Once Rejected, Thrice Accepted
Chapter 101

much noise that anybody and everybody should have heard me but the sleeping pills held my body still.

I ran.I ran from the empty, the black, the void that chased me. I ran from my fake mother as she kept trying to hit me with the silver whip she bought especially for me. I ran from my fake brother Dennis as he made advances on my body. I screamed, I yell, I made so I have to get out of here. I have to wake up. I screamed focusing my attention on my mates, my wolves, anyone. I got nothing in response.

"Gemma! You know running from me doesn't help your situation. I'm just adding on all the whips that your body is going to take. The blood is going to hit the floor in puddles instead of drops. The whimpers that are going to come out of your mouth... I can't wait." My fake mother gloated.

"Mother told me that once you turned 18 I could have you.

You got away once but never again. Don't you want to please me?" Dennis teased as I felt his hand graze my back forcing me to put more speed into my run.

"Your real parents didn't want you. It was all a lie that they lost you. They ran you off and I took you when. I took care of you and this is the thanks that I get. And your brother.

What's your time to die!" My fake mother roared as her steps closer and closer.

"Step! Stop! I didn't do it. This is a dream, it's a nightmare!" I screamed already hearing the breaking in my voice for my throat wanting to give out. The fear pushing my heart and heart I thought it was going to shove its way out of my chest.

"You may have killed our bodies but haunting you in your nightmares is the next best thing." Fake mother laughed from behind be before going silent.

I looked back to replace she was gone. Crap. I turned my head back in time to catch the end of her whip hitting my cheek sending that all too familiar pain through my body.

Covering my cheek with my had I ran around her keeping my eye on the whip rather than her.

"This isn't real." I shouted pulling my hand back and seeing real blood on my hand. "It's a nightmare and it is time to wake up! Moonlight! Cinder! Help!"

'Gemma.' A quiet voice spoke. 'Gemma, it's Cinder.

Everything is going to be ok.

'Cinder! Help me please!' I yelled louder than I had before hoping I didn't break her ear drum in the process. 'I can't wake up. And I can feel pain in this nightmare. I can't go through it again. Please.'

"You can't get away from us so easy. You are on our time now." Dennis growled grabbing me around the middle and throwing me backwards. I landed hard rolling over until I stopped thudding against a pole

Germa remember this isn't real. Focus on reality.' Cinder pleaded as I looked up seeing that it wasn't just a pole. It was the pole they used to tie me to in the basement." Breathe. Focus, Gemma! Focus!!'

"Mom, she is ready for us. You first. Watching her bleed makes me feel all tingly inside." Dennis grabbed my hair pulling me up and against the pole

"Goody." Fake mom laughed locking my arms in place before they both walked to stand in front of me. "I have so missed these moments."

"Cinder! Please! This can't be real. It feels so real. The metal is so cold, the anxiety pushing for my lungs to stop. I need help." My yelling turned to mumbles as blackness took over my vision and I worked on pulling myself back into my happy place within my mind. 'You can do it, Gemma. Focus on your mates. The twins play fighting in the living room while Duncan gives you a foot rub. Cinder pushed the memories forward. I could also feel her strength leaving so I knew I would be alone again soon so I had to focus on only her no matter what. Think of the girl nights you have had with your sister and Cherry especially the ones that ended in popcorn fights or three am ice cream sundaes!

Slowly each face made their way into the memories along with my feelings toward them. The love, the trust, the safety started in as my sister and Cherry were giving me

*s**t about having three pain in the ass mates. Britt swearing off her mate until she was fully trained and independent but Cherry and I calling bull hockey sticks.

Focus on your mates. They are around you right now trying to get you to wake up. Cinder shouted pushing their voices for me to be heard. They can feel your fear, anger, sadness.

Listen to them and follow their voices back!

"I can't." I whined as the whip hit my chest. I screamed but held my eyes closed.

'Do it now!'

"Don't stop talking to us now, sweetie. We like the noises you make." Fake mother laughed sending the whip against my stomach.

I ignored her and Dennis as I did as Cinder said. I focused on my mates, their voices, their scents until I could finally hear them freaking out around me. They were telling me to wake up already and that they needed me. Duncan was yelling at the doctor in between kissing me and demanding I wake up to save the damn doctor. Lucas was threatening to bring me back to life just to punish me later on if I didn't wake up now and that he needed me. Leo was praying for me to the Goddess in between swearing he would let the war happen and not lift a finger.

'Go to them. Cinder whispered as the last of her strength left her.

I did as I was told and followed their voices ignoring the ones in my nightmare until I felt my body back in reality along with my mind and everyone around me. I slowly opened my eyes tears streaming down my face and threw myself at my mates. "No... More... sleeping... pills." I shouted dropping into a sob.