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?”
wanting to cause a scene. “Excuse us,” I say politely before I lead us away, taking a glass of wine from
as he guides me towards one of the larger oaks at the further end
Atticus.
stares at me. Any spark he had in his eyes vanishes as he stares at me with eyes
asks, clenching his jaw. “I’m sorry, but I have never led you on,
make a mistake, Zaia. He can’t protect you.” He says, glancing around before he looks
argue as someone else approaches us and
at its fullest I feel even more confident that it’ll help Valerie. Dinner is almost over, and
got her lips pursed in a pinched line, irritation clear on her face as she stares at me haughtily, making snide indirect jabs
too touchy-feely with Dad, but he is still distracted,
guilty for the fact that he had pushed Mom away
be painful
wonder how you think you will manage, Zaia. Are you prepared for such a position? I’m worried you are biting off far more than you can chew.”
when Dad had made to sit between us; she had pushed herself in between. I now raise an
of my chocolate cake. She rolls her eyes, picking up her drink. “Well, as long
to look like a fool.” She mumbles her breath, but I hear under. She looks me over, her eyes lingering on the henna before
napkin, patting my mouth and nod. “Whenever you are,” I
me a nod before he stands up and clinks his glass as he looks out over the
to the front, giving Dad their full attention. “As you all know, recently I have made my daughter the head of my company
and although it’s not unheard of to have a female alpha, it is
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
mind. But right now, he needs
apologise… it’s just… a moving moment.” He says quietly, he places his arm around me and gives me a small smile. “I
didn’t have to,” I whisper. He shakes his head. “I wanted to.” He
sure what he is thanking me for, but I hug him back. I know it’s a devastating hit, but I do hope he can come to terms with everything that has happened and doesn’t blame himself for
hurt father, you are
heard for years but is familiar as the morning sun, reaches my ears. I turn slowly, as Dad lets go of me and we
as she once did. Her hair is shorter than it used to be. It’s curled and frames her face, but what captures my attention
heart thumps in surprise. Sebastian never mentioned she
Dad says, a frown crossing his
stands up, knocking her chair back as she runs to her daughter’s side
been…
allowed to set foot in this pack after what I did. I think he forgets that
given you an order, why did you disobey by returning,
asks, shocked. “You refused to let me see
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Rd75r8LXXu6831nCkO6aEVfnLxiALNCsu16tERytrTSUF2Hkdxx+EEZylJGR44tCI3sB+thY1lk6kPlSYLV7ZpuM6LctN9aH+aXNB2qhRBNTlUaPS/tq5IlCUBajApHgyo9P9/2ecjO2VKscpFzgljHn1tzGgPiT3MMGf2zAEQecEvLUrp+dinhw6zV3GnkBo2mwa9Yd/vksSTQxxTDOUvVU/gsRaYGBGmdsWoTP7oK4SBX02IgOiAyIQsH5dy70Vk378rGDDfa1iDOPOnl5MsXUTKcgItVQqpp5U6BFavU5AJh/wTT0Kqw4KJPXIb++1o5p9Mh9WYKqgfVilFMVral4fnwFk9b1dNmXPGsQHU6yRfL72TN/17nZcnolLOD6Gpz3zrU510aT0iPGvdkuQN1UMB9D+noBij9//IqpPUzvSqcJ9cAjVl7GC0dBwtELpnyUlFEKDQ==
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