9. Not Done
1084 Words
Eden’s pov:
Tears fell down my cheeks, treacherous, unwanted, and oh so infuriating.
I didn’t know what hurt more –- seeing the disdain in Clarissa’s eyes, or realizing I had been a fool all along.
“Oh, don’t cry, Eden,” she cooed, her tone dripping with sugar, her concern as fake as her nails, and I had to bite back yet another hollow laugh.
She reached out a hand, the way a friend would have… But I knew better. Clarissa saw me as a worthless she-wolf, unbefitting of standing next to Sebastian as his equal and partner…
“Don’t you touch me,” I let out in a hoarse tone of voice, bristling at once, because I couldn’t bear the mind games.
Not now. Not ever. Not anymore.
“What’s wrong with you?” She raised an eyebrow in a demanding manner.
Before I could lunge at her and do something I might – or might not – regret, Hunter’s hand came to rest on my shoulder once more. The feeling grounded me, and made me see clearly for a split-second, and I couldn’t help but look at him in wonder.
I couldn’t help but wonder if the calm, which had settled over me, was the result of something he did. Some Alpha power I had never known about.
It could definitely come in handy, I told myself.
“Go freshen up, Eden.”
Though worded as a command, his words were softly spoken, almost pleading.
“I will,” I nodded at him. “Let me just get this off my chest.”
His eyes seemed to bore into mine for a moment there, and I wondered what he saw – a defectful she-wolf eager to show her worth, or a broken teen throwing another tantrum.
“Sure,” he let out, and soon stepped away, giving us some privacy.
“What was that about?” Clarissa asked, her eyes slightly narrowed, and glinting with something akin to malice.
Had the circumstances been any different, I would have backed down and apologized. As it was, I was willing to do neither.
“How can you stand there, and pretend to be a friend after what you’ve done? After what you’ve said too?” I scoffed, willing the tears away, my sadness giving way to anger – white-hot anger that threatened to choke me.
“And what did I do?” She retorted with an eye-roll, her fingers playing with a lock of her hair in a somewhat bored manner. “Don’t be too dramatic, Eden. It doesn’t suit you.”
“Selene forbid someone actually gets fed up with your shi*t,” I shook my head in disbelief.
That had the knack to shut her up for a total of 3 seconds, before she exploded.
“Watch your tone, Eden,” she warned me, her eyes narrowing at me. “You know I am not to be messed with.”
I crossed my arms and all but growled at her, my voice rising of its own accord, “Oh, puh-lease! You’re all bark and no bite, and you know it.”
Some pack members held their breath, as if ready for a girl’s brawl, but she simply shook her head in a somewhat disappointed manner, a faint smirk stretching her lips, “You’ll regret this.”
“My biggest regret is ever thinking you were a friend,” I drawled, mirroring her smug expression, before walking away at long last.
*** *** *** ***
The last person I wanted to see showed up at the pack house, just as I was heading down, ready for my weekly babysitting gig. I just needed to get some water from the kitchen, and a few snacks.
The ruling Alpha made a point to always take his Luna on a date every Sunday evening, and I was the one who got to babysit their daughter – Susan, whom many called Susie.
It was good money, and I was grateful for this chance. Besides, Susie was a lovely kid. At 7 years old, the smile rarely ever left her face… and you best believe, her smile was infectious.
I thought Sebastian would ignore me, the same way I was trying to ignore him, as I grabbed the bottle of water.
I obviously thought wrong, for he didn’t hesitate to let out in a chiding tone of voice, “Weren’t you a bit harsh this morning, Eden?”
I knew exactly what he was talking about, but I would be damned if I let him get to me.
“You’ve gotta be more specific than that,” I looked at him levelly, doing my best not to roll my eyes at him.
“Oh, come on, Eden,” his smirk made me sick, and I had to bite on the inside of my cheek to keep myself focused, “Don’t be like that.”
“Like what?” I raised an eyebrow at him.
“Now you’re just being difficult,” he retorted, shaking his head in disapproval.
“And you’re being meddlesome, but you don’t see me complaining,” I bit out angrily.
He opened his mouth, seemingly in shock, and then closed it – and I found myself trying hard not to tell him he looked like a fish. Possibly a fish out of water… But I more or less understood where this was coming from, as this was uncharted territory for both him and Clarissa. I rarely ever talked back, much less like this. I always minded their oversized egos, eager to stay on their good side, even when they were in the wrong.
“What happened to you?” He asked after a beat, but I was already walking away from him.
The Alpha and Luna were expecting me, and I made a big deal out of punctuality. Arguing with Sebastian just wasn’t worth it.
“I’m off to babysit,” I declared dismissively.
That was my way of ending this peacefully for the time being.
“We’re not done talking, Eden,” he all but growled, his eyes bulging at my audacity.
Didn’t they know I was in need of money? Not just because I was an orphan, but because going to college had always been my dream. If I wanted to afford any kind of tuition, I needed to work my ass off.
“Well, tough! Because I am,” I deadpanned and soon took the stairs to the Alpha wing.
- Writer
