Hidden Royalty

Chapter 5 The Family

I was almost to the bottom of the stairs when a tall slender woman with an ageless beauty came running and enveloped me in a hug. Welcome to our family, daughter. Tears sprang to my eyes. I was so young when my parents died I didn't realize how much I craved the love and guidance of a mother. She pulled away and I had tears in my eyes with a confused look. I expected censure and condemnation, not love and acceptance. Why did she welcome me to her family? What was happening? A young boy of maybe five came running up tugging on the ladies dress. Grandma, Grandma, is this my new momma. She's so pretty I hope so. Then everyone else rushed forward to hug me and welcome me to the family. I was so confused and overwhelmed I did the only thing I could think of and ran back up stairs and locked myself in my room.

Vadik come here. I could hear the anger in my mother's usually kind voice. Why did my future daughter-in-law run away from me in fear? What have you done? I feel myself flush guiltily under her scrutiny. I haven't exactly explained things to her, I say. Why not, my mother said through clenched teeth? How did I explain to my mother that I lost control of my wolf and hurt my mate before she even had a chance to get to know me. I was ashamed. I never lost control. My family depended on my strength and stability. I had let everyone down and I was furious with myself. I will handle this in my own way, I said as I turned and stalked to the spare room I was staying in, so Jenny could have mine, and slammed the door. I could hear Nikki ask my mother in his sweet voice if Daddy had made his new Mommy cry? I swear I could feel the whole families eyes burning a hole in my back. Damn it! What was I going to do now? I had to fix this, but how? I decided to take it one step at a time, but first I needed to talk to my family.

I had just finished explaining to my family what I needed of them. My youngest brother Robert, who was sixteen, said " so let me get this straight, you want us to pretend to be human around your little girlfriend?". I grit my teeth at his sarcastic tone and reply yes. They all start laughing, except my mother, and I grow more agitated by the second. Mom tried to diffuse the situation by stepping forward and speaking up. Vadik never asks for anything. If he thinks this is for the best then we need to support him. Everyone stops laughing and nods their head in agreement. It's just till I can ease her into things, I say , and walk away.

I strode to my room and knock. I hear a, tiny voice say come in. When I open the door Jenny's eyes get big and she wraps her arms around herself protectively. I hate that I did this to her. I pull her chin up and look into her eyes. She tries to pull away, but I tightened my grip. It's time to start your new duties. I'm a busy man and don't have time to coddle you. I could see a spark in her eyes. She's mad, good, that's better than terrified. She stood up and asked just what her duties were in a suspicious tone of voice. I'm taken aback by what she's implying. It never occurred to me that she would assume I would hire her with such motives in mind. I really had made quite the impression I realized. I have no idea how to undo the damage. I'm angry and frustrated with myself. I lash out at Jenna. Your duties, I say in a clipped tone, are taking care of my son and running the household. My mom can show you the ropes tommorow. As for the other, that can wait until you're more skilled at your job. I run my fingers suggestively along her cheek and she shivers. I smirk, then turn and walk away. I turn back, right as a small vase flies at my head. I catch it with one hand, before I say "I will be gone a few days. Try to behave yourself." I chuckle as I close the door and walk away.