His Fateful Choice

On the run

That day was the last time I spoke about what happened between him and I. That was almost two years ago. So, it seems highly unlikely that Gemma would have known about what had happened that night. Yet I cannot shake the feeling that her displeasure with me is not based solely on my lack of respect.

Yet we both are able to behave at least decently most of the time. Her insult today is therefore slightly surprising to me. I wonder if she got up on the wrong foot today.

“Maria!” she barked. “Go get changed. The royal delegation will be arriving shortly, and I want you serve us some tea and biscuits before lunch. And the rest of you, make sure you too look presentable in a case they saw you” 

“Me? Why me? I’ve never served our guests. Emma knows how it’s done! I’m usually in the kitchen. I’m good in the kitchen. Let Emma serve the guests!” begged Maria but then stopped after Gemma glared at her.

“No, Maria, today you will serve us. They are royal after all and they are coming to discuss the preparation for Josh's appointment. And while they are here, the Alpha wants to persuade them to have a joint military training exercise. I hope you know the prestige of training with lycans. So obviously I can’t risk any trouble with Emma. Plus, I think it wouldn’t look very good if they knew we had a cross in our pack. Don’t you think, Emma?” she asked me overly sweetly. It was that kind of sweetness you can taste of some berries. You know, the berries you can only eat once. Before you die. Because of the berries.

“Excuse me? What trouble? I’ve never been unprofessional. And I think, that if Maria doesn’t want to serve, you shouldn’t push her. She is shy and doesn’t like big crowds.” I retorted.

“Emma, let me explain something to you. You are nobody in this pack, you are useless and a real nuisance with that disability of yours. You are so useless, that you don’t even have a mate. Nobody wants you. So, tell me, what made you think I would care about what you think?” said Gemma with a voice full of poison.

I was speechless. Why was she suddenly so hateful? Naturally, we never clicked, but this crossed some invisible line within me. I tried to like her, I honestly tried. And I think she wasn’t all that bad as a future Luna. Sure, she did things differently than I would, but she was born to lead this pack, not me. 

But that’s exactly why I couldn’t understand. She was a woman who had everything. She was educated and had her loving family, her strong and devoted mate and an adoring pack. And even if she didn’t have any of that, she would still have her wolf. Why with all that, she still needed to walk all over me and to try to humiliate me, was just lost on me.

The more I thought about it, the more I realized, that I’ve just had enough. I refused to take it anymore, especially from her. Even though I never wanted to admit it, and just the thought made me feel guilty, I’ve never fully got rid of the feeling that Gemma had something that belonged to me. Or someone. It was something I would never say out loud. 

I have always despised envious people and right now, I felt like I was their queen. But it was this burning feeling inside that made me do, what I did next. I turned to the kitchen counter and took a pitcher full of beetroot juice ready for breakfast. Then I took a quick step toward Gemma, and without saying a word, I poured the entire pitcher into her platinum blond hair.

“Oops, I am soo sorry. I guess that’s going to stain. Hope you didn’t have anything important planned for today Gemma.” And with everyone speechless I waltzed out of the kitchen. 

But as soon as I was around the corner and out of their field of view, I raced to my room in the attic. I had only mere minutes before someone would barge into my room and demand my apology. Apology I wasn’t willing to give. 

I packed all my stuff as fast as I could, while thanking myself for having so few personal items. I thought I’ve heard some commotion downstairs, so I took it as my que to leave. I couldn’t go down the stairs, so I decided that the rooftop window seemed just as suitable. First, I threw my bag and then myself out of the window, hoping that at least some of those mythical werewolf abilities would kick in. 

The moment I threw myself out the window, the thought of how werewolfs aren't really cats crossed my mind and with that just a few seconds later my body crashed with all its force into the backyard flowerbed of daisies. Fortunately, I didn't hear any crunchy sounds, which I count as a success given the fact that I just jumped from the fourth floor. I guess werewolves, yey!

I gathered my bag and ran towards the main road, hoping I was insignificant enough so they wouldn’t chase me. I was running for some minutes when I heard a glass shattering sound coming from the pack grounds. A single loud wolf howl. 

For a second that sound almost made me turn around. But then I remembered all what happened and resumed my running. I wouldn’t give up on me now. I decided I wanted a happy future and a loving family. And none of this is waiting for me here.

After ten or fifteen minutes of running I finally saw the main road. Without a second thought I waived the passing cars, hoping, someone would stop and take me to the city. Consequently also hoping my future driver was in no mood for k********g a hitchhiker.

A dark blue car stopped, and its driver motioned toward me. I jumped inside with the enthusiasm of a bank robber.  “Where to?” the older woman, who was obviously startled, asked. “To the city, or as close as possible, please.” I answered and dialled Bill’s number, hoping he would pick up.