Tori
Alone in my room, a single lamp cast a soft glow. The air smelled faintly of vanilla, a scent that used to bring joy. Now, it only deepened the loneliness as I replayed the hurtful scene of pushing Alexei away. A tear slid down, heavy with regret.
My room, with faded memories, felt like it had witnessed everything. The creaking floor echoed the weight in my heart as I grappled with guilt for hurting Alexei, Serena, and Damon. Shadows danced on the old carpet, reflecting the mix of feelings inside me.
Outside, the night was quiet, interrupted only by leaves rustling and cars passing. The moon's gentle glow filtered through the curtains, casting light on my teary face. My room, once a safe place, now felt like a cage of mistakes, trapping me in the sadness of what I'd done.
I kept asking myself, “What have I done?” and yet, I knew deep down that if given a choice, I would do what I had done with a heavy heart.
Yes, as much as people would not want to hear it, I did it out of love. I was lost in my thoughts when Mom entered my chambers. Her keen eyes immediately caught the weight of my sadness. The atmosphere seemed to thicken as she didn't hesitate to mock me.
"What's with that pitiful expression, Tori? Are you finally realizing how foolish you are for conniving with your equally stupid half-sister?" she sneered, her voice slicing through the silence.
I attempted to hide my hurt. "It's nothing, Mom."
But she persisted, her words like venom, "Nothing? Don't lie to me, Tori! You're just stupid, aren't you? Falling for that mate of yours, Alexei, and thinking that your sister actually cares for you. What a joke!"
Trying to maintain composure, I pleaded, "Please, Mom. Don’t start with me."
She pushed further, her voice escalating, "Huh! So now, I am starting. Is that what you learned from that piece of shit you called a mate? To talk back to your mom? Come on, Tori! You actually planned on leaving everything behind because of him? Don’t you have any brains?”
That was it. I finally had enough of her insults, and I decided to just walk away. It was useless to argue with Mom. She never seemed to listen to anyone other than herself.
But before I could get past her, she grabbed my arm, her grip firm and unyielding.
"Let go, Mom," I demanded, the tension in the room growing palpable.
“Don’t you dare command me what to do!” Without a second thought, she slapped me and pushed me, and I stumbled, almost falling into a nearby chair. The room felt charged with the electricity of unresolved emotions, and I finally snapped.
"Enough, Mom," I said firmly, my words carrying the weight of built-up frustration. My voice was resolute, signaling the end of tolerating hurtful words and actions. "I won't let you treat me like this anymore."
She replied defiantly, "You're still my daughter; don't forget your place."
Grabbing her arm, I stated, "I am not just your daughter. I am the alpha's soon-to-be-wife and the future Luna. I could easily send you to the dungeon or banish you in exile. But I won’t do that because I still acknowledge your blood within me. Don’t test my patience."
Mom looked surprised as she took back her arms. “So now, you’re turning your back on me and pushing me away too? Just like what you did with Serena and your mate?
"I did it to protect Alexei. You held him hostage, and I had to make a choice," I explained with conviction.
She smirked, "Huh! I should have killed that filthy rogue when I had a chance!" Mom's tone dripped with disdain.
"I know you wouldn’t. Otherwise, you will not be able to blackmail me. I pushed him away to remove your leverage. So you will no longer use him to control me," I said firmly, meeting her gaze head-on.
Angered, she declared, "You dare defy me, your own mother?"
"I'm not defying you. I'm standing up for myself. You may have been my mother, but you do not own my life. You can't control me anymore. I am done being your puppet,” I asserted, stepping back, my words carrying the weight of determination.
With those words, I turned and walked towards the door.
"You think you can just walk away from me? I made you who you are, Tori. You are nothing without me!" she shouted after me.
As I left, a strong feeling of determination filled me. However, after taking just a few steps, a sudden dizziness overcame me. The world around me seemed to move unsteadily, and I felt a bit light-headed.
Struggling to keep my balance, I urgently looked for something to hold onto. I leaned against the nearest wall, hoping it would help me regain my stability. The path ahead, which was once clear, now appeared blurry. I closed my eyes for a moment, wishing for the dizziness to go away. I had to stand there, leaning against the wall, until the unsettling feeling gradually faded. At this moment, an omega approached me.
"Miss Tori, are you alright?" a servant asked as I struggled.
"I'll be fine. Just need a mo—”
But before I could finish my sentence, I felt like I was being sucked into oblivion. My senses disappeared as darkness consumed me.