Was I 12 ? 13 ? No one seemed to know when my birthday was .

This felt so wrong .

I wanted to be a good servant .

I wanted my mother to love me .

But when I tried to do the evil things they made me do … Inside , my wolf whimpered .

She didnt like this either .

She had always been so weak and stunted , because I was weak and stunted .

We werent enough .

Esther interrupted my thoughts .

Take her away .

When her throat is raw from screaming , shell be allowed to try again .

Burn the guilt from her .

NO ! But Esther wouldnt listen .

She turned aside and muttered something as hands grabbed me and started to drag me away , but I thought she said , Nameless help me , this one has been the hardest of all to break .

Chapter 74 4/6 The memory flashed , bouncing through scenes of torture that made me weep with remembered agony .

Everything faded to darkness again the darkness of nightmares .

Slowly , my heart started to turn cold .

The next time I was aware , I stood outside with Esther and my Alpha , Waylon .

They didnt look so tall , and when I looked down at my body , I could tell I was older .

I felt … colder inside .

Numb .

My wolf was a weak , starving thing inside me .

I tried to never shift because I was so ashamed .

Let me see your hands , Esther snapped .

I held them up .

were covered in blood .

I ambushed one of the Blue Ridge scouts .

She was old .

Easy to kill .

Good , said Waylon .

My father almost never spoke , and his praise warmed me like a fire on a cold night .

But I wont allow you to sleep .

Not until you kill two more .

No food , either .

It had been days since Id eaten .

Days since I slept .

My mind slipped from me , from that place .

Nothing felt clear .

Nothing but my burning desire to serve them and their master .

Yes , Alpha , I said .

Waylon stepped forward and grabbed my chin .

He looked down at my body , and a leer crossed his wrinkled face .

Do well , and Chapter 74 Ill teach you other things .

5/6 I swallowed , fear prickling in me .

I crushed it .

If I didnt seem cager to serve in every way , they would punish me .

There would be pain , then less food , less sleep .

Yes , Alpha .

You cant use her like you do the others , Esther snapped as the scene started to fade .

Remember , I have other plans for her … Everything faded again except the darkness , and pain .

I was nothing and nowhere .

All around was black .

As forever passed , someone cried .

I think it was me .

What do you desire ? The voice came from everywhere and nowhere , as if it was asked by the darkness itself .

To be good , I answered without thought .

Wrong .

I know you , Ann Reed .

Tell me , what do you desire ? It dug into my brain with cold claws , as if rummaging around for the answer it wanted .

Then it showed the answer to me .

I shuddered , and answered as if the words were pulled from my throat , Power , so that I can never be hurt again .

Chapter 74 Thats right , the darkness whispered .

And I have Would you like to see ?