You are my priority. I will always keep you safe Ana, just remember that.

"Promise?" I whisper

Promise. 

I hate this feeling.

This need to survive day by day.

I hate being starved. Not just of food, but simple decency.

No one has ever seen me as nothing more but a tool. Not one person, except Ulrica. She is the one thing that has kept me sane throughout my entire life. And here she is, promising to keep me safe. She is trying to be the strength for both of us. How long can she keep this up? How long must she bear the burden of...me.

Slowly, painfully, I get to my feet, aware of all the aches and stings right down to my bones. I have lived through torture because of her. I have felt complete destruction from my mate's rejection and was still able to limp away because of her.

When I left my pack, I promised I would no longer be a pawn in someone's game. I promised that I would find my freedom. No matter the cost.

Surviving is what I've done my entire life.

Is it selfish to want more, though? Not for me, but Ulrica. I want to be able to live with her. To enjoy life with her, count the stars, and run free.

Haven't we earned the right to enjoy these simple things?

Simple wishes.

I have no home. I left that life.

No family. I can never go back to my brothers.

No soul mate.

Outside that door is people waiting to give me the option of learning who I am and what I can do.

Out there, they are deciding my fate; they too see me as nothing more than a tool to achieve their own goals.

They talk of a family, but even they can stab us in the back. But it's a risk I will have to live with.

Rica is right; I need to get stronger. They are my tools. They will show me how to sharpen my claws, my teeth, and my mind. I will not go down here. Ulrica is my priority as I am her's. We will fight.

I am not going to lose.

The door stands tall and intimidating before me. But it is also my portal to something new, a challenge to make better. The only way to find out what kind of gift this will become is to reach out, open it, and step in.

I walk like my limbs don't belong to me, and each step is a negotiation rather than an order.

I relax my breathing and open my portal. The light burns my eyes, centering me, and I take another step forward, and another, and another until they adjust.

Their eyes fixate on me, but I ignore them and head to the sink. Without much thought, I turn the faucet and greedily drink the cold water. It was a thirst like I'd never known before. Even my saliva was thick like wallpaper paste. My throat felt parched as if the skin had been extracted and laid out in the scorching sun to dry. Soothing that fire made me feel almost better, stronger. Shutting the water I paused before turning slowly to look at the women sitting on the couches, staring. Luciana stared at me almost with horror and a little embarrassment. While the other scrutinized me from head to toe.

"You are no better than a walking corpse girl. When was the last time you ate?" She asked in her raspy voice. I tilted my head to the side.

What was her name again? Lil? Lilly? lil something. I didn't answer, we continued to stare at each other before Luciana cleared her throat. I didn't take my eyes off the unknown woman. 

She did though, she focused her attention on Luciana and without thinking I jerked my arm to the right grabbing hold of the sharp knife and threw the damn thing as hard as I could manage. Before the knife could plant itself into her dark eyes it stopped midair hovering for a second before turning itself over and lunging itself towards me. I stepped to the side and it soared into the cabinets behind me, trembling from the impact. Pieces of my hair floated towards the ground and I stared at the red hair on the white tiles.

"Well, at least the wolves didn't entirely beat the fight out of you. But I must say, that was a terribly weak throw child. We will have to work on your aim, and your strength." I looked back up. "I will ask again child, when did you last eat?"  Her hair was white like snow and braided to the middle of her back. I tried to focus on her question but the days were so blurred together there was no way to tell when I last had food.

"Can you not speak?" She asked incredulously.

"I talk" I growled and she rolled her eyes, "Who are you?" 

"I am called Lilura and from this moment on I am to be your teacher. But in order to teach you I need to know if you're going to collapse any minute from hunger. Goodness, child you are swaying on your feet." I planted my feet firmly on the ground, grabbing ahold of the counter. I growled at her.

Easy, Ana Ulrica reminded me.

How the tables have turned, I joked and Rica chuckled.

Lilura made an impatient sound and I sighed.

"I don't remember the last time I ate. I think it was before I met the vampires." I finally admitted She gave Luciana a hard stare before waving a hand at the coffee table in front of them. Before them a steaming pot of soup, a pile of warm bread, and sometime of meat laid on the table. 

"She hasn't eaten in over a week?" Lilura asked, her voice laced with her fury. "Please dear sister, explain how this brilliant plan of yours is going to work if she," she pointed a bony wrinkly finger towards me, "is starved to death." She focused her hard glare on me.

"Sit and eat child." she commanded. I narrowed my eyes at her and then at the food. My mouth watered at the sight, but my hunger has betrayed me before. Reluctantly I turn away from the food.

"I will hunt." I replied, taking a step towards the door, stars danced in my vision but I pushed through. If I could even find a mouse it would be enough.

"Don't be a fool," Lilura boomed, " You can barely make it to the door, how are you going to hunt." She snapped her fingers and cold air brushed around me and I was sitting in front of the food. Again my mouth watered but I looked away. My stomach groaned in protest and the witch brought a piece of bread in front of me.

"Eat." She whispered and everything in me wanted to reach towards the bread and inhale it. I sniffed at it. I didn't smell hints of silver or wolfsbane. I only smelt the dough and soft butter. 

"What are you worried about?" Luciana asked her eyes softening with worry. But I didn't want to remember that time. The smell was heavenly but also revolting. I could still feel the pool of vomit and blood from the last time I was tricked.

"Look, child, its not drugged with anything." Lilura broke a piece off and plopped it into her mouth, she chewed for a short time and then swallowed opening her mouth to show me nothing remained. I looked closely and then at the bread she placed in my hand. I waited another minute. The stuff my father used had worked pretty quickly, I inched away readying myself to bolt.

"If we wanted to kill you, there are easier ways, I wouldn't waste the poison." Lilura said, Luciana gave her a warning glare, and for some reason I giggled at that. Their eyes widened and I blushed not able to control the other giggle that escaped my lips.

"Thanks," I whispered before devouring my bread, she handed me another before I was finished with my last bite with a small bowl of soup with cut up meat. Again, I hesitated but after she took a few more bites I finished what was on my plate.

We sat there a while, the two woman staring at me, me staring at my bowl before Luciana asked the question.

"How much did you hear...before you came out?" I glanced up at her.

I opened my mouth and felt the words about to come out before the world began to tremble and the bowl slipped from my hands and shattered to the ground.

Lilura sighed, "Busted." 

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