The Alpha’s Curvy Cinderella - Chapter 28: Chapter 28
You are reading The Alpha’s Curvy Cinderella, Chapter 28: Chapter 28. Read more chapters of The Alpha’s Curvy Cinderella.
Jordan POV
Monday night. Sarah and my father had barely spoken to me since I’d returned yesterday afternoon, other than to shoot me contemptuous looks and make snide comments about Jaxon and me. I was nervous, my breath hitching in my throat, as I continued to glance at the clock. My hands grew clammy, and I felt nauseous. My body was quivering with nerves. I glanced out the window for what seemed like the umpteenth time, the moon shining brightly overhead. It was my birthday tomorrow and my father had given no indication that he remembered or that he even cared. As soon as it ticked over past midnight though, I would shift for the first time and I was hesitant, wondering if I should sneak outside by myself, or if he would actually come and get me, to help me past the pain that I’d heard was excruciating the first time it happened.
It was just past 11 pm and the house was silent. I was dressed in a comfortable pair of sweatpants and a loose top, pacing back and forth frantically, biting my lip, and feeling anxious as all hell. What would my wolf be like when I shifted? Would she be beautiful? Would she be big? What color would she be? A range of questions flickered in my mind. I could feel my excitement growing as the time grew nearer.
I had just decided that I was going to sneak outdoors by myself, standing at the foot of the basement stairs, when I heard loud, deliberate footsteps approaching. I instinctively knew they belonged to my father, they were too heavy to belong to Sarah, and I tensed as the door was flung open with a loud bang, my father’s shadowy figure towering in the doorway as I blinked at the sudden light flooding in from behind him.
“Hurry up” he snarled, as I almost gaped at him in shock “The last thing I need is for you to bloody shift inside the f*****g house” he griped.
I composed myself and hurriedly headed up the stairs. He stepped back with a grunt and then motioned for me to follow him outside. I was still in a state of disbelief that he’d cared enough to come and fetch me.
“Move” he snapped crossly, his boots crunching loudly on the grass and fallen leaves “I have enough to worry about without having to take care of you as well.”
My shoulders slumped as I wearily followed him toward the back of our house. I was a little surprised when he led me towards the well, looking at him without comprehension as he began to put the ladder into it.
“Wait, what are you doing?” I asked blankly, not understanding.
Wasn’t I supposed to shift and then go for a run in the forest? That’s how it was supposed to be done, wasn’t it? That’s what everyone else did. Why was I being confined to the well?
He gave me a sardonic smile. “Did you really think I would let you run free after you’d shifted? You must think I’m really stupid” he snarled “Now get undressed and get your ass down there before it’s past midnight.”
I shook all over. “Father, please” I whispered, “don’t make me go down there and shift alone” I begged.
He folded his arms across his chest and narrowed his eyes at me. I flinched as his hand reached out and struck me across the face. I put a trembling hand to my cheek, my eyes watering. “Do what I said” he hissed “and don’t back talk to me” he added with a snap.
I hesitated, glancing down at the well. It was large, enough to shift inside of, but it would be cramped and there would be nowhere for me to go. I couldn’t very well climb out of the well as a wolf either. He punched me in the mid-section and I doubled over, letting out a small whimper.
“Do it” he barked.
I began to tentatively get undressed, folding them neatly and leaving them in a pile nearby. They would only get shredded if I shifted while I was in them anyway. My father motioned towards the ladder impatiently and I sucked in a breath and quietly began to descend it, descending into the darkness as his eyes watched my every movement. I had barely gotten to the ground, before he began to hoist the ladder up, it disappearing from view as I let out a small hiccup of dismay.
“Don’t leave me out here” I yelled.
“Shut up” he shouted “I’m staying here but only because I have to” he added grimly as I wondered what he meant “Now be quiet.”
I sat down on the hard dirt floor and wrapped my arms around my knees, rocking back and forth in an effort to comfort myself. I had no idea what the actual time was, but assumed it was relatively close to midnight. It was peculiar of my father to remain here, I thought to myself idly, even though I was glad that he was, even if he was being cruel to me. Part of me wished I could have remained at Jaxon’s and shifted there. He would have made a much better companion than my father. As it was, we’d spent as much time together playing video games and watching movies before he’d dropped me home and school had been fairly relaxing today, to my shock, probably because Sarah had been pissed that I’d been gone for the weekend and busy doing some sort of research project.
Any minute now, I was going to shift, I reminded myself. My life was going to change. My father wouldn’t be able to keep controlling me. I would be stronger, faster, more agile. I could heal quicker. I would be able to find my mate. Everything was going to get better. I just had to be patient a little bit longer. But damn it was cold outside and I was shivering fiercely. My teeth chattered together. I gripped my knees tighter and huddled against the wall of the well, curled up in as small a ball as possible.
Time passed, incredibly slowly. I blinked, wondering if it was just my imagination or if time was simply slower because it was so dark and cold down here in the well. I would have thought it had passed midnight by now. How much longer was this going to take? The anticipation was killing me. I stood up and began to stretch the kinks out of my body, needing something, anything to do as the time passed by in a blur. I even paced around the well, muttering under my breath. I could hear my father’s snores as he fell asleep before the high-pitched sound of a phone alarm went off. He must have set it for midnight, I thought, my body tensing in preparation.
“Alright, any second now” my father’s voice drawled with derision “I suggest you don’t fight the change, it will only make it hurt worse” he added.
I was grateful for that little bit of advice, as small as it seemed. I could see him staring down at me in the well, his eyes glittering. Clearly, he was waiting to see what kind of wolf I turned into as well. I could feel my excitement rising. Now I was going to be like any other shifter in the pack. Maybe I would even be better at fighting, I thought happily.
But minutes passed and nothing happened. I looked up confused, my father’s expression turning murderous. I didn’t understand. Why was it taking so long? My nails dug into the palms of my hands as I began to fret. My father’s face disappeared from view. Eventually, my legs grew tired of standing and I sat back down again, tears trailing down my cheeks. Oh god, no, this couldn’t be happening to me, I thought hysterically. I had two shifter parents, how could this happen? I would be ostracised even more now. As for Father, who knew what he was thinking, but I doubted it was anything good. He was going to take this as a further insult. I just knew it. I had never even imagined something so awful as my not shifting would happen.
I sniffled, trying to cling to hope as hours passed, my shoulder’s slowly slumping in defeat. The first rays of sunlight broke and my father slowly put the ladder down. I climbed up slowly and began to put my clothes on, aware that his eyes were narrowed on me the whole time. He shook his head in disgust as I stiffened, my hurt and my humiliation clearly visible on my face.
“I should have known that something like this would happen” he spat coming over and grabbing me by the hair as I finished putting the last of my clothes on “A pathetic weakling like you, having no wolf. Just another thing to make me a laughingstock” he breathed as I cringed away from him “it’s ironic really because I had plans to make sure you were kept weak once you had your wolf, but it looks like now I don’t have to go through with my plans after all” he cackled as I inhaled sharply.
He shoved me to the ground. I hit it hard and looked up at him as he towered over me, his eyes glittering with hatred. “You will never amount to anything. You’re always going to be a pathetic loser, and when you graduate, I’m going to make sure you remain an omega forever in the pack. Now get your ass ready for school and make my breakfast, I’m starving after staying out here all night waiting for your damn wolf to come.”
I scrambled to my feet and nodded, quietly turning around and heading toward the house. I entered the kitchen and began to slowly get breakfast on. I had nothing to say. The moon goddess had abandoned me, I thought miserably. How could she have not given me a wolf? Had I done something to deserve it? Had I displeased the moon goddess in some way? I was eighteen now and it was a bittersweet victory. My father came in, rubbing his eyes, and sat himself at the table, glowering at me as I silently placed a plate in front of him and Sarah who came waltzing in, a curious look on her face. “So how did last night go?” she asked, digging into her food and looking at our father expectantly.
My father let out a bitter laugh “As I should have expected. She doesn’t have a f*****g wolf” he swore as Sarah’s mouth dropped open and she turned to look at me with her eyes sparkling “We spent all night out there for nothing” he groused.
Sarah laughed, so hard that tears came to her eyes. “Oh, I’m sorry Father” she apologized as he glared at her “but honestly, is it really that surprising? I guess we should have anticipated this. Poor, poor Jordan, you really are a waste of space, aren’t you?” she asked me cruelly “just wait until everybody in the pack hears about this” she added gleefully.
“It’s embarrassing” my father groaned “I’m a Gamma for goodness sake” he cursed “thank god I have you Sarah to make up for your sister’s shortcomings.”
I sniffled and quietly ate my food, Sarah was in too good a mood to deny me this morning. My father left for work, thank god, and Sarah practically skipped out the door, wanting to tell her friends what had happened to me as soon as possible. I reluctantly left for school, backpack on my shoulders, walking slowly, half hoping it would be miraculously canceled for one reason or another. It wasn’t. I had barely made it to my locker when I felt Jaxon’s hand on my shoulder. I looked up. He had a wide smile on his face.
“Happy eighteenth birthday” he beamed “How did it go last night?” he asked me eagerly as my mouth went dry.
I burst into tears.
Monday night. Sarah and my father had barely spoken to me since I’d returned yesterday afternoon, other than to shoot me contemptuous looks and make snide comments about Jaxon and me. I was nervous, my breath hitching in my throat, as I continued to glance at the clock. My hands grew clammy, and I felt nauseous. My body was quivering with nerves. I glanced out the window for what seemed like the umpteenth time, the moon shining brightly overhead. It was my birthday tomorrow and my father had given no indication that he remembered or that he even cared. As soon as it ticked over past midnight though, I would shift for the first time and I was hesitant, wondering if I should sneak outside by myself, or if he would actually come and get me, to help me past the pain that I’d heard was excruciating the first time it happened.
It was just past 11 pm and the house was silent. I was dressed in a comfortable pair of sweatpants and a loose top, pacing back and forth frantically, biting my lip, and feeling anxious as all hell. What would my wolf be like when I shifted? Would she be beautiful? Would she be big? What color would she be? A range of questions flickered in my mind. I could feel my excitement growing as the time grew nearer.
I had just decided that I was going to sneak outdoors by myself, standing at the foot of the basement stairs, when I heard loud, deliberate footsteps approaching. I instinctively knew they belonged to my father, they were too heavy to belong to Sarah, and I tensed as the door was flung open with a loud bang, my father’s shadowy figure towering in the doorway as I blinked at the sudden light flooding in from behind him.
“Hurry up” he snarled, as I almost gaped at him in shock “The last thing I need is for you to bloody shift inside the f*****g house” he griped.
I composed myself and hurriedly headed up the stairs. He stepped back with a grunt and then motioned for me to follow him outside. I was still in a state of disbelief that he’d cared enough to come and fetch me.
“Move” he snapped crossly, his boots crunching loudly on the grass and fallen leaves “I have enough to worry about without having to take care of you as well.”
My shoulders slumped as I wearily followed him toward the back of our house. I was a little surprised when he led me towards the well, looking at him without comprehension as he began to put the ladder into it.
“Wait, what are you doing?” I asked blankly, not understanding.
Wasn’t I supposed to shift and then go for a run in the forest? That’s how it was supposed to be done, wasn’t it? That’s what everyone else did. Why was I being confined to the well?
He gave me a sardonic smile. “Did you really think I would let you run free after you’d shifted? You must think I’m really stupid” he snarled “Now get undressed and get your ass down there before it’s past midnight.”
I shook all over. “Father, please” I whispered, “don’t make me go down there and shift alone” I begged.
He folded his arms across his chest and narrowed his eyes at me. I flinched as his hand reached out and struck me across the face. I put a trembling hand to my cheek, my eyes watering. “Do what I said” he hissed “and don’t back talk to me” he added with a snap.
I hesitated, glancing down at the well. It was large, enough to shift inside of, but it would be cramped and there would be nowhere for me to go. I couldn’t very well climb out of the well as a wolf either. He punched me in the mid-section and I doubled over, letting out a small whimper.
“Do it” he barked.
I began to tentatively get undressed, folding them neatly and leaving them in a pile nearby. They would only get shredded if I shifted while I was in them anyway. My father motioned towards the ladder impatiently and I sucked in a breath and quietly began to descend it, descending into the darkness as his eyes watched my every movement. I had barely gotten to the ground, before he began to hoist the ladder up, it disappearing from view as I let out a small hiccup of dismay.
“Don’t leave me out here” I yelled.
“Shut up” he shouted “I’m staying here but only because I have to” he added grimly as I wondered what he meant “Now be quiet.”
I sat down on the hard dirt floor and wrapped my arms around my knees, rocking back and forth in an effort to comfort myself. I had no idea what the actual time was, but assumed it was relatively close to midnight. It was peculiar of my father to remain here, I thought to myself idly, even though I was glad that he was, even if he was being cruel to me. Part of me wished I could have remained at Jaxon’s and shifted there. He would have made a much better companion than my father. As it was, we’d spent as much time together playing video games and watching movies before he’d dropped me home and school had been fairly relaxing today, to my shock, probably because Sarah had been pissed that I’d been gone for the weekend and busy doing some sort of research project.
Any minute now, I was going to shift, I reminded myself. My life was going to change. My father wouldn’t be able to keep controlling me. I would be stronger, faster, more agile. I could heal quicker. I would be able to find my mate. Everything was going to get better. I just had to be patient a little bit longer. But damn it was cold outside and I was shivering fiercely. My teeth chattered together. I gripped my knees tighter and huddled against the wall of the well, curled up in as small a ball as possible.
Time passed, incredibly slowly. I blinked, wondering if it was just my imagination or if time was simply slower because it was so dark and cold down here in the well. I would have thought it had passed midnight by now. How much longer was this going to take? The anticipation was killing me. I stood up and began to stretch the kinks out of my body, needing something, anything to do as the time passed by in a blur. I even paced around the well, muttering under my breath. I could hear my father’s snores as he fell asleep before the high-pitched sound of a phone alarm went off. He must have set it for midnight, I thought, my body tensing in preparation.
“Alright, any second now” my father’s voice drawled with derision “I suggest you don’t fight the change, it will only make it hurt worse” he added.
I was grateful for that little bit of advice, as small as it seemed. I could see him staring down at me in the well, his eyes glittering. Clearly, he was waiting to see what kind of wolf I turned into as well. I could feel my excitement rising. Now I was going to be like any other shifter in the pack. Maybe I would even be better at fighting, I thought happily.
But minutes passed and nothing happened. I looked up confused, my father’s expression turning murderous. I didn’t understand. Why was it taking so long? My nails dug into the palms of my hands as I began to fret. My father’s face disappeared from view. Eventually, my legs grew tired of standing and I sat back down again, tears trailing down my cheeks. Oh god, no, this couldn’t be happening to me, I thought hysterically. I had two shifter parents, how could this happen? I would be ostracised even more now. As for Father, who knew what he was thinking, but I doubted it was anything good. He was going to take this as a further insult. I just knew it. I had never even imagined something so awful as my not shifting would happen.
I sniffled, trying to cling to hope as hours passed, my shoulder’s slowly slumping in defeat. The first rays of sunlight broke and my father slowly put the ladder down. I climbed up slowly and began to put my clothes on, aware that his eyes were narrowed on me the whole time. He shook his head in disgust as I stiffened, my hurt and my humiliation clearly visible on my face.
“I should have known that something like this would happen” he spat coming over and grabbing me by the hair as I finished putting the last of my clothes on “A pathetic weakling like you, having no wolf. Just another thing to make me a laughingstock” he breathed as I cringed away from him “it’s ironic really because I had plans to make sure you were kept weak once you had your wolf, but it looks like now I don’t have to go through with my plans after all” he cackled as I inhaled sharply.
He shoved me to the ground. I hit it hard and looked up at him as he towered over me, his eyes glittering with hatred. “You will never amount to anything. You’re always going to be a pathetic loser, and when you graduate, I’m going to make sure you remain an omega forever in the pack. Now get your ass ready for school and make my breakfast, I’m starving after staying out here all night waiting for your damn wolf to come.”
I scrambled to my feet and nodded, quietly turning around and heading toward the house. I entered the kitchen and began to slowly get breakfast on. I had nothing to say. The moon goddess had abandoned me, I thought miserably. How could she have not given me a wolf? Had I done something to deserve it? Had I displeased the moon goddess in some way? I was eighteen now and it was a bittersweet victory. My father came in, rubbing his eyes, and sat himself at the table, glowering at me as I silently placed a plate in front of him and Sarah who came waltzing in, a curious look on her face. “So how did last night go?” she asked, digging into her food and looking at our father expectantly.
My father let out a bitter laugh “As I should have expected. She doesn’t have a f*****g wolf” he swore as Sarah’s mouth dropped open and she turned to look at me with her eyes sparkling “We spent all night out there for nothing” he groused.
Sarah laughed, so hard that tears came to her eyes. “Oh, I’m sorry Father” she apologized as he glared at her “but honestly, is it really that surprising? I guess we should have anticipated this. Poor, poor Jordan, you really are a waste of space, aren’t you?” she asked me cruelly “just wait until everybody in the pack hears about this” she added gleefully.
“It’s embarrassing” my father groaned “I’m a Gamma for goodness sake” he cursed “thank god I have you Sarah to make up for your sister’s shortcomings.”
I sniffled and quietly ate my food, Sarah was in too good a mood to deny me this morning. My father left for work, thank god, and Sarah practically skipped out the door, wanting to tell her friends what had happened to me as soon as possible. I reluctantly left for school, backpack on my shoulders, walking slowly, half hoping it would be miraculously canceled for one reason or another. It wasn’t. I had barely made it to my locker when I felt Jaxon’s hand on my shoulder. I looked up. He had a wide smile on his face.
“Happy eighteenth birthday” he beamed “How did it go last night?” he asked me eagerly as my mouth went dry.
I burst into tears.
End of The Alpha’s Curvy Cinderella Chapter 28. Continue reading Chapter 29 or return to The Alpha’s Curvy Cinderella book page.