“It’s open; come in.”
I enter. Helena’s sitting in a rocking chair, lethargically rocking back and forth; blankly staring out their bay window … appearing as if she’s in deep thought; and, more than likely, keeping an eye out for the twins’ return.
She also seems a bit distraught; which really isn’t too surprising. Although it wasn’t a first time event … like me lying to Bellona; and, Bellona not standing up for me … last night was the harshest I’ve ever seen our father admonish Helena.
Even I thought that Dad had stepped over the line with what he said to her … and, this is coming from me; the daughter whom he reminds just about every day of how much of an embarrassment she is to him, and tells me over and over again that I’m useless.
I go over, and gently place my hand on her shoulder. “Helena … are you alright? Do you want to talk about it?”
Helena softly pats my hand a couple of times…
“No; I’m alright…” she looks back up at me, and genteelly smiles, “Besides; I think you came here with someone else in mind to talk to … didn’t you?”
She’s right; I did. I smile back at her, and slowly nod my head.
“Then, I suppose I’ll head downstairs now; and, keep Mother company while we wait for Raina and Rhiana to get back. This way; I get out of your way, and give you two some privacy to talk.”
“Thanks.”
“You’re welcome. Just be sure work things out with her. Because; if the two of you can’t manage to get past whatever it is straining your relationship, and get back to the way it was between you … then; there’s probably no hope at all for any of us in this family to maintain a solid relationship.”
Once again; she’s right. Bellona and I have always had the closest, strongest-bonding relationship than any other combination of members in our family … even stronger than our parents.
As soon as Helena leaves; I look over to Bellona’s bed, and see that she’s lying in the fetal position, huddled under her blanket.
Usually, when something’s troubling Bellona; she’ll either go for a crazy-long-ass run in her wolf-form, or have an insanely-intense workout session in the gym. But, when she resorts to staying in bed; keeping herself in the fetal position, while burrowing in her covers … this means that she’s not only fallen into a state of deep, emotional despair; but, has probably also hit rock bottom.
Looks like I really hurt her this time. … Oh well, then; it’s like they say, desperate times call for desperate measures. Luckily, my wounds are healed; because, I wouldn’t be able to carry this out with a broken nose. … Well, I suppose I could; but, it would hurt like hell. Still; it wouldn’t hurt as much as our hearts are hurting now.
I go over, and get into the bed with her; while crawling under her blanket. I wrap my arms around her waist from behind, and firmly press my body against hers; contouring my body to her fetal position. I slowly lick the nape of her neck a few times; then, start affectionately nuzzling my nose into the crook of her neck.
Soon, Bellona reaches one of her hands back; and, starts to tenderly stroke my hair…
“Not fair. You’re playing dirty; you.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’m trying to be mad at you … at least, for a little while longer. But; how could I possibly stay angry at you when you insist on behaving like a cute, little, puppy dog?”
I coyly reply, “Am I?”
I give the nape of her a neck a couple more licks; then, go back to nuzzling my nose into the crook of her neck. … Bellona temporarily wriggles out of my embrace to roll over and face me; then, wraps her arms around my waist, and embraces me. We start lovingly nuzzling our noses together.
Shortly; I whisper aloud…
“I’m sorry, Bellona; I lied to you last night when I told you that I didn’t see anything. … I’m so, so sorry about that.”
“I know.”
I can feel tears starting to trickle out of the corners of my eyes. “I’m sorry. I swear, I never lied to you about anything else before in my life; last night was the first time I ever lied to you … and, I swear; I’ll never lie to you, ever again. I promise.”
Bellona gently wipes the tears from my face; and, tenderly strokes my hair. “I know that, too.”
Meanwhile…
**Raina’s POV**
We’re about fifteen minutes away from reaching our pack’s territory; which means, it won’t be too much longer before Rhi and I arrive at home … or, shall I say, Ground Zero … because, I’m sure Dad is gonna go ballistic on us.
Terra, my inner-wolf, asks me…
“So; what are you planning on telling Pops’when we get back? Come up with a good excuse, yet?”
Not yet … so far; I got zilch.
“Seriously? Shit, you better get a move on it, babe; looks like we’re almost home. … Hope you’re not relying on the flighty bimbo over there to come up with a good alibi?”
No … and, don’t call Rhi a ‘flighty bimbo’. She may act like one, at times; but, she’s still our twin sister.
“What’evs … just hurry up, and figure out what you’re gonna tell Pops when we get back.”
Easier said than done … shoot, right now; I don’t even know how to explain what happened last night to myself. Truth is, Rhi and I have had some pretty wild sex before; but, nothing ever that kinky. I hate to admit it; but, I’m really feeling kinda sluttish, now … like whore sluttish.