Chapter 17
Rhea
in
The sizzling sound of eggs hitting the skiller fills the air. I try my best not to think, as I stir the soft, yellow center until at creamy concoction forms. There’s not muh to cook as Luke’s at his practice and Dad’s gone to work already. It’s only me and my Mom today. And a day off from the pack
I flip the eggs once before plating up the eggs with some toast and walking out of the kitchen
The past week has been nothing but purr peace and I don’t think so I have ever been so grateful for anything in my life.
“Finally Mom whispers as I put the plate near her before sitting beside her with mine. “I was going to die starving”
1 laugh a little with her. I won’t let you.”
She shoves her fork straight into the egg and takes a bite of it.
I was wondering when you’d get a day off,” she looks up at me and says. “There’s so much I’ve to do in the backyard and the garage after all that rain that happened last week. And you know your Dad and Luke–they are busy all day long. I’ve tried! asking Gia if she can lend me some hands but she’s always so exhausted and needs to spend time with her own family.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll take care of it today.”
That’s relieving to hear. We’ll get started after lunch. You should probably get some rest in the meantime. You’ve been working so much lately, every single day. I don’t know why you’re doing that. It’s not good.”
I take a deep breath, trying not to remember the last few encounters I’ve had with Samuel and Ezra at the same time.
My wounds have healed. But that’s it.
I’ve gotten nightmares since then. They are mostly about Aron, but I’ve seen Samuel and Ezra within them as well–doing things to me.
Having them flash through my mind is exhausting, upsetting, and disturbing all at the same time. My nerves are often short–circuited by unpleasant or stressful thoughts. Though I managed to look normal and fine outside, deep inside, I feel terrible and so anxious.
“I know, but I really enjoy working there. Because of the events, there was a little more work but everything’s back in routine so I’ll be home a few days this month.”
I leave our what I can, how my arm got wounded, how I’d been out in the rain, being tied up in a tree, shifting, all of it. I don’t think I’ll ever tell anyone.
Mom nods in silent understanding. “Well, I can’t say anything then.”
She keeps eating, which means I’ve got a chance to eat mine and when I’m nearly done, she opens her mouth again. “Luke applied for the training and he got accepted a couple of days ago so you may see him in the packhouse soon.”
“Oh really? That’s good–I suppose
“Yeah, I’m glad too. He’s excited to start, She’s happy for a moment and then her face changes. “Do keep some distance when he’s there. You know how he gets, right?”
“Yeah, of course. I will” I nod, feeling a little awkward.
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23:02 Fri, 11 Apr A.
Chapter 17
36%
Mom doesn’t say anything after and so neither do 1, though I’m sure the atmosphere changed a little. After the breakfast is over, we part ways as she heads back to the rooms while I stay in the kitchen, clean it, get dishes done. As much as I want to take some rest on my bed, I don’t really feel like.
Instead. I step out into the porch and sit with a book in my hand while catching some sun. There is some work to be done around the back of the house. From the patio, I can see the scattered pots, smashed pot shards, torn garden liner and wilted. vegetable plants. The lawn needs to be mowed, cleaned too as weeds have sprung up in the flower beds lining the house.
I
All in all, it’s a mess and there’s going to be work but I don’t mind it at all.
I intend on starting it as soon as I’m done reading half of this book I got from the library in the packhouse.
The sun feels refreshing and there is a gentle warm breeze in the air. I take in a big lungful of air and steady my breathing as I get into the more detailed part of the book.
At times, I catch myself smile, then laugh and even giggle.
It’s just been so good. This week.
No letter. No encounters with Samuel and Ezra. No worries. Just complete, long lasting, peace. Except for the nightmares though..
I think Aron has gotten the message out loud and he has decided to finally leave me alone.
Maybe I’ve come across to him in a way that got it through his head that I wasn’t that attractive, or easy to sweep off his feet
a bad choice, a small fry, not worth his time. Whatever it is, it’s working.
1 just hope it goes on for long enough. Maybe he’d eventually find some female in his pack and decide to claim her instead.
Even the thought of that doesn’t disturbs me.
At all
I flip to the next page of the book and continue reading.
Until something pulls me off. I stop for a moment and open my eyes, scanning the horizon ahead of me. Nothing particularly catches my attention, there’s not a soul to be seen or sound to be heard anywhere. A few moments later, I start getting that unsettling feeling, that nervous tightness in the chest and 1 sit up.
I take another look around and then my eyes fall near the door where there’s a brown envelope sticking out. I blink at it.
Dread rises in the pit of my stomach. It makes my insides quiver and quake.
What?
No. It can’t be.
I toss my book aside immediately and grab the brown envelope. I don’t waste a second to tear it open. There’s a letter inside it and I instantly know who it is from
Why?
I open and start reading it.
I’ve been disappointed by your response yet again. I understand that you’ll stay with your rejection so I’ve come up with the conclusion that I’m coming for you. It won’t be today, it won’t be tomorrow or even this week. But I’ll be back and I will take you, I will come and claim you as mine. And when it does happen–which it will–you will learn not to tell me no. You can run, you can flee, you can hide but I will find you, wherever you are. You’re mine.
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23:02 Fri, 11 Apr A.
Chapter 17
JUSE
When that day comes, I will have no time for your insolence or your refusal. I will not allow you to defy or fight against me as you will then accept your fate as mine, and mine alone. That is a promise and I keep my promises–even the unpleasant
A shudder runs through my body.
I think I might throw up. It feels like someone showed their hand into my throat and is squeezing it tightly, almost suffocating me. Sweat begins to break out on my brow and my mouth is dry as a desert.
There’s no mistake. He didn’t back down. He didn’t take no for a no.
He’s not backing down and he’s coming for me.
But when?
“What are you doing?”
My heart thumps hard as Mom’s voice filters through the air. I look up and see her walking toward me. I quickly slip the letter behind me and into the pockets of my jeans.
“No–nothing. I was just reading.”
Mom nears and gives me a suspicious look, “Why are you so red then?
“Oh, it’s the sun,” I lie, already flushing deep red because of her suspicions. She knows something’s up. “We should probably start working. I’m done reading anyway. I’ll just change and back down.”
“Okay.”
