Weight Of Blood
1222 Words
Josh’s POV
The drive home was a long one, mainly because of the silence my two loving passengers gave me. The car's engine purred softly, filling the void between us, while the road unfolded in front of us, gray and monotonous.
But somehow I was still uncomfortable. Especially with Alina here. I mean, she's a totally harmless person, but there's something different about her. There's a kind of aura rising up inside the car, a presence that doesn't belong to Samia. So it can only be hers.
The soft afternoon light streamed in through the windows, reflecting off her hair, which seemed to absorb the golden hues of the sun. Her gaze was fixed on the landscape, but there was something in her posture, something tense, as if she felt the weight of my presence as much as I felt hers.
I'd even like to strike up a conversation. After all, she is a beautiful woman. But she's forbidden to me. In any case, Dad would never allow any kind of involvement. Until a while ago, I imagined that my interpersonal relationships were private, but I was naive. Dad always knew everything.
- So... what were the girls doing on that fateful girls' weekend? - I ask, trying to break the ice between us.
- Fateful?! - They shout in unison, making me arch an eyebrow.
- Yes, I mean, I ruined your weekend, didn't I?
They exchange a look before letting out a restrained laugh.
- Oh, I see,” they repeat together, as if they had rehearsed it.
- It's no big deal, don't worry. You haven't ruined anything,” says my sister Sâmia, shrugging.
- Look, girls, as it's still early, I think we'd better go to a restaurant for lunch. How about that?
- Sounds good! After all, I'm starving,” says Alina, finally speaking up.
Her voice is sweeter than I expected. There's something about it that catches my attention, an endearing, almost childlike lightness. I'd never noticed it before. Nor how cute she is when she allows herself to relax. It's a shame.
Arriving at the restaurant, we are directed to a VIP table in the most private area of the establishment. The waiter welcomes us formally, pulling out the chairs and handing us the menus. The room is pleasantly lit and the smell of fresh food mingles with the woody scent of the decorative candles.
We're eating in peace, but I can't forget what my father said. I have to get my message across, make myself understood.
Sniffling, I break the silence:
- Alina, I don't know if Sâmia told you, but... we have a question.
She looks at me, her expression full of curiosity. Her eyes analyze every detail of my face, as if trying to predict what I'll say next.
- Our father doesn't want the two of you walking together.
Samia snorts, dropping the cutlery with an audible clatter.
- What a joke! Did you have to ruin even this crappy lunch? Because this is an act of apology, isn't it? - she says, crossing her arms.
- It's not entirely an act of apology, but a moment for us to talk and clear everything up. Our father doesn't want the two of you together, Alina. You understand, don't you?
- No, I don't understand - her answer is fierce, cutting.
- Look... you're a hybrid, not a pure wolf.
Her eyes narrow.
- And what's that got to do with it?
- Our father is strict about these matters. After all, we're a family with customs. We have traditions.
- Oh, for God's sake! - Samia throws her hands up in indignation. - The only tradition we have is to eat in silence every time we're together and be abused by him!
- Sammy,” I say in warning, my tone firm.
- “You know this is the right thing to do,” I continue. - You're risking her life as much as your own. In fact, you're risking hers a lot more.
Alina stares at me, her jaw clenched.
- You're an adult. You'll understand us. So follow what I'm telling you. Or else reduce this personal contact by one hundred percent. Sammy, you know what Dad's capable of.
- This is absurd! - Alina says, her voice filled with indignation. - Sammy is an adult!
- It doesn't matter. Even if she were an old woman, she'd have family duties, wouldn't she?
- No, it doesn't. After all, I don't have a family, so I don't know what it's like. But I know one thing for sure: I wouldn't let them take over my destiny or the best part of my life,” she says, her tone bitter.
- I doubt it. You don't have a family, so you don't have a history, a lineage or a custom to respect.
She presses her lips together and, without warning, stands up.
- I think it's about time, isn't it?
- Sit down, please. There's no reason to.
- No reason? - Samia shouts. - You know the rules!
- I'd better go. Enjoy your lunch - Alina insists.
- No, my friend, please stay. This isn't fair - Sâmia says, grabbing her arm. - John's not going to say another word, is he?
She looks at me defiantly.
- “As you wish,” I mutter, taking back the cutlery.
After we left Alina at home, the atmosphere in the car got even worse.
- You need to be a rational person,” I tease. - I mean, did you see what happened when we stopped for gas?
- What happened?
- Your friend talking to that renegade. Allowing him to touch your hands! If Dad saw a scene like that, he'd freak.
- He just walked up, took her hand and she politely asked him to stop. It was no big deal.
- They knew each other. She fell even further in my estimation.
- My goodness, you're looking more like Dad every day. Full of prejudices.
My gaze remains on the road.
- Another thing, Dad's probably going to fire your friend. But don't worry, I'll see what I can do to make sure she at least gets paid for the projects she's signed up for.
- My God...
Samia is crying. The hatred this causes me is inexplicable.
Deep down, I would do things differently. I'd keep Alina in the company. But Dad has already made up his mind.
The only thing I can do is try to help her in some other way. As I drive, I send her name to Igor, an old friend of mine.
Arriving home, Sâmia stares at me.
- If Dad comes up with this idea of marrying someone who isn't my partner, I'll run away. You'll never see me again. Promise me you'll let me know.
I take a deep breath.
- You know that's an impossible promise to keep... but I'll do my best to keep you safe.
I hug her, feeling her body tremble.
In my room, I try to relax, but I can't. The atmosphere around Alina is mysterious. There's something about her, a powerful promise.
I need to know where she came from.
I pick up the phone and call a tracker.
- Be discreet.
- Writer
