Mother and Daughter

~Adela~

I’ve been free for a few days, though I don’t know if that’s an accurate description. I’ve been without chains or cuffs, and I’ve been out of the cells. I was given a small cottage away from everyone else at the edge of the forest. I have two guards on me at all times, and I’ve been encouraged to stay out of the packhouse. Yeah, I’m not sure how accurate ‘free’ is.

I don’t really care about that at this point. I hate the fact that I’m back in this pack, and I’m freaking out about my sister. Where the hell is Aida? It feels like her link, our twin bond, is blocked. I wouldn’t have thought it was possible to block her from me. I can feel a loss, not being able to tap into our bond. I worry that something has happened to her, but I’m pretty sure I would have felt that loss if that were the case. I worry that she’s hurt somewhere or scared. The last time I saw her, she wasn’t that aware of her surroundings. Aida’s much too vulnerable to be out in the world alone. I have no idea how much damage that mental break did, and I don’t want to find out by finding her body.

I push the door to the cottage open and step outside. The sun is just peaking through the trees. It’s pretty early in the morning, and the air is fresh. I couldn’t stand another minute in that place. I know I’ve been locked up all this time, but staying in what you don’t have to is different. Regardless of how little it is, I have some freedom right now, and I’d be an idiot to miss it.

I walk along the treeline, letting my hand brush the leaves. I’ve always enjoyed the outdoors, but I’m sure that’s because I’m a werewolf. We have this oneness with the outside, nature, and the moon. I’ve always felt best when I could be outside in the fresh air.

I turn to the left and start to walk in the field. I know that if I keep moving this way, I’d come to the packhouse. It isn’t my destination, but I wonder what’s going on over there.

There aren’t many people up this early. I catch some people heading to the training area. It’s too early for school or for families to be out playing. It’s probably too early for me, but I haven’t been sleeping much these days, if at all. I remember being up this early to attend training some days. That was such a simpler time in my life. I knew what my future would be, and my present made sense. Most importantly, I was with my sister and my dad.

“And this little piggy goes wee, wee, wee all the way home.” I look up and can see the packhouse in the distance. I duck behind a tree with a thick trunk. I’m looking at the back of the packhouse, which has a patio. I see Landon sitting on the patio chair with a child in his arms, a baby. I can’t believe he actually procreated with that bitch. That should be our heir, not hers.

I stand up straight and leave the cover of the tree trunk. I will not hide from him or anyone else. I know who I am, and I know what I’ve done. I won’t be made to feel bad or guilty for any of it. I hold my head high and continue my walk. “Adela?” I turn and see her coming out of a pretty nice house. My mother, if you can call her that.

I turn away, deciding she didn’t deserve my attention. A hand touches my shoulder, causing me to jump. “Adela, dear, how are you?”

“What do you care?”

“Excuse me?”

“We all know you don’t care, so don’t pretend to now. Ever since that bitch came home, you’ve made it very clear which child you favor.” I couldn’t keep the smirk off my face, watching Mom’s face contort in anger and disgust.

“I love all of my kids the same way. I couldn’t continue to sit back and let Tia be treated so horribly by everyone. She’s never done anything to deserve that.”

“Deserve? So, I deserved to have been betrayed by my own mother? You didn’t just leave Daddy; you left your twins, too.”

“You and your sister have always been more your father’s children than mine. You two have been doted on your entire lives and not just by family. Most who have come across you have loved you without knowing the truth.” The truth? What the hell is she talking about?

“Whatever. All I know is that bitch comes back, and all of a sudden, everyone wants to sniff up her ass.”

“That’s your SISTER you are talking about. She’s also the LUNA of this pack. Show her some respect!”

“I’m no longer a member of this pack, remember? She is a waste of space, and that doesn’t change with Alpha mates or having a damn kid.” Mom sighs. “I’d much rather talk about you, though. How could you? How could you abandon us and Dad like that, and for her?” Mom turns away from me for a moment before turning back.

“I’m not going to listen to any more of this. You will not talk about your sister like that to me. When you want to be respectful, let me know.” Mom walks away, and I grab her arm before she gets too far.

“That bitch doesn’t deserve my respect.” I didn’t see it coming. I felt the slap, and anyone within a considerable distance could hear it, but I didn’t anticipate it. Mom would have never raised a hand to me before Tia came back. Now, I don’t know who she is anymore. I let her arm go and take a few steps back. I bring my hand up to cradle my burning cheek. There’s a brief look of pain in her eyes, but that quickly changes. Mom turns and walks off, leaving me even more pissed than I was originally. I turn and head back to my cottage. The sooner I can find my sister, the sooner I can get the hell out of here.