A Christmas Wish

CHAPTER 10: THE NEIGHBOUR.

Charlie tried to explain to David what was going on, that we had scared each other, and he was just lightening the mood, but David had no interest in hearing any of it. "Never mind all of that. What are you even doing here, Charlie?" he asked bluntly. "I don't have any plans this evening, so I thought that I would come and help Dawn out with getting the ballroom ready," Charlie replied. "I ordered her to do this, not you, but if you truly wish to help, then by all means be my guest. I am sure that your father will be fine with you taking on the work of an omega," David said cheerily. It was clearly meant to put Charlie off helping me. His father was not the most tolerant man when it came to ranks. He didn't really approve of marrying outside of the rank you were born into. He wasn't predujuiced. He just felt that that way, there would never be a power struggle between couples as they would be equal. of course, it didn't work like that. Love doesn't understand blood ranks, and neither apparently does the mate bond. The gamma at the Blood Moon pack had mated to an omega who worked as a cleaner. She became the gammas partner, and they are happy.

Charlie shrugged off David's veiled threat. "I'm sure that my father would be more than understanding. After all, if the work is good enough for an Alpha blooded, she wolf, the sister of our pack's Alpha, then it's definitely good enough for me," he said. David looked taken aback by Charlie's answer. Clearly, he wasn't expecting that. "So be it then," he said, his face darkening with anger. "You can continue helping her until this place is ready for the snow ball. But, mark my words, now that there are two of you, I will expect nothing short of perfection," he hissed. "Yes, Alpha," Charlie said, smiling. It was obvious that his reaction was only annoying David more, but Charlie either didn't notice or didn't care.

After David had stalked off angrily, Charlie and I got to work. It was nice having him there with me. he helped to stop my mind from wandering back to Michael and whether his new Luna was enjoying taking my place. That was it hit me. I hadn't even considered it until then, but I was going to have to see them at the ball. I was going to have their relationship shoved down my throat. Perhaps I could just not go. I was sure that David wouldn't be against not having me there. He liked to pretend like I wasn't a part of his family after all. I would have to pick my moment to broach the subject with him, and of course I would need a better reason to give him. If that cruel d**k knew why I didn't want to go, then he would definitely make me. He would probably sit me on their f*****g table.

Once we were done for the day, I left Charlie to lock up and grab dinner from Mrs Bury while I ran to the laundrette. I arrived and hurried over to the machines where I had left the curtains and my laundry. I looked around in a panic when I found the machines empty. "Are you looking for this?" I heard Veronica. She was holding up a big bag with all the curtains in. A smaller bag was in front of her with my clothes in. "I figured that you might be a little busy, so I took the liberty of drying and ironing everything for you," she said. I pulled her in for a gentle hug. "Thank you, Veronica. You have no idea how much I appreciate this," I told her. She chuckled, "Now, now, don't be silly. It's just a little laundry. It's what I do," she said. The truth was, though, that with how I was feeling right now, that little bit of kindness meant everything to me. "You are very welcome," she said as I let her go. I picked up the bags and headed back down towards the pack house to meet up with Charlie.

He was waiting for me by the kitchen door. I saw him before he saw me. I couldn't help but notice how handsome he looked. I had never really noticed before. I slowed as I saw Louisa approach him. I watched as she began running her hand up his arm, giggling like a school girl at whatever he was saying. I looked down at the ground rather than at them. it was none of my business who Charlie chose to flirt with, though i thought that he had better taste than that. I mean, sure, she was attractive enough, but I would have thought that personality would count for something. I wasn't sure whether or not I should disturb them. I glanced up just as she reached up and ran a hand through his wavy light brown hair, and it seemed pretty intimate, so I decided to just head straight home. I wasn't particularly hungry tonight anyway.

I was almost home when I noticed a figure on the steps of the only other inhabited cabin. I figured that this was as good a time as any to introduce myself to my new neighbour. As I got closer and could see her more clearly, I couldn't shake the feeling that there was something familiar about her. Her red curls reminded me of someone, I was still trying to place her when she spoke. "Hi, can I help you?" she asked, her tone flat. "Hiya, I just wanted to say hello. Seeing as how we are neighbours now," I replied, trying to sound as cheery as I could. "Oh, well then, hello," she said, still fairly flatly. I decided to try one more time. I put the bags down and held my hand out. "I'm, Dawn Reynolds. It's nice to meet you," I said. I had decided to use my maiden name, using michael's surname would just be too painful, plus it would soon belong to Ally. That's when I realised why she looked so familiar. "Amelia Coleson," she said, shaking my hand. I swallowed the bile rising in my throat. I smiled and told her that anytime she needed anything to just knock. I picked up my bags and headed home. I wasn't going to hold the fact that she was related to the woman who stole my life against her. I would hate someone to judge me because of David.