Chapter 3: dinner with the devil

"You should be more careful" Tasha reprimanded as she used a Cotten pad to wipe the blood off my chin. The wound had healed but she insisted on cleaning me up to look presentable for dinner. I don't know why she made such a fuss about it. It's just dinner.

I heard soft footsteps approaching and braced myself up for drama. My mother walked into the bathroom, her hands folded on her chest with a scowl on her face. She looked the same, her red hair tied up in her signature slick bun, her 5'9 frame standing tall, menacing.

We locked eyes and I could see her disapproval. Nothing has changed.

"Still incompetent I see"

Still a bitch I see

"Mother."

I couldn't bring myself to say anything else. What could I say ? Good to see you ? It wasn't good to see her. Seeing her brought back memories, memories I've spent the last four years trying to bury. Memories of her sneering down at me after beating me to a pulp.

She lifted her chin, looking down at me with those judgmental, holier-than-thou eyes, the same ones she used to look at my report card like it personally offended her.

"Talia", her eyes swept my frame "you look well."

A compliment? That's unusual

"Come down for dinner" she ordered. Her eyes drifted to Tasha and I could see it soften "and you too"

With that, she turned around and walked away. It has always been that way. I was the terrible daughter and Tasha the perfect one. I sighed and followed after her, Tasha close behind me

The table was indeed filled with my favorite dishes. A large, steaming dish of baked ziti sat in the center, the top layer of cheese perfectly golden and bubbling. The smell hit me like a wave, tomato sauce, garlic, basil, and melted mozzarella, warm and familiar, almost comforting.

Beside it, a basket of garlic bread wrapped in a clean towel to keep it warm. The scent of butter and roasted garlic made my stomach growl, loudly enough that Tasha heard it and smiled softly.

I was basically drooling at the sight before me.

Even the Caesar salad was perfect, crispy romaine, shaved parmesan, crunchy croutons, and just enough dressing. I found it hard to believe my mother had done all this for me. It was most definitely Tasha’s doing.

“Still not acting like a proper lady I see”

Again with the judgment. I gritted my teeth, trying to keep the peace for my sister’s sake. I sat down and dug in immediately, not caring about my mother’s opinion. She’d judge me anyway, might as well make it worth her while.

“Is this the culture of the peasants you associate yourself with?”

She asked, making reference to the people from school.

“Yeah. We act like people. Not robots with no real personality”

“It is expected of us to act our best. We are royalty !”

I snorted. Royalty my foot. My mother considered herself royalty because she married into power. My father, the Beta of the Crimson Pack, our pack. She’d been outraged after he died and the title was passed on to another candidate due to the lack of a male heir to inherit it. The resentment had turned her into… whatever she is.

I continued eating, completely ignoring her.

“You’ve gained weight”

“Mother !” Tasha reprimanded, her eyes wide with shock. “Don’t do this”

I wasn’t surprised, I expected this. She’d do everything in her power to piss me off. It was her favorite sport.

“I’m only stating the obvious”

“Yes mother. I have. I’m starting to look a lot like you now”

Her nostrils flared, her eyes widening in anger. She took her looks seriously and I had directly attacked her, insinuating that she was fat.

Her grip on the fork she was holding tightened, knuckles white.

“What did you say ?” She asked through gritted teeth. It was amusing to see her so riled up. I had two options, repeat myself and damn the consequences or back down for the sake of Tasha.

I glanced at my sister, her eyes already trained on me, pleading. I picked up my fork, forcing a piece of bread into my mouth, an obvious surrender.

My mother got the message, going back to her food in satisfaction.

“Hope you’re ready for tomorrow” she glared at me “you’ll both be representing our family. You must look your best and act it”

I rolled my eyes internally.

“We must make a good impression on the new Alpha, Alpha Cassian.”

I froze at the mention of that name, completely losing my appetite.

Tomorrow is the day I’ve dreaded the most, the day I see him again, the boy that made my life miserable.

I couldn’t wait.