Beneath the Broken Moon: Part One: Shifter/Vampire Romance by Sarah Makela Read Free Book Online Page B

cousin raised her arm back, then slapped me across the cheek.
    “This is your fault.” Her voice matched her eyes. Empty. “I don’t know why Uncle William even tolerates you, you selfish bitch.” Pain contorted her face. “Don’t screw up the meeting with your mate. I doubt you deserve him, whoever he is. Aunt Katarina shouldn’t have stopped him; you’re the one he should target, not us. But maybe that’s for the best. No one would want you if you were ruined too.” She spun on her heel and left the room.
    I couldn’t hold back my astonishment. How could she say that? She’s angry and not thinking straight. Maybe I did deserve the harsh words. No… I came home as soon as I could from Derek’s, regardless of the consequences, but my effort meant nothing. I was never good enough for them.
    I bit my lip hard, holding back a scream. Tears cascaded down my cheeks. If I hadn’t been tied down, I might’ve left and never returned. The only person who cared about me was my mother. But how could she continue to love me when I caused her so much pain, even if it was through Father?
    Sobs shook my chest. The pain in my shoulder felt like a mosquito bite compared to what filled my heart. I had outsmarted a vampire and jumped from his window while injured to come back to these people, and yet Chandra and my father would be just as happy if I had died. At least if that were the case, maybe my mother wouldn’t be abused like this. Maybe Father wouldn’t feel like he needed to beat her for truly loving me.
    But what did Chandra mean about him ruining her? An ugly bruise stained her face, but surely there wasn’t anything more serious than that. Even as I tried to deny that Father could stoop to such a wicked level with Chandra, I wasn’t surprised. He beat Mother regularly, what stopped him from raping Chandra? If Mother hadn’t stopped him, he would’ve done the same to me, regardless of trying to find me a mate.
    I wriggled against the ropes, trying to slacken them. If I were at my full strength, I could’ve broken through, but I’d only draw more attention to myself. Even if Father’s senses were dulling from age, he’d be able to hear that much commotion.
    Instead, I stayed quiet and hoped Mother would loosen the bindings. Surely Dr. Matthews would be around soon. They wouldn’t keep me like this with the doctor set to arrive, would they?
    I frowned and looked out the bedroom window again. At least Derek had been kind to me, even if being in his presence was hazardous to my health.
    Father was just as dangerous to my sanity, after all.

CHAPTER ELEVEN
    Carmela
    I opened my eyes to see Mother standing over me. Sunlight peeked through the window. Faint bruises still marred the skin of her face, neck, and arms. She worked a knife through the ropes that bound my wrist.
    “I’m so sorry, dear. Your father is just stressed. Since you weren’t feeling well yesterday, he moved the visit with your mate to today. He’ll be here in a few hours. I’ll be helping you get ready.”
    “What about Dr. Matthews? He said he’d check in on me.” I frowned and stared down at my hand, which had become red and slightly cool from constriction. Rubbing it against my leg, I watched her cut the bindings on my feet, relieved it was a new day.
    “He came yesterday afternoon. Before...this.” She pointed to the ropes and sighed. “He said you seemed to be well enough, considering the circumstances. Dr. Matthews realizes how important it is for you to meet your mate. He’ll be back in a week to recheck your shoulder.” Mother attempted a smile but looked defeated. “There you go, sweetie.” She lifted me into her arms and slid me to the edge of the bed, then rubbed her hands over my feet and ankles.
    Pinpricks of pain flowed through my hand and feet from the blood returning to them. “How are you?” I traced my fingers over the splint Derek had fitted me with.
    “Oh, I’m fine, sweetie. Don’t worry about me. Today is