Page 9

Ellie

The woman was a mess of new wounds… And some old. That wasn’t normal as a vampire, but the mother-in-law didn’t let her have as much blood as she needed.

And she would need more to heal from injuries.

These sorts of situations were so triggering for me because I was almost the woman who came in. It was the fate I’d almost faced not once before, not twice before.

But three times. That last time even after I’d showed I was different and special. Father thought he could win the absolute brass ring selling me off after learning just how special I was instead of just taking over the family and being his successor.

That was when I’d first decided to run. I didn’t blame others for not running though. Especially back then it was certain death, and it was a miracle that I hadn’t become one of the many who fled and regretted it.

Death wasn’t worse than being bled dry more than a normal mating, and I didn’t have a child to protect. Once there was a child, it trapped the women.

I listened to the exhausted and traumatized woman tell me her story. She was on pain medications and potions now, so she wasn’t in pain and could talk.

Well, she wasn’t physically in pain, but her soul would be for many, many years.

Unfortunately, it was a story I’d heard too many times. The woman before me was sold to a wealthier family for an alliance and to raise her family’s station. The men of the family deciding it and the whole situation setting off the mother-in-law.

The lies the “matriarch” had been told about how she’d have power and a voice when she was married or when she’d had a son—any of them—were finally shown to her.

She realized she would forever not matter, and that last shred of hope that she wasn’t just a broodmare and now past her prime and not even respected for birthing children was gone.

And she’d snapped. Lashing out at the new woman in her family who would at least be respected for birthing the next generation of males in her family—“stealing” her position and place in the family. It was like a mental breakdown and the daughter-in-law was blamed for everything.

Instead of who should be blamed.

Instead of blaming herself for ever believing any of the bullshit or even allowing her life to become what it did.

Another woman in the cycle of abuse who was now full of such self-hate that she’d broken. And she couldn’t take it out on her mate. There would be no point and probably punishments if she did.

Her son was technically innocent in it all and probably didn’t mistreat her. Except he would now not treat his mate as he should and she raised the man to behave that way—another sin in her eyes that she couldn’t accept.

None of this was excusable. No one should feel bad for her.

Maybe just feel bad for the girl she once was and this was her fate.

But now she was the monster she’d suffered through with her mother-in-law or whatever female family members had done the same to her. Other women were the only outlet to abuse after years or decades of being kicked.

It was disgusting. It was… I would rather have walked into the ocean.

Not everyone could handle their lives going to shit or how to fix it all.

The mother-in-law could have walked away at any point.

She could now, and by the law she would be set.

She could leave and be protected. But she didn’t.

She’d clung onto the lie or promise that being the matriarch of the family meant something and she’d have some sort of power.

Until she realized the truth and they would forever lie to her. None of that was her daughter-in-law’s fault, but she blamed her. She blamed the woman sold like she’d been for not being able to choose the mate for her son.

It was all so ridiculous and horrible.

“It got worse when I gave birth to a daughter,” the woman told me.

“Before then, it was just hazing and being her servant. Stuff you expect mating into money and my husband told me to just be patient with her and let her adjust. She stopped when I was pregnant, and I thought it was over. She cared more about being a grandmother.”

“But you realized it was that your husband was around more and checked in on everything—truly paying attention because you were carrying priceless cargo,” I offered.

She gave a slight nod and a pitying look. “You know from experience.”

“No, but I’m older than you and saw it again and again coming from a wealthy family,” I told her gently. “I ran. I blew up the first two sales for me, and things got much worse, so I ran.”

“I hate myself for wishing that I’d run, but then I wouldn’t have my daughter and she’s everything,” she choked out. “I’m a horrible mother.”

“You’re not, darling,” I comforted, moving onto the bed with her and holding her as best as I could.

“You’re not. You kept your baby safe and got here.

We’ll get you free and safe. I swear it.

You made it. This is the day you protect your pup and we break this cycle so she never knows this pain—never knows the fear of being sold. ”

I wiped my eyes a few times as the woman sobbed. It was in pain but also so much more.

Relief she was safe. Fear it wouldn’t last.

Hope I was right about her daughter though she was too exhausted to have much hope and she didn’t have faith in much anymore. I understood all of it.

I truly did.

But I did not fail the women I came across in this position. I never had and I never would. Not as long as they did as I said and stayed strong—followed the program we had in place.

I had all the ammo I needed once I got the list from the doctors for both mother and daughter. Also, the mother had been smart enough to record the mother-in-law this time… And apparently, several other times recently. Clearly, she’d hit her limit.

She was hesitant to give it over to me until she saw the security guard that I promised would be posted just for them and her daughter joined her in the private room.

I went over the procedure of domestic abuse cases and how the room was under another name just to be safe.

Also, it was flagged not to be disclosed in our system.

When her daughter told her that the doctors said I was an angel who saved women, that was the moment she let go of the phone. She had questions in her eyes that I didn’t make her ask.

“Besides running this place, I’m the founder of the largest domestic abuse shelter for vampires,” I explained.

“And just like I told your daughter, one day when you’re safe and in your new life, you will help someone as you are being helped.

That is how we break this madness—this tradition of selling women and allowing our own people to be treated this way. ”

Tears filled her eyes. “I can’t even picture what it would be like to ever be able to help someone else. It’s like a reality beyond what I could dream of.”

I reached over and squeezed her hand. “The women who will help you said the exact same thing when they were helped. Listen to them and stick to the program to get free and you will be where they are someday. Trust us and do not listen to your husband or allow him to…”

The hate in her eyes said it all. Yeah, this wasn’t a case of backsliding or love could cloud too much.

Gerald was waiting for me in the hallway. “I didn’t know you were the founder of Amanda’s Hope. There’s no founder listed—people have talked for years wondering who Amanda is or how to find Amanda Hope.”

I searched his eyes and found only genuine curiosity and worry. “Amanda Hope died many, many years ago. She is the only reason I lived after I ran from my family. I named the foundation after her. That is not to be shared.”

“Of course,” he accepted before nodding towards the room behind me. “How can I help?”

I was surprised but actually not really. I let out a soft chuckle. “A warrior too, huh?”

He took in a deep breath and let it out.

“The world is so much better than what it used to be, but there is still so much wrong that—I realized I’d become selfish and lazy.

I took my success and sat back to bask in it.

” He studied me. “But you hid your success and used all you’ve done to always keep fighting. I don’t like realizing I’m selfish.”

Fair enough. I nodded to my left, my warrior already here.

“This is Alexis Gomez, lead counsel of Amanda’s Hope.

If you’d like to coordinate with her or help—we can always use it.

” My lips twitched when Alexis snorted. “The former head of the legal department was always trying to fight this and a women’s shelter ‘fishing’ for cases at the hospital. ”

“Well, the disgust coming off of him at that makes me like him even if you hadn’t already said good things about him,” Alexis said with a chuckle before extending her hand. They introduced themselves and she promised she could absolutely use the help.

That raised warning bells with me. “What’s going on that I don’t know?”

She gave me an amused look. “Lots. Always lots, but you’re a bit busy, Ellie.”

“Yes, but—what can I do?”

She started to tell me nothing but then sighed. “Fine, I can give you a list of hospitals that are being pains and not calling us like they agreed to. A bit too much pressure too often and shit thrown back on them and they—”

“They’re turning a blind eye because it’s easier,” I grumbled.

“Yes, get me the list and I’ll handle it.

” I held up my hands in surrender when she sighed.

“I have presidents currently owing me favors. Our president is a vampire and a huge advocate for Amanda’s Hope. I will make him remind them of that.”

“Done.” She nodded towards the door. “How bad?”

“Husband wasn’t physically abusing them, just turning a blind eye to it all and needs to cut the umbilical cord with his monster mother,” I answered.

“It all ramped up when she had a daughter—same story we’ve seen.

Hopefully, no lasting physical damage on either of them, but it will be a long road. ”