C17 Emily?

“What are you doing here?” to say I was shocked to see her would be an understatement. I could see her eyes blazing with contempt. She paused for a moment, scanning the room before her gaze settled on me.

Emily walked in with a smile that only I knew the venom of. Her eyes sparkled with deceptive warmth as she moved closer. “Amber, my dear Cousin!”

‘Cousin?’ what does she mean by that? She wrapped her hands around me in a hug. I felt the tension in my own body and couldn’t even pretend to reciprocate. I was acutely aware of Martha’s watchful eyes from the corner of the room.

“Oh, I’ve missed you so much” she continued, pulling me back and holding my shoulders. “How have you been, I can see you thriving”. I knew her words had a double meaning. This wasn’t what she had expected to come to. She thought she would come to see my remains here. How could I survive in the merciless Alpha’s den? How could I still be alive and holding up? I knew exactly what was going through her head.

After a few seconds of awkward silence, Martha decided to chirp in, clearing her throat. “ uhm.. uhmmm.., Let me show you to your room.”

“Oh, thank you.” she sweetly turned to Martha, as polite as ever. Looking at her now, one could think she’d never hurt a fly talk less of a human being.

After she walked away, a wave of relief washed over me. I hadn't realized how tense I was, holding my breath and absentmindedly scratching my arm. Even though she hadn't done anything, her presence seemed to reopen old wounds within me. I found myself compulsively scratching, moving from my arms to my neck and even to the back of my ears. A habit I was fond of doing whenever I got in “trouble.”

I was lost in my head and all I could see was Emily. I was too scared to open my mouth or respond to her because I felt like the moment I do, John would burst out from nowhere and punish me for wanting to rub off my “bad blood” to his precious child. My eyes nervously wandered around every corner and opening of the living room. From the door to the window to the tall ceilings, I was terrified thinking he would pounce on me from nowhere.

My eyes eventually settled on a figure, it was the Alpha staring at me intently. I was oblivious to everything else in the room and before he would speak, I ran to my room to hide away from the world, where no one could find me. Why did she have to come here of all days, I really am starting to believe it when I was constantly told I do not deserve happiness because, now that I am suddenly being happy where I am, it was short-lived.

My heart pounded in my chest. At least I felt safe here. I pressed my back against the door, sliding down until I sat on the floor, knees drawn to my chest. My breath came in shallow gasps, fright swirling in my mind.

A soft knock came at the door. “Amber, are you in there?” Martha’s voice called out gently.

I didn’t answer at first, hoping she would go away. But the door creaked open slightly, and Martha stepped inside, her eyes full of concern.

“Amber, you haven’t eaten anything,” she said softly. “You need to take care of yourself.”

Tears welled up in my eyes as I looked at her. “Martha, I don’t know why I'm here. I don’t know what I'm supposed to do.”

Martha knelt beside me, pressing her hand onto mine. “You are safe here, Amber, I may not know the full story, but I do know you’re stronger than you think.”

Her reassurance, the warmth and kindness in her eyes were enough to break through my fear. I hugged her tightly, allowing the tears to fall.

“Come on,” she said after a moment. “Let’s get you something to eat, you’ll feel better.”

Reluctantly, I let her help me to my feet. We walked down the kitchen together, her arm around me.

In the kitchen, she prepared a plate and set it in front of me. I preferred eating here, watching her work, and talking to her, rather than in the dining room. “Eat.”, she urged gently.

As I started to eat, We talked about random things with Martha. From her telling me what her wolf looks like to how energetic she was as a teenager. Her stories were a welcome distraction, and I found myself laughing despite the lingering fear. For a little while, I almost forgot Emily was here.

I spoke too soon as I saw her approaching us with a fake smile on her face. “What’s making my dear cousin so excited?”

I tensed up, the sense of peace I had found with Martha evaporating. Excusing myself I turned to Martha. “I need some fresh air.”

“Sure, darling.”

I slipped into the garden, seeking solace among the flowers. “Amber,” a familiar voice called out. I turned to see Xander approaching.

“XANDER” I smiled, relief flooding my voice. “I haven’t seen you since.”

He gave me a small smile. “I’ve been busy with pack duties. But I’m here now, to make it up to my best friend who ‘Definitely’ misses me.”

His words brought a genuine smile to my face. “I have missed you,” I admitted.

He pinched my cheeks, teasing. “Oh, my Amber. I am touched.”

We walked through the garden, checking up on every flower and he shared his knowledge of them. Every petal, every stem. I was happy learning from him. He also talked about the pack and the latest happenings, not fully though. I felt eyes on me. Turning to the direction, Emily was throwing daggers my way and I glared back. At this moment, Fuck her. I knew I wasn’t alone.

………………………………….

After a while, Martha joined us in the garden and I kept them tabs on the new book I am currently reading while laying on her legs. Xander stood up and left for personal matters.

The sun was starting to set and Martha decided it would be best if she went home now.

“Good night, take care of yourself ok?”

“I will Martha, I would love to come to your place someday.”

“I'm sure you will.” She reassured me.

“I don’t know if I would be let to, he doesn’t trust me.”

“You won't know if you don’t try.” She spoke with confidence as if she were certain he would grant my request. I couldn't fault her for it, the impression she had of him was already positive.

After she left, I retreated to my room and made myself comfortable, ready to be lost in my book.

“How are you alive and looking good?” a voice came behind me. My chest tightened when I heard her voice from behind me.

“Wha..what do you want Emily?”

“You don’t deserve any of this.” She sneered. Her words cut deep, each one a sharpened blade aimed at my insecurity.

I tried to keep my composure, but I was already too scared of her. Emily’s presence had always unnerved me, and it was now amplified tenfold.

“Hmm, I heard the rumors that you were doing good, I couldn’t believe it so I came to see for myself.” She looked around, her eyes scanning every corner with thinly veiled disdain. Witnessing that, I am living a far better life than the one they had imagined for me.

“Look at you, thinking you have made it right? You are nothing more than a bastard child, a worthless piece of shit.”

She shoved me, “I should be the one here, you little malicious thief.”

“i... I don.. please.” I begged her my body was starting to tremble.

“You will fucking keep your mouth shut and do as I say. Or else…..” her face broke in a cunning smile.

“You won't like what daddy would do to you,” she whispered in my ear, leaving me in tears feeling pathetic. When would I ever learn to be confident?