Chapter 43
Having him close, his hand a constant, warm weight on my back, and his soft words a steady hum against my ear, was a breath of fresh air. It was a comfort I hadn’t realized I was craving, a calm in the storm of my own thoughts. But the calm was short–lived. It didn’t change the fact that today was Friday, and Friday meant dinner at the Pack House. And with his parents back, there was no way we could skip it. We had no choice. I had to soldier on, just like I always did. I was used to it
“Thank you,” I said, pulling away from him gently. He didn’t get a free pass just because he’d offered me a moment of peace. All of this, the chaos, the pressure, was happening because of him.
“I’ll go and freshen up and then I’ll head to the Pack House,” I told him, looking him in the eye. He nodded.
“I’ll do the same, and we can go together,” he said, taking me by surprise. Together? This meant we’d walk in there like a normal couple, side by side. My heart fluttered and it was a good feeling, a foreign warmth spreading through me. I was experiencing a lot of good things lately, things I hadn’t
expected.
As I walked towards my room, I noticed my door was slightly ajar. Inside, my room was a complete mess. No, not a mess, but full of shopping bags everywhere piled on my bed, spilling onto the floor, even hanging from the back of a chair. I had completely forgotten about them. I guess he’d had someone bring them in.
After a quick shower and picking out one of the new, soft dresses that felt like a hug, I met him by the door. He looked handsome, as always, his usual dark clothes making him seem even more powerful. We walked side by side, out of our house inside the Pack grounds and towards the main Pack House.
As we reached the Pack House, my stomach did a little flip. This was always
the hardest part, walking in, facing all the judging eyes. But then, just as we were about to step inside, his hand reached for mine. His fingers laced through mine, firm and warm. He held my hand.
My breath caught in my throat. My eyes flickered to his, wide with surprise. He just offered me a small, almost imperceptible squeeze, his expression unreadable. My heart swelled, a sudden burst of overwhelming joy.
It was such a simple gesture, but it meant so much.
We walked into the large dining hall, his hand still firmly clasped around mine. I tried to act normal, to ignore the hushed whispers and curious glances that followed us. He led me to our table, pulling out my chair for me before taking his own.
After a few minutes of polite greetings, excused myself. “I’ll just go check on the kitchen,” I said, needing to get away from the staring. It was my duty as the Luna to make sure everything was running smoothly, even if I felt like I was still learning the ropes.
The kitchen was full of activity, fragrant with the smell of roasting meat and fresh herbs. The new women who had been started recently, were moving with purpose, their movements quiet and efficient. I watched them for a moment, impressed. These new people were pleasant and professional, their uniforms crisp, their expressions focused.
“Everything looks wonderful,” I said, stepping further into the room. “The aromas are incredible.”
A woman with kind eyes and a neat bun smiled at me. “Thank you, Luna. We’re just putting the finishing touches on the roasted vegetables.”
Their smiles didn’t quite reach their eyes, and their politeness felt a little too stiff, a little too perfect. But at least they were cordial and respectful.
“Faith, darling! There you are!” a voice cooed from behind me.
I stiffened, my shoulders tensing. I didnt even need to turn around to know who it was. Ovelia. My mother–in–law,
I turned, forcing a smile that felt like it was tearing my face. Ovelia in a deep purple dress, floated towards me, her arms outstretched. She embraced me, a short, air–kissing sort of hug that didn’t quite touch. “It’s so lovely to see you, dear! You look absolutely radiant tonight.”
Radiant? I felt, ready to snap. Her words were sweet, but her eyes held a calculating glint. I hadn’t forgotten our last conversation, not for a second. The way she had gently, firmly, gaslit me into believing that I had no choice but to accept everything to simply be a good Luna‘ and endure.
She pulled back, her smile wide and seemingly genuine. “Everything looks delicious, doesn’t it? Such a relief to have fresh, professional faces in the kitchen. Though I must say,” she lowered her voice slightly, though it still seemed to carry, “I am a little disappointed that Alice will be the one giving us our first grandchild. I had always hoped it would be you, after all.”
My forced smile wavered. There it was. The taunt. The subtle jab wrapped in a seemingly caring remark. She wasn’t trying to comfort me; she was reminding me of what I hadn’t given them, what Alice supposedly had.
“Oh, well, Faith, you shouldn’t worry your pretty head,” she continued, patting my arm. “You will have children in the future, I’m sure of it. There’s plenty of
time.”
“I just hope that you’ll treat Alice’s baby with kindness. Just as you’ll treat your own children, when you eventually have them, of course.” Her voice grew a little firmer, a little more pointed.
That was it. My patience snapped like a dry twig. “Treat the baby with kindness?” I repeated, my voice dangerously low. “It’s a baby, Not a pet project. And frankly, it’s a little early to be even thinking about that child, isn’t it? It isn’t even born yet.” My eyes narrowed. “And as for my children, in the
3/4
Chanter
future, if I even have them who knows what life holds, right? I can assure you,
they will be kept very far away from Alice. That girl is toxic. A walking disaster, frankly. I wouldn’t want her influence anywhere near my future
pups.”
She gasped, her hand flying to her chest. Her eyes, usually so composed, widened with shock and anger. “Faith! How dare you speak like that. How dare you speak about the woman who is going to be the mother of my son’s first child, our first grandchild! And how dare you speak to me, your Luna, in such a disrespectful manner!” Her voice rose, echoing slightly in the busy kitchen, making a few of the staff members pause their work, their eyes darting towards us.
I want it to apologize and take a step back because the conversation was taking another direction But I didn’t. Not this time. My chin lifted. “I demand the right to my opinion, Ovalia. And my children, if I ever have them, will be my children. And I will raise them as I see fit. And that includes keeping them away from anyone I deem harmful.” The air in the kitchen crackled with the sudden tension, the unspoken battle between us.
I’m just tired of if you believe having a say in my life and she has started already decided on the Fate of my children which is not going to happen.
Nobody is going to run my life from now on.
cphakathi28
A
#vote#
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