Chapter Nine

Aegis's P.o.v

Six months later I was watering flowers.

Sighing heavily, I took the green watering can by the handle and walked back to the shed. The heat of the afternoon sun burned hotly against my skin. The sweet smell of fresh roses and the unmistakable smell of the damp earth filled my nostrils at every breath I breathed  in. Calmness enveloped me at the sight in front of me. Flourishing red and white roses peeking out masses of greenery blankets stretched out for miles. 

Goddess, it was beautiful.

I ignored the sluggish sound of the soil beneath my oversized boot cladded feet and stopped in front of the little  wooden hut I had frequented so much in the past month.

Brandi Winston,a kind old man that allowed me to work for him in his fields, came out from the hut and flashed me a warm smile. Dressed in dark blue overalls folded at the sleeve, with a blue undershirt and brown boots, he was a sight to see. There were smudges of oil all over his arms, face and wrinkly chin. He must have been working on his tractor. 

"Here again, Aegis?"

I tugged off my boots, setting the watering can on the floor by the side of the hut. Brandi had a habit of checking on me every few hours. He complained I worked too much but I didn't really see it as work. I just loved flowers a lot. Maybe a bit too much but to each their own I guess.

"Yeah".

In all the time  have been here, there has been no word from my pack about my return. No calls, no messages_nothing. The thought of it made my heart hurt. I had assumed that no matter how badly things became between us and how things ended, I would at least be checked on.

I was still the child they raised. I am still Velma's older sister. At the end of the day, we were still family. But I guess that wasn't enough.

The most painful part of all of this was that I still hoped. I was still hoping that they'd call, that they'd show me that they cared. I hope that they'd show even an hint of regret or remorse for what they'd done. One phone call to see how I was faring, how I was coping. It wouldn't erase my anger and betrayal but it would at least prove that they still thought of me. 

That they actually cared for me. But there was nothing. 

I was going to cry again.

"Gee-gee".

I turned my head in the direction the squeaky voice came from . Cece running towards us. Her black curls were tied into two pigtails and bounced with each step her little legs took. The toothy grin on her face stretched to her ears and her blue eyes widened in excitement. 

She picked up her white frilly princess dress by the hem to gain momentum and get to us faster not caring of the mud splattering and staining her dress. I visibly cringed as I glanced down at her shoes sinking into the mud.

Nanny Finley would not be happy to see that.

A small smile spread across my lips. I watched her stumble but quickly regain composure. The little slip hadn't fazed her. 

"Well hello there, Cece"

Brandi greeted, placing his hands on his hips. He stared at the six year old in wonder. Just realizing that I was not alone, she dashed to hide behind me. Wrapping her small hands around my legs she poked her head to the side and peered at Brandi timidly. No doubt her little eyes were watching Brandi with caution. As inquisitive as Cece was, she was also fearful.

"I still don't understand why she only speaks to you" Brandi mumbled .

Cece Thompson was the only Daughter of Alpha Elijah. She lost her mother eight months ago in a rogue attack and little Cece saw it happen. She was crying when they found her and became mute since then. 

The trauma of losing her mother took its toll on her and influenced her greatly. She was withdrawn, unusually quiet and overly cautious. She didn't play with pups her own age and was mostly seen sitting quietly observing the flowers.

At least that was what the pack thought. She absolutely refused to say a word to anyone no matter how much they prodded not even her father. Everyone had given up on her ever speaking anymore. 

It came as a huge shock when I arrived at the pack  hospital and little Cece started talking to me. Everyone were both confused and happy to see the little come out of her shell even if it was just with me.

With every passing day, she slowly opened up to me. And now she practically followed me around like a lost puppy.

"Gee-gee, can we go see the flowers?"

She mumbled into my jeans. I blinked away the tears gathering in my eyes and skimmed my hands affectionately across her cheeks. My heart warmed when she leaned in. Cece resented physical contact, but was also desperate for them. And that was a dangerous combination.

Being starved of affection does that to you. My wolf has admittedly gotten maternal over Cece content to claim her as her pup. Ever since we met Cece  for the first time in the hospital,  my wolf took to looking after to relieve the pain of the pup we lost.

"Of course  love, we can go right now".

She was like a ray of sunshine in my life. Cece undoubtedly was one of the biggest reasons I had not completely lost my mind, aside from the kindness and affection the entire pack had shown me.For the first few weeks I the pack, I was a non functioning being.

Where was the bubbly girl I used to know?

Where was the generously full of life girl I used to know?

Where was the Aegis I used to know?

Oh that's right, they destroyed her.