Running on Empty

The Wedding

Darlene

The next day arrived with a heavy sense of certainty. The mansion buzzed with preparations for Alpha Victor and Jillian's wedding. I tried to distance myself from the commotion, seeking solace in the confines of my room. However, I was disrupted when Margaret knocked on my door with an irritating enthusiasm.

"Sis, come on! You have to join the ceremony. Mom wants you there," she chirped, a plastic smile on her face.

I sighed, my patience waning. "Margaret, I've told you before. I'm not interested in being a part of this farce. Your mother is not my concern."

Margaret's smile faltered, annoyance flickering in her eyes. "But our Dad wants you there. It's a big day for him, you know?"

I rolled my eyes, feeling the weight of frustration settling in. "If it's such a big day for him, he can enjoy it without my presence. I won't pretend to be happy for something I don't believe in."

Margaret's annoyance deepened, her tone turning sharp. "You're being so difficult, Darlene. Mom asked me to invite you, and you should respect that. She will be the new Luna."

I met her gaze, my own eyes reflecting a determination she seemed unwilling to comprehend. "Respect is earned, Margaret. It's not something your mother automatically gets from me."

She huffed, crossing her arms. "You're ruining the mood. Mom just wants us to be a family."

I chuckled bitterly. "A family built on lies and deceit? No, thank you. I won't contribute to this facade."

Margaret's attempt at persuasion continued, desperation creeping into her voice. "Just walk Dad down the aisle. It's not that hard, and it would mean a lot to him."

I shook my head, my resolve unbroken. "No, Margaret. I won't play the role of the supportive daughter in a show that's destined to crumble."

Without waiting for her response, I shut the door heavily, the echo of her annoyed sigh lingering in the air. I couldn't fathom how she expected me to be a part of a celebration that symbolized the erasure of my mother and the foundation of a family based on betrayal.

Minutes later, as I lingered in my room, the muffled sounds of distress reached my ears. Curiosity drew me to the window, where I overheard Margaret pouring her grievances to Alpha Victor. Her tearful recount echoed through the glass.

"...and then she said no, Dad! She's so rude. She just shut the door in my face," Margaret's voice wavered with a mix of frustration and hurt.

Alpha Victor's response, a stern and irritated tone, made its way to my ears. "Stop crying, Margaret. We can't force her into something she doesn't want to do."

Margaret's sobs continued, and Alpha Victor, seemingly losing patience, tapped her shoulder. "Listen, we have a wedding to attend, and we can't let Darlene's attitude ruin it for us. You understand?"

Margaret, with a nod, wiped away her tears. "Yes, Dad."

His anger shifted to me, and the words that followed stung with a mix of disappointment and frustration. "Let her stay in her room. We don't need her negativity today. Don't ask her to join us anymore."

Margaret nodded again, her tear-streaked face revealing a newfound determination. "Okay, Dad. I won't bother her anymore."

Then the sounds of joyous celebration start. The pack cheered, their enthusiasm reverberating through the mansion. I couldn't help but resent their happiness, a stark contrast to the storm that raged within my room.

The garden adorned with flowers, the makeshift altar bathed in the warm glow of the setting sun. The pack members, gathered to witness the union, added their howls of approval to the jubilation.

Alpha Victor, standing proud in his ceremonial attire, exchanged vows with Jillian. Their promises of love and unity, though intended to bring joy, only fueled the flames of bitterness within me.

"I, Alpha Victor, pledge my heart to you, Jillian," his voice echoed through the garden. "I promise to be your strength, your support, and to stand by you in all challenges. With this union, we solidify the bonds of our pack and create a new chapter for the Golden Claws."

Jillian, radiant in her white gown, responded with vows that cut through the air like a knife. "I, Jillian, accept your love, Alpha Victor. I vow to stand by your side, to honor the pack, and to be the Luna this pack deserves. Together, we shall lead with strength, compassion, and unity."

The cheers swelled, the pack rejoicing in the union that marked a new beginning for them. From my window, I could see their faces lit with happiness, their howls harmonizing with the celebratory atmosphere.

Frustration bubbled within me, and with a swift motion, I shut the curtain, shutting out the scene below. The darkness of my room mirrored the turmoil within.

Days after the wedding passed like a gloomy procession, I ate alone in my room, ignoring the persistent invitations from Alpha Victor, Jillian, and even Margaret.

One evening, as I sat alone with my plate, the door creaked open, and Jillian's voice filled the room. "Darlene, come on. Join us for dinner. I made your favorite tonight."

I glanced at her, my eyes meeting hers with a steady resolve. "I appreciate the effort, Jillian, but I prefer to eat alone."

Jillian's smile wavered for a moment, replaced by a forced cheerfulness. "Darlene, I want us to be family. Please, just join us for dinner."

I sighed, tired of the charade. "Jillian, you and I both will never become a family. Don’t be pretentious. I won't play along."

Alpha Victor intervened, frustration etched on his face. "Darlene, enough of this. You can't keep isolating yourself. We are a family, and you need to accept that."

I met his gaze, defiance burning within me. "A family built on lies and betrayal? I can't accept that, Dad. I won't pretend everything is fine."

Jillian, attempting to mask her irritation, spoke again. "Darlene, we're trying to make this work. Can't you see that?"

I shook my head, a bitter laugh escaping my lips. "Make what work, Jillian? My real family was destroyed by your presence."

Margaret, who had been silent until then, chimed in. "Darlene, please. It's just dinner. Can't you put your feelings aside for once?"

I glared at her, my patience wearing thin. "Feelings don't just disappear, Margaret. And I won't pretend for the sake of your convenient family."

Alpha Victor, frustration simmering, issued a warning. "Darlene, if you don't start joining us for meals, I'll have no choice but to disown you. You can't keep pushing us away."

The threat hung in the air, a heavy silence settling over the room. I knew I had no choice but to comply. With a reluctant nod, I stood up, carrying my plate to the dining table. The atmosphere was tense as I took my seat, my eyes avoiding to look at Alpha Victor, Jillian, and Margaret.

As we sat around the dining table, the atmosphere laden with tension, Margaret's sweet voice cut through the silence. "Dad, next month, Darlene and I will turn 18. We can finally become werewolves like you."

Alpha Victor's eyes lit up with excitement. "Yes, my dear, I'm looking forward to it. It'll be a special day for both of you."

Margaret beamed, her eyes sparkling. "It'll be amazing. We can join the pack fully and be real members."

I kept my gaze fixed on my plate, silently picking at the food. The notion of turning 18 and embracing our werewolf heritage brought no joy to me. Instead, it only intensified the bitterness that brewed within.

Alpha Victor, oblivious to the turmoil in my mind, nodded happily. "I'm excited too, Margaret. It'll be a momentous occasion for our family."

A flicker of annoyance crossed my face, hidden beneath a veil of indifference. The realization dawned on me – Margaret and I were the same age. The thought churned my stomach, adding another layer to the resentment I harbored toward my alpha father.

Margaret continued, oblivious to my internal turmoil, "I can't wait to run with the pack, Dad. It's going to be so much fun."

Alpha Victor smiled at her enthusiasm, his attention solely focused on Margaret. "It will be, sweetheart. I'm proud of the young woman you've become."

As the conversation flowed, I couldn't shake the feeling that Alpha Victor's affection was disproportionately directed at Margaret. The bond they shared, built on the foundation of his betrayal to my mother, grew stronger with each passing day.

I glanced at Margaret, whose excitement radiated from her. My irritation deepened. We were meant to be equals, turning 18 together, but the truth was a bitter pill to swallow.

The dining hall was filled with the remnants of an uneasy meal, the tension palpable. Alpha Victor, seemingly oblivious to the strained atmosphere, looked up with an air of determination.

"I'm thinking of inviting some members from neighboring packs for the celebration of Margaret and Darlene's 18th birthday," he announced, a glimmer of excitement in his eyes.

Jillian, sitting beside Margaret, couldn't hide her anticipation. She gently squeezed Margaret's hand. "Maybe you'll meet your mate there, sweetheart. It's an important event for both of you."

Margaret blushed, her gaze dropping to her plate. "Mom, come on. Don't embarrass me like that."

I couldn't suppress a bitter chuckle at their exchange. The notion of finding a mate in the midst of this chaotic charade seemed like a cruel joke.

Unable to bear the facade any longer, I stood up abruptly, pushing my chair back with a scrape against the floor. "I'm full. Excuse me."

Alpha Victor looked up, concerned about clouding his features. "Darlene, where are you going? We're still talking."

I met his gaze, my eyes filled with frustration. "I need some air. I can't stay in this room right now."

Jillian, attempting to keep up appearances, spoke with forced cheerfulness. "Darlene, don't be like that. We're discussing something important."

I shook my head, a bitter smile playing on my lips. "Important, Jillian? What's important is the truth, not some facade we're putting on. I can't pretend anymore."

Ignoring their bewildered expressions, I left the dining hall, the weight of their expectations heavy on my shoulders. The hallway offered a temporary reprieve, a space to gather my thoughts away from the suffocating charade.

As I wandered through the mansion, the words lingered in my mind. Alpha Victor's announcement of inviting other packs only deepened my sense of isolation. The prospect of meeting mates and celebrating our 18th birthday, once a joyous occasion, now felt like a mockery of what werewolf traditions stood for.

The truth gnawed at me – the celebration was a facade, much like the unity of this fractured family. My mother's memory lingered in the corners of my mind, a painful reminder of the lies that had torn us apart.

In the distance, I could still hear the echoes of their conversation. Alpha Victor, Jillian, and Margaret discussed the upcoming event with an air of forced enthusiasm. The dining hall, once a place of unity, now felt like a battleground where pretenses clashed.