THE BEAST IN ME

Long before the werewolves formed packs and the dragons split their land into territories. My kind were living peacefully out in the open.

We the Tasmanian devils had a very powerful reputation in every land there was. We were fearsome shifters who stood at 8 ft - 20 ft tall.

Our stocky and muscular built surprisingly gave us speed and endurance greater than the other shifters, we could climb trees no matter how high they were and swim across rivers like it was nothing.

Our black fur made us fit in perfectly with the nightfall, and gave us the complete camouflage of the night when we were up for a quick hunt.

Many shifters knew how we rarely shifted into our human form and how we were carnivorous. And so they decided to keep away in fear.

We also had a very keen sense of smell that allowed us to separate substances such as Poison from Potions, and detect whether an imposter, rogue, assassin, or enemy was approaching. No matter how light their footsteps were and how careful they moved, we easily detected them and planned how to take them down ahead of time.

My kind was mostly happy to have this keen sense of smell because it was the only way that helped us to scent and find our mates when we came of age.

Most Tasmanian devils came of age when they reached the age of 20.

We lived for a very long time because our life span was thrice as the humans.

When the ritual of coming of age was set by the elders, the males were required to fight one another for the female's hand. Despite being mated, any male interested in a specific female had a right to fight the female's mate for her hand.

Those that were already mated stood from afar watching and guarding their partners to prevent female infidelity.

Females were respected way more than the males because they were a few of them. My kind was rarely mated to another kind of shifter, so it was hard to coexist with the other shifters and bond in one environment.

Our culture and traditions were somehow similar to the werewolves but also further apart

To attract mates, both males and females scent-marked the ground, rocks, trees near their caves and houses. The stronger the scent was, the greater the chances of mating more than one female or male became.

As much as the females seemed weak, they got Stronger whenever the mating season began. The females were known to reject small males vocally and physically.

They wanted the best of the best, that's why the males fought each other and the top five winners were given an opportunity to approach any female and dominate her completely.

Once a female accepts the male, the male would bite the scruff of her neck and drag her back to his den, where he would further assert his dominance by pushing and nudging her.

The pair would then mate for a few minutes to over an hour.

Mating usually turned incredibly aggressive, with male and female devils due to the strong pheromones they both released. The male would bite and mark his female forcefully while the female would do the same during and after the act.

In the mating season, after male devils have mated with their females, they spend an extended period either confining the female in a den or closely following her to make sure other males were unable to mate with her.

It was once in a lifetime that a female Tasmanian devil decided to forever mate one male and warn off the other males seriously. Most of them took pride in being worshiped and fucked by the strongest warriors and leaders.

Our females were polyandrous and had multiple mating partners, and their male partners were mostly younger than they were.

As years went on. The number of assassins who had an interest in our kind increased, the more they developed their weaponry, the more danger we encountered. We were hunted down for no specific reason and killed on spot.

We had to lay low and learn how to keep ourselves hidden from the public eyes.

We easily adapted to the new changes, but sadly our customs were disadvantaging us all. The males wouldn't stop fighting for the females who by now were way fewer than then. Most of the males began killing each other as means to fight for what was rightfully theirs.

I knew it was a matter of time before I was to come of age. My instinct would soon kick in and force me to fight anyone who stood in my way just so I could mate a female.

I had to leave before I could end up regretting my whole life. And so I took off with a few clothes and gold bars in a bag. I walked away from my own family and friends without a single word.

My decision was already made and I was going to live by it.

The journey was dangerous and exhausting for I had traveled in search of land that wasn't occupied by any shifters or human beings yet.

I met some rogues and a few assassins who I easily managed to take down. I got their supplies for myself and continued onwards.

It took me a year to find a land that was not owned by anyone. And another five years to build up a mansion that was a few miles away from a cave that I had marked as my home.

Surviving became easy because way down ahead was a river that separated my territory from the human land. And behind my beautiful mansion was a forest where I haunted freely and fed. The only time I shifted to my human form was when I wanted to buy things for my house.

Yes, the beast in me was satisfied to live in a cave and feed from the animals around us. But the human in me wanted to live like a normal human being with a good life.

"Everything was going smoothly."

That's what I had convinced myself, when deep down I knew it was a total lie, because every year when the mating season began. The beast in me became aggressive and in need of his mate. He wanted to find her and breed her the whole year until he was sure that she was carrying our seed. I had to chain us in the cave a few times but it was useless.

He broke free and went out to hunt. The next morning I usually found myself lying next to a naked, female dead body. And it went on for as long as it could every year.

The humans started to warn their kids to never cross the river because that's where the beast that killed and fed on their blood lived.

It was sad. But I knew well because the beast was in me.

Hera P.o.v

"Quit sighing," Ava said seriously. " Yeah right," I muttered under my breath then sighed again.

She glanced in the rearview mirror with a glare then focused on the road.

"You should make sure you don't bring that rotten attitude to our new house." She said between gritted teeth.

I glanced at her for a second then chuckled softly. Was she trying to be a comedian?. Because her shit wasn't any funny.

"And whose fault is it that we are traveling far away?" I asked in a whisper.

"What?" She asked loudly while glancing at the rearview mirror again.

"Nothing, did you hear something?" I asked trying so hard to play dumb.

"I don't care what you think of me Hera. All I know is that I'm still your fucking mother who gave birth to you. So always show some respect and keep your asshole side in check." She warned.

I swallowed hard then bite my lower lip.

"Keep your peace Hera. Keep calm." I said to myself silently over and over again.

I wasn't going to fire back, nor spit at her for being such a horrible mother in my fucking life!. She was the reason why I had no place I could call home!.

My grudge with her started way back when my father was still alive.

My father was a very kind, humble, devoted man, who came from a respectable home and background. While on the other my mother was a nagging, ungrateful, selfish lady who came from a very wealthy family.

You might wonder how such a lady would end up with such a man. It's simple. Her screw-up life was all that went wrong.

My mother was what we called a player. She was never faithful to one man nor interested in dating them seriously. She had her share of fun and nights out, until one day she got badly drunk and was dared to fuck my dad who was the virgin loser in most eyes.

She being the queen of the show chose to go on with the entertainment. She talked my Dad into sleeping with her. And like a fucking horrible fairytale, my Dad who was already crushing on her stupidly gave in.

That one-night stand was suppose to end that same night. But shit turned messy when my darling mother discovered that she was pregnant with me. She was so scared of her family finding out, and what they would do to her. And so she pinned her rotten sins on a millionaire Playboy.

The millionaire Playboy first rejected her strongly. But a few threats from my so-called mother had him agreeing.

Ava felt like she was on top of the world. Her every will and order was going as planned and nothing seemed to stand in her way. Well, the dumb bitch was dead wrong because the night that she gave birth to me made the millionaire playboy realize something. How could his dear lovely Ava give birth to a healthy baby girl, who wasn't even premature when she had told him she was only five months pregnant!.

The man was furious, he wasted no time in rejecting her openly and shaming my poor grandparents.

As for my grandparents, they renounced my mother as their daughter and kicked her out.

Ava had nowhere to go and no roof on her head. I had no idea if that's where her hatred towards me began or later on. But she was angry and felt like her life was at the end of the road. Luckily she still had one card to use on her sleeve and that was my father.

Being the genius that she thought she was. She easily figured out who the owner of her child was and where he lived. ( That was my father ).

She approached my father and explained everything to him in tears. My father who was already in love with her, accepted her without a second thought or any reason of doubt. He welcomed her in his humble home and vowed to protect the two of us.

As years went on, my father worked very hard and soon his status picked up in our society. Our lives turned in just a quick moment, we moved from being poor, unnoticed, irrelevant people. To respected and most loved family.

Ava was so happy that she was living her dream once again. She began to squander our money carelessly.

She had a lot of cars just for show. Beautiful expensive jewelry pieces that only a few women in our country could afford. She drunk a lot too and threw parties every chance that she got. Whenever my father tried to talk her out of her spending habits she became furious and violent. Throwing things at him and calling him horrible names.

My father would take in the abuse without any fight or say. He waited for her to calm down then apologized for shit he hadn't even done.

Years went on and everything was still the same. The only difference was that I was a grown-up teen, my mother was a drunk and my father had more grey hair than those older than him, he was thin and rapidly losing weight but kept it himself all the time.

Whenever I had time from school, I did my best to cheer him up and make him smile. He always held my hands and told me how lucky he was. But what made me feel confused were his last words he used to say in each conversation. "Never leave your mother. Always love and take care of her." I never asked why he was saying such words, all I did was nod and smile happily to cheer him on.

Then one-day tragedy struck. It was the worst memory and experience of my life that I would never forget.

It was a usual day and I had just come back from school. I stood in my room debating on what to wear when I heard a very loud, terrifying scream come from Ava.

I quickly rushed out of the room and went downstairs and into the living room where her voice had come from.

She was on the ground weeping with her cellphone in her hand.

"Mother what happened!. What's wrong?" I asked on top of my voice in fear.

She couldn't look at me nor answer me as she kept on weeping.

I could only think of one thing to do if I was to get answers.

I quickly grabbed her phone and looked at it.

Someone was still online calling out her name.

I carefully put the phone against my ear and answered.

"Hello."

The man sighed In relief then continued.

"Ma'am, can you please come down to the hospital and help us identify the dead body?. We want to make sure if it's really your husband or not."

Those words instantly shattered me. My whole world dimmed and it went cold. There was nothing I could hear nor see for a few minutes.

"She killed him." That was the only thing that rang in my head.

Even when it was confirmed that it really was my father. The words repeatedly rang in my head.

He had an accident on the highway, but no matter what, it really looked like it was suicide. The breaks were okay and there was no trace of another car hitting into him. He wasn't even drunk that night, sadly he ended up driving to the side of the road and down the heel crushing into a tree.

The man that did his best to protect and love me was now dead and it was all Ava's fault. I cried my eyes out and passed out once. I was still in shock to process it all that I was rushed to the hospital and admitted.

On the day of the burial, I was discharged. I stood with no tears in my eyes watching Ava from the crowd as she cried and called out his name. While everyone felt sad for her, I felt nothing. Because I could see clearly past her acting. There was never a day that she was good to my father. She called him ugly names and told him to go die and set her free.

I guess what she thought was that she would get to inherit everything that my father had. Boy was she wrong. It turned out that my father had no will left at all, and he left everything in the trust of my grandparents, his parents. They took almost everything from us. But luckily left us a house, a few cars and a cheque.

They emphasized that they were doing this much because of how much my father loved me. And that it was up to them. They would have never left us a dine nor a house.

They then cut ties with us and we never heard of them since then.

Back at school, I was the talk of every person. My so-called trusted friends instantly turned their backs on me and began mocking me. While Some took it upon themselves to laugh in my face. But what was worse was the bullying I started going through and experiencing.

I went back home in bruises and at times a closed eye. My mother who was going way out of her mind paid no attention to me. All she did was drink and smoke her troubles away.

School that was once my favorite place, became my feared hell. I began skipping classes and usually kept to myself. Yes, I missed how I was and longed to have a friend that would accept me for me, but who was I joking?. I was the rotten piece of trash that didn't fit in, in the perfectly clean environment.

My mother's drinking became an addiction and she joined gambling. As if it wasn't enough, slow by slow she started selling things off. At first, it was her few cars. Then her clothes, Jewelry, paintings. Accessories and Furniture.

Our life changed for the worst and we began to struggle with everything. Food, clothes, clean water, and bills to fix broken pipes and our bathrooms in the house.

I had to do something, I had to find a way. And so I went to search for a part-time job. Many people were harsh on me and wanted nothing to do with me. Some gave me some lame excuse of me being too young to work. While some wanted to fuck me in exchange for hiring me.

I wanted to quit, but my will to survive everything was way stronger. I kept on searching and searching for a few years but no luck was in my way. Only after I graduated from high school was when I found a job, as a cleaner.

I was so happy and tears filled my eyes. It was like a breakthrough I had longed for and wanted so bad.

I worked so hard for a few months and things began looking up, I even bought a car and managed to get Ava and me some food and new nice clothes.

But the ungrateful bitch had to screw me over. She lost a gambling bet that was way beyond what we could even afford. And what made matters worse! from wanted, well-known feared criminals.

Everyone in town knew how they ruled the cops and did whatever they wanted. We were in deep shit and our lives were in danger.

I grabbed a few things that I needed and drove away to another town. I was dying to leave her ass for those criminals, but then I couldn't forget my father's words. It was his wish that I was to take care of her and that was exactly what I was going to do.

The new town we went to wasn't so bad. And the people were also friendly.

I got a job there and made sure that my mother was under control.

Shockingly she torned down on drinking and stopped gambling. We didn't talk much but tried to communicate with each other. She too looked for a job and began working in a cafe.

We later got an apartment and stayed there for a year and some months.

Then from nowhere, she announced that we were going to travel to another country. She went on to say that she did her research well, the place we were to live in was a nice place near a beautiful river and the people there were friendly but mostly minded their own business. My college fees were already paid and covered for.

I was in shock over her sudden change of character and words but chose not to show it.

And now here we were. Traveling to our so-called new house. The plane ride was pretty annoying but despite that. I was happy to finally go to college and start my life anew. Maybe, just maybe, I would once more make friends who would embrace me and laugh with me.

Hera's P.o.v

"We are here," Ava whispered softly while pushing the car door open.

I glanced outside with a low sigh, not wanting to go out.

My eyes were fixed on the blue-painted house to our right that was the only one away from the others. Compared to what we first had, it really was small. But then the apartment we lived in was way smaller than this.

The house had a big veranda and windows on the front. Green grass was everywhere on the ground and the tall trees behind the house were rustling loudly.

"We don't have all day you know," Ava said seriously.

I glanced at her then quickly rubbed my hands against my arm when a cold shiver went around me.

The house gave me goosebumps. It reminded me of a haunted house I had once watched in a horror movie.

"This house gives me the creeps of a horror movie vibe." I said honestly.

Loud laughter startled me, Ava was bending forward with her arms wrapped around her waist as she continued laughing.

I froze in shock not knowing how to react. This was the first time in a while that she was laughing genuinely. With me, she was usually giving me a cold stare or not looking my way. At times she just gave me a blank expression.

She became more of a stranger than a Mother to me as time went on. I found myself knowing less and less over what she thought and felt.

"It's not funny." I pointed out with a pout.

"Omg Hera, you should have seen your face. How old are you to be scared of such movies." She teased while she stood upright.

"For real, this house looks nice but it gives me goosebumps." I answered then opened the door and came out reluctantly.

"Those movies aren't based on real life. Well....most of them. I can also assure you that this house is perfectly safe miss scared cat." She teased.

I glared at her playfully then shrugged.

"Now let's go in, I hope you don't mind that I picked out your room." She said while she closed the door behind and went to the entrance.

I frowned not liking her words. Why the hell was she choosing a room for me?. I wanted to chose and decide everything on my own.

I dragged myself to the door with an angry expression.

She pulled out the house keys from her jean trousers and unlocked the door.

"Welcome home." She said under her breath.

"Yeah, whatever." I murmured under my breath then walked in without a second thought.

"Where is my so-called room?" I asked seriously.

"Hera what's wrong?" She asked behind me.

I turned and faced her furiously.

Everything was wrong!. Did she not know that?. All this time she made my life a living hell on its own besides those bastards who attended school with me. Never was there a time that she was concerned or worried about my being. Now that we were in a different country and a new house, she was giving me some pretense emotions. I wasn't some petty little girl who craved for her parents' love or attention, no!. I was a full-grown-ass lady, capable of surviving anything the world would throw my way.

"Can't we cut the acting?" I asked seriously as she frowned.

"What do you mean?" She asked as her frowned deepened.

"Look, Ava...."

I trailed off and saw her tense.

Why was she acting like this?. Ever since my father passed away, I called her by her name and she seemed unfazed by that. Now that we were in some different environment and place, she was acting all different.

"I know that we don't look eye to eye or talk, and that's not a bad thing at all, quite the opposite. I love it. That's why I'm telling you to cut the act and stay away from me. I too will do the same as always. Think of me as a roommate, I'll do my part of chores or everything, while you go on ignoring my very exist......"

I flinched and took in a sharp breath when a painful slap grazed my cheek.

"How dare you!" She yelled on top of her voice shocking me.

I looked at her with blurry eyes as tears filled them.

Never was there a day that I was slapped by her.

Feeling the ache so bad on my skin and her cold eyes made me scared.

It was now clear how much she hated me. Now that I had nowhere to run to, she was showing me her true self.

She was about to touch me when I angrily slapped her hand away.

"Don't you dare touch me!" I spat loudly surprising her.

"Hera." She called softly then tried to move when I took a step back.

"Why, you?" I asked in a whisper as tears rolled on my cheeks.

"Why were you the one to live and survive?. Why wouldn't it have been Dad!. If you were to die in Dad's place, my life would have been better and normal!" I screamed on top of my voice as her face instantly went pale.

"You are a horrible person. No, a horrible mother. Never was there a day that you showed love or care to me. While I went through a lot, what were you fucking doing Ava?. Gambling and drinking your life away in peace. Was there a time you realized how much in pain I was?. No right." I said with laughter.

"Did you notice the red bruises I came with from school?. No right. Was there a time you thought to yourself how strange it was that I had to put on a fucking hat and scarf in summertime!. I wore fucking shades in winter too!, Because I had a badly swollen eye which couldn't open for a week. They hit me everyday for months Ava!. Mocked me for being an orphan who was left with a drunk mum. My own close friends spread my name around and made me a clown to amuse them......." I trailed off and swallowed a forming lump in my throat as tears continued to fall.

"A few times some men wanted to take advantage of me. Some even got aggressive with me. I was so scared and lonely. The only friend I had was in my imagination." I whispered then lifted my hands and wiped off my tears.

"So Ava don't act kind towards me or try to fix the shit that's already been broken. I will do my part well, go to college and clean the house. You do what you have always been doing too, staying in your room for as long as you want. My father died, but so did my mother. You are just a stranger looking after me, that's all you are to me." I whispered seriously then turned and went upstairs not caring if the room I was going to choose was mine or hers.

My heart was aching badly and the tears rolling on my cheeks couldn't stop. I could hear her sobbing as well and it made me feel worse.

I found two rooms on each side, one painted pink, and one painted dark brown.

"Screw being a princess," I whispered then walked to the brown door and pushed it open.

"Home sweet home," I said softly then walked in.