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
towards one of the larger oaks
you no. I’ve made my decision, Atticus.
vanishes as he stares at me with eyes that now
everything he has done?” he asks, clenching his jaw. “I’m sorry, but
a mistake, Zaia. He can’t protect you.” He
talk about? I frown but I don’t argue as someone else approaches us and pasting a
more confident that it’ll
face as she stares at me haughtily, making snide
he is still distracted, not noticing nor entertaining
had pushed Mom away so she didn’t think she
can be
position? I’m worried you are biting off far more
but when Dad had made to sit between us; she had pushed herself in between. I now
chocolate cake. She rolls her eyes, picking up her drink.
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,”
out over the garden. We’re dining out in
chatter dies down as everyone turns to the front, giving Dad their full attention. “As you all know, recently I have made my daughter the head of
ripple of surprise flits through the room and although it’s not unheard
time and time again that she is 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 Dad’s. emotions to show through, it’s obvious Mom’s secret has impacted
his heir, and I don’t mind. But right now, he needs me, I stand up and move past Annette,
quietly, he places his arm around me and gives me a small smile. “I present to you, the future Alpha of the
I look up at 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
but I do hope
hurt father, you are giving Zaia
familiar as the morning sun, reaches my ears. I turn slowly, as Dad lets go of me and we both look at the
stands there. She looks almost the same as she once did. Her hair is shorter than it used to be. It’s curled and frames her face, but what captures
never mentioned she had
a frown crossing
runs
Annalise baby, where have you been… and you’re pregnant!” She
“Dad said I am not allowed to set foot in this pack after what I did. I think he forgets that she is
had given you an order, why did you
to let me see her! You said that she’s the one who should come to us and
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Rd75r8LXXu6831nCkO6aEVfnLxiALNCsu16tERytrTSUF2Hkdxx+EEZylJGR44tCI3sB+thY1lk6kPlSYLV7ZpuM6LctN9aH+aXNB2qhRBNTlUaPS/tq5IlCUBajApHgyo9P9/2ecjO2VKscpFzgljHn1tzGgPiT3MMGf2zAEQecEvLUrp+dinhw6zV3GnkBo2mwa9Yd/vksSTQxxTDOUvVU/gsRaYGBGmdsWoTP7oK4SBX02IgOiAyIQsH5dy70Vk378rGDDfa1iDOPOnl5MsXUTKcgItVQqpp5U6BFavU5AJh/wTT0Kqw4KJPXIb++1o5p9Mh9WYKqgfVilFMVral4fnwFk9b1dNmXPGsQHU6yRfL72TN/17nZcnolLOD6Gpz3zrU510aT0iPGvdkuQN1UMB9D+noBij9//IqpPUzvSqcJ9cAjVl7GC0dBwtELpnyUlFEKDQ==
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