Love
I went back home after work. The twins were already back and doing their homework with the help of Luis. I wore leggings, a training bra, and white sneakers. I braid my hair quickly into two French braids before going down to the gym. I needed to train and release tension from my body. Ellis' words to me rang in my head and made my insides melt.
I first stretch before going on the treadmill. I stayed on the treadmill for twenty minutes. That's how I warmed up. I went to the punching bag in the boxing ring. Throwing one punch after the other quickly. As I did, so many things ran in my mind. Ellis' words about not loving his mate and that I was his center. What did that mean? Did he love me? Even if he did, what could we do? I was with David now.
' A jerk,' Vee snarled. ' Did you hear what he said, that we need him,' My inner Lycan sniggered. I snarled, remembering his words. I didn't need anyone to defend me against that pretentious bitch, Charlotte. If she acts up tomorrow. I'll put her in her place. At the bottom where she belonged and never should have crawled out of. My phone was ringing, but I ignored it. It was David calling. He probably wanted to apologize for earlier, but I didn't want to hear it now.
After two hours in the gym, I went to the shower, and when I came out, I decided to call Lilac. She hasn't reached out to me since morning.
She answered on the first ring.
" Hello,"
" Hi, Lila, where are you?" I asked her. She was silent at first, just inhaling.
" I'm back home,"
" Home... With Jace?" I asked her.
" No, Love.. Home, in my original pack," I hopped from the bed.
" But why? And why didn't you tell me? When are you coming back?" I fired her with all the questions. She chuckled dryly.
" I took leave from work. I thought it would be a good idea to come here for a while... to get fresh air," she answered.
" I have a lake house in the countryside, and if you wanted some fresh air, you could have gone there, Lila," I told her, knowing how much she disliked her home.
" I think I missed my Dad too. I'll be back next week,"
" Okay, babe. Please take care, and if Shawna gives you any trouble, please call me. I'll come ripe off the fake wig off her hair,"
Lilac chuckled, and I smiled. I missed her laugh so much. My girl.
" Tomorrow you're going to the manor. I'm sure Charlotte will try to be there. If she speaks out of turn, please hit her for me," She said.
" I will," I smiled. I got back in bed, thinking about tomorrow.
Lilac's pov
I landed in my former pack again, the Aqua Lycan pack. It was a large and wealthy pack. It had strong relations with the Sapphire Royal Pack because of the close relationship of our alpha; Ajax Yang, and Her Highness, Queen Anaiah Altamirano Lavista. The queen saved his life in a fatal accident that took his mother, our Luna, and his elder brother.
" Welcome, Miss, and enjoy your stay in our pack," A woman in a uniform bowed politely to me as she handed me the car rental keys.
" Thank you," I sighed, getting into the red Audi, and drove home. A home I haven't been to in years. My home held no fond memories for me since my mother's death when I was six years old. She died in the bombing that killed our Luna Adriena. Two years later, my father married Shawna. She didn't mistreat me, but she didn't like me either as I was my mother's replication, the woman who truly owned my father's heart. Shawna made it known that she had no love for me. I opened the windows of my car as I drove through the middle-class suburbs of the pack. We weren't always middle class, we were upper class, but after three years into marriage with Shawna, my father's beer factory went into bankruptcy as Shawna loved a lavish life, and the old man made some wrong investments. We moved out of the upper class to here. The middle-class suburbs weren't shabby, but it wasn't close to as grand as our former residence.
Despite his love for me, my father put me to work at an early age at the factory in hopes of helping out and pitching in with expenses at home. I worked a day in and out, missing school sometimes.
When I was thirteen years old, the beta female of the pack selected five girls and boys to attend a sponsored annual camp. Dad and Shawna reluctantly let me go. At the camp, I met Jace, Ellis, and Love. I remember when I was assigned to their group, I was very intimidated by them. They were so fierce, stylish, and so gorgeous. Everyone loved them and were treated like royalty, even among the camp instructors.
I remember it like it was yesterday. Love was told to pick a girl from the new group to be part of their team, and I was praying I wouldn't be noticed especially with their bad reputation. I was nervous as her heels clicked against the marble floor. Who wore heels at age 13? Love, only Love.
" You, no," she pointed at the enthusiastic girl a few feet from me. Everyone was eager except me.
" Too desperate," she scowled at another.
She stepped close to me and tipped my chin up so our eyes could meet. She grinned, showing her perfect dental formula.
" I want her as part of my team. Isn't she perfect for our group boys?" She turned to the two tall boys who scowled. They shrugged before turning and leaving the hall.
" I love your braids. Is that your real hair?" She asked. I rolled my eyes but gave her a slight smile, it was the first thing everyone asked when they saw my long natural exotic curls.
" yes," I answered her.
" So exotic, I love it,"
Love sighed and rested her head on my shoulder as though we'd been long-time friends,
" Don't mind Ellis and Jace, new camper. They are a little mean to strangers, but you and I are going to be camp besties!" she squealed. Love grabbed my hand, taking me towards the guys.
Ellis mostly ignored me at first but he warmed up to me later. Jace and I were always clashing. I called him Mr. Know it all. We opposed each other every time during our group or individual assignments. He pissed me off, yet we were always together for three months.
A smile curled on my lips at the remembrance of our young years. My name was always on the female beta's camp list even though it was supposed to be a one-time thing. I realized it was Jace, Ellis, and Love who were paying for me to be there onwards.
I recall one summer, Jace had just gotten his Lycan, Jaha. He was different, more handsome. He had muscles and was taller. I couldn't stop crushing on him. It was a new feeling for me. Instead of retorting or fighting back when he teased me, I was shy and clumsy around him, and then we fell madly in love.