Ki

at something's wrong

posite me. "And she told you as much, did she?" M

rried frown forme

were bound to find out sooner or later,

g from her lips, which w

you?" I asked, clinging

n leaders would flat-out reject it." She shrugged, stating what I already knew deep down. "But then they would have to

me into the pit to face clan justice?" Her eyes met m

ook another sip of my cocoa, feeling the k

ed for is right there for the taking. You just have to want it badly enough." Her words struck a chord inside of me, and

really hard to make something of myself. Then I can take good care o

You're a good boy," she spoke with benevolence. "How about I fix you

d. "Yes

uth-watering scent of fried bacon wafted past my nose, causing me to salivate.

she poured lashings of

g. "Kian, that's plenty," she advised, making

it my empty stomach felt like a brick landing onto concrete, plummeting with a forceful smash.

today?" Mrs. Banks as

oceries," I told her,

e would usually send me to the store with a few

she asked in a way that suggested she knew the truth. That there

g hungry like that. I want you to call here on your way to s

r me the way she did. But if it wasn't for her, I don't know how much longer I could'v

oing home as well as nervous about school tomorrow. The second I kn

of glass at the top of the door. Mrs. Banks knocked firmly, and then

s ripped open abruptly. My father stood there with a cigarette in hi

have you been bothering Mrs. Banks?" he asked, his g

wered for me. "No, quite the contrary. This c

ag, eyeing her with a cocked eyebrow. He made a hmph sound, s

rd for him to believe that there was good in me? Wasn't he prou

then she patted me. "Off you go. Get a good night's res

her. "Thank you for dinne

specially with the fierce reputation he carried around. As well as fulfilling his ranger duties, Dad was well known in the underground for all the illegal fights he

watched me that night. Corrupt, greedy eyes from out of the pits of Whitehaven's underworld. Those guys stayed beneath the radar of the leaders. They even managed to evade the clutches of the Alpha

side my daddy's shoes. I was gonna be somebody. I wanted good grades and then a shot at a scholarship. Then from there, I wanted to land me a job in the construction industry because that was where Forest Hills accu

it all fi