What Have I Done?
1676 Words
Finding a cab was a bit stressful because it was already late.
I thanked my lucky stars when one stopped for me.
I gave him my parents' address before losing myself in a deep train of thoughts. Not having a child after two years of marriage is not supposed to be a big deal. But Jacob's mother has been nagging about it. Claiming Jacob is the Beta, hence he needs a son to follow his steps. To make sure his father's efforts don't go to waste.
I remembered how just a week ago I was talking to Jacob about going to see the doctor about our fertility issues and he said I didn't have to worry about giving birth and he was not in a rush.
Who would have thought his plan was to betray me with my little sister. I am furious at him. He should have just told me he had an eye on Talia, and I would have left them.
And Talia, her betrayal burns me so bad, my heart shattered. We are not the closest of sisters, we aren't best friends but we are not enemies either, even though we have our differences, we've been on good terms for as long as I can remember. So why?
“Ma'am, we are here.” The driver said, and only then did I realize that my cheeks were soaked in tears.
I paid him and hopped off,
“Hello? Mom? Dad?” I said, knocking continuously on the door, wondering where they were.
It took an eternity before they came to open the door.
None of them offered me help as I battled with dragging my luggage into the living room.
“What a warm welcome.” I muttered to myself.
I raised my gaze to meet theirs, and the looks on their faces said a lot, including the fact that they were not surprised.
“You knew what Talia has been up to all this while?” I asked when realization hit me.
My mom was averting her gaze, avoiding eye contact while Dad was staring at me without remorse.
Another stream of tears gushed out of my eyes.
“Why didn't you tell me?” I sobbed.
“Your marriage is already ruined. We didn't want you to ruin Talia's chances.” Dad said sternly. That was the most pathetic justification i have ever heard.
“Her chances with my husband? What level of disgusting would you guys stoop to?” I faced mom.
“Astrid, darling, without an alliance with the Beta, our family would be nothing. Your father can not pay off his debts. We need Jacob.” Mom explained.
Still, I was not convinced. What level of brutality would they show their own daughter just for money.
“Go to your room and get some rest.” Mom said, pulling me gently, but Dad stood between us immediately.
“Here,” he pulled out a bunch of cash and handed it to me.
“What?”
“Leave. Now. Do not come back here, not today, not ever!” He barked.
“You can't be serious,” the lump in my throat was holding my words back. First, they betrayed me, and now they want me out of their lives completely. All because of Jacob?
“You will bring nothing but shame to our family name if you stay here. It's not my fault that you are barren and failed the Beta. So, get out.”
I looked up to see my mother's reaction, but once again, she was avoiding eye contact.
Knowing that she wouldn't do anything to help me, I took a deep breath, collected the cash, and then threw it in my father's face.
And without a word, I pulled my luggage out to the cold, dark streets.
This time around, it seemed the gods were working in my favor, so I got a cab in less than a minute.
“Where to ma'am?” the driver asked.
“The most affordable hotel.” I said.
It was a long drive, and I regretted my choices the moment I got there. I had spent most of my money to pay the taxi driver and was left with nothing but a few pennies.
“Now what?” I groaned in confusion. Everything just has to go bad in one night. A few hours ago, I was preparing dinner for my husband in our well furnished mansion, and now, I am stranded with no money while the so-called husband is busy eating the food with his new wife.
Shaking the bitter thoughts out of my head, I walked into a little bar that caught my eyes.
If I can't afford a place to sleep, I might just use what's left to get high.
After the third drink, the waitress walked up to me,
“Ma'am, you have used up the payment you made. You need to make another purchase.” She smiled.
I looked down, checked my empty purse, and there was nothing. But I needed more alcohol. Yes, I was high already, but not high enough to forget my pains.
Just when I was about to go down on my knees and beg the waitress for one free drink, a man walked up to us.
“Give the pretty lady as many drinks as she wants. It's on me.” He said, and the waitress hurried to get more drinks.
The man took a seat beside me.
“Thank you,” I said.
“Oh, it's nothing,” he replied, a sly smile finding its way to his lips.
He then placed his hand on my shoulder. I felt a bit uncomfortable but kept mute just for the sake of the free drinks.
His hands traveled from my shoulder to my thigh, and before I could say a thing, it went under my thighs, caressing it.
I felt every hair on my skin stand in terror.
“Thank you. I won't be needing the drink.” I said loudly, then jumped out of my seat and out of the bar.
I paused and sighed in relief.
My relief ended the moment I caught his figure a few steps away from me, and he had friends.
They surrounded me and dragged me to the dark alley behind the bar.
“Let go! Help!” I screamed but was muted by a slap.
He started by tearing my dress and following the open parts with kisses and touches that made me feel like throwing up. Tears welled up in my eyes, but I was too frightened to let them out.
Just when i was about to give up and let them have their way,
A wolf joined the scene. He pounced on the attacker, scratching, cutting, and choking my attackers. I watched silently as blood filled the place, and within seconds, the attackers scurried out of the scene, leaving me and my savior wolf.
He shifted to human form and lended me his jacket.
I looked up, and for a moment, I wanted to believe it was a trick of the light.
“Jacob?” I called out.
“You are a mess.” He said, helping me up.
“Jacob! It really is you! You came back for me!” I cried out, wrapping my arms around him.
Everything around me became hazy and dark.
I woke up to the sound of keys unlocking a door.
Jacob held me tightly on his shoulder while opening the door.
He walked into an unfamiliar room and placed me lightly on the bed.
“Jacob.” I said, smiling and hugging him.
“Hey, let go.” He said, trying to unwrap his neck from my grip, but I didn't have the intention of letting him.
I raised my lips to his and kissed him.
At first, he resisted, then slowly returned the kiss.
I smiled as he slowly started taking his clothes off.
I woke up the next morning, not knowing what to feel. A lot happened the previous night, and I wish I could erase the terrible parts.
I looked around, wondering where Jacob was and why he left me in the hotel room all alone.
Has he gone back to Talia?
My heart ached at the thought.
Relief washed over me when the toilet door was pushed open.
Almost immediately, it was replaced with horror.
“You are not Jacob!” I said to the tall man with raven black hair and olive green eyes.
“Where's Jacob?” I asked, looking around as if Jacob would appear at any moment.
“Who are you? How did you get in here?” I asked the man who looked annoyed and confused at the same time.
“What are you? Crazy?” He hissed, then walked to the wardrobe, pulled out a shirt, and gave it to me.
That was when I realized that I had nothing on.
I wore it quickly, as if it would reverse whatever he saw.
“Look, I only wanted to save you. Be a good person for once. But you turned out to be a slut who seduced me.” He said in the most casual tone.
So the man that saved me yesterday isn't Jacob? Oh, I must have been stupid to think it was him. I should have known. The wolf that attacked those men wasn't Jacob's. My mind played tricks on me.
“I did not seduce you! You took advantage of a drunk woman!” I spat still covered in shame of whatever happened last night.
“No lady. I made sure you weren't drunk even though I was a little high. And you were begging me, so I gave you.”
His words made me feel like I was drowning in a river of disgrace and shame.
“Now if you'll excuse me, I have things to attend to.”
He said leaving the room.
I looked at the strange man, then at myself.
What have I done?
- Writer
