Chapter Six

Roxie's body grew stiff as her mother walked across the room and hugged her. Something was definitely off. If everything her father said was correct, the only reason that her mother would be back was because the man she chose over them was long gone. She was about to say something, when she heard someone clear their throat from behind her. She had almost forgotten about Avery. The pull her wolf had towards him, hadn't faded since her rejection. Perhaps it didn't take. Part of her wanted to reject him and get it over with, but the rest of her wanted to latch onto him. That was still something she needed to deal with. There was a confused look on her father's face, as Roxie stepped out of her mother's grasp. 

"If there are to be introductions. You must be Roxie's parents. My name is Avery Jackson. I'm the new Alpha of Red Moon. Roxie is my mate." There was a look on my mother's face. Recognition, disgust, but it was there only briefly. Replaced by a smile. "Oh, isn't that great, Collin? Our daughter has found a mate." Her fake sincerity was suffercating and Roxie wanted to slap her. Roxie swallowed her discomfort. "These are my parents. It's actually the first time I've seen my mother since i was a kid. Isn't that wild?" Roxie said. "Anyway, as for your daughter. There's been a bit of a problem at school and some girls had been mean to her. I have filed a report for her, so there's no need to worry. I'll take my leave now. I'll see you tomorrow, Rox." Avery said and put his hands in his pockets and headed back outside. As the door finally closed, Celia took in a deep breath and her eyes narrowed in on Roxie. 

"You need to reject that boy, before the bond is too strong." Roxie raised an eyebrow at that. "She might not get another chance to have a true mate. This is the second one, Celia. You can't be serious." Her expression changed from civility to anger in a matter of seconds. "That boy is the reason I was thrown out. I-" She paused. "I mean, I just don't trust him. He can't be right for our child, she's so small and I worry." It looked like the mask was cracking. Roxie sighed in response. "Give me one good reason, why. Mother." It wasn't a question, and Roxie was dead serious. "He's the son of the former Red Moon Alpha." She said, Roxie's father didn't look pleased. "That muddles things doesn't it? The boy of the man you left your family for Celia." 

Roxie had heard enough and headed upstairs without another word. Every step hurt her, her ribs were still aching from the attack she endured at school that day. She made it to her room and shut the door. She ran a warm bath in her bathroom and slid into the tub, discarding her bloody clothes in the hamper. She couldn't wait to get away from this place. Maybe she would reject Avery and make her way away from this pack and all its problems. She spent a good hour soaking and getting clenaed up. When she got up out of the tub, she felt a little better. She carefully removed the bandage, the wound was now closed but a thin scar took its place. She brushed her teeth and put on some body lotion. She threw on a clean pair of underwear a fresh shirt and sleep shorts and made her way to her bed. She was thinking a lot about Avery and what her final decision was going to be. The more she thought about it, the less she wanted to go through with it. 

She was in the middle of scrolling on her phone when she heard her mother knock on her door. Roxie didn't respond, but watched as her mother walked in anyway. "Since you were hurt, I decided to bring food to you. You're not going to listen to us and reject him are you?" She asked. Roxie thought about it for a minute and shook her head. "Absolutely not. He was there for me. He rescued me. He brought me home after I was wounded." Roxie countered. Her mother said little in response to that. "Well, perhaps I've been too tough on you then. Here, I made philly melts and fries. Here's some tea too. You were hurt, so make sure you eat up to regain your strength. I'm sorry for not being here for you. I'm sorry for being so mean about your mate as well. How about we start over and start working on rebuilding our relationship?" 

"Fine." Roxie said and accepted the plate. She didn't realize how hungry she was until she took the first bite. She was actually starving. She ate quickly devouring everything on her plate. She accepted the cup of tea and drank it down quickly. Moments later, she regretted accepting anything from her mother. She suddenly felt weak, the room was spinning. "Honey, you don't look so good. Why don't you lie down?" Roxie couldn't say much. She had suddenly lost her ability to voice her opinions. She laid back on the bed as her mother swept in to cover her up and take her empty dishes. 

Vera, what's happening? Roxie pushed in her head, hoping to get a reply. 

I don't know. Suddenly I'm very sleepy.. I think it's a sedative mixed with wolfsbane.. I can't.. You're on your own, I must rest... 

Roxie could barely hold her eyes open anymore. "There there, just go to sleep. Everything will be fine, you'll see." Roxie heard her mother say, but responding was now impossible. She felt like the woman was standing across the room trying to talk to her. It seemed so far away. She was afraid of what was going to happen to her, as her eyelids suddenly became heavy and she lost the ability to remain alert. She faded off to sleep with one thought in her head. She had been drugged and with her mother as the culprit, she was definitely in danger.