Entangled With The Four

“I’ll be moving out..” I muttered, my mouth still half-full with steak. I could feel my father’s eyes on me and they almost felt like they’d pierce through my skin. “Did you say something darling?” My mother asked and I slowly looked up from my plate. “I said…” My words slurred as I wiped the corners of my mouth with a napkin, “I’ll be moving out soon.” “I heard you the first time, I’m amazed at your audacity to say the same abominable words a second time..” My father growled and our eyes locked. “Child, is there something you want to share with us?” My mother urged softly, putting her fork down. I swallowed hard, my fist clenching under the table. A part of me never wanted to tell them about this but there’s no way I’m leaving my father’s house without his knowledge. “What I mean is… I got into the Blackthorn Academy, so I’ll be moving out from here because I have to live in school..” I explained, my voice quivering slightly. “Sit up straight and speak like a true wolf. Don’t you know whose daughter you are?” My father’s voice tore through the quiet dining and I immediately fixed my posture. “Mara, that’s wonderful news… but why did you apply without telling us first?” I blinked and tried to harden my voice but it came out even softer than before.. “it’s just… I.. wanted to do something for myself for once.” The truth was, I just wanted to get away from my family. My parents have controlled me my whole life, even down to my oxygen intake. I just needed a place away from here, and for some other reason too. But if I told them this… They’d insist I’m being paranoid about them controlling my decisions and then end up making me enrol in the school of their own choice. “Congratulations Mara, but you’re going nowhere.” My father ordered sternly. My eyes nearly popped out of my face as my heart dropped heavily inside my stomach. “What..? But dad I…” “Edward…” My mother sighed, rubbing my father’s arm, “let the girl find her own path. You can’t always be there to make decisions for her, she has to learn to stand on her own..” She insisted. “I said what I said, and I’m very sure she heard me loud and clear. She’s not going anywhere, and that’s final.” He urged. My mother looked at me and casually dropped her shoulders. That’s what she always does. Give up when I need her to fight harder for me. A smile crossed my lips as I lowered my eyes to my plate. The rest of dinner was had in silence and I made sure I cleared the table, did the dishes despite having a maid to do that for us. All of this was not to impress my father so I can gain his approval, I had a point to prove and I’d make sure I do. As night drew nearer, I took down all my clothes from my wardrobe, brought down my favorite suitcase and flipped it open. I packed my clothes one after the other, making sure I didn’t leave anything important. I’d already accepted the academy’s offer letter and there’s no way I’m going to email them and ask to cancel my offer. I packed in silence, rummaging through my things to pick out every important thing that belonged to me. My back felt sore from all the crouching but that didn’t stop me. I finally stared at my arranged bags with satisfaction. Next I quickly called an old friend of mine, changed into a pair of sweats and a tank top, and dragged my bags downstairs. “Mara..” My mother called firmly, grabbing my arm as she pulled me back from the door. “What on earth do you think you’re doing?” “What does it look like?” I chuckled, wriggling my arm away from her grip. “I know you’re upset, but you can’t just disobey your father like this. You know whatever decision he makes… It’s for your own good so I’m sure there’s a really good reason he doesn’t want you to leave..” She insisted. “Mum, can you even hear yourself speak?” I scoffed… “Let me tell you the only reason he wants me to sit back. It’s because he wants to be the only one making decisions for me. That’s the same thing you want for me, and I will make sure it doesn’t happen!” I yanked my arm away and adjusted my top. “Mara…” my mother’s voice stiffened, “don’t do this. You know who your father is..” “I do, but I don’t think he knows whose father he is..” I spat back and walked out of the door. I felt something lift from my body like a weight I’d been carrying for a long time. I didn’t realize I was holding so much air in until I slowly exhaled. My friend was already waiting in her car so I quickly packed everything into the car and we left. “How did it go?” She asked the moment we left my father’s mansion. “Ugh… distressing. I hate that I have to always stay mad at the two of them; They're literally the only relatives I have in this world…” “Isn’t your extended family still very much alive?” Tania laughed and I rolled my eyes. “Whatever. The point is, I’m going to Blackthorn and there are no two ways about it..” I scoffed and fell back on the passenger seat, crossing the seatbelt over my body. My eyes stayed glued to the window as the familiar streets buzzed past me. I’d always imagine my life outside this neighborhood and today… That dream was finally about to come true. We finally arrived at the train station and Tania helped me offload my luggage onto the cart until someone helped me load them into the train. “Thank you Tania, for coming to my rescue..” I muttered, my voice breaking softly as I tried so hard not to cry. “Be good out there Mara, you’re a strong woman and I know you’ll thrive no matter what life throws at you..” Her words felt like a warm towel over my freezing body and I wrapped my arms around her. “I’ll always reach out to you, just don’t say anything about me to my parents. Let them live without any knowledge of how I’m doing…” I said as I got into the train and waved her goodbye. My life has officially been handed back to me and I knew just how to steer it.