Chapter 4: Shattered Expectations
1038 Words
As I watched Lucian retreat back into the guest house, my heart still raced from our close encounter. His words echoed in my mind—how he said I’d make a great Luna one day, the way he cornered me against the wall, his breath warm against my skin, lips mere inches from mine. The tension had been unbearable, and I had almost given in to the pull between us. But then, my mother’s voice cut through the moment like a cold wind, bringing me back to reality.
“Faye, I need you in here,” she called from inside the guest house, her tone sharp.
I sighed, shaking off the lingering thrill of Lucian’s flirtations. My mother wasn’t one to be kept waiting, especially not on the eve of such an important day. I pushed open the door and stepped inside, the air instantly cooler and carrying the scent of the evening’s meal.
She was standing in the middle of the room, arms crossed and eyes narrowed, as if she had already seen everything that had transpired. On the floor, a few shattered plates lay scattered in a small pile. I hadn’t noticed them before, but they seemed to be waiting for me like a punishment.
“Clean this up,” she said, not bothering to hide the disapproval in her voice.
As I carefully swept up the broken shards of plates scattered across the floor, my mother’s voice cut through the quiet of the guest house like a knife.
"Honestly, Faye, what were you thinking, wandering around with another male at this hour? And not just any male—one from the sister pack." Her arms were crossed, her gaze stern as she stood over me. "You know how important it is to focus on Ryder right now. Tomorrow is his big day, and as his sister, you should be making sure everything is perfect for him."
I kept my head down, focusing on the task at hand. Arguing with her would only make things worse. "I was just giving him a tour, Mother. It’s part of my duties as the host."
She scoffed, shaking her head as if I’d disappointed her yet again. "There are plenty of others who can give a tour. You need to remember your place, Faye. Ryder is about to become Alpha, and you should be supporting him, not gallivanting around the compound with some flirtatious warrior."
Her words hit me like a punch to the gut, but they weren’t new. I’d spent my entire life trying to meet her expectations, only to fall short time and time again. Tonight had been no different. Lucian’s intense gaze, his playful flirting, the way he had almost kissed me—it had all been so intoxicating, but now, under my mother’s harsh scrutiny, it felt like a mistake.
"You’re too easily distracted, Faye," she continued, her tone sharp and unyielding. "And this pack depends on your focus. You can’t afford to be led astray by a pretty face and sweet words. Your loyalty should lie with your family, with Ryder, especially now."
I tightened my grip on the broom, sweeping the last of the shards into the dustpan. "I understand," I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper.
She softened her gaze, but only slightly. "I know you do, Faye. That’s why I’m hard on you. I want you to realize how important you are to this pack—to our family. Don’t let anyone take advantage of your kindness. And don’t forget what’s at stake."
I dumped the shards into the trash, swallowing the lump that had formed in my throat. It wasn’t just the plates that had shattered tonight; something inside me had cracked under the weight of her expectations.
Seraphina sighed, clearly disappointed by my silence. "Now, finish up here and get some rest. Tomorrow is a big day, and I expect you to be at your best."
"Yes, Mother," I replied, my voice steady despite the turmoil churning inside me.
As she left the room, I allowed myself a moment to breathe. I closed my eyes, trying to push away the sting of her words. I had always done what was expected of me, always put my family first. But tonight, for just a brief moment, I had let myself imagine something more—something for myself.
The door creaked open, and I quickly composed myself, expecting my mother to return with more instructions. Instead, a soft voice broke the silence.
"Faye? Are you okay?"
I turned to see one of the females from the sister pack standing in the doorway. She was tall, with long, dark hair and a concerned expression on her face. "I heard your mother earlier... I just wanted to check on you."
I managed a weak smile. "I’m fine, really. Just tired from all the preparations."
She stepped closer, her eyes filled with sympathy. "You don’t have to pretend with me. I heard how she spoke to you. How do you live with someone like that?"
My smile faltered, and I looked away, not wanting to show how much my mother’s words had affected me. "She’s just trying to do what’s best for the pack."
The woman frowned, clearly unconvinced. "It’s one thing to be protective, but it’s another to treat your own daughter like that. You deserve better, Faye. Don’t let her make you feel like you’re not enough."
Her kindness brought tears to my eyes, but I quickly blinked them away. "Thank you," I whispered, my voice thick with emotion.
She gave me a gentle smile. "You’re stronger than you think. Don’t forget that."
I nodded, her words offering a small comfort in the midst of my confusion. As she left the room, I took a deep breath and wiped away a tear. Tomorrow, I would do what was expected of me, as I always did.But tonight, I allowed myself to dream, just for a moment, of a different life—a life where I wasn’t just Ryder’s sister or Seraphina’s daughter, but someone who could choose her own path.
As I finished cleaning up, the weight of the day settled over me, but I couldn’t shake the warmth of her words.
- Writer
