A Jealous Sister
ZAIA. The glimmering fairy lights and the lanterns twinkle in the night. The music is soft and soothing, the opposite of the storm that rages inside of me. I am still unable to fully process the information that Mom shared, and neither can Dad…
Mom decided to stay home. She had originally been extremely worried about facing Annette. and with what happened, she couldn’t do it and I can’t blame her. Since we moved here, both women have avoided one another at all costs.
Dad is greeting everyone, but his constant tugging at his tie and readjusting tells me he’s stressed. Right now, I could use Sebastian’s arms around me…
Wait, stop. Did I just say that? My cheeks burn as I step out into the open. A silence falls as all eyes turn to me and hopefully, the cameras catch everyone’s expressions…
My eyes find Atticus and he’s staring at me with an expression I can’t make out. Interesting… is it me or the symbol?
“Ms Zaia Toussaint.” Someone announces me and I gracefully walk down the steps. Atticus glances around before he swiftly crosses the garden and holds out a hand to me.
“Hey…” He says. I take his hand hesitantly, but instead of his normally charming smile, he’s looking me over with a tiny frown. “Hello, Atticus,” I say. “Are you alright? You look a little… shocked.”
He tenses before he shakes his head. “No, not at all. So shall we?” He offers me his arm and although I’m tempted to refuse, his reaction has intrigued me, although after Mom’s, nothing feels like a surprise anymore.
“Congratulations Ms Toussaint, it is a pleasant surprise to learn that you will head this pack. I hope our alliance will continue.” An older Alpha from an allied pack says.
“Thank you, Alpha Bruce,” I say politely, giving him and his Luna a grateful smile. “Will we perhaps see another alliance between you and Alpha Payne?”
us,”
he guides me towards one of the larger oaks at
tell you no. I’ve made my decision, Atticus. Sebastian and I have patched things up.” I
in his eyes vanishes as he stares at me with eyes
everything he has done?” he asks, clenching his jaw. “I’m sorry, but I have never led you on, Atticus, what I do is up to
a mistake, Zaia. He can’t protect you.” He
argue as someone else approaches us and pasting a smile on my face,
feel even more confident that
lips pursed in a pinched line, irritation clear on her face as she stares at me
but he is still distracted, not noticing nor entertaining her. Not that he usually
he feels guilty for the fact that he had pushed Mom away so
can be
position? I’m worried you are biting off far more than you can chew.” Annette murmurs the moment Dad
right beside her but when Dad had made
spoonful of my chocolate cake. She rolls her eyes, picking up her drink. “Well, as long as
a fool.” She mumbles her breath, but I hear under. She looks me over, her eyes lingering on the henna before she shakes
quietly and I pick up my napkin, patting my mouth and nod. “Whenever you are,” I respond with a
stands up and clinks his glass as he looks out over the garden. We’re dining out in
made my daughter the head of my company and named her my heir. Today, I
surprise flits through the room and although it’s not unheard of to have a female alpha, it
suitable for this position…” Dad says quietly. He’s not himself… I can see it in the way he’s talking. He’s distracted and upset. For
make me his heir, and I don’t mind. But right now, he needs me, I stand up and move past Annette, placing a hand on my father’s arm. He observes me for
and gives me a small smile. “I present to you, the future Alpha of
“You didn’t have to,” I whisper. He shakes his head. “I wanted to.”
it’s a devastating hit, but I do hope he can come
well… look at this. I am hurt father, you are giving Zaia
years but is familiar as the morning sun, reaches my ears. I turn slowly, as Dad lets go
She looks almost the same as she once did. Her hair is shorter than it used to be. It’s curled
heart thumps in surprise. Sebastian never mentioned she had moved on. Maybe that’s why she hasn’t
Dad says, a frown crossing his
as she runs to her daughter’s side and flings her
Annalise baby, where have you been… and you’re pregnant!” She says, cupping her
in this pack after what I did. I think he forgets that she is the one who stole my boyfriend! I was with Sebastian King
order, why did you disobey by
refused to let me see her! You said that she’s the one who should come to us
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
The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!