Homecoming, Not

"Change into this,” Duncan coldly ordered, tossing a simple maid uniform to me. “When you’re done, come to the living room.”

He gave me no change to answer, as he walked down the steps and left the attic.

‘I don’t want to go through with anything he says. But, for Justin’s sake…’ I sighed, reluctantly changing into the uniform.

It has not been long since that depressing visit to my parents’ grave, and I was dragged back to this mansion, without even getting the chance of a proper goodbye to them. Even now, I couldn’t believe they were dead, or how heartless both Duncan and Dylan were about their situation. The thought of it made me more worried about Justin, how he was doing right now.

‘If I had known he was this petty, I would’ve done something to stay in prison longer,’ I thought then. At least there, the guards and inmates had some heart to not do anything cruel to a child. And yet, this Alpha was so petty that he would threaten a young life just to ruin mine. All for that manipulative mistress.

The mere thought of her and what her presence had done to my life made me more frustrated. ‘They say she’s suffering, but I bet she’s really enjoying my dismay,’ I bitterly thought.

Once I changed into the uniform, I walked right into the living room, where Duncan sat on the sofa with one other individual. Not Dylan, but a certain stunning woman.

Ashley.

As soon as I had opened the door, both werewolves ceased their little chat and turned to me. I seethed silently at how close they were, and even more so as Ashley grew frightened at the sight of me, and threw herself in Duncan’s arms.

“Oh, Duncan! What is ‘she’ doing here?!” she questioned, her tone so full of drama. “She must be here to ruin me again, Duncan. Please, you have to stop her! Make her leave!”

‘Yes, by all means. Dismiss me and Justin from this mansion. Before I actually do hurt her,’ I bitterly thought, clenching my fists so hard, I could feel my nails digging into my palms and drawing blood. A pain that was nothing compared to breathing in the same room as both of these mutts.

“Ashley’s right, Alpha! What are you thinking?!” spat another werewolf in the room. He who stood behind the sofa, on Ashley’s side, glaring at me. “Don’t tell me you forgot what that vile witch did to her. If it weren’t for her, Ashley wouldn’t be bedridden!”

I tried to hold back my own glare, but it was impossible to. Not only our pack’s own Alpha, but even his Beta- Spencer- believes I attempted to kill Ashley, without hearing my plea.

‘Not one of you even gave me a chance to speak,’ I thought, gritting my teeth as I recalled what happened that day.

*FLASHBACK*

It was my birthday that day, and I was at home doing some chores. Two years into our marriage and Dylan’s birth, and I had been hoping to see if there was any change in Duncan’s attitude towards me. At least to see me as a person, an equal, anything that he wouldn’t brush off when looking at me. Sadly, with Ashley in his life, such a thing was not going to happen.

I knew just doing housework was never enough, and thus did a lot of studying and training to be a proper Luna for the pack. While I was able to get the politics down, there was one thing that was holding me back from my role.

My wolf, or lack thereof.

When a werewolf was born, so would their wolf- their other, more beastly half. For me, my wolf was just dormant inside of me, making me more human than I should be a werewolf. Because of this, I was more seen as a burden for Duncan. Thanks to my trainer, however, there had been signs of my wolf gradually awakening within me. Supposedly by the coming full moon, which was that very night.

I remembered sensing my wolf’s awakening, for my body had been feeling different. Stronger, and my senses sharper. I couldn’t hold in my excitement and- after rushing through all the housework- went into the woods to prepare myself for the transformation to come.

When I arrived, I was surprised to see Ashley there as well, looking at me so sweetly.

“I had been looking for you,” she told me. “Today’s my birthday. I was hoping you can make it to my party tonight.”

My surprise grew at the revelation. I didn’t think she would have the same birthday as me. At the same time, it did explain why Duncan didn’t even greet me today, if he wanted to celebrate her big day over mine. Likewise, I also found it strange. Given how much Duncan seemed to favor Ashley, I didn’t think he would say anything about me to her. Not only that, but if she knew about me, why didn’t she say anything to him about spending a bit of time with his own wife? At least on my birthday, if not our anniversary.

Every part of my being was telling me to refuse, but a small part that wanted to please Duncan told me to go through with it. Especially as I didn’t know what will happen if Ashley told him I refused her invite.

How much of a mistake it was, when the night of the celebration came. Throughout the night, I had been trying to suppress the pain of my wolf’s awakening. It wouldn’t do the Alpha any good if his Luna had left a party for whatever reason, and if I had bailed on this celebration, I was certain Duncan would be disappointed, knowing I made Ashley sad after inviting me to this. Sadly, I wasn’t able to hold it in any longer, and snuck out to the nearby woods to complete my wolf’s awakening, and undergo my very first transformation.

I was practically on cloud nine when the transformation was done, and couldn’t wait to tell Duncan that my wolf finally awakened. Sadly, when I got back to the party, it was practically in chaos. I squeeze through the crowd to see what happened, and was surprised to see Ashley collapsed, a teacup limped from her hand, and a small trail of blood leaking out the corner of her mouth. Most of all, what I was astonished to see was Duncan and Dylan by her side, crying, pleading for her to open her eyes.

“It was her!” a shout then came. “She was the one who prepared Ashley’s tea!”

I turned to the source and was in greater stupor to see a maid pointing at me as she made the claim. As if that wasn’t bad enough, everyone else who saw her pointing at me all became enraged. Accusing me of attempted murder. I tried to explain to them that I was being framed, but no one would lend an ear, and Duncan furiously had me arrested.

*END OF FLASHBACK*

“You stay away from Mom!” I heard, feeling a weak push that snapped me out of my thoughts. “You hurt her enough!”

Once again, I felt betrayed, seeing my son side with her instead of his real mother.

“Now, now, everyone, calm down,” Duncan spoke. “There’s nothing to worry about a mere servant. Is there?”

That last part was directed at me, as he smirked at me so cruelly.

“Not at all,” I reluctantly answered, for Justin’s life would be in danger otherwise.

“Good. Now start cleaning the house.”