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?”
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
guides me towards one of the
Atticus. Sebastian and I have patched things up.” I say
his eyes vanishes as he stares at me
sorry, but I have never
Zaia. He can’t protect you.” He says, glancing around
I frown but I don’t argue as someone else approaches us
more confident that it’ll help Valerie. Dinner is almost over, and I’m almost done with having
lips pursed in a pinched line, irritation clear on her face as she stares at me haughtily, making snide indirect jabs every chance she
distracted, not noticing nor
feels guilty for the fact that he had pushed Mom away so she didn’t think she reach out
be painful
I’m worried you are biting off far more
the woman seated beside me and wish I wasn’t sitting right beside her but when Dad had made to sit
cake. She rolls
reply simply. “Trying to look like a fool.” She mumbles her breath, but I hear under. She looks me
says quietly and I pick up my napkin, patting my mouth and nod. “Whenever you
looks out over the garden. We’re dining out in the open. The weather is good save for little bursts of wind at
Dad says. The 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 my company and named her my heir. Today, I wish to announce that
flits through the room and although it’s
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
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 a
just… a moving moment.” He says quietly, he places his arm around me and gives me a small smile.
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
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
look at this. I am hurt father, you are giving Zaia everything, but what about me? Am I not your
voice I have not heard for years but is familiar as the morning sun, reaches my ears. I turn slowly, as Dad lets go of me and we both look at the
than it used to be. It’s curled and frames her face, but what captures my attention is her
thumps in surprise. Sebastian never mentioned she had moved on. Maybe that’s why she hasn’t been
Dad says, a frown
runs to
baby, where have you been… and you’re pregnant!” She says, cupping
forbidden to 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 is the
order, why did you
“What?” Annette asks, shocked. “You refused to let
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Rd75r8LXXu6831nCkO6aEVfnLxiALNCsu16tERytrTSUF2Hkdxx+EEZylJGR44tCI3sB+thY1lk6kPlSYLV7ZpuM6LctN9aH+aXNB2qhRBNTlUaPS/tq5IlCUBajApHgyo9P9/2ecjO2VKscpFzgljHn1tzGgPiT3MMGf2zAEQecEvLUrp+dinhw6zV3GnkBo2mwa9Yd/vksSTQxxTDOUvVU/gsRaYGBGmdsWoTP7oK4SBX02IgOiAyIQsH5dy70Vk378rGDDfa1iDOPOnl5MsXUTKcgItVQqpp5U6BFavU5AJh/wTT0Kqw4KJPXIb++1o5p9Mh9WYKqgfVilFMVral4fnwFk9b1dNmXPGsQHU6yRfL72TN/17nZcnolLOD6Gpz3zrU510aT0iPGvdkuQN1UMB9D+noBij9//IqpPUzvSqcJ9cAjVl7GC0dBwtELpnyUlFEKDQ==
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