Beyond Fate

Pasta a La dress

The two of us headed back into the kitchen, mom wasn’t there but dad was still dancing around in a blind panic. Johnny was right, dad had officially lost it and with good reason. My parents loved each other and I saw that in everything they did together they were the couple that most couples dream of being. The very reason I had believed for the best part of two years that Nathan would change his mind and come back to me. However on the occasion my parents did fight it was like world war three and the aftermath was usually dad sleeping in his shed out back for a week which was why he had a built in man cave there now and even a pull out sofa bed. He wasn’t a total i***t when he had a sound mind. Of course you wouldn’t believe that from the look of him right now.

Mina was still on her stool by the worktop giggling away at dad and his panic movements. Mitchell went over to her and she began feeding him bread from off the counter. Mom called from the living room and we heard her approaching footsteps. Dad muttered something before blindly throwing the ruined dress and we all watched in horror as it hit the stove and the giant pot of tomato sauce.

Now any normal man would accept defeat at this point. Ruined dress. Lands in a pot of bolognese sauce. Time to tell your wife the truth and beg for mercy. Nope, not my dad. Instead he grabbed the wooden spoon, submerging the dress completely in the sauce and popping the lid on top seconds before mom came walking into the kitchen.

She took one look at our horrified faces and frowned. “ what happened?” She eyed us, folding her arms, flipping her dark hair over her shoulder.

“ nothing” Johnny and I said in freakish unison. Causing mom to turn her gaze on us. I knew her well enough to know she was about to start her interrogation. As you can imagine having a Beta warrior for a mom Johnny and I rarely got away with anything growing up. Scratch that we got away with nothing.

“So what’s with the face” she began stepping closer towards us.

“ what face, this is my hunger face” Johnny said exaggerating his horrified face, then started pulling lots of stupid faces making Mina laugh and it was enough to distract mom.

“ for godess sake Johnny you're getting married in a few weeks, grow up” mom scolded not buying any of his act but left it alone going to Mina. “ come my darling let’s wash those mucky hands'' she coed picking Mina up and setting her down but not before she stroked her hand through Mitchell’s hair like she had done with Mina earlier, you think it would be weird her doing that to our alpha but despite the recent tensions, Mitchell had always been like part of the furniture growing up and mom had always babied him along with the rest of us just like the mother hen she was. Mitchell only smiled up at her lovingly, he wasn’t the alpha when he was in this house he never had been, future or otherwise he was just Mitchell, that’s why I had been trying so desperately to fix what had been lost because of me.

Mom led Mina out of the room but not before shouting to dad to start dishing up and we were immediately drawn back into the problem at hand.

“ s**t s**t s**t, what do we do?” Dad whispered looking in the direction of the door to see if mom was coming back. “ What are you doing now Johnny?” Dad angrily whispered and I noticed Johnny was now sat at the table sharpening mom's knives.

“ Hey, you want these babies as sharp as possible for when she takes your balls off, one quick slice and it’ll all be over” Johnny stated amazingly without laughing and went back to sharpening like it was the most important thing to be done. I tried to stifle my own laugh and Johnny nudged me with his boot to stop me. Dad had gone a deadly shade of white as he watched Johnny sharpening the knives Johnny wasn’t that far off, mom would more than likely demand her pound of flesh for the dress.

“ dad why don’t you just tell her the truth and hand over your credit card” It was a serious suggestion but dad's eyes went even wider. Mom always joked the only thing she loved more than my dad was shopping. Why else do you think she would offer to get so involved in a wedding for a girl she can’t stand and felt she had trapped her son into marriage by getting pregnant.

The sound of the toilet flushing and footsteps alerted us all that mom was on her way back in, I heard a crash and we all looked to see that the genius’s next big plan was to ruin dinner. I stood there stunned seeing dad standing over the saucepan that was now face down on the floor and splattered red sauce everywhere along with the very ruined dress.

“ what the hell” Mitchell exclaimed standing looking around the kitchen. Dad ignores him and quickly scooped the dress up off the floor running into the laundry room.

“ is he for real” I asked to no one in particular. Mitchell and Johnny looked around equally as stunned and I was starting to wonder if it would be easier just to tell mom the truth. Dad returned just as Mina came skipping into the kitchen followed closely by mom.

“ WHAT THE F….FUDGE HAPPENED TO MY SAUCE!!” Mina giggled at mom’s little slip of the tongue, like I said before the little monkey didn’t miss a thing. I scooped her up, stepping us over the splattered sauce just as mom began ripping into dad.

“ Oh Adam what did you do!” Mom stood over him ranting while dad pretended to clean up.

“ So what's for dinner now?” Johnny asked as Mina climbed up into his lap looking at what he had been doing on the table, I picked up the knives moving them out of reach just as she put her little hand on the smallest one and I eyed her seeing her little face hide in Johnny's shirt knowing she was caught out.

“ Well that, the floors clean and I don’t have anything else to cook us” mom gestured to the floor where dad and the ruined meal lay.

“ Right, that’s it, everyone grab their coats, Marcos is open till eight and I’ve just linked him he has space for us all” Mitchell stood abruptly, he was barking orders but he wasn’t using his alpha voice. Mom just looked down disapprovingly at dad who was keeping his head down, not making eye contact.

“ thank you mitchy for taking care of this, I’m going to get changed, adams paying”. In more ways than one I thought as mom stormed out the room. Dad was certainly going to be making use of his shed this week and that was before mom found out about the dress.

Ten minutes later we were all heading out the door to Marcos. I was just coming down stairs after borrowing a bit of mom's make up to freshen myself up but as I got to the bottom step I heard Johnny talking to Mitchell in the living room. I was sure his tone was almost angry but I couldn’t quite make out the conversation.

“ sister…. Don’t you have enough…females ogling you…” I heard Mitchell say something back but missed that completely.

“ I saw you looking….” Johnny said and then dad appeared in the hallway making me jump but thankfully he didn’t alert anyone to my eavesdropping.

We all moved into the hall and I crouched down to do Mina’s coat up. When I stood Johnny came ahead of me to block my exit. I stood up to see his face looking at me in disapproval.

“ don’t think with all the chaos you’ve escaped an earful about that outfit, what will people say when they see you wearing stuff like that.” he looked disapproving at me and I looked down at the ground feeling him move away. Sometimes I think my big brother forgot I was a grown woman and not a little girl anymore. He was going overboard, I knew why and I was to blame for keeping secrets about my abuse. I was actually paying for something I did for a change. I dipped my head feeling embarrassed once again over this stupid outfit greatful that I didn’t wear things like this ever.

I began to follow everyone out when a hand grabbed my arm. I turned to see Mitchell’s handsome face smiling down at me. “ don’t let his big brother mode get you down, you look amazing, you should let people see that” I looked into his eyes looking for any signs of sarcasm but there was none only affection shone in them and I couldn’t help but smile back feeling the weight of Johnny’s words lift off my shoulders.

“ He's right though, I’m probably just giving people more fuel to gossip about me” I said shyly thinking about how his actions at the school were going to cost me later if headmistress Dianna had anything to do with it.

I didn’t notice Mitchell move closer until I could feel the heat from his body against mine. His head dipped so low I could feel his minty breath on my face and the scent of his body wash mixing with his own scent made me gasp slightly and I felt too warm all of a sudden. “They wouldn’t dare hurt you again Alisha, I promise you no one will ever hurt you again, I will keep you safe and your beautiful whoever tells you differently are just jealous” I raised my eyebrows stunned by his words, did he really just call me beautiful? I thought he didn’t approve of me. Maybe he just didn’t approve of me with lucas. I just didn’t know anymore his mood swings were so confusing lately. But the intensity in his eyes showed that he meant every word and it gave me a chill at the power of it.

Dad shouting from outside seemed to bring Mitchell out of his trance and he quickly stepped back looking at me expectantly waiting for me to move to the door. After a moment I finally snapped out of it and went to join the rest of them before we all walked to Marco's restaurant .

Inside the restaurant the place was packed I found it hard to believe that Mitchell had actually got us all a table at the last minute but I was grateful in the end, my outfit didn’t look too bad now we had come out to eat although there were a few stares from some males that were quickly seen off by Johnny who growled at them all. Dad was sweating away in his own personal hell. We still hadn't come up with a plan to solve the dress situation and the guys just kept winding him up every chance they got.

So dad what you think, has the silk dress you stuck in the wash magically gonna have fixed itself…. Or bye bye balls. Johnny said through a joint mindlink, making Mitchell almost choke on his glass of water but he quickly recovered.

Dad growled loudly in Johnny's direction making Mina squeak and mom scowl but he quickly pulled Mina into his lap and nuzzled her making her giggle.

The conversation flowed after that and people came up to our table as usual when we were out, most to talk to dad or alpha Mitchell even some of the warriors said hi to Johnny and mom but no one ever acknowledged me, like I said before no one wants me around now because I remind them of what complete arseholes they are, blindly listening to rumours and lies like sheep.

I kept quiet mostly until the conversation turned to me somehow.

“….Alisha designed them didn’t you baba?” Dad said smiling adoringly at me that way all dads smiled at their little girls, it threw me for a moment.

“ huh?” I asked, confused as to why everyone was looking at me.

“ Mitchell was just saying about my tattoo, I told him it’s all your design baba” dad gestured to his arm where the design of millions of spots lay across it in multi tones of black and greys to create the image of mom’s wolf. I had used the technique called pointillism where the artist uses tiny dots to make a larger image. I had gotten the idea after seeing Seurat’s image of A Sunday afternoon on the island of La grande jatte. Johnny had brought me a book on artwork through history and there were many human pieces in it, one being Seurat. I loved the idea of creating something big using lots of tiny pieces you normally wouldn’t imagine being important but put them all together they had created something incredible. Dad had no idea what I’d been talking about but he had taken one look at what I’d created and had insisted on having it tattooed on his arm. I remember being so touched because unlike Johnny dad had never really desired to have a tattoo before.

“ Your very talented Alisha” Mitchell smiled warmly at me and I couldn’t help but blush at the compliment.

“ Thank you, it was a while ago” I smiled shaking my head not wanting to talk about that part of my life anymore.

“ She's being modest, she designed all our tats, I won’t let any ink touch my skin unless she’s drawn the design” Johnny smiled proudly at me, although I was grateful for the compliment I wanted to get off the topic I hadn’t picked up a sketchbook in years.

“ That was a while ago I don’t draw anymore” I insisted nudging Johnny under the table with my foot but he looked at me confused.

“ That's a shame I’d have loved it if you designed one for me” Mitchell said, drawing my attention back to him, I was completely stunned he would ask me such a thing, actually I was stunned be a lot of compliments he’d given me lately, maybe Lucas had spoken to him or maybe I was winning him around finally, he’d be the first pack members that had happened with but I lived in hope. I was about to answer him when someone approached our table.

“ hi everyone I’ll be your server tonight, can I start you off with some drinks?” A cheerful voice sounded across the table and a beautiful redhead stood facing us with pale skin and a bright smile that made me think I was dreaming for sure. The girl wore a white shirt and black trousers holding a notepad, her red hair tied up in a high ponytail, she wore little makeup highlighting her beautiful doll-like face and porcelain looking skin but when her big brown eyes looked at me I actually felt like I couldn’t breathe. I wasn’t the only one to notice because I heard gasps and the scrapping of a chair but I didn’t look to see who had stood because I couldn’t take my eyes away from the young woman standing in front of us that I knew for a fact was long gone from this world.

“ ROSE?” I stood abruptly feeling the blood rush to my head, unable to take in what I was seeing. I felt the floor coming up to meet me just as everything went black.

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The first thing I heard was hushed tones feeling something soft under me and familiar scents nearby. I opened my eyes slowly hearing the clicking sound of a door shutting. Someone moved to come beside me and I rolled over to see Johnny was leant over me on the sofa, casting my mind back. I was reminded of being in the restaurant and then everything went black. someone had brought me home and lay me down in my parents living room.

“ Did I dream it?” I whispered , Johnny smiled slightly brushing away a strand of my hair, shaking his head.

“Rose” I breathed out. Feeling myself getting choked up. It had been rose in the restaurant.

“ It wasn't rose Ali” He said rubbing my shoulders I sat myself up but immediately regret it and slumping back slightly.

“ Take it easy, your lucky Mitchell caught you in time but you caught the edge of the table slightly. The doctor said we need to keep an eye out for concision.” He said laying me back down slowly.

“ it wasn’t rose” I asked, my head felt fuzzy but I knew what I saw. My head was pounding and I could feel a slight lump on the side when I rubbed it.

“ No of course not, rose is gone Alisha” Johnny said sternly, my brother had no tolerance for my stories as he called it, like the rogue king and seeing rose in a vision he just looked at me as if I needed to be in a nuthouse.

“ Tell me you didn’t see the same thing” I said, grabbing his arm knowing I wasn’t crazy. Johnny just sighed holding my arms in support.

“ Her name is Natalia coleson, she’s mrs Coleson’s niece, she came here from the Gilbert pack to settle everything for her parents” he explained, his voice sounding patronising, like he was talking to Mina and he was beginning to piss me off.

“ So why didn’t our alpha know she was here?” I quizzed it was crap if she was here to settle an estate why didn’t Mitchell know about it because I was certain if Rose's doplegener had been in the pack we would have all heard about it.

“ there was a mix up, she thought her alpha was notifying us she was coming” I frowned why would she think she wouldn’t have to report to the alpha when she arrived it was just plain courtesy when you were in someone else’s pack and it didn’t explain why she was working at the restaurant.

“ but…” I began but Johnny stopped me.

“ Alisha she’s not rose, yes I’ll admit that I was taken back too and there’s a resemblance but if you spend five minutes with her you’ll see she isn’t rose” I slumped back in defeat, then finally my thoughts went to Mitchell I looked around seeing it was just me and Johnny. I had passed out at the sight of that woman, what must Mitchell be going through right now.

“ How is he?” I whispered Johnny looked up at me, his face finally softening and he ranked a hand over his face.

“ same as you, only he didn’t faint, he’s still at the restaurant with dad, speaking to the girl” I felt bad, my reaction must have freaked her out, not to mention caused a scene in the restaurant, Mitchell would have to stay and square everything away. He was cleaning up after me. Again.

“ I should go and apologise” I went to get up feeling like it was the only logical thing I could do right now. I swung my legs to the edge of the sofa but Johnny's arm came round my shoulder when I tried to stand.

“ no you need to sit you could still have concision” he insisted holding me in place.

“ I can’t let them..” I began just as the front door shut. Seconds later dad and Mitchell came strolling into the room dad sat in his arm chair and Mitchell leaned against the door with his arms folded looking like he was miles away with his own thoughts.

“ Where's Mina?” He finally whispered as mom came into the room going to sit on dad's lap, she had already changed out of her nice dress she had put on for the restaurant and was back in her slouchy comfies.

“ I put her to bed, she was exhausted” mom said smiling at Mitchell looking exhausted herself.

“ I should go get her and take her home” I said and began trying to get up again but Johnny sat me back down giving me a warning look that said there would be trouble if I tried it again.

“No baby go home to Lucas, she’s fine we can have a lazy Saturday morning watching cartoons together, we haven't done that for a while” mom smiled thoughtfully. I looked to Mitchell to make sure that was ok, I had often let Mina have sleepovers with mom and dad before mostly because I lived here too but that was before Mitchell was here, I couldn’t just say yes if he didn’t approve. Thankfully he gave a slight smile and nodded his head at me and I breathed a sigh of relief not wanting to upset mom by saying no.

In all the chaos of the day I had completely forgotten about my fight with Lucas and honestly it didn’t seem that important right now I just wanted to go home and fall asleep with him holding me.

“ Oh that reminds me I put your stuff in the wash I’ll see if it’s dry” mom said to herself heading out the room. I smiled thinking about how she still fussed over us even though we were fully grown and I didn’t even live there anymore.

Johnny suddenly stood up rolling his eyes, exiting the room and I guessed Tammy was mindlinking him. I couldn’t actually believe she had left us in peace for a change. Mitchell came and sat next to me on the sofa and we both just sat there in comfortable silence. I knew what was on his mind but neither of us seemed to be willing to say it first.

“ Are you ok?” Mitchell whispered almost silently, staring straight ahead not looking at me. Dad was already distracted watching T.V.

“ nope….you?” I asked deadpan, also staring at the wall.

“ nope” Mitchell said in the same tone I’d used and we both laughed looking at each other. Dad and Johnny come back and Johnny looks exhausted all of a sudden. I want to ask if he’s ok but if Tammy’s involved I already knew the answer. Dad pops the T.V on silent and we slowly slip into idle chit chat, now and then Johnny makes a joke about me fainting and I growl at him but other than that we don’t talk about the not rose girl.

Mom comes walking into the room a few minutes later with her arms folded and a calm smile on her face that sets me on edge. She doesn’t say a word until we all stop talking and look at her. Well apart from dad who is obviously watching T.V. Mom goes right up to him blocking his view until he’s forced to focus on her.

“ nothing you need to tell me?” She said, s**t, as soon as mom said the words I realised dad hadn’t taken the ruined dress out of the washing machine. Judging by Johnny and Mitchell’s wide eyed expressions they had come to the same conclusion. We all looked at one another getting ready to run. It was only dad that hadn’t clicked yet.

“ So you don't happen to know how my hand maid, dry clean only, one of a kind dress got into the washing machine looking like it’s been mauled by a Bear by any chance?” She asked casually pulling the tattered remains of her dress from behind her back. It looked even worse than the last time I’d seen it, no it wasn’t covered in sauce any more but it had funny looking grease spots on it from where the sauce had soaked into it and I was certain it had shrunk. Dad's face went deathly white and he looked like he was about to have a stroke, his mouth moved but nothing came out. At that Johnny jumped up running for the door passing mom on his way out.

“ I sharpened your knives for you mommy” he said, kissing her cheek but she didn’t even acknowledge him not taking her eyes off dad. I couldn’t see her face but judging from dads it wasn’t good.

“ Well it’s been nice knowing you Mr Clayton, you will be missed” mitchell jumped up saluting dad, like Johnny he headed for the door grabbing me by the arm when I didn’t seem to be able to make a move.

“ FREEZE!! Did you two know about this?” mom's voice rang out in the room and we both halted at the door turning to her gaze like naughty little kids not daring to meet her eye. I shook my head vigorously not taking my eyes off the floor, Mitchell must have done the same because he didn’t speak either.

“ ok you can go,” mom finally said and I peeked through my eyelashes to see she had turned back to dad who was still frozen in place. Mom threw the dress in his face. “ YOU! SHED!” She shouted to dad. “ and don’t bother looking for your beer… yes I do know about your secret stash…it’s already been disposed of” and with that mom left the room. Mitchell and I dodged out of her way like she might set us on fire. I stared amazed at dad who had an equally dumbfounded expression still clutching the ruined dress in fear.

We didn’t speak Mitchell and I just turned and left the room leaving dad to ponder his mistakes through the night and work out a plan for damage control.

“ Wow, how is your dad not being ripped apart by an angry she wolf right now?” Mitchell whispered to me as we walked into the hallway.

“ don’t speak too soon she’s only being calm because Mina’s in the house” I whispered back to him, mom would never have an argument with dad if Mina was around.

“Should I go grab her, I didn’t want to offend your mom, she seemed eager to have her stay the night” Mitchell frowned gesturing upstairs where Mina would be sleeping, more than likely mom had already put her on dad's side of the bed for comfort.

“ oh no she is, she loves having sleepovers with her, when I lived there we used to sit in our pyjamas and have movie nights” I smiled reassuring him, thinking about how we would stay up late and let Mina eat popcorn and we would snuggle up watching Disney movies and argue about which princesses we were. Great thing about sleepovers with a toddler was you were still in bed by nine.

When I made eye contact with Mitchell again he was staring at me looking like he was deep in thought with the slightest soft smile on his face. I shuffled my feet awkwardly and grabbed my coat on the hook by the front door. Without looking back I grabbed my bag off the floor and headed outside leaving the door open for Mitchell to follow.