Chapter 5

“This isn’t fair. You can’t do this.” I cried. My face was buried into my purple bed covers that were getting stained with tears. While Marianna, who’s lap my head was resting on, stroked my hair. The revelation from earlier was still fogging up my brain but the news that came after was worse.

After the beaded bracelet on my arms turned green, I rushed home, expecting my mother to explain things further. I was a mess. Confused. Lost about who I was. In disbelief. Mother did no such thing. As soon as I walked in, I was told I had two hours to pack and be ready to leave. Kent was waiting for me in the living room.

“You hate me so much that you want to kick me out?” I tried using guilt to get her to stop.

“Mother, does she have to go? I know you said she was to go to the castle to learn the ins and outs for me so I am ready to be his mate, but can’t I just go do that?”

“It’s improper. Full moon for a wolf is no laughing matter. Especially a male wolf. Kent doesn’t want to lose control with you. He wants to make sure you are his official mate before any of that.”

“What if he loses it with Jezebel. Make her his mate.”

I gasped. Could he do that?

“She isn’t a werewolf. He won’t be attracted to her.” Oh, I forgot. I was human.

“What potion do you use on your skin in the morning? I’ll make sure to pack it.” Mother said, looking around at a small mirrored table across from my bed.

“It doesn’t matter. My skin is dull and lifeless no matter what I do. I guess now I know it’s because I am a human.” I cried louder.

“Half human.” My mother corrected me. I wailed and hiccuped unstoppably at this. She sighted and I felt her weight next to me. My sister's hand was lifted off of my hair and was replaced by my mother. “Marianna, go downstairs and make sure Alpha Kent is comfortable.” Marianna’s warmth left.

“You love her more than me.” I mumbled into my mother's lap. She exhaled a laugh.

“Honey—I am giving you want you want. You’re the one who complained about being holed up here. Go to Blackwood castle. Learn how the most important Alpha lives, come back in three moons and help you sister. It’s not a lift time sentence.”

I looked up at my mother. It was usually male wolves I was good at reading but today, my mother’s words seemed hollow. “You're lying.” I accused her.

“Jezebel. Please.” She sounded defeated.

“He is also lying.” I screamed, loud enough, hoping Kent would hear.

“Fine. We are all lying. You're right. If you think so, stay here. Rot here. I won’t let you leave. In fact I’ll be even more protective now that you know the truth.” My mother threatened.

“This isn’t fair.”

“Yes, so you said.” She fixed a loose piece of my blond hair. “Now which potion?”

“The one with a blue cap.” I automatically said. Shoot, I didn’t mean to tell her. I didn’t mean to talk to her. I won’t talk to her ever again.

Just as I was formulating a plan on how to never even look at my mother, someone—Alpha Kent—knocked on my door.

“I want to get going before night falls. Please tell this thing to hurry up.” Kent barked.

“My name is Jezebel.” I said to Kent. “See, he can’t even remember my name. I am not going!” I moaned to my mother.

“I think madam Amelia, you’ve given the girl too much attention. What is her age?” Kent asked.

“Twenty, Alpha Kent.”

“She is of age, and yet she acts like a child.” Kent jabbed.

I got up from my bed and marched towards him. “I am going to make you regret this.” I said, poking his hard chest with every word.

Kent smiled his stupid smile again. Then he grabbed my finger. “Don’t touch me.” He flung my finger out of his hands, and I hit the door knob.

“Ouch.” I screamed.

“Hurry up.” Was all he said.

Cruel. He was cruel. And so was my mother for making me go with him.

Tears again began whelping up and the stinging on my hands didn’t help. I had been crying for the last two hours, and I was tired of it. I never felt this helpless. Even when my mother trapped me in my room, I found a way to get out. To do what I wanted. Today, I had no choice. My own mother was kicking me out to live with a man who clearly seems to hate me for some unknown reason. Why? Why was she doing this? Was she finally fed up with me? Was she finally not okay with the fact that I was a human? Was she finally able to admit to herself that, “yes, I really don’t love her. I can do it with one less daughter. Especially the annoying one. Especially the human one...” The thought stung.

I turned to my mother, stone faced.

“You know mother, I’ve never loved anyone as much as I’ve loved you. You were strict but you took care of me, but I’ve always felt othered by you. My sisters all got to live their lives. Meet other wolves. Go find mates. Be free. While I was stuck in here with you. I didn’t mind, because I got to be here with my favorite person. I also always did manage to convince you to let me be more free.”

“Oh honey, I was just scared.” My mother cried.

“No, you weren’t. I wonder if you didn’t take the vow not to hurt humans, if you would have even let me live.” I was done crying. These words, that would have normally made me upset, made me numb today. “Did you think about it? Even once?”

My mother said nothing. I took that as a yes.

“I gave you my whole heart, and I was nothing but a problem for you.” I said, grabbing the satchel my mother had packed for me, and began walking towards the door again.

“No one can take someone’s heart without giving up theirs first my love.” Were my mother’s last words to be before I walked out.