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?”
lucky,” Atticus says with a charming smile, whilst I simply 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 passing
guides me towards one of the larger oaks at the further end of
I did tell you no. I’ve made my decision, Atticus. Sebastian and I
at me. Any spark he had in his eyes vanishes
sorry, but I have
you.” He says,
but I don’t argue as someone else approaches us
confident that it’ll help Valerie. Dinner is almost over, and
line, irritation clear on her face as she stares at me haughtily, making snide indirect jabs every chance she
little too touchy-feely with Dad, but he is still distracted, not noticing
he feels guilty for the fact that he had pushed Mom away so she didn’t think she reach
be
still 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.”
look at the woman seated beside me and wish I wasn’t sitting right beside her but when Dad had made to sit between us; she had pushed herself in
Luna. Dad knows I am capable.” I reply, taking a spoonful of my chocolate cake. She rolls her eyes, picking up her
like a fool.” She mumbles her breath, but I hear under. She looks me over, her eyes lingering on the henna before she shakes her
Ready?” Dad says quietly and I pick up my napkin, patting my mouth and
gives me a nod before he stands up and clinks his glass as he looks out over the
have made my daughter the head of my company and
flits through the room and although it’s not unheard of
himself… I can see it in the way he’s talking.
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
me and gives me a small smile. “I present to you, the future Alpha of the Crystal Shadow Pack,
and begins clapping, and I look up at Dad. “You didn’t have to,” I whisper. He shakes his head. “I wanted to.” He replies
devastating hit, but I do hope he can come to terms with everything that has happened and doesn’t blame himself for the
father, you are giving Zaia everything, but what about me? Am I not your
I have not heard for years but is familiar as the morning sun, reaches my ears. I
Her hair is shorter than it used to be. It’s curled and frames
never mentioned she had moved on. Maybe that’s why she hasn’t been meddling
says, a frown crossing
She responds. Annette stands up, knocking her chair back as she runs to her daughter’s side and flings her arms
have you been… and you’re pregnant!” She says,
return.” She says, now looking at Dad accusingly. “Dad said I am not allowed to set foot in this pack after what I did. I think he forgets that she
frowns. “If I had given you an order, why did you
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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