Scars of Truth (The Scarlet Vales)

Prologue

FIVE YEARS AGO

A s I stared at the darkened sky above, the rain mixed with the tears streaming down my face, my limbs felt heavy at my sides, scarlet red blood pooled around me.

I had always wondered what it would feel like to die… this was not how I imagined it.

I envisioned my death to be much more peaceful, dying in my sleep of old age, after I had lived a full life.

I had not lived.

Not truly anyways.

A scream tore through my lips as someone pushed down on the torn flesh of my lower leg.

My already broken bones snapping further, shooting pain enveloped my whole being, my vision began to blur as they pressed harder and harder.

A maniacal laugh escaping them.

“The sweet sound of bones snapping, the smell of iron in the air, it's truly a delectable scent and the sounds are beautiful don’t you think pet?”

a whiney, high pitched male voice ground out.

That bitter smell assaulted my nose, making my stomach lurch.

My breathing increased to a rapid pace as I closed my eyes, squeezing them as tight as I possibly could and pictured myself being anywhere but here.

“Open your eyes for me, let me stare into those sweet pools of honey.”

He whispered, goosebumps coated my arms as a chill ran deep in my bones.

A whimper left me as he gripped my chin, forcefully pushing my head to the side to face him.

I could feel the warmth of his rotten breath on my face as he ground out, “I said, Open.

Your.

Eyes. Pet.”

Fuck him and his demands.

I squeezed my eyes tighter.

I would not follow his command.

I would not give in.

My body shook as the I felt the tips of his fingers trail down the side of my face, they paused as they travelled down my side nearing my ribs.

A moan slipped from his lips as he trailed his fingers over the wound on my side.

“I am disappointed I wasn’t the one to give you this wound, but it was beautifully done.

The tearing of your flesh is so symmetrical, the claw marks will most definitely be a permanent reminder of this night… if you survive that is.

And the smell of your life blood, it is much too sweet to resist.”

he whispered to himself.

A shudder coursed through my body at the sound of his words… he couldn’t be that twisted… could he?

I slowly peeled my eyes open, only to see a man with dark brown hair crouched in front of me, his hair blocking his face from my view as he moaned while licking it from his fingertips.

“Sweet.

So, fucking sweet.

I could live off the taste of this for the rest of my days.”

He groaned in pleasure.

Footsteps echoed off the alley walls, the loud clinking of metal banging against something, deep male voices whispering in hushed tones as they approached where I was lying.

My body feeling heavier as the wounds covering my body continued to bleed.

I tried to take a deep breath, but a sharp stabbing pain filled me as I inhaled, preventing me from fully expanding my lungs.

“Look at him, such a sick fuck.

Over there, licking her blood from his fingers like the filthy vampire spawn he is.”

A deep voice laughed from somewhere behind me.

Vampire?

“At least he isn’t a full child of the night, he has his mother to thank for that.

The lucky bastard.”

Another voice chimed in, this one much lighter, happier even.

The clinking of metal met my ears again, the sound of leather pulling against some sort of material.

Was that a belt? Was someone taking their belt off? Suddenly, I didn’t feel so weak as panic enveloped me.

My eyes shot open, my heart about to explode from my chest.

“Hold her down, mutt.”

A gruff male voice ordered the man still kneeling beside me.

I began to thrash my body, blood shooting from my wounds, slickening the ground beneath my body.

I tried to push myself up and I kept falling.

My body slammed into the asphalt over and over, as my broken bones and open wounds tore even more.

“Look at her, her body so broken, yet she still has fight left in her.

Such a shame we need to kill her.”

that deep male voice spoke.

A tall man stepped into view as I felt the pressure of hands on my arms and legs pinning me down. “Please.”

I cried, my voice hoarse from the screaming and swelling.

“Please don’t do this.”

I begged as I stared into a pair of deep grey eyes on the man who now towered over me.

He had dark blonde hair that met his shoulders.

His black leather jacket was adorned with swords and knives, blood was dripping from the blades of the daggers strapped to his chest.

My blood.

The creaking of leather met my ears as he bent down and met my stare with one of his own.

A cruel smile appeared on his face as he said, “Beg all you want princess.

Tonight, will mark the end of your family line.

Tonight, you will die by my hand.”

My eyes widened, pounding filled my ears as he unsheathed a dagger from vest under his jacket.

I opened my mouth to scream and a hand was shoved over it, the pressure forcing my scream to come out a muffled cry.

Tears trailed down my face, as I stared into his eyes.

I realized in this moment, that I was alone.

Truly and utterly alone in this world.

And I was going to die alone in this alley.

But I would not be afraid of death.

I kept my eyes open, staring death in the face as he shoved his blade into my side.

My breath hitching as a choked cry escaped.

I could feel the pressure of the blade pushing against my rib cage, grinding against the bone as he pushed it in further.

My back arched off the ground as he quickly withdrew his blade.

Slow gasps escaped me as my body lowered to the ground.

I could feel my heart rate slowing, numbness was spreading throughout my limbs as I stared into the now clearing night sky.

The moon was shining so brightly as the clouds began to part above.

I wonder what heaven looks like, will anyone be there to meet me at the pearly gates? Voices faded into the background as my eyes began too close.

“The king will be pleased.”

A deep voice laughed.

His voice sounded like it was becoming farther away.

Were they leaving?

Help. Anyone.

The sound of footsteps faded into the night.

I tried to open my eyes.

I tried to cry out.

“He should have entrusted her assassination to us in the first place, his “Blade of Death”

has been lacking in skills as of late.

He couldn’t even get the job done back in The Scarlet Vales.”

He chuffed.

The sounds of their voices disappearing as I gave in to the darkness wanting to claim me.

Please. Help.

“No, no, no! This cannot be happening right now.”

The cries of a familiar female voice met my ears.

The world around me was so dark, I was consumed by it.

I couldn’t see anything, feel… anything.

Until I could.

My eyes flew open as a scream tore through my throat, white hot pain was spreading throughout my limbs as the bones cracked and bent at odd angles.

My open wounds bleeding as my body continued to break.

My heart rate increasing in my chest, my heart pumping so hard I could feel it in my ears.

The sounds of my screaming echoing off the dark brick walls of the alley.

What is happening to me “Hold on girl, it’ll be over soon.

Just hold on.

You are going to be okay.”

Celeste? Was that her? She found me.

A whimper escaped me, as she pushed my damp hair out of my face, the softness of her fingertips causing goosebumps to crawl over me.

I turned my head towards the feel of her, her touch anchoring me.

I stared into her blue eyes, tears were streaming down her face as she murmured, “How did I not know? Who did this to you…”

A pinprick sensation spread over my arms, hair was sprouting, dark red hair.

My nails lengthened in claws, a hoarse cry escaped me as my wrists snapped, my throat was too swollen from screaming.

"Tals, you are going to be okay, I'll help you.

We will go to my pack lands in Scotland.

My Uncle is the Alpha.

I know you don't understand this right now but we will get you through this." Celeste whispered while brushing my hair from my face.

My back arched off the ground as my spine snapped, the noise vibrating through my whole body.

My vision went black as I screamed until darkness consumed me.

An ear piercing growl echoed throughout the night.

Where is the growling coming from? Is there a wolf in the city? My vision sharpened, allowing me to see more clearly.

Everything was in hyper focus.

I could see the water droplets slowly trailing down the alley walls, the rats scurrying under the dumpster.

The pain.

I was no longer in pain.

I looked around, Celeste was standing against the wall, her hands up as she murmured the words, "Tals, It's me.

I am your friend.

I mean you no harm." Of course you dont, you are my best friend. My words didn't leave my mouth. Only a growl escaped me. A growl.

My gaze travelled downwards, my arms were no longer arms. I had four legs, claws, fur covering my body.

I looked down into a puddle on the ground to see my reflection. Staring back at me was not a young woman with red hair, staring back at me was a large wolf with dark red fur, shining caramel eyes, and sharp teeth.

"I've waited a long time for you to be able to hear me." A soft female growl entered my head.

"My name is Sionn, and I am your wolf. You will never suffer at the hands of another. We will train and I will help protect you. We are now and forever one soul."

My eyes widened, my heart rate beating out of my chest, as I began to panic. I was no longer human. I was a wolf. I had a wolf. What. The. Fuck.