“Anytime now, Flower,” he said lightly. I was so nervous, I wanted to puke, and cry, and everything else.
“I’m going,” I muttered as I slowly stepped down. Benlyam wrapped his arm around me and kissed the top of my head. My stomach was jumping and Sage kept telling me to calm down.
I stopped walking and Benlyam halted, looking down at me, confused and concerned. I bit my lip as I looked at the ground.
“Lyam,” I let out shakily, “what if I s-stutter in f-front of them” I cringed as I did. They’re going to hate me… I felt my eyes water. My chest so heavy and I felt a growing headache.”I-I already a-am, Bee, they’ll think I s-stupid.”
“Hey,” he called out softly as he lifted my chin up to him. My teary eyes met his blue ones. He held my shoulders, “Violet,” he frowned, “it’s okay, Flower. No one will think you’re stupid, I’ll say something if you want,” he offered.
During his speech, my hands started to wring my wrists, a habit that Benlyam hated. His eyes dropped down to my hands and I felt dread and anger take over him, his hand quickly left my shoulder to grab my hands.
“No,” he let out quickly, bringing my wrists up to kiss them. “Don’t, Flower, everything is going to be okay, Flower,” he held my hands in one of his as his other grabbed my chin lightly.
I bit my lip to stop myself from crying and Benlyam took a collective look at me before sighing out. He pulled my against him, my cheek resting against his shoulder as he let go of my hands, but keeping one.
“It’ll be fine, Flower. I’m here for you, you know that. I love you, and fuck them if they say anything to you. You’re fine, a beautiful, blooming Flower. My Flower,” he ran a hand down my back.
I sniffled, keeping in my tears.
“I’m scared, Bee,” I admitted against him. I was quiet.
He kissed the top of my head. “Don’t be, Flower. I’m here for you.” His embrace felt so warm and I felt so protected. I want to stay here forever.
He didn’t pull back until I calmed completely down. He pressed a soft kiss to my lips. I dabbed my eyes with my sleeve, trying not to ruin my make-up because that would be embarrassing.
I glanced down at my outfit before I looked back up at Benlyam.
“Do I look skinny?” I asked him, checking his face for any answers that might deceive his verbal response. I chose a sweater with Benlyam’s help because I didn’t want to look like a skeleton in front of them. I was trying to get my weight up, but it was hard.
“You look perfect, Flower,” he kissed me again and wrapped his arm around my waist, and started to walk. “I like this sweater, I’m going to buy some more,” he spoke mainly to himself. “It’s soft,” he mused as his hand rubbed the fabric.
I shook my head, “I’m good, Bee.”
We neared the pack house and walked out to the calm patio. I slipped out of Benlyam’s grip to grab his hand instead. There was a couple sitting with their backs to us at a picnic bench a few meters away.
I squeezed his hand as my stomach started to flip.
( ‘There’s nothing to be nervous about, Violet. Nothing will happen, you can handle yourself and mate is here.’ )
Sage’s words eased me as I glanced up at Benlyam who pressed a quick kiss to my forehead.
“Milan and Mara Taylor,” Benlyam called out as we neared them and my stomach pulled. They both turned around, bowing their heads at him.
A sense of familiarity washed over me as I looked at the man. My father. My mind tried piecing together now and my life years ago, only a few moments came back.
His face broke out in a huge smile, his smile wrinkles showing, his brown eyes became teary.
“My baby girl,” he whispered, choked up and I felt my heart tug.
I don’t like it when people touch me, I had very valid reasons why, and only certain people were allowed to. I’m not sure what was different this time because I let my father come up and pull me into his embrace, Benlyam silently allowed it and I wrapped my arms around him.
He was fit, obviously, for a werewolf, he would be. Not as big as Benlyam, he’s mentioned that his area didn’t have warrior packs, so they weren’t as buff. Taller than me, about Benlyam’s height.
My arms hugged into him and I felt his body shake slightly before he pulled back. A tear leaked from the corner of his eye and a small shower of guilt started to trickle in me.
( ‘It’s okay, Violet, he’s happy!’ )
“My Violet,” he smiled. “Oh, baby girl, I missed you so much, I thought you were dead, baby girl,” he pulled me back into his chest, hugging me.
I thought you were dead?
Um… I? Dead? Why not ‘we’?
He released me and Benlyam wrapped his arm back around me. I looked over at the woman, my mother. She didn’t have the same warm feeling, her gaze seemed to scrutinize me.
The way she was looking my body up and down made me want to cry, instead, I just pressed into Benlyam. I felt his bitterness towards her as his grip tightened around me.
“Alpha Derek,” my father respectively bowed his head. Benlyam nodded in his direction but didn’t say anything.
My mother kissed her teeth as she looked me up and down again. She brought her cold eyes to mine with a disapproving, slightly scornful stare.
“Violet,” she stated and I felt Benlyam get irritated. He subtly pulled me closer to him, his feral, dominant side wanting to come out because of how she looked at me. That side wasn’t too fun, especially if you’re on the receiving end, I’ve been there too many times to know. I didn’t have anything to say so I just nodded.
“Well, we have a lot to talk about! How about we sit?” my father suggested, breaking the evident tension and I, again, nodded.