Loathed Bond, Irrefutable Destiny!

EMILY

The agonizing shriek permeated the sleepy part of my brain and jolted me awake. I winced from the effect of waking so abruptly, my temples throbbed, signalling the oncoming of a headache. It was always like that for me. I was not the type to be startled awake, the consequences were usually bad, like for one, I'd end up suffering a long, insufferable headache for the next thirty minutes to one hour.

There was the shriek again, and this time, my heart pounded alongside. My brain was fully awake and was currently notifying me of what might be happening. That cry was not one of joy, it was agonizing.

Without wasting more time, I slid from the bed. Ignoring the slight pounding in my head, I jogged down the stairs in my nightwear, two steps at a time. Another time, I would have been proud of myself considering how slothful I could be about even the simplest of tasks.

"What is happening?"

I grabbed the wrist of a maid who was rushing past by. The terror on her face was unmistakable and it increased that pounding within my chest.

"We...we...they...the-the..pack...we..."

"Will you say something?"

Her stuttering was making dread twist my insides more. She broke down and her shoulders racked with sobs, her trembling hand covering her mouth and that was when I saw it. The blood. Her hands were coated in them. Her gown too. It was ripped and was covered in blood.

"Ashton...they killed Ashton..."

She uttered amidst a sob. Oh my goodness! I did not know who Ashton was but I was beginning to understand what was happening. We were under attack. Again. My stomach clenched painfully and my headache grew worse. I could barely breathe.

"Where is my father? Where is my brother?"

The fright in my tone could not be helped.

She shook her head. What did she mean?

"The... the shaking of y-your head, what does it m-mean?"

I hated that I was stuttering but now I understood the maid. Fear and pain could do that to anyone.

But she does not say anything more, just more crying. Abandoning her there, I made to hurry out of there and go search for my father and brother. I might not have a total idea of what was happening, but what I had was enough to scare me to death. Praying to the Moon Goddess and hoping nothing bad had happened to him, I made a beeline for the main entrance door of the manor.

"They're dead."

That halted my step. Slowly, willing my body to stay upright, I turned on my heel and faced her.

"What did you say?"

It had come out croaky and low. Furiously blinking back tears, I licked my dry lips. She must be lying. No, they were not dead. They could not be. It was impossible. Even though they treated me badly, and did not love me as they should, it did not mean I wanted them dead.

"They