Ride To The Party
1052 Words
Dionne
I took a step back, not sure about what to do or say as I stood watching the head that had popped in from the door.
"What...what do you want?"
I asked at last when I found my voice.
"I'm sorry for startling you, can I come in, please?"
He asked. I took a deep breath and then nodded for him to come inside. He did without hesitation and in the next minute, he was standing with me. Very close to me.
Breathing freely was not so easy with him around. It never was with them around.
But I saw that he wanted me to relax. He did not quite like that I was tensed up around him.
"Dienne, I'm sorry. I came here to apologize for how my brothers had treated you previously. That didn't have to be like that," he said.
I shrugged, barely holding back from saying, 'They never should have, but they did anyway.'
He paused and looked around the room before he continued to speak.
"I know they are just being that way because of their loyalty to our late mother. They loved her and the idea of a replacement has not come to master them yet," he said, but to me, it only sounded like he was making excuses for the bad attitude of his brothers.
How was it that I was able to come into their home and learn to love and totally accept their father as my own?
Why didn't I consider him a monster because my own biological father had proven to be one?
It was easy if they wanted to. They just had to see past the hate in their hearts and let light burst out from their hearts. But as I stood there, I didn't say any of these things. What difference was it going to make anyway?
And why exactly was this one out of the bunch being so nice and apologetic on behalf of the others?
"Thank you for apologizing. It means a lot to me seeing that I was not counting on it. And of course, I'm not carrying any grievances in my heart. We're step siblings and we should not be fighting," I said.
He needed to leave so I could have time to myself to get ready for the party we were to attend anyway and I could not do that with him in the same room with me.
Hardin's behavior had made me become even more wary around them and I didn't think I'd ever come to be relaxed in their company ever.
"So you're not mad, is that right?"
He asked me and I shrugged. Lucien was somehow the good one out of the fold and I should have been pleased and even flattered that he came to apologize to me. Something I was sure the others would not ever do.
"No, Lucien. I'm not mad at all. In fact I have to start getting ready for the party at Violet's. You'd be shocked to know that I never attend events late," I said and he smiled before turning to the door.
He stopped at the door and asked,
"What about we give you a ride to the party since dad's yet to fix you your own car?"
He asked. That was totally cute and considerate, but I'd rather walk to the party if driving with them was my one and only option.
"I really do appreciate the offer, Lucien. But you need not worry about me. I'd find a way to show up at the party."
He frowned but he did not insist as he stepped out of the room and closed the door behind him.
I did not want to ever be in the same place with them especially when there was no one else, an older person, to watch us and know they tried to be up to something stupid. I'd just keep my distance and play it safe with them.
Once he was out of the room, I started to rummage through my luggages and my wardrobe. Thankfully, I had acquired new dresses since mom and I moved in, even if the dresses were not so much. I found something that I considered elegant and very simple and I put it on. I took a look at myself in the mirror and loved how the dress looked on me. But for most folks and maybe for my step brothers, the dress would definitely be considered too simple.. they'd expect me to wear something more fancy and more colorful, but I was not out to please them. I was going to do what I was comfortable with.
I walked out of my room and headed downstairs to tell mom that I'd be attending the party at Violet's, but I didn't find her. The maids directed me to the balcony where she was having a good time with a glass of wine, just enjoying the cool evening breeze.
Mom was particularly elated to see me dressed up and ready to leave.
"Come have a drink here, sweetie," she offered after I greeted her and I shook my head.
"I'll have as many drinks as I'd want at the party, I'm sure," I said and mom rolled her eyes. Just then, Alpha Marcus who had probably been hearing us, walked up to us, sitting with mom and taking her in his embrace.
"What party are you attending, sweetheart?" He asked with genuine interest.
I did not feel uneasy explaining to him that we had made friends with this girl from school and she was hosting a party and I had been invited. He smiled and mom did too, especially when I said I needed to have a social life and get to know other werewolves in this part of the world too. Alpha Marcus took one look at me and then said,
"I think your brothers are going to be attending the same party too, I've seen them bustling around trying to look their best as always. Why don't you ride with them?"
"Oh, I'd..."
“Sister, I think we are going to the same party. Why don’t you join us?”
It was Hardin's voice. It came right before I could refuse to ride with me and now I was screwed.
- Writer
