Page 70 of Never Bet Against A Hockey Player

“Don’t lie to me.” My voice cracked. “Don’t lie for her.”

He simply lowered his head in defeat, unable to deny it.

“Get in the house,” our mother barked.

My brother jolted into motion so quickly it made my stomach churn. What the fuck had happened over the last day and a half to make him obey that fast?

My fists curled at my sides, my nails digging painful crescents into my palms as he hurried past.

I wanted to hit something. Not something. Her. I wanted to hurt her like she’d hurt me these past few days. Hell… years.

We stood in silence, glaring at one another while Gavin hurried inside. The moment the front door clicked shut behind him, she moved.

Her hand cracked across my face hard enough to make my vision blur.

“Don’t you ever question me like that again in front of my son.” Her voice was low and dangerous, her eyes that were far too similar to mine and Gavin’s were brimming with loathing. How could a mother hate her child like this?

“Sometimes, I think you forget who’s the mother here.”

“You’ve never acted like a mother to us.” I tasted blood where my teeth had cut into my cheek and the snarl I gave her was coated in it. “You don’t take care of him or pay our bills. I put food in the fridge, I make sure we have lights on, I keep him safe. You will never take him away like this again. I’ll call the authorities.” My finger jabbed my chest with each point that flew right over my mother’s head. She’d never cared about any of that.

She just laughed at my empty threat. “Go ahead. They know me by name, little girl. I’ll get a restraining order against my deranged daughter who’s trying to steal my son away.”

“Then who’s going to pay your bills?”

Her nostrils flared as she stared at me like an angry bull. I guess I did hit a few buttons this time. “You think you’re going to find a pack and be better than me?”

“There it is.” A bitter laugh escaped me. “I’ve never understood why you would think we’re in competition. Do you really think my pack would choose you?”

The idea was laughable.

My head snapped sideways and pain bloomed across my cheek as a second slap landed. I’d taken it too far. Usually she avoided leaving marks but here she was slapping me in broad daylight, hard enough to leave marks behind.

“Get in the house, you little bitch.” She grabbed my arm hard enough to bruise and dragged me inside.

Grief hit me so hard I had to fight back tears as the door slammed shut behind us. My time with my pack was over. My life was back to walking on eggshells and absorbing every hit that would save Gavin the pain.

She shoved me so hard I stumbled. My body slammed into the floor, pain radiating through my knees and palms.

I’d never understand why she’d chosen to have children just to treat us like this.

“Surely, you didn’t think I wouldn’t hear about you whoring yourself out around town? I wouldn’t care...” Her voice dripped with contempt. “Except hearing that my daughter is making a complete embarrassment of herself reflects on me. Not to mention. Do you really think those deltas and alpha want trash like you? You’ve always been a failure.”

She crossed her arms and stared down at me, amusement dancing across her face.

“Omegas like you don’t get whisked away to some stupid happily ever after, Dhara.”

The words rolled over me. I knew they weren’t true now. Not after everything my pack had shown me.

“So, let me tell you what’s going to happen.” She stepped closer until I could smell the alcohol still lingering on her breath. “You are never going to talk to them again.”

I didn’t even bother to look up. I knew this was coming. She couldn’t stand for me to have a life outside of her.

“You’re going to quit that job at the arena because, yes, I know exactly who they are and where they come from.”

“No. If I quit, then⁠—”

“Gavin can’t what? Become a hockey player?” she interrupted, laughing at the idea like her own son didn’t have incredible talent.