Gemma
I thought of all I had learnt from my elder sister.
My past decisions gnawed at me constantly ever since she had left, leaving me powerless and weak to Victor's actions. I felt a mix of regret and pain, an ache for my own mate that hurt me this way.
Back then, I had been arrogant, and now not even my parents cared enough for my own wellbeing.
If only I had not pushed Sienna away, if only I had not pretended to be her and drawn the Wolf King's ire. What I hadn't told Sienna was that after the numerous attempts to appeal to the Wolf King's mercy only backfired, our parents and even Victor had blamed me for being the cause of the trouble. They punished me day by day, forcing me to give up every privilege and advantage I had, to live like a pauper in front of the entire pack. And the entire pack followed suit. I had no other way to live, I had forgotten the luxuries I used to have.
Sienna's hands tightened over mine, her gaze earned and desperate.
"We have no choice, Gemma. Please, I have no choice. If you can please help me, I promise I will get you out of here, I will help you in turn," she appealed.
I lowered my gaze, my lashes concealing my eyes that welled up with tears.
"I…" I breathed, albeit shakily. "I will find a way." I finally said.
It seemed to make her relax, and she smiled warmly at me, pulling me into another hug.
"Thank you, Gem," she effused, and I nodded, even though my heart beat faster.
"Mummy," The voice of one of her children caught Sienna's attention. I glanced at the little girl, the only one among two boys. She had a chubby adorable face as she walked over to Sienna, who pulled her easily on the bed.
"Cleo," Sienna called her, her voice softening even more. Then she paused, glancing up at me and reached her hand out to grasp my hand once more. "This is my daughter."
My heart clenched upon those words and I smiled warmly though my eyes bore tears. My vision blurred slightly, for all i could think of was my daughter, the same one i had abandoned for her safety.
"Hello, sweetheart," I said to Cleo, who shrank back a little into her mother's arms. However didn't see fear in her eyes, only curiosity.
"Cleo, say hello to your aunt Gemma." Siena patted Cleo on the head and she nodded.
"Hello, Aunt Gemma," she spoke obediently, her small voice sending waves of warmth and regret in my heart. A tear slid down my cheek and I quickly wiped it, trying to feign calmness, but the ruse was already cracked.
Shortly after I rose to my feet, thinking of how Victor had been angered by my visiting Sienna last time. As I made my exit, my mind whirled as I walked from the basement up to the ground floor. What I didn't expect was to find my mother standing with the same maid I had slapped in Sienna's bedroom at the foyer, facing me with a look of annoyance.
"Mother," I greeted, glancing at the maid who put on an aggrieved look.
"Are you trying to show off in front of that witch, now?" My mother, the Luna of the Greyhound Pack spoke with a stormy expression. "You dared to slap the maid I had assigned to her? Are you out of your mind?"
I opened my mouth to speak but she raised her hand, stopping me and exhaling sharply.
"I must have been cursed by the Goddess to have you both as my children," she muttered. "Since you deign to take charge in such a way then you might as well handle all the cooking today. A lesson to show you who's really in charge here. Now, get me breakfast," my mother snapped her fingers at me. Her motions made my heart ache. I nodded, bowing slightly as I shuffled off to the kitchen, trembling with tears in my eyes.
However the worst was yet to come, for as soon as I finished delivering the food to Mother, I felt a hand clamp around my throat and shove me against the wall. My vision blurred as pain burst at the back of my head.
I let out a pained groan, my eyes met Victor's angered gaze. He looked about ready to kill me. My heart pounded in my chest.
"V-Victor, p–" I was about to beg when he growled.
"What did I tell you about acting behind my back? Plotting with your sister now, aren't you?" he slammed me back against the wall, sending waves of pain that pushed a loud scream from my lips.
"It's not that, Vic," I forced out with a pleading tone. "I… I promise you. I only wanted to ask her some questions… to gain her trust. Believe me!"
I appealed to him, lying through my teeth as I had done so for the past six years only to survive.
"You expect me to believe that?" he scoffed, leaning in. I could smell alcohol on his breath even though it was only noon. "What did you two discuss? Tell me!"
He shook me again, and just like that, I broke. Words spilled out, intermingled with whimpers and pleas. I told him about the truth behind the Wolf King seeking Sienna. I told him about them being mates, and about the children being the Wolf King's own flesh and blood.
By the time I was done, Victor's eyes gleaned with triumph.
"If I find out you're lying–"
"I am not..!" I raised my right hand shakily, swearing an oath. "It is all true. She told me herself."
He released me. I coughed out, my chest aching with each breath. I couldn't help but feel a tinge of guilt towards Sienna. She had trusted me, and I wasn't strong enough.
Victor grabbed me by my chin, raising my gaze to meet his. He looked satisfied, yet his eyes carried a dark gleam that struck me like a bucket of ice cold water. He was planning something and I knew it wasn't good.
…