3.
1060 Words
The first part of the plan of avoidance was trying to weasel her way out of the celebration dinner for Onyx that night at least that was Gatlin's main goal. Considering she had proven to be invisible, especially in her household she didn't think it would be difficult that was until she walked into the house. Gatlin had gone about her usual business as she did most days spending the rest of the afternoon in the library until finally heading home at almost five, her hopes to sneak off into her room were quickly dashed once she stepped in the door her mother was already standing in the lounge room straightening the dress of her half-sister "your late" was the first thing Hannah said once, Gatlin. They were all already in the lounge room, elegantly dressed of course.
"I didn't know I needed to be home" Gatlin spoke as she made her way to the staircase.
"It's the Alpha's youngest son's dinner tonight, Liny the entire pack is expected to be there no exceptions" Hannah explained as she straightened herself up the floor-length tan dress perfect against her tan skin.
"But—"
"No buts, Liny. I laid a dress and shoes on your bed, do your hair, make-up and contacts tonight no glasses" Hannah ordered of her oldest daughter which came as a surprise to Gatlin. This had been the longest they had spoken in probably two years.
"But—" Gatlin attempted to argue again.
"Now!" Hannah ordered to which Gatlin huffed and stomped up the staircase to her room at the end of the hall. Her mouth practically fell open at the sight in front of her it wasn't at all something Gatlin would be caught dead in but that was mostly because she hated dresses. Begrudgingly she changed into the dress before glancing in the mirror already she wasn't a fan and she suddenly was glad her mother asked her not to wear glasses so she wouldn't have to see herself in the dress "hurry up now, Lin! We need to go!" Hannah shouted, Gatlin almost gasped that they even waited for her so she obliged and did as her mother asked. Carelessly applying makeup and trying to neaten her untameable head of curls before giving up and letting it hang around her shoulders "Lin!" Hannah called again.
"I'm coming" Gatlin shouted back before groaning and slipping into the slightly heeled shoes. Never in her life had she felt so uncomfortable and not herself at that moment but it was tradition and she was still part of the pack so with another groan she dragged her feet back down to the lounge room.
"You look so pretty!" Avalee shouted at her older half-sister.
"Thanks, Ava" Gatlin gave a smile to the child.
"Yeah, you look nice under all that Gatlin-ness," Milla said waving a hand in the older girl's general direction.
"Milla, don't be rude" Zane snapped at his daughter "let's get going shall we?" He questioned his wife.
"Yes, of course," Hannah held Avalee's hand as she stepped closer to Gatlin holding out a small box.
"What's this?" Gatlin questioned her sage eyes staring at the red box.
"A birthday present, Lin. Happy Birthday" Hannah waited till Gatlin took the box before walking past her. The four exited the house leaving Gatlin to open her present alone inside was a small note she almost passed out seeing the handwriting as her fathers 'For my little Liny' it read when she moved the note there rest a pendant, gold lining an emerald stone which was decorated with small diamonds around it on the end of a long gold chain. Usually, Gatlin hated jewellery but this was different so instead of gushing, crying or rebuffing it she simply clasped it around her neck appreciating the small token that was left from her father "Lin!" She heard her mother call once again.
"Coming" she shouted in return. Taking a steady breath trying to clear herself on unwanted emotions before going out the meet the rest of her family.
—
The evening was uneventful as she thought it would be she hadn't seen her mate as of yet but she couldn't help but feel a sick sense of amusement as she would be watching her mate who she didn't want to choose another it was enough to make her almost laugh. She had spent the last few hours of the garden party off by the flowers listing them all in Latin and English in her mind before the voice of their Alpha caught her attention "Good evening everyone, and thank you for coming" he seemed to gush with pride but of course, he had every reason to his youngest son was becoming their head warrior and announcing he has a beautiful mate in which would make beautiful grandchildren, picture of perfection as usual "as you know my youngest son Onyx has been training exceptionally hard the last few years and finally I can happily announce Onyx as the head warrior of our pack" the crowd cheered and applauded as Onyx stood up beside his father a wide grin on his face "but that isn't all he wanted to announce tonight, Onyx has exciting news of his own" Alpha Maxon patted his son on the shoulder before stepping back and letting Onyx take the lead. Gatlin stood in the back a smirk on her face until Eliza made her way next to Onyx, attaching to his arm a smile on her face. The amusement that was once there was replaced with reality and a saddened feeling came over her. The smirk on her face fell and a part of her felt cold so Gatlin simply walked away to another part of the garden to attempt to cope with the feelings settling inside of her, it was odd to care about someone you didn't even think about or acknowledge before but none the less in the pit of her stomach it was there. Gatlin sighed and sat down on a small bench by a beautiful assortment of flowers, at that moment she was glad for her wonderful sense of smell because she could distract herself with all the different flower smells but that distraction didn't last long enough when a voice knocked her from concentration.
"What are you doing out here?"
- Writer
