Philip's POVAfter I came back from the office, I decided to dine with Catherine. I noticed she had been avoiding me lately, so I decided to spend a little time with her by eating close to her. Eating next to Catherine was like fighting on a battlefield. I noticed she never welcomed my presence which I sensed was because of the past we had together. She felt uncomfortable having me next to her and she did everything possible to make me notice that. conversations were not interesting due to the cold response I got from her. While we were still eating though she was almost done with her meal before we heard Ana's cry. So as soon as I was about to tell them about what I had heard she stood up immediately and headed to the room. Rose stood up immediately and followed her leaving me alone on the big dining table. As continued eating my food with a feeling that Catherine had gone to take of the crying child. A few moments after Catherine left I lost my appetite so I decided to go upstairs
Catherine's POV The mood in the room with Anastasia and Rose after a few minutes of Lizzie's departure remained strained while I sat there. I still vividly recall seeing Lizzie carrying Ana, and the anxiety surrounding the circumstance weighed hard on me. I prepared myself for the talk that Philip would have with me about what had happened since I knew Lizzie would probably tell him about our encounter.The door swung open loudly and abruptly not long after I thought of Philip. Philip came inside the room. Looking at his face I noticed an expression of frustration and rage written all over his face. He walked towards me with determined, heavy-footed strides while keeping his eyes on me."Hey Catherine, what have you done to Lizzie?" He asked an edge of wrath in his voice. "She is angry and refuses to talk to me. And I think it has something to do with you. So tell me, what did you do to her."I gave him a chilly expression and met his eyes with a fixed, unyielding stare. I answered
Lizzie's POV I became increasingly uncomfortable with Catherine's presence as time went on. My last encounter with her was the only nightmare I had any time I closed my eyes. I couldn't help but feel as though Catherine was the reason why our family was under assault. I had first welcomed her into our house because Ana was Philip's kid and we both had parental responsibilities for her. My early kindness, nevertheless, had given way to a never-ending remorse.Although I was aware of Catherine's status as Ana's mother, there was obviously no more to it than that. It was the covert ways that she had influenced each aspect of our life. She served as a continual reminder of their past, and I understood I would never replace the bond she shared with Philip.Even though Ana played a huge role in our life, my affection for Philip and readiness to be Philip's supporter had been my original inspirations. Because of Ana, I had come to terms with the fact that Catherine was always going to be a
Catherine's POV The unspoken hostility between Lizzie and I had gotten worse as the family issue grew worse. Every conversation seemed like a possible conflict because of the tension I could sense in the air.Lizzie appeared to be making every effort to establish her supremacy inside the household. She started publicly criticizing my presence and raising issues with my conduct. She was getting into increasingly heated and regular altercations.We were all seated in the living room one evening when Lizzie decided to go a step further. She purposefully broached the subject of family issues knowing fully well that I would get sucked into it. She was trying my limits, therefore it wasn't a coincidence that she chose that subject.I could see Lizzie was trying to capture me as the talk went on. She questioned my ideas, mocked my solutions, and exposed my purported flaws. Her hatred was unavoidable, and every word she spoke was sharp like a blade.I made an effort to maintain my composure
Catherine's POV One afternoon, I was quietly looking over some packed paperwork in my bedroom when I heard a gentle knock at the door. I dropped the documents I was examining out of surprise and yelled, "Yes? Come in."One of the servants, Kent, pushed the door open and walked in with a kind grin. "Please forgive me for interfering with it," she responded with respect, "well, Alpha Philip had arranged a family meeting in the house and he said you should be there."As I heard what the servant said I had a wave of curiosity and discomfort. Family gathering? Given the recent tension in our home and the rarity of the event, I was forced to consider if Philip planned to address and tackle the problem we were currently facing, that he made a huge decision to assemble the family, and I realized it.I answered, "Thank you, Keith. I'll be down there soon."As he exited the room, he shut the door behind him as she nodded. I paused to gather my thoughts and consider what this encounter would e
Catherine's POV I became more anxious as the time of the yearly pack gathering got near. Lizzie and I still had our family issues, and I knew the approaching occasion would be a big test of our ability to live together peacefully. To get through this challenging position, I needed suggestions, direction, and even a companion.I decided to get in touch with Rose one evening with a strong sense of resolve. She had been a dependable and encouraging friend, and I thought she might have some useful advice to share. We convened in a secret area of the home that was quiet and shielded from inquisitive eyes.I introduced myself as "Rose," saying, "I've been contemplating a lot regarding an impending family get-together. I'm not sure how exactly to deal with the emotions between Lizzie and myself. Ana and I need to be secure, and I would like to keep our family together. Do you please have any suggestions or opinions on how I would handle things?"Rose looked at me with sympathy and comprehen
Lizzie's POV I was feeling the heavy weight of my anxiety with Catherine's presence in my life and it grew deeper as each day progressed toward the yearly pack reunion. It appeared to be a storm I needed to get ready for. My worry was increasing, like a flood that was constantly rising and threatening to engulf me in uncertainty and misery. This feeling was something I had avoided my whole life, but at this point, I don't think I can avoid it anymore.The very first comfort Catherine had provided when she initially joined the family had gradually given way to a chilly frost that had crept into our house's crevices. I was still plagued by the recollection of our last altercation, which hung across my thoughts and actions for a very long time. It was an absolute nightmare that kept repeating, getting scarier and more realistic each time. It was embarrassing and I couldn't stop remembering every moment of it.I could still remember her arrogant voice and eyes as she warned me not to eve
Philip's POVAt last, the day of the yearly pack reunion had come, and it was a significant event that had significant meaning for our pack. My pride was rising as I stood at our compound's gate wearing the traditional Alpha garb, which gave me an aura of power. Everything was bathed in a warm, golden glow as the sun sank, creating long shadows on the ground and fueling the expectation that was permeating the atmosphere.Families from our group started to show up one by one, their faces beaming with excited smiles. Each family contributed to the rich fabric of our pack's history with its special traits and tales. It was my responsibility as Alpha to warmly welcome and congratulate them.The first family came up, their kids racing ahead with contagious joy. I stretched my hand and firmly shook theirs as we greeted one another. They presented me with a tiny gift as a sign of their esteem and friendliness, which I gratefully accepted. It was a custom that had been upheld for many years a