Cilla.
That night, Ridian and I slept in different rooms for the first time since we were married. None of us wanted to talk. I had eaten my dinner early so when he returned, I was already locked up in the guest room. Ridian had lately acquired a smart phone for me since he also had one. The human world was developing first and we would get left behind if we didn’t try to catch up.
While our way of life was simpler and peaceful compared to that of the humans in their bustling cities, we still needed a few upgrades. Their technology really made life easier and we were trying to integrate more of it into our lives. Some packs preferred not to have it at all, because it brought some contaminations. When people discovered and tried devices, the more they wanted them. As they got engrossed in them, they forgot what was really important. Relationships and family.
I started playing an interesting block building game on the phone. The instructions were very clear and it was simple, therefore easy to learn. The game ended up taking all my attention and I ended up sleeping earlier than usual so I didn’t even know when Ridian got back.
In the morning, I delayed in the guestroom while listening hard. I only came out when I was sure he was gone. I was having my breakfast when I heard a knock on the door. Sarah went to get it and found Rose and Ren standing there with big smiles on their faces.
“How did you get here?” I asked.
“We used the stairs,” Rose said, hugging me.
“How are you?”
“Fine,” Ren said and sat on the couch.
“You sound grumpy,” I said.
“Why did you reject alpha Ridian’s gift in public like that?” he asked. “It was mean.”
I sighed and placed my fork down. “Don’t worry about that. Those are grownup issues. Alpha Ridian and I will sort it out. Everything will be fine.”
“That was unfair, Cee.” Rose said. “I think alpha Ridian was embarrassed. You should have said thank you and rejected it in private. Alpha Francis taught us to be kind, especially to people who do good things for us.”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“I know that alpha Ridian rescued our pack from that mean alpha Aragon who killed our parents. I wish alpha Ridian had killed him.”
I shook my head. “You’re too young to be talking like that.”
“I’m happy that Moonshine pack is no wonder alpha Ridian. Now I can meet my old friends again.”
“Have you had breakfast?” I asked, trying to change the subject. I didn’t want to accept it but my brother was making some sense. Moonshine pack being under Ridian was not a bad thing. It was good for most people. I realised that I had been too wrapped up in my own problems to see things from another perspective. My siblings seemed really excited at the prospect of seeing home again. Although we had found a new home, we could never forget where we came from.
I had been in denial for a long time, thinking I did not care about home anymore, but it appeared that I did.
“We’ve had breakfast,” rose said. “Will we go and visit our old pack soon?”
I shook my head. “No, don’t even think about it right now. I don’t plan to go there anytime soon and you cannot go there without me. I have to first check on the condition there. I will remind you that the person who ruined our lives is still very much alive. He may not have a lot of power but he’s still in control of the pack.”
“You can be in control of the pack. Why do you refuse?”
“Because I’m not interested. Those people didn’t help us. I don’t want to see them again.”
“Don’t you want to see Beata?” rose asked. “I don’t think she could have helped us. Everyone was afraid of alpha Aragon, that’s why they didn’t help.”
“Can we stop talking about this? I’m getting a headache. Let’s go out. I need some sunshine.”
Rosa and Ren grabbed some bans from a plate on the table before standing up. I gulped my juice and stood up. We left the house and entered the elevator.
“I like using the elevator,” rose said.
“Me too,” Ren added.
When we got down, we came out and started walking towards the backdoor. We were almost there when I sensed Ridian’s scent in the house, and that of someone else.
“I’ll meet you outside,” I told the twins and started heading towards the direction of the scents. They were coming from the dining room.
I was stunned to see Ridian laughing with another female. They must have sensed me because they both turned at the same time. I recognised the beautiful woman immediately. Samantha, the one Ridian claimed was a very good friend to him, his first real female friend.
“Oh hi, Mrs. Jamison.” Samantha cheered as she stood up. I faked a smile.
“Hi Samantha,” I said. “I had no idea you were around.”
“I came this morning,” she said. “Ridian told me he was struggling with something and you didn’t want to talk to him.”
“So just because I didn’t want to talk to him, he found a substitute. I guess now that I don’t want to sleep with him, he’ll sleep with you as well.”
Samantha gasped, and Ridian stood up.
“That was very rude,” he said.
I had had enough.
“Goodbye, Ridian Jamison,” I said before turning and walking away. He called my name but I ignored him. I knew other people in the building had probably heard the conversation, but I didn’t care what they’d think of me at that point. What Ridian was doing was immature and despicable, running to another woman just because I was unavailable for him.
I didn’t want to see his face so I made the decision to leave the pack.