Athena POV
We spend another 10 minutes talking about my past. I hate talking about it, but it feels kind of… nice to be able to tell Millie. It helps that she is an open book, so I am able to read what she thinks with everything I tell her. And I can tell she doesn’t think less of me. Thank the goddess. As we are walking downstairs, Millie asks a question that has been plaguing my mind as well. I can’t seem to find an answer to it.
“So, how come your mom doesn’t just mind link you? Why come all the way up to your room?“.
briefly contemplate whether or not I should lie to her, but I decide against it. “Well, because I can’t mind link. Maybe it’s because I’m not 18 yet. Or maybe it’s because I haven’t shifted yet, I don’t know“.
“You haven’t shifted yet?! You have had her for 11 years! How is she not losing her mind yet?“.
“Yeah, about that… Please don’t mention it to anyone, OK? Nobody knows I even have my wolf, besides mom. Not even the asshole downstairs knows. And about losing her mind – the verdict is still up on that one“. I chuckle.
‘Hey!!!!‘.
“Why not? He is your father, he should be proud! Do you know how special it is to get your wolf this early?“.
“Have you met him?“. I give her a knowing look, and she sighs deeply in response.
“Yeah, you’re right. I’m so jealous of you though, I wish I had my wolf already. Why haven’t you shifted though?“.
“Uhm… Let’s save that story for another time“. I reply as we reach the “within earshot” range. Although I really want her to forget about that question to be honest. How do I even explain it to
someone else? Well, uhm, yeah, I have never shifted because my mom told me not to?
“Oh, yeah, right! Anyway – I want you to know I am super proud of you. I am so glad to be your friend“. She catches me off guard with a quick side hug, right before we reach the bottom of the
stairs. My father is watching TV like a sack of potatoes as we pass him and make our way to the dining room. His signature spot in the rare cases when he is actually home.
“Have a seat girls!“. Mom smiles, and I can’t help but smile back. She has poor taste in men, but she is an amazing woman. I couldn’t have wished for a better mom.
Millie and I take our seats, as mom puts everything on the table and calls over my father. As
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always, he takes his sweet ass time before joining us. And, considering my family is fairly traditional, we aren’t allowed to start without him. As if my day wasn’t bad enough yet, I have to wait for that grouch before I can start eating.
Millie and mom are talking animatedly, while I continue to sulk in my own irritation. After nearly 10 minutes, the man finally emerges. How f*cking long does it take to pause the TV and walk a few feet? Sitting down without another word, he starts plating his food immediately. The arrogance in this man is beyond me. Moon goddess, please, please give me someone better as a mate. I am begging you.
–
“Oh yes, Markus, honey, I have been meaning to ask is there anything I can do for Jake & Jerry’s birthday in 2 weeks?“.
I let go of my knife and fork suddenly, sending them clattering onto my plate. Is she seriously asking if she can help them? She looks at me apologetically, before addressing me.
“I’m sorry, sweetheart, but they are still the Alpha’s sons. And we are the beta couple. It’s my duty“.
“Why are you apologizing to her? Because they put the girl in her place, now you shouldn’t do your duty anymore?“.
Duty my ass. The duty of the beta couple is to protect the pack. Not to have the female being a glorified party–planning housewife. I can tell Millie is fuming. As am I. Mom is silently glaring at him
too, but she remains silent. It must be Millie’s presence, but I find myself talking back more and
more with her around.
“Haha, that’s funny. Do you know why there are rankings within a wolf pack, father?“. If looks could
kill, I would be dead right now. But before he can respond, I continue. “They are there to determine
the level of strength, top–down, with the sole purpose of identifying who can best protect the rest
of the pack. As the beta couple, you should be the strongest in this pack after the Alpha bloodline.
So, why is it mom’s duty to plan a f*cking party, while she should be one of the strongest wolves out here to protect everyone else?“.
Steam is practically coming out of his ears, when he slams his fist down on the table. Mom and Millie flinch, but I don’t. I saw it coming. And I am not afraid of him.
“You BRAT! Is this what your little friend here from Red Runner has been teaching you, that it is OK for girls to talk back? No wonder Jake and Jerry beat your ass. No woman can ever be anything other than a housewife. Get that through to your thick skull, before you end up getting yourself
killed. Or don’t, who cares“.
This time, I slam my fists down on the table as well. I slam it so hard it nearly breaks. My father
flinches. I stand up abruptly, and my chair falls backwards.
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“Want to go outside and test that theory, father? Let’s see how this future housewife will bring her
old man to his knees“.
“Honey, please don…“. Mom tries to intervene, but she gets cut off abruptly by a loud growl.
“I am not your old man, you brat. If you were, you would know when to shut up! Mirella, I expect you to discipline this brat! I won’t come home until you have!“.
And with that, he slides his chair out and storms off. My mom sinks back in her chair with tears brimming her eyes. And f*ck me – but I feel bad for her. And, admittedly, a little guilty. He more than had it coming, but I hate seeing mom like this. Regardless of what I think of that piece of s**t, she
still seems to love him.
I pick my chair back up and sit back down. We all remain seated in complete silence for what feels like a small eternity. When suddenly, after a while, my mom’s condition starts to act up again. She has been having weird pains over the past few years, and it seems to increase in intensity. She refuses to go to the doctor, despite my consistent urging her to do so. She usually just locks herself up in her room, much to my dismay. I have been wanting to discuss it with luna Grace. She will know what to do, and she is her best friend. But, I don’t want to go to the pack house.
“Mom, what can I do?! You have to let me take you to the hospital!“.
“No, baby, I’m alright. I just need some time. Bad cramps. Excuse me“. Mom walks off, and I frown at her departing figure.
“Does she have that more often?“. Millie asks with a frown of her own, starting after my departing
mom in confusion.
“More and more unfortunately, yes. I want to talk to luna Grace about it, but I don’t like going to the pack house for obvious reasons. Anyway, I’m going to check on my mom. I’ll see you tomorrow at school?“.
“Yeah.. I’ll pick you up at 8“. Millie seems hesitant about something, but we’ll talk about that tomorrow. Right now, I am going to try to soothe my mom. For as much as she will let me, that is.
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