Marked by Enemy

"No one is coming to save you, so you either face life as it is or kill yourself." Aunt Cynthia yelled at me, her face blowing hot and red with fury. I blinked back the tears threatening to fall from my eyes but she forcefully raised my face to look at her. "Before your parents died, they made me promise to raise you right and strong and that is exactly what I'm doing. So, force get your act right and get to work." She snarled in my face and left the room, slamming the door behind her. I sniffed back my tears as her words sunk deeply. I didn't understand why she treated me so badly at times and during other times, she acts as though I was the most precious thing in life. However I didn't have all the time in the world to brood over it. "You can do this, Hailey!" I muttered, despite feeling like a dead flower inside. My feet were dusty and brown from walking all around town. My dress was now almost the same shade as the crusty leftover bread at the stalls. I stared at my reflection in the mirror and shook my head sadly. "This isn't who I'm meant to be. I'm meant for greatness." I was used to consoling myself with thoughts like that but today just felt terrible and out of place. "I'm off." I yelled at the door, waiting for her usual snarky response. "I don't care, just bring me back my money." She yelled back and I scurried out of the door before she'd change her mind. Outside the house, the brightness of the moon hit my face, almost blinding me but I was used to that as well. I picked up my apron by the door, blew the residue dust off it and placed it on my shoulder. As I walked outside, I was met with a familiar face. "Mrs Holman, why are you here again?" I asked, gazing at the old woman affectionately. Mrs Holman used to be one of the brightest women in our pack but she lost her husband and three sons in a fire and since lost her spark. "My shoulder hurts, Hailey. It feels like a battalion of army hit me." She complained with tears glazing her eyes. "Oh, that's too bad. Come over here." I motioned to her, glancing at the door to make sure my aunt was nowhere in sight. "Let's do this quick before the Witcher gets here." I said and she stifled a laughter. We found a corner and she sat while I closed and raised my eyes, ready to perform my magic. On my eighteenth birthday after I found my wolf, I discovered that I had something even more special. Unlike other wolfs, I could heal other people. It started as a mere spark now I can boast of being a healer....well, maybe a little. I felt power seeping off my body and I felt my soul and body getting lost in the realm until something flat hit my face, hauling me across the corner. "What are you still doing here you lowlife? I told you to go get my money and all you can do is test your shame of a power on this old, cranky, wench? Are you out of your mind?" Aunt Cynthia yelled loudly at me with fury burning in her eyes. I felt defiance stir up in my chest but I knew better than to talk back at her. "I'm so sorry, Cynthia. She didn't want to do it, I made her do it. Take it out on me, not her." Mrs Holman held her hand tightly. Aunt Cynthia casted a disgusted glare at the old woman before pushing her off aggressively. "The next time you dare put your misery filled hands on me, I'll cut them off since you don't need them. Murderer!" She spat disgustingly before kicking the air inside. "Mrs Holman, I'm so sorry. Are you hurt? I've warned you several times to not try to take the blame for me, I can sort myself out." I said, picking her up. She had tears in her eyes but refused to let them out. "It's nothing to worry about, Hailey. My shoulder feels better anyways. You should go to work now before she comes out again." She said and instantly scurried off. I sighed, glancing back at my hell hole of a home. I walked further into the path that led to the bar where I worked night shifts as a waiter. The loud sound of music signaled how close how close I was to the bar so I took out my multiple layers of clothes and quickly put them on. This was my usual, which of course, was unknown to my aunt. She'd literally kill me if she found out that I was hiding my figure under multiple layers of clothes. She wanted me to show off do I could find a "suitable man" for marriage but I knew better that the men at the bar only wanted to have sex. "Ah, here she comes! The night angel." I heard a familiar voice in the dark but wasn't startled. That was Dina, my crazy best friend. "Girl, you should act surprised sometimes. You know, learn to show other emotions asides sadness and happiness." She groaned at her failed attempt to surprise me. "I can literally tell you by your voice, Dina. What do you want me to do? Jump and scream at the sound of your voice." I spoke into the dark, knowing she was few steps away from me. "Whatevs, nerd. Whatevs." "So, are you ready to find your mate?" She said and I instantly forced my hand over her mouth, in fear that someone would hear her. "Sshhh, Dina. What the hell? You can't say that out in the dark like that, who knows who's listening?" She grunted, trying to get out of my hold. I finally let go after she stopped struggling. "What? What's so bad about saying it? The mating ceremony is happening tomorrow, everyone knows that. What's the secret?" She shrugged, as though she was clueless. "You know my aunt doesn't want me at the mating ceremony so I can't go." I sighed, hating my life. "So? You can go if you want to....just under a lie." She said and my eyes widened. "What? I'm just trying to help my best friend find her mate, nothing more." I could see the mischievous twinkle in her as the music from the bar got louder. "Aghhhh!!! I love you so much, Dina. I can't wait to find out who my mate is!!" I squealed happily but little did I know what I was getting into.