YOU SHOULD HAVE DIED

‘’You damned filth!’’

Boldron exclaimed, and in the next second, he was in front of Rael and a dirty slap had wrung Rael’s face to the side.

Rael blinked, and blinked again. He could feel the metallic taste of blood in his mouth.

‘’I leave the pack to you, and in less than a year, you’ve thrown us into a war?’’

Rael sighed and looked down at his hand, then at his father. ‘’I have everything under control,’’ he spoke, but the anger on Boldron’s face burned hotter.

‘’How did the woman you forced into an agreement die under your wings? Poison? Your Luna was poisoned to death, and what were you up to that night? Digging your way into the legs of another woman, who so turned out to be the girl who killed your wife!’’

Boldron barked, but Rael did not say a word, he did not move.

‘’Filth! You should have died with your mother, then I wouldn’t be in this mess right now.’’

Boldron cursed, and Rael chuckled dryly, brushing his hand through his hair, then without saying a word, he turned around and walked out of the doors, ignoring his father calling him to stop.

Rael walked for as long as he could. He did not know where he was headed, all he knew was that his legs were moving. He only stopped when he reached the garden of pure flowers – and that was when let the tears fall.

He hated to show his weakness – not to anyone, and especially not to his father. He didn’t want to show him how much he hurt him, he wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of seeing how broken he was.

The tears blurred his vision as he stood quietly, his mind blank. He didn’t want to ask his father for help. He knew the reason why his father left for almost a year was to show the council just how incapable he was of ruling the pack, and it seemed that maybe his father was right all along.

Rael didn’t know how long he stood there, but suddenly he heard movements in the shrubs, and he frowned.

Someone was there.

He waited a moment before approaching the little bush.

Polly squatted silently, her eyes shut tightly.

Shit! Shit!

After having breakfast that morning, she was surprised when she got to her room and saw that it was the opposite of everything she liked – no flowers, white colors, nothing lively. It was as though the old Polly loved darkness.

She had already instructed the guards to repaint the room, when she decided to go to the pure garden to get flowers. She had asked Vanessa where she could get the freshest flowers, and she had told her about the pure garden. The only thing was that only nobles could get in – servants were not allowed, except those that tended to it.

Polly’s house was not very far from the Eighth Manor. The pure garden lay in between them. It was a walkable distance, so she didn’t go with any guards.

Polly had just finished picking her flowers when she heard footsteps approaching the garden. She had turned around and seen Rael – he looked grim, his face white as a sheet.

She had never seen him like that before. She didn’t think there was anything that could make him look so grave. He was always forbidding, scary – who knew there was something that could make him look so sad.

Polly’s eyes darted around. She knew he would not want anyone seeing him, so she had quickly hidden behind a large shrub as she waited for him to leave.

She squatted there, watching him quietly.

He looked really pale and sad, and vulnerable. For a moment there, Polly’s heart squeezed as she wondered what was wrong with him. Did someone else die?

She wondered. But she quickly shook her head, pushing away the thoughts. She shouldn’t be feeling pity for him. He deserved whatever was happening to him.

Polly scrunched her nose as she pushed away the emotions she felt for him. Her legs had begun to hurt badly as she squatted in the shrub – how long was he going to stay there?

She thought as she watched him. He took in a deep breath and brushed his hand through his hair. That was something he did all the time, Polly had noticed – he always brushed his hand through his hair when he was worried about something.

Polly shut her eyes and cursed under her breath when she realized she was paying attention. Again.

She cursed as pushed her weight to her left side and mistakenly broke a twig.

Shit! Shit!

Rael, who was about to leave, suddenly stopped in his tracks and then turned around.

Polly prayed to every spirit and god she could think of, but it didn’t work, because she could see his feet already walking towards her.

Shit. It was better she stepped out before he caught her in this embarrassing position. She watched his boots approach and just when he was almost on her, she jumped up, startling Rael.

‘’Hey! Oh... it's you ha ha,’’ Polly stuttered, laughing awkwardly, pointing at the shrub. ‘’I was picking some flowers… for my room. I didn’t know that you were here. It wasn’t my intention to eavesdrop,’’ she spoke, laughing awkwardly.

Rael stared at her. Her red hair was poured over her face and a few leaves clung in different spots of her hair. She looked like she had been playing in the grass. Her cheeks were a little flushed and her lips kept on speaking, explaining herself even when he had not said a word.

Adjusting her dress, Polly leaned down and picked up the basket of flowers. ‘’That said,'' she huffed,  ''I would be on my way.’’

Polly cleared her throat and walked past Rael. Against her wish, her heart was thumping loudly against her chest.

What is wrong with you?

She cursed inwardly, 

I didn’t do anything wrong particularly – besides, I was here first when he walked in, Why am I embarrassed?

Her eyes stayed on the intricately patterned gates as she quickened her steps. All she needed to do was reach it, cross the moda effin gate and get back home. She hadn’t imagined that she would meet him again today, not after what had happened between them the night before.

Polly had almost walked past Rael when suddenly, she stepped on her dress.

Ah!

She yelped as her knees gave in and she began to free fall.