---- 13_You wouldn't. Faith | have no idea where this newfound confidence comes from, but | like it. | like the power in my voice and the effect these words have on him. | love the confidence that surges through me, as if it has always been a part of me, and finally, | have a chance to release it. A chance to get the heavy weight off my chest after so long of remaining quiet and subdued, it roars out with as much haunting pain as he inflicted on me. As | wipe the blood from the corner of my mouth, panic and fear flash in his eyes, something | rarely see in this man's eyes. It makes me a little proud, knowing | am the one that instilled it. Those are like the sweetest of the nectars no other shifter has ever tasted. He starts pacing the office as | struggle to get ---- back to my feet. It's a well-known fact that this man doesn't give a damn about me, so I'm not surprised by the lack of help. Not that | would accept it anyhow. Besides, he's responsible for my fall, so | shouldn't even think about the possibility of humanity shining through his armour of wickedness and vileness. When | manage to stand up straight and lean against the wall for some extra support, he stops and freezes. Acold shiver runs down my spine as | watch my father slowly turn and face me. An ugly smile curls his lips as he takes a step toward me. Something flashes in his eyes, all remnants of his earlier panic wiped from his face. Fear coils like a snake inside my stomach before twisting up my spine and sending a violent chill up my spine. This time, if | had a chance, | would back away. | have never seen him like this before, but since my instincts scream | should get out of here; | know the ---- expression on his face is a warning of danger. My father's eyes look me up and down in a way that scares me more than his fists. "I just got an amazing idea," he stops a few feet away from me and wiggles his eyebrows. He looks like a child who just won a candy from a vending machine - overly excited over nothing. The man who stands before me, yet again, manages to prove how much | overlooked. Not only is he losing the battle against time, but he also sucks at it. No wonder he has to buy his mistresses. | can't think of any woman who would find him attractive - maybe if she were blind. He lifts a finger in the air, shaking it. "Do you remember the cells?" He perks up, too excited to be taken seriously. My eyes follow the movement of his hands as he slaps and rubs them together. Now more than ever, he looks like a cartoon villain. Quasimodo in the cat woman's suit, perhaps? | raise an eyebrow, trying to process his words. ---- What about the cells? We have them under the main floor of the packhouse, but those are mostly empty. It's a rare occurrence to hear about anyone ending up there because most pack members don't risk getting on my father's bad side. "Ah, | can see the gears in your mind slowly moving." He takes a step closer, thriving in the fear that emanates from me. Even | can feel and smell it. Perhaps even taste the bitterness it leaves in my mouth. Like a guey, thick substance, it sticks to my skin and slowly fills in the invisible pores, making it an impossible task to get rid of the sickening feeling and stench. "Good girl!" Father cheers in his sickeningly sweet voice. "For the record, I'm not talking about the cells you're probably thinking of. | am talking about THE CELLS," he emphasises the last part. I'm still confused for another few seconds until the realisation hits me harder than a ton of Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!