Episode 4

     I got back home a little after dawn to my stepmother waiting outside the house for me. I didn't need a seer to let me know she was already in a bad mood. The deal had been that I could go for my early morning runs as long as I got back home on time.

     Apparently, I had been a second late.

     "You do know that you're such an ungrateful child, right?" She sneered at me from where she sat by the porch.

     I was turning twenty three in a few weeks but sure, let's go with that.

     She continued when I kept mute. "I asked just one thing of you when you were seeking permission to be going on your stupid runs, " Her voice was getting louder. "Get back home on time, but no, even that is too much to ask."

     Sometimes I wondered why I put up with all her shit. Then I remembered I had promised my dad I would try as much as possible to be at peace with my stepfamily and keep us all together.

     Plus an annoying family who ensured everyday of your life was a living hell was better than no family.

     I bit the inside of my cheek so I didn't make a sarcastic remark. "I just lost track of time for a little bit, it won't happen again." I said.

     It might happen again.

     "It won't happen again," She mimicked in a squeaky condescending voice. "Well, I most certainly hope that it doesn't."

     I climbed the stairs to the front porch and took off my shoes. 

     "I don't know why you cling to Jayson so much," She began. Here we go, I murmured under my breath. "Desperation does not suit you, Ella. Jayson is becoming the Pack's Alpha whether or not you want it and there's nothing you can do about it."

     Deep breaths, Ella. Your parents would be disappointed if you became a murderer at such a young age.

     "Of course, stepmother." I stated woodenly.

     "I have to go on a general meeting with the Luna," She informed, rising up and collecting her purse from the small table beside her seat. "You should know what to do."

     I turned to face her as she walked past me. "I already completed all my chores yesterday."

     "I think you should go inside and take a look at the mess June and Bethany made before they left." She said back.

     "I don't understand why I always have to clean up after them," I said through clenched teeth. My wolf was stirring up at the injustice of it all.

     My stepmother walked towards me, her heels making tapping noises on the floor. She stopped when she was almost toe to toe with me, a crooked smile on her face when she saw I was holding my wolf back from rising to the surface.

     "It would never be said that I, Veronica Greene, stopped you from leaving this house." She tilted her head, her eyes roaming my face. "As long as you're under my roof, you will live by my rules. If you don't want to," She shrugged. "You can always leave. But I won't be held responsible when that causes a wedge between us, your father would know who to blame then."

     Before I could say a word, she supersped out of the house. 

     I sent a prayer of strength to the goddess and then made my way inside.

***

    One of the reasons I didn't want to leave my dad's house was the memories I had of the place. I had lost my mom some months after I'd been born so basically I had no memory of her. I didn't want to loose what little memory I had of my dad just because I couldn't put up Veronica's attitude.

     Luckily, I had my own room in the house. And I'm not talking about the crappy basement Cinderella stayed in the disney movie since evidently, I was living her life.

     My dad had made sure to be clear on the fact that no one was to share my room with me, seeing as they all already had theirs. It wasn't like they wanted to anyway. Which was why I was very surprised when June strutted into my room and sat down on my beanbag.

     "Why are you here?" I asked her as I got into more upright position on the bed.

     Her wavy blonde hair was in a tight ponytail, with a few strands framing her face. She crossed her legs at her ankles at stared at me. "What? I can't come into my sister's room and spend some time with her?" She inquired cattily.

     "You and Bethany already share the same room." I reminded her in case she had forgotten.

     "Good one," June tittered. "I see what you did there."

     I only raised my shoulders in a 'well?' gesture. 

     "I only came to make sure you haven't resorted to taking your own life." She announced, a strange glint in her eyes. I would have laughed at her statement if it wasn't for the serious look on her face.

    I bookmarked the page I stopped in the book I'd been reading and closed it, giving her my full attention. "Why would I do that?"

     She uncrossed her legs and slanted a dry look in my direction. "Weston's inauguration's in two days." She highlighted flatly.

     "And you think I won't be happy for him?" I asked, still trying to make sense of what she was saying.

     "Oh you might be happy for him alright," She sneered. "But what happens when he becomes mated to someone else and she becomes his priority? What then?" 

     I stopped myself from giving her any reaction whatsoever.

     "Don't think I don't see how you talk about him and follow him around like a lovesick puppy," She added snidely. If only she knew how right she was. "Well, I'm sorry to inform you that all that's about to change."

     "I don't think you're sorry at all." I said bluntly. June might not be so bright but she wasn't dumb either. My guess was that she suspected I had more than just friendly feelings for Jayson and had come to rub salt in any open wound.

     She shrugged carelessly. "You're right, I'm not."

  

     I could already feel my mood being ruined as my mind pondered over her words. Couldn't she have just left me alone? "Are you done?" I asked harshly, cursing my self for showing emotion in front of her. I had given her exactly what she had come looking for.

     The triumphant smile spreading on her face was all the answer I needed. She blew on her nails, suppressing her laughter. "I am." She replied, standing and leaving the room.

     Angry and ruffled, I stormed towards the door and slammed it shut.

     "Don't poor your frustration out on the poor thing!" Her voice echoed from the hallway, uneven with laughter.  

     I paced around my room, drawing in calming breaths and playing with my mother's necklace. My eyes stung in agitation as I fell back down on my bed. 

     For how long was I going to continue living like this?