Sienna
The mansion was thick with the air of tension.
As soon as I walked into the study I found my mother seated by the side, her hands clapping together. I glanced over at the front desk to find my father, with Victor standing beside him. They both had darkened expressions, which made my chest feel heavy. But Gemma wasn't there.
Thinking of her, I wondered if she was truly okay after whatever Victor might have done to her.
I stepped forward, my chin up defiantly and entered the study.
"Alpha, thank you for seeing me," I greeted. Not because I wanted to make a point, but because he had not been my father for a very long time.
At my words there was a faint flicker in his eyes before he chuckled.
"You daughter of mine," he said, and I felt his anger then. " You ran away from home, caused such chaos and left us all to deal with it."
I glanced around. The once glamorously decorated study now looked threadbare. No more resplendent ceiling to floor curtains, only thin sheets that parted with a single breeze. And the books on the shelf were dramatically reduced, leaving behind a skeleton. He must have sold quite a lot to keep up the act I thought, and that thought brought me no small hint of satisfaction.
"I have no idea what you mean," I stated. "What I do know is you never cared enough to see if I was alive until the Wolf King came looking for me. And I don't care what intentions you have on bringing me back, I only want to leave. That's all."
"Spiteful!" he yelled, his voice thrumming with intensity. I didn't blink, I had long learnt to not show any anger or pain. The only reason Victor had been able to get a reaction from me before was because I had no idea the cards he held. Now I do. And was determined to not let them win. "You will take the responsibility for all of this, for the entire Greyhound Pack. And when the Wolf King arrives, you will ensure you get back all the benefits we need. Or else–"
"Or else what?" I laughed mirthlessly. "You'll starve me, hurt me, neglect me like you did countless times before? Curse me to be a witch and leave me for the public to degrade? Alpha, we have long gone past that. I am no longer a member of this pack."
"You may be able to withstand this but can this little brood of yours?" He spoke just as I turned around to leave. I stopped in my tracks. My blood boiled, my anger ignited, burning in me. I closed my eyes, breathing in deeply. "Do you think the Wolf King would not make a lesson of them? Or you believe you can flee once more? Let me tell you, daughter. This is not a child's game. You made the decisions, and you will bear the consequences."
"Daughter," I chuckled, bitter inside. "You don't even remember my name, do you? Or you cannot bring yourself to say it."
Silence followed, a brief one that Victor's voice broke. His tone brokered no arguments, full of malice and dark promise.
"Think this over carefully, and make your choice. The Wolf King will be here in a day's time. You have 24 hours. Either you do so willingly, or you do it by force."
I smiled sadly, but didn't stop my strides as I walked out of the study. As I had expected, there was nothing but talk towards my duties to the pack. Now that I was someone of use they remembered me. Back then I had been at the lowest ranks in the Greyhound Pack. And none of them cared. Each and every one of them betrayed me, hurt me, neglected me, and didn't even bother having a semblance of guilt for it.
Except Gemma. I stopped at the archway, glancing around, wondering where she would have gone. I wondered if she had truly forgotten to send word to the Wolf King. A man whose name I didn't even know, but I had heard of how ruthless and powerful he was, before I fled to the human world. I had no idea what he would do once he found out I had his children, but he was the only way I could escape this hell. My only path out of here.
"Miss," a maid called me and I turned to see a familiar face. It was the same maid that Gema had brought, the one that carried clothes for myself and my children earlier today. "This is for you." She mumbled, handing me a note, looking around while doing so. Then she lowered her head and rushed off.
The note was warm in my hands, and I walked back to the basement, making sure to shut and lock the door behind me before I opened it.
'I have contacted the Wolf King. I do not know when he will arrive. But I shall find a way for you to leave here tonight. Midnight. I am sorry about Victor.'
Gemma. My heart warmed, and I inhaled slowly, tears springing to my eyes and blurring the edges of my vision. For the first time in 2 decades i had my sister back, and she was turly on my side. I didnt know what plans she had but i trusted her. I trusted she would come to my aid, and so i had to make sure i was ready.
I began to pack somethings into a small bag, placing it hidden by the corner. Once t was midnight, we would move.
The time moved slower than i expected. Tonight was fileld with clody skies since the sun began to set, and I was glad for it. More cloud cover meant more darkness to ensure our escape.
I had woken up the children ten minutes ot midnight and hadn them put on their shoes. Cleo and Caleb had warmer temperatres, and i frowned slghtly, thinking that they would be nearing their first shift soon. I had to be ready for it.
Exactly at mightight i heard a small click from the door. It was unlocked, and the door slowly swung open, the creaks echoing slightly.
Gemma stood there, ehr face red with rashes, her eyes swollen and red. I stood, my lips parted to speak but then she raised a finger to her lips, before handing me a note.
'I took snail powder. Victor thinks im asleep. He's with one of his lovers tonight. Everyone else is asleep.'
I swallowed a lump in my throat. Gemma was allergic to snails but she had done this for my sake. I nodded, tears in my eyes, mouthing, 'Thank you', to her.
She smiled and gestured for all of us to be quiet, elading us out of the basement. This time we didnt follow the usual way upstairs, but a path i remembered all too well. The back gate, which was meant to be locked,w as wide open.
I was cautious. Every step, every breath had to be taken carefully. At some point my nose tingled at the scent of mint, and i noticed charles about to sneeze. I covered his nose and muth swiftly, muffling the sound.
My gut dropped. Has anyone heard it?
As we crossed the backgate, Gemma locked it behind me. I turned to see her standing across from me, shut away from the outside world.
Her face was streaked with tears.
"Go," She said.
I wanted to stop her from returning inside, to going back to that hell. I opened my mouth to convince her to come along with me but then a shout broke out within the house.
My alarm bells rang and I stiffened. Gemma's eyes were wide open and she ducked, rushing back inside.
"Come on, run," I told my children, speeding up the pace.
…