EPISODE ONE: FAMILY REUNION
Helena’s POV
My dad called me this morning: we were having a family reunion with my stepmom and stepsister. Those two were a thorn in my flesh, but I had no choice but to go. I quickly called my friends, Hana and Joyce.
“Dad called me for another family reunion, so I gotta go,” I said.
“Are you sure you’ll be okay?” Joyce asked, knowing how I’d been treated.
I gave her a weak smile. “Sure.” They saw me off.
I arrived at the location. My dad had picked a luxurious restaurant—I knew it was his wife’s idea. It was as if that woman had bewitched him. I wondered silently, What does he even see in her?
I walked quietly to the table where the three of them were seated.
“Hi… hi Dad,” I greeted with a fake smile.
“How are you doing?” they asked, like they actually cared. I thought sarcastically, Fine… actually I… I was about to tell them about my new job at Blake Holdings when my noisy stepsister, Meg, interrupted.
“Oh, dear sister, how have you been surviving?” she asked, a grin playing on her lips.
I scoffed. Her intention was obvious—mock me in front of my parents. I straightened my shoulders, looked her in the eyes, and said:
“I’m a writer. I just got employed at Blake Holdings—that’s what I was about to say before you cut in.”
Then she and my stepmom started laughing.
“What’s funny?” I asked.
Amidst laughter, my stepmom said,
“Seriously, a writer? What a shameful job.”
Annoyed, I shouted:
“HOW DARE YOU! Do you know how much I earn per month? Even your so-called daughter can’t afford it, yet she sits at home every day eating Dad’s money—and you’re laughing at my job?”
By now, all eyes in the restaurant were on us.
“STOP ALL THIS NONSENSE, Helena!” my dad said. “Your mom was only showing concern. Do you have to disrespect her like that?”
What was I expecting? He always took their side. I looked him in the eyes:
“So Dad… do you also think the same about my job?”
He didn’t reply, but deep down, I already knew the answer.
Suddenly, there was a commotion outside the restaurant.
“Damon Blake is here! The heir to Blake Company!” someone shouted.
“OMG, he’s so handsome and dashing!” another added.
Ugh—the infamous Damon Blake, the notorious playboy. The compliments my friends always gave him made me hate him even more. But then again he is dangerously handsome I said smiling to myself.
I told myself, Wake up, Helena. You can’t fall for a playboy.
I was about to leave.
“Dad, I have to go. I have work at the office,” I said.
He waved his hand. “Whatever.”
Sometimes, it hurts. I even wondered if he was really my father.
As I stepped forward, Meg kicked her leg out, and I accidentally hit someone. Looking up, I saw Damon Blake. Gasps filled the restaurant. My family yelled, Why are you always clumsy?!
I ignored them and immediately apologized:
“I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to—”
Before I could finish, he took my hand and dragged me outside. It was already night. I begged him, offering to pay for his trousers since my shirt was ruined too and the boutiques were closed.
Suddenly, it began to rain. I had always feared thunder. When it rumbled loudly, I grabbed Tristan in fear, crying:
“Please… I don’t want to die!”
He hugged me with his large hands, and I calmed down. He wrapped his expensive leather jacket around my shoulders. I whispered,
“Thank you…”
This was the man whose name I had always hated.
Damon’s POV
I came to the restaurant specifically because of Helena. I knew she couldn’t remember me, but within the werewolf lineage, we never forget her.
The scene I found wasn’t what I expected. Her family was bullying her. I stepped in, but she accidentally spilled drinks on both of us. I had no choice but to take her outside to avoid gossip.
As she hugged me, crying from the fear of rain, she looked so cute I couldn’t help but stare at her lips as she mouthed “thanks.”
I took her to my car.
“You owe me a jacket,” I said.
“No problem, I’ll return it,” she replied, giving me a beautiful smile.
I remembered the ring she always wore. Only a few in the pack knew its secret.
“Damon, I think I should head home… thanks again.”
She boarded a cab, and I watched until it disappeared from sight. I didn’t realize I was still smiling until my beta, Mykel, asked:
“What’s wrong?”
