~ 8

0008

✧･ﾟ: ✧ :･ﾟ✧  Marichuy ✧･ﾟ: ✧ :･ﾟ✧

“Here we go,” Derek walked in with a file so big, I almost thought I was preparing for an exam, but the document was familiar.

The file that sealed the transfer of my resources to a joint account.

I smiled.

“What is that?” I probed as he placed it on the counter in front of me.

“Oh, nothing threatening. Just how we proceed with our lives as a couple now that the wedding is a few days away. I need you to sign a few things.” He made it sound like it was not serious.

Derek really was racing the clock. In my previous life, he had at least taken the time to nurture me, so that I was unsuspecting. He didn’t make me sign anything until a few days before the wedding, but now, he clearly could not wait.

“It’s alright. I’ll read through it.” I replied, pushing my chair back and clearing my dishes to the sink.

“What?” Derek seemed shaken.

“I’ll read through the document and sign everything I need to.” My back was facing him as I did the dishes, so he could not see the smirk on my face.

‘This stupid bitch. Why does she have to read anything?’

His thoughts were running wild, but Derek was yet to say anything.

“Is there a problem?” I inquired as to his silence. “Derek?”

“Uh… No.” he replied. “None at all. I’ll just leave this here.” He stammered through his sentence.

I dried the dishes and turned to him, giving an affirmative nod.

“Alpha Redford will be hosting a party this evening,” he said, “I’ll come get you at 4pm. We still need to convince him to approve the expansion.”

I nodded again.

Derek walked to me, placed a soft kiss on my cheek and left.

Relief washed over me as I held open the curtain and watched him drive away.

‘So, Redford’s by 4pm. What are you wearing?’

My wolf seemed rather excited about having to see him again and I could not understand it.

“Not my problem right now, Aria. I’m more interested in why I don’t remember this act, or why Derek didn’t wait to give me the financial documents a few days before the wedding.”

The events that played out this morning were disturbing, but it didn’t seem to bother Aria.

‘Mari, you came back. Your reactions and emotions have changed, and that is changing the actions of others too.’  Aria explained,

‘Don’t expect every day to play out exactly the way they did. Embrace the difference. Be prepared for it. It is for this reason you were given a second chance.’

She was right.

The rules of altering time were that there was most definitely going to be changes in the flow of events as I did things differently. I just had to stay ready. Now that I know.

“I was given this chance to stay ahead and that’s exactly what I planned to do.”

My phone came buzzing, just as I dropped my sentence.

Her name on the screen made my skin crawl.

Luna Margaret.

“Good morning, ma’am,” I was choking on my words, trying to show any form of respect to her.

“Mari, darling, I trust that you slept well. Of course, you did, Derek was there all night.”

Typical Margaret.

She had two personalities, or at least that was what I knew in my previous life.

At certain points, she was calm and graceful. Her aura alone was intimidating. She wore that personality when she was out in public, in her royal regalia and had to make a statement. She definitely made a statement every time.

When it was just with Derek and I, she was the sweet mother who could not stop talking. Formerly, I would think over how blessed I was to have her in my life. I was deceived by the picture she portrayed.

I remember lying on the hospital bed and reaching out to her, in the early stages of when Derek would ignore me. She would comfort me and promise to send him to me. Talk about how she raised him better than to abandon his sick wife.

Derek never showed up, but I died believing that she loved me and she tried to fix things. Until I found out the truth.

I released a soft chuckle.

“I trust that you had a good night too, Luna,”

“Definitely. Sweetheart, Derek told me about Redford’s party.” She said, “I would like you to come to the royal house. We need to discuss.’

Margaret sounded serious.

It was her graceful, authoritative side. Something I only saw her display with the council and other members of the pack.

“Yes Luna,” Her tone compelled respect out of me.

I had returned with little to no respect for Margaret, but I found myself rushing to the house to hear what she had to say.

Maybe because Redford was involved, or I was just curious. Whatever the reason was, it was strong enough to have me in her house in less than one hour.

Her hands wrapped around me as soon as I walked into the living area. “Come here,” Margaret cornered me to the hallway and then to her room.

“Woah!” the exclamation escaped from my lips.

I had never been inside her room before and it was every bit as wonderful. I could not help myself.

The thick burgundy curtains that surrounded her bed, held up by gold plaited strands had an ancient, sophisticated aesthetic.

“Trust me, you can be awed over all of this later.” She waved her hand over her face.

‘I bet this was exactly why she needed her son to rob men — so she could continue to afford her lifestyle.’

“Sit,” she pulled me to sit on the bed and she sat beside me. “I’m aware that your last meeting with Redford did not go well.” She wrapped her arm around my back and rubbed my arm with her hand. “We need to fix that. You know as well as anyone that we need this expansion approved.”

I held my breath.

Knowing all of their plans, it was difficult to be free with Margaret. Every encounter I had with Lily, Derek or her felt like it was their moment to try to hurt me, especially since I couldn’t tell what had changed from the previous time to now.

“Does Derek know that I’m here?” I probed.

“Not at all. We’re here to fix this problem as women.” Her soft tone did not fool me.

“What does that mean?” I pushed.

“You, my dear, will talk to Alpha Redford. You know, smoothen the path for Derek’s proposal. Whatever you must.”

I couldn’t be sure, or I did not want to be, but it felt like Margaret was saying a different thing, while meaning a different thing.

“Are you asking me to…”

“Whatever you must.” Margaret whispered.