As she sat on a barstool eating cereal someone walked into the kitchen and helped himself with a bowl of cereal.
He sat next to her. “We meet again so soon, Jolene,” said Chris.
She kept her eyes fixed on her bowl. “It is Ms. Amores for you.”
He snickered. “You take every opportunity to feel superior, don’t you?”
She stared at him with a blank face. “Watch your words. If I didn’t know better I would think that you have something against me.”
He laughed. “Do not take it personal.”
She shifted her gaze back to her bowl. “The fact that you keep appearing where you are not invited makes you even more suspicious.”
He grabbed her chin and leaned toward her until his face was right in front of hers. His cold fingers brushed from the side of her forehead all the way to her jaw and down her neck. They wrapped around her neck and pressed lightly. She refused to give him a reaction and he tightened his grip.
“It is just the opposite. I love your spirit. It really is a shame…” He let go of her and slowly shook his head. “I wish I could take you all for myself, but that is not in the cards for us.” He stood up.
“Tell me…” she said as he walked away.
He halted. “What?” he did not turn around.
“Tell me something I do not know.”
He chuckled. “You never fail to impress.” He turned around and sneered at her. “Your real father was a dirty rogue of the worst kind.”
She glared at him in silence knowing that this was the most she would get from him at the moment. She stood up, picked up both bowls, and took them to the sink as she again cursed her brother for teaching her manners. She expected Chris to leave but he stayed there, leaning against the door frame between the kitchen and the dining room with a sly expression on his face.
After she finished the dishes she walked up to him and stood beside him without looking at him.
“You know, I can see how much you despise me.” She turned to face him. “I will make sure to get a happy ending to annoy you even more.” She giggled as she saw him scowl.
“I sure will enjoy your pain and tears,” he said.
She tried to walk away but he grabbed her left wrist and pulled her toward him until their bodies were almost touching. He took her other wrist and pushed her, pinning her against the wall.
She looked at him in the eye and smirked.”Good luck with that.”
He pressed himself against her. She kept her gaze fixed on his, seemingly unfazed, and licked her lips slowly; His eyes darted to them.
He leaned in and she slightly lowered her head so he would have to put space between them; His breath fanned over her mouth as he hovered just above it.
She headbutted him. He grunted, let go of her and moved his hands to his nose which was bleeding profusely. She took the opportunity when he crouched down to grab him by the nape of his neck and knee him in the stomach. She kicked him in the shins and his legs gave up; He fell to his knees whining.
Jolene grabbed his hair, pulled his head up and whispered in his ear. “There you go. Now, you have a real reason to hate me. You are welcome.”
She shoved him to the floor and made her way to her room. She locked the door behind her and sat on her bed.
Jolene had used only a small part of her force so Chris would heal by the following day. She wanted to test how far he would go given the opportunity, but she did not expect anything like that. He was not supposed to know that she is adopted. In fact, he was not supposed to know anything about her besides that she is a new teacher from a different pack. Her being adopted is something that only a few people know.
Everyone outside of her pack knew the Silver Fang Alpha’s daughter. Still, she always kept her human form a secret to avoid the annoying questions. The fact that she looks nothing like the Alpha family always raised people’s doubts and she would rather keep her life story for herself. So she always appeared in her wolf form for official matters outside of the pack. Otherwise, she would hide her identity like she was doing now.
Jolene wondered how a teenager from another pack could know things about her that even she ignored. Nobody had ever told her anything about her father. Everything she knew was given to her in the form of a letter and a small photo album; She was carrying them on with her when she was found. Both objects were kept at a safe in the Silver Fang Alpha’s house. She did scan the letter and all the contents of the photo album to carry them with her. Jolene took out her phone to read the letter once again.
To my daughter, Jolene Lobo
I hope you are not reading this letter because if you are, we could not see you grow up. We ran away from our pack, the Wild Moon Pack, to keep you safe. We wanted to start a new happy life, but danger followed us. You will have to return one day to finish the job your father and I started. There, you will find your greatest ally, but be careful. Your enemy will be in front of you and beside you. He will stand at your left when you look straight at the front door of the pack house. I wish I could tell you everything in detail but I trust you will understand. Your father and I love you.
Mom
Jolene felt guilty. She had been so caught up in the drama that she had even forgotten of asking about her father. There was so much she still did not understand. The only thing she had from his father was two photos of him, one old photo of his parents when they arrived in the US and his last name, ‘Lobo.’ Her other last name ‘Amores’ was given to her by her human parents.
She decided to have a serious conversation with Merry as soon as possible. She turned off the lights, pulled her covers up and stripped.
That night she had the happiest and saddest dream. She saw herself laying on her bed; Her mom sat at the edge of the bed running her fingers through her hair and singing lullabies. She opened her eyes and stared at her mother with a wide smile.
She then realized that her mother looked roughly the same age as her.
“This is a dream,” she whispered. Her mother smiled sadly.
“It is, my love. There are great challenges ahead. Your strong personality and stubbornness will keep you away from your happiness for a while, but remember there is much more than what meets the eye.”
Jolene nodded as tears rolled down her cheeks. “How are you?”
Her mother grinned. “Even now you care about your loved ones more than anything else. You know you could ask me anything about your future? I have seen it.”
Jolene shook her head no. “The future will come sooner and later; That is a fact. But I do not know when I will see you again. Were you happy?”
Emma smiled brightly. “I was the happiest woman in the world when I was with you and your father. I know you are having trouble with your mate now. Stay strong. Time will tell if you truly fit each other.” Emma smirked. “And if you don’t, you will know you tried. When I met your father he too was not ready to have a mate.” Jolene sniffled. “And what did you do?”
Her mother patted her head. “I had patience but let me tell you, he was not an easy person. He had to find himself before really finding me. I also knew when to walk out. Never leave ‘love’ be more important than your own self-worth. However, learn to differentiate self-worth from pride.”
“What are you? A fortune cookie compilation?” asked Jolene.
Her mother grinned and blushed. “I had so much time to think what I would tell you when we finally talked. I had been trying to reach you for a long time. It was not easy.” She cupped Jolene’s cheek. “But it was all worth it.” Emma’s eyes shone with uncried tears.
“What about my father? How is he like?”
Emma grinned. “As hardheaded as they come. Once I got to know him, I found out how much of a softie he is. As much as he despised packs, he even joined a pack for me… For us.”
Jolene sat up. “Mother, who killed you and dad?” Her mother sighed.
“Jolene, he was a traitor. He…”
Her mother kept talking but Jolene could not understand her words. Everything was so bright. She realized she was waking up and latched onto her mother. “Not yet please…” she whispered.
Her eyes shot open; She was weeping. She sat at the edge of her bed calculating how much money she had to spare if she crashed her phone against the wall.
Jolene walked straight to the shower, not bothering silencing the alarm. She sniffled and sobbed letting her tears run free with the water. She left the shower and stood in front of the mirror.
“Stop with the constant crying. You are not that person anymore.” She traced the long scar that ran across her inner thigh. It was almost fading but still noticeable.
Her hands fell to her sides. “If I were not a werewolf, I would have died so many times already… Most of them at my own hands.” She wrapped herself in a towel and got ready for another day of work and possibly drama.
Jolene opened her door, still feeling down. As she was about to step out of her room she noticed the person standing in front of her; her eyes met his. He had his hands hidden behind his back.
“Lancelot? What are doing here?” She quickly wiped a stray tear that had managed to escape.
He looked down to his feet. “My favorite flower is the Hydrangea. I think it has been misunderstood. Throughout history, they had been associated with both positive and negative feelings. They generally represent gratitude for being understood.”
She cocked her head to the side. “What?”
He looked up and into her eyes. He brought one hand to the front showing her a flower that seemed to be made by many smaller flowers. “Pink Hydrangeas represent heartfelt feelings.”
She stared at the flower, a small smile tugging at her lips.
He showed her his other hand which held another similar but different colored flower. “Purple Hydrangeas represent desire to deeply understand. I hope we can always understand each other feelings.”
He moved the two flowers toward her and she took them in her hands. He smiled and… sprinted down the hall. In less than five seconds he was in his own room. Jolene was confused, to say the least. She returned to her room and sat on her beat gazing at the two beautiful flowers in her hands. Meanwhile, Lancelot was sitting on his own bed covering his face with his hands. Samuel sat next to him.
“I’ll be damned. You are blushing,” he said.
Lancelot growled and Samuel laughed out loud.
“At least she does not seem to completely hate you now. How long will you make me drive you to the florist every day?”
Lancelot sighed and glared at him. “It is not my fault my parents don’t allow me to drive.”
Samuel scoffed. “Actually it is. If you didn’t-” A knock on the door interrupted them. Lancelot dashed to the door and opened it.
“Hi again.” Jolene waved at him. She cleared her throat. “I was wondering if you wanted to get breakfast with me.”
Samuel chuckled. “Today some pack members made breakfast. It smells delicious.”
Lancelot turned to Samuel and growled. He then turned back to Jolene. “I would sure enjoy having breakfast with you.”
They smiled at each other. Lancelot grabbed his backpack and quickly left his room. As he closed the door behind him Jolene looked at him curiously.
“Shouldn’t we ask Samuel if he wants to come?”
Lancelot chuckled. “Nah. He will have delicious breakfast with the rest of the pack members.”
They walked toward the stairs. When Lancelot pulled her into a tight hug, Jolene was about to walk down the stairs. They stayed like that in silence for a while.
“Thank you, Jolene,” he whispered. He inhaled her scent and felt her warm body against him. He kissed the top her head. She looked up and he smiled at him. “Do not be sad anymore,” he said, kissing her forehead.
“Awww you are just too cute,” said Samuel. They both jumped away from each other. Samuel walked to them and put an arm across Lancelot’s shoulder. He motioned Jolene to come as he pulled Lancelot down the stairs. “I am so proud of you two.” He walked with them to the front door, pushed them out of the house, and locked it.
Jolene and Lancelot walked to Jolene’s car in an awkward silence. After ten minutes of silence, Jolene had had enough. They got in the car and Jolene drove to a local restaurant.
“So…” said Jolene.
“So… How was your night?” asked Lancelot scratching the back of his head.
Jolene winced and bit her lower lip. “I dreamed about my mother…” she mumbled.
“Oh, that is good. Do you talk to her often?” Lancelot’s smile faded when he saw her sad expression.
“I lost both of my parents when I was a kid,” Jolene said as she pulled up in the parking lot. She unbuckled her seat belt. “Let’s go.” She smiled but it did not reach her eyes.
Lancelot took her hand in his. “I am sorry, I did not know.” He stayed silent for a moment and frowned. “I actually do not know anything about you.”
She moved his hand to her lips and kissed it. I will tell you anything you want to know, but not here. Lancelot’s stomach growled.
“Let’s go or we will not have enough time,” said Jolene.
A/N: I went to the social security office yesterday to get my SS card. I was reading Manga as I waited and they startled me when they called my number. I stood up dropping my cellphone to the floor. I picked it up, put it in my pocket, and walked to the wrong side of the counters (not sure if this is the word used in this case). I turned right instead of left. When I realized my mistake I asked the security guard and he signaled me the right direction, just in front of where I had been sitting. I “confidently” walked there and when I talked to the worker I realized that I had forgotten my documents where I was seated. Thankfully my boyfriend was there and gave them to me. I finished the process and they gave me the receipt; I left and was about to walk out of the building when I realized I had forgotten a pen at the counter (and it was rude to leave it there). I went back to retrieved it. The rest of the waiting room looked amused, and my phone screen cracked.