Did they really think , all this that they are doing will make me leave.

As if.

Ma always taught that the true strength is in enduring what you are dealt with instead of fighting back .Sometimes you have to be just patient and see where it goes.That's what I'll do.

I won't hide.I won't let them see my pain.I am stronger than this.And whatever they do,I won't let them break me.I will confront it with all my might and I will win their favor.

After much contemplation for the better part of the morning,I decided to hunt for Aiinata for the promised grand tour of the house.

The hustle bustle of the mansion stopped as I descended the stairs.All eyes were on me.I found Leann and Sarah openly glaring at me.

"You really have no shame,do you.?" Leann asked frostily.I kept my head down, avoiding the question.

"Don't bother with that thing Leann.You'll just waste your time." Sarah tried dragging Leann back to their conversation when Leann lightly shoved away her hand and came to stand before me.

I prepared myself for the abuse about to happen.But she just leaned towards me and whispered "You and your whore of a mother never learn.Do you,.?" I remained mute."Don't worry this time you won't be able to forget it that easily.You committed the biggest mistake of your life by entering our lives again." Shoving me back ,she strutted away to Sarah who was waiting patiently for her.I fell back down the stairs but no sound escaped me.I won't let them win.

Calmly I shook the dust from my skirt and continued my way to the kitchen.

Aiinata was at the stove talking with two other ladies whom I didn't recognize."Aiinata"I called out softly to gain her attention.

She turned along with others.

"Out,out.Don't enter here.Go out.You are tainting the kitchen" A large woman shoved me out the kitchen doors.I refrained from falling again and upheld my weight on my unsteady legs.

"Martha,Stop it.What is wrong with you.?" Aiinata came forward to support me. but Martha just scowled at me putting her hands on her waist.

"You know it Aiinata. She can dirty up this place all she wants but I will not allow her to soil this kitchen.I just won't." She maintained her stand.

Aiinata shook her head "You know what Elder Kurona won't tolerate this behavior from you.You better apologize to the girl."

"She's not doing anything wrong." Without turning I could identify Leann's voice."Aiinata you know better than to associate with the likes of her.You don't want to be shunned by your own pack ,do you.?"

I looked at Aiinata and got away from her.I couldn't let her bear the humiliation they were inflicting on me.She was a part of this pack and her further association with me will harm her.

Without acknowledging Leann further I ran out the door with Aiinata's voice calling my name.

I kept on running avoiding any more confrontation with anyone else.

Reaching a secluded spot in the woods I fell on my knees.My shoulders heaved as I panted.

Why do they have to humiliate me at every turn.?

What do they get out of it.?

I won't cry.I won't feel sad.I won't .I won't. I just WON'T.

After I had calmed down.I recalled Leann's words.What was she talking about.?Has my Ma been here before.?What did she mean by "this time"?Did Ma had any connection with these people.?

Why didn't Ma ever say anything about it then.?

Was she hiding something from me.?

No,Ma shares everything with me.If she's indeed hiding something then there must be a huge reason behind it.I cannot question my Ma just because an evil woman kept on babbling about something she has no idea of.No I cannot trust her words.

Raising myself, I looked around at my surroundings.Where was I.?

I wandered around a bit more until I came to an enclosure of some sort.Huge branches of trees and thorny bushes surrounded something.I went in search of the gate to this protected area.Finding it behind the thick branches I pushed it open to discover a barren piece of land.Weeds and what not grew inside it.I crouched down and touched the ruined plants before me.Hmm, it seemed like sort of a garden.Someone must have planted something in here and left it neglected then for many years.

I explored the area more.It was a nice little piece of land.If taken care of properly,it will flourish for sure and prove to be the perfect place for quite meditation.It will be restful if I could sit around here.Much better than spending the time in the house all day long suffering those insults.

I should ask Granna permission to grow some plants and medicinal herbs here.It will help the pack as well and no one will intrude this place that was already becoming mine.I could be at peace here.

With a new energy and purpose I strode back to the way I came from.Entering the mansion again I breathed a sigh of relief in finding the living area empty..Thank you Mother Nature.I really was not looking forward to the second round of insults.Not caring about anything I turned this way and that to find Granna's room.I knew that her room was on the ground floor as she had told me the first day.The hall was decorated with ancient paintings of the beautiful landscapes.Loud male voices were coming from a room with huge doors.This must be the meeting room or the office room of the Alpha.I hurried along it to the end of the hall to find a door there.

This must be Granna's room.I knocked on the door and waited.Nothing happened.I knocked again and opened it slightly before anyone could find me here and question my motives.

Granna was sitting on a rocking chair near a full glass wall with the front view of the house.

I quietly stepped towards her .Finding me close she turned and smiled.

"Granna.I apologize for entering without permission."

"Nonsense.You can enter any time.You don't need my permission." She pointed to the chair beisde her "Come sit.Are you well.?Show me your hand." She inspected my burned hand carefully .

I sat gracefully."Granna I wanted to ask you something."

"Yes child.What is it.?"

I hesitated a bit."Um..I wandered out in the forest." I waited for her to scold me.After nothing happened I ventured "Granna I found a barren land there.I suppose it was someone's garden.There were weeds and wild plants growing in there."

Granna had a surprised look on her face.I waited for her to say something."Does it belong to someone.?" She looked at the windows again clearly shaken.Not waiting for her I rushed my words out "Can I please take care of it.I can grow some plants there.It will really make me happy.It will help the pack as well.Please Granna."

She raised her hand to her eyes and rubbed them gently.."How the past repeats."She smiled melancholic-ally. "Do you know I have lived here for my whole life.I know everyone here.I am familiar with each part of this land.I know about the "secret garden" as they call it.Everyone has seen it but no one ever entered it.Some found it bothersome,some were not interested and some plainly avoided it.I guess because no one wanted to pay attention ,the plants inside died because of the lack of love and care." She patted my good hand "You are the first one to say that you care.So yes you can make that piece of land yours with my due permission."

I grinned for the first time in the days I have been here.In my excitement I hugged Granna to hear her chuckle.

"Thank you so much Granna. I love you."

"Yes,yes.Now go on and let this old lady enjoy her free time."

I trotted out the room,happiness radiating out of me.

I raced back to my room and searched my shelves for the seeds Ma I had kept hidden in my bags.The gardening tools were there as well.Thank you Sekra for packing those as well.

Its too late today.Tomorrow early morning I'll go down there and start my work.I was so ready for this.

The rest of the day I planned on what to grow in my garden.In the evening Aiinata brought me my Dinner and profusely apologized for the afternoon's debacle.I brushed aside her apologies and told her to forget about it all.

As the evening progressed to night,I stretched my body ,done with all the planning.

I made my bed and slid in between the sheets and fell in heavy slumber.I woke up in panic as my heart started to hurt painfully.

"Ouch..aah..What is happening..?Why is it hurting so much..?"I clutched the region with both of my hands but the pain didn't lessen.I groaned and cried out at the intensity it reached.Flinging the covers back I got up to drink some water.The glass fell from my hands as I doubled over in pain.

Just as it came,it went away suddenly.I straightened and pushing aside my shirt looked down at the region above my heart.

I ran to the mirror and looked at the small bruise there.What is this..?I touched it to find no pain.

Did I hurt myself during the exploration of the forest but I didn't feel any sensation.?

I am sure it wasn't there before.

Taking another long look at the small bruise I went back to my bed and fell back to the restless sleep.The mystery of the strange bruise still on mind.