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?”
smile politely, not wanting to cause a scene. “Excuse us,” I say politely before I lead us away, taking a glass of wine from a
He states as he guides me towards one of the larger oaks at the further end
made my decision, Atticus. Sebastian and I have patched things up.” I say
his eyes vanishes as he stares at me with eyes that now
sorry, but I have never led you on, Atticus, what I do is
Zaia. He can’t protect you.” He says, glancing around before he looks
to talk about? I frown but I don’t argue as someone else approaches us and pasting
I feel even more confident that it’ll help Valerie. Dinner is almost over, and I’m almost
her face as she stares at me haughtily, making snide indirect jabs every chance she
but he is still distracted, not noticing nor entertaining her. Not that
know he feels guilty for the fact that he had pushed Mom
can be
will manage, Zaia. Are you prepared for such a position? I’m worried you are biting off far more than you can
her but when Dad had made
I am capable.” I reply, taking a spoonful of my chocolate cake. She rolls her eyes, picking up her drink. “Well, as long as you are
a fool.” She mumbles her breath, but I hear under.
napkin, patting my mouth and nod.
as he looks out over the garden. We’re dining out in
the front, giving Dad their full attention. “As you all know, recently I have made my daughter the head of my company and named her my heir. Today, I wish to announce that I am also naming
although it’s not unheard of to have a female
can see it in the way he’s talking. He’s distracted and upset. For
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 and gives me a small smile. “I present
Dad. “You didn’t have to,” I whisper. He shakes his head. “I wanted to.” He replies quietly before he pulls me into a tight
know it’s a devastating hit, but I do hope he can come to terms with everything that has
hurt father, you are giving Zaia everything, but
reaches my ears. I
she once did. Her hair is shorter than it used to be. It’s curled and frames her face, but what
heart thumps in surprise. Sebastian never mentioned she had moved on. Maybe that’s
says, a
knocking her chair back as she runs to her daughter’s side and
baby, where have you been… and you’re pregnant!” She
this pack after what I did.
“If I had given you an order, why did you disobey by returning, if that’s
Annette asks, shocked. “You refused to let me see her! You said
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Rd75r8LXXu6831nCkO6aEVfnLxiALNCsu16tERytrTSUF2Hkdxx+EEZylJGR44tCI3sB+thY1lk6kPlSYLV7ZpuM6LctN9aH+aXNB2qhRBNTlUaPS/tq5IlCUBajApHgyo9P9/2ecjO2VKscpFzgljHn1tzGgPiT3MMGf2zAEQecEvLUrp+dinhw6zV3GnkBo2mwa9Yd/vksSTQxxTDOUvVU/gsRaYGBGmdsWoTP7oK4SBX02IgOiAyIQsH5dy70Vk378rGDDfa1iDOPOnl5MsXUTKcgItVQqpp5U6BFavU5AJh/wTT0Kqw4KJPXIb++1o5p9Mh9WYKqgfVilFMVral4fnwFk9b1dNmXPGsQHU6yRfL72TN/17nZcnolLOD6Gpz3zrU510aT0iPGvdkuQN1UMB9D+noBij9//IqpPUzvSqcJ9cAjVl7GC0dBwtELpnyUlFEKDQ==
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