Chapter 3 - Della

I hated breaking this news to my precious girl. I had never had children of my own. I had lost my husband Tom in the war. He went to fight and he never came home to me. I couldn’t bring myself to be with someone else. I stayed in the home we had bought together. The house we planned to make our family home. Only it became my own lonely haven. A home on my own. Because after losing him I couldn’t imagine being with someone else.

So that meant we never had the future we had planned together. No children. So I enjoyed the children of my family. Spending time with them when I could. It was a true privilege to bring Violet up when her parents passed away. I never did understand where the rest of her family had gone to. All having fallen out with her parents, it appeared I was all she had left. But it gave me the joy of bringing up a child even if I was old at the time.

And bring me joy she has done. So much joy, so much happiness and so much proudness. She has never been any trouble really. Always such a sweet girl and always so willing to please. But I was made aware of this situation from the start. The moment I agreed to bring her up I was passed a sealed letter from a solicitor explaining everything to me, so I knew. I knew it all in depth and had never shared it with anyone else until now. Plus, I had been able to research, too in preparation, but I still knew what had to be done. But it never made me question my decision. This girl had needed me, and in truth I think I had needed her, so we had plodded on through her childhood years. Making memories together.

But, yes, I always knew this day would come. It just seems to have come around so quickly. I am not sure I am ready to let my girl go just yet, and by the look in her eyes, I am not sure she is understanding why this has to happen.

I can’t teach her the things she needs to know. If I could, then I would. I truly wish I could. I tried to research so I could, but I am just not able to. She needs to be with those like her. And I am not a shifter. That gene comes from her Daddy. Seeing the hurt in her eyes is hurting me. But I made this promise to them back then. It was in the papers for Violet if anything was to happen to her parents before she was of age. That these plans were followed. I have to follow the wishes of her family. That is what her Mum and Dad wanted for her. It is only right.

“I am sorry sweet girl, I really am. It is the wishes of your Mum and Dad. It was written down in plans for if something happened to them” I try to explain to her.

“And is this just so they can teach me about being a werewolf?” she looks to me, nerves all over her face.

“I assume so, sweetheart. I don’t know for sure. I need to reach out for the packs I have listed that your Dad’s family members were at” I tell her, explaining all the information that had been provided to me in the information from when her parents died.

She sits nodding. “So if I go, I can learn what I need and leave like my Dad?” she demands.

Oh goodness. I have no clue about this. This is not how packs work from what I gather. Is this not what got her Dad in trouble with his family? I don't want to give her false hopes. Or give her ideas that could get her in trouble.

“I don’t know, darling. Perhaps if you speak with them. Explain you would rather live alone away from pack, they may allow this. I don’t know how this works though. I don’t know how the packs work”, I tell her.

She frowns “I do not plan to stay in a pack, Aunt Della. I want to come back. I can come back, can’t I?” she looks to me.

“Darling, I am getting older, you have so much more to live for than being with me. You must go to a pack in the months before your 17th birthday. Because things will start to change soon after, and you must learn” I tell her all that I know.

“What pack is it? The one that my Dad left?!” she asks.

“I don’t actually know yet. I have to call around some. There is a list of contacts that were given to me when you moved in, that are packs where family members of your Dad lived. I will contact them in the hopes they will be more willing to help now than they were back when your parents had died.” I explain.

“And if they aren’t, then what?” Violet looks confused.

“Then I will have to speak to some of the Alphas I guess.” I say.

“Alphas?” she looks puzzled.

Hmmm seems she is completely clueless.

“Yeah, Alphas are the head wolves I guess. The ones in charge at the packs.”

“How do you know this, Aunt Della?” she is eyeing me questioningly.

“Well, I guess I researched a little. But not enough to be able to teach you. They won’t let me. You need someone who is a shifter too, hunni, so they can help you through it. But you know I will always be here for you”

I watch her wipe away a tear. I am dreading this.

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Dear Diary…

I can see that this is hurting Aunt D. and that makes me feel even sadder about the whole thing. I don’t think she wants me to leave. I don’t want to leave. But I don’t think we have a choice. I hate this. How can this be happening? I genuinely feel like I am dreaming and will wake up because it seems so far-fetched and crazy. It makes no sense. But Aunt D seems determined to make this work, make plans to get things in place for me, get help for me, so I know what to expect. Yet, in truth, I am terrified. Why did my Mum and Dad never tell me? Why could they not still be here? I feel so alone.

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