CHAPTER 17 – Unwinding

“Apart from the master and my mum, I don’t talk with any other person in this house, and sometimes it’s boring.” She said. “I would so much appreciate it if you were free with me. What I need right now is a friend, or an uncle that I can talk to and share things with,” She dropped her head.

“You acting all formal, isn’t cool with me.”

“But the master…”

“Isn’t here right now,” She said, “You can go back to being an order executing machine with the master around, but with me, be an uncle, or a friend. I would sincerely prefer both.”

Luke’s brows furrowed. Since he had entered this mansion, no one had asked for his friendship until now. It made him feel wanted, aside from following the master’s orders. He loved his master, but he never dared to stray from his role as a Beta.

“And besides,” She looked at Luke, “You were instructed to attend to my needs and do whatever I say. So I command you to be free with me.” She pointed a finger at him.

Luke’s brows furrowed in confusion. He held back his laugh. She sure doesn’t know anything about giving out orders.

‘I think that came out wrong.’ She thought to herself, retracting her finger.

“Please me, Mr. Luke.” She said, pointing out the finger again, and Luke opened his eyes in surprise.

‘Okay, that was worse.’ She thought.

“I’m sorry,” She dropped her hand, and her head fell in embarrassment, “I just need someone to talk to, and the whole strictness with you is killing me.”

She heard a chuckle, lifted her head, and saw Luke, taking the next seat, still chuckling.

“You are one hell of a comic relief,” Luke said, looking at Aurora.

“I’m glad you find me funny, at least.” She blew out air, “The rest of the family hates me. I know that the master told me not to be worried, but how could I not? When I stay under the same roof as them,”

“The madam probably feels offended,” Luke said. “Losing a child and seeing a stranger take up a title that’s befitting of her daughter could be such a pain.”

“But I didn’t ask for it.” Her brows lifted.

“And she didn’t expect it either,” Luke said, “I think time is the only solution, like the master said.”

“So tell me why you don’t have a family.”

There was a pause.

It would be critical to tell Aurora the truth, given that the werewolf world was still being kept a secret from her, especially.

“They died.” He answered. “In an accident.”

He didn’t want to give Aurora the chance to ask how they died, so he saved them the stress and saved his head.

“I’m so sorry about that,” She said, “You must have had a daughter too.”

“I had a son and a daughter.” He answered, and he sighed. “I haven’t talked about this in years, and talking about it now just made me realize how much of myself I had lost, somehow.” He looked at the sky.

Aurora touched his hand, and he looked at her hand. “I believe that they would be proud of you in their graves, for surviving and living.” She smiled.

Luke’s eyes twitched; he felt something soothe him.

He smiled faintly, “Thank you, Aurora.”

“You are welcome.” She said, “Now this is more like it. Tell me it didn’t feel good?”

“I do not doubt that,” He sighed, “It’s so good to feel this human again.”

Aurora pinched his hand, and he looked at her, unhurt.

“And why’d you do that?”

“I just wanted to make sure that you were still human.” She grinned, and Luke smiled.

The days that followed Brynn's departure were frustrating for Theodore.

Several times, he had been pushed by Aurora’s acts towards him, but his father had given an order that must be followed.  

Aurora and Theodore both fought each other silently, with Aurora taking the lead in infuriating Theodore.

He had started to leave the house to avoid meeting Aurora; she had planned to frustrate him as payback, and she meant it. He became mad.

A week later, Brynn was back in town.

Aurora had rushed to the mansion’s entrance to greet him first, with Luke following her closely.

“Welcome back, father.” She bowed and beamed with joy; she could finally breathe again.

“Well, thank you,” He said, stepping down from his car and heading towards Aurora, while servants took care of his belongings.

“How have you been?” He asked, putting his hand across her shoulder from behind.

“I have been good.” She grinned.

“And your stay in the house?”

“It was marvelously splendid.” She answered as they both walked into the mansion.

“It’s been hell for me since you left,” Theodore said, barging in on Brynn resting on his sofa in the bedroom.

His legs were stretched out, his glasses were lying on the side table, and his eyes were closed.

He was unwinding after the long journey he’s had.

Theodore had been informed about his father’s arrival, and he came as soon as he could.

“She’s practically ruining my life; she’s frustrated me so much, I rarely sleep in my own father’s house.” Theodore complained bitterly, “It’s barely been three weeks, and I am already losing my mind. She’s driving me crazy. She has to leave this house, Dad.”

Brynn was silent throughout; he didn’t move or change his posture.

Bianca, who was in the room all this time, was surprised at her husband’s indifferent behavior.

“I believe you are the one your son is talking to.” She said, sitting on the bed.

“I’d rather we talked about your wolf instead,” Brynn said, still maintaining his posture.

“Have you been listening to everything I have been saying?” Theodore asked, bewildered.

“If you’re here to speak about Aurora,” Brynn said, “Then I don’t want to hear it.”

“I am your son, Dad.” Theodore shouted in frustration.

“You will not speak to me in such a tone.” Brynn sprinted up, standing tall, with his eyes filled with anger. His voice shook the room, startling Bianca and Theodore, who never expected such a reaction.

He had just had a long day, and listening to his grown son whine was something he didn’t want. At that point, he wasn’t going to tolerate that.

“Now leave this room,” Brynn sounded, pointing to the door. “And don’t stand before me until you fix that tone of yours.”

Everything was silent for a while.

“Yes, sir,” Theodore said, in anger, and stormed out of the room.

The servants outside the bedroom trembled at Brynn’s angry voice, sensing the rift between father and son; they feared for their lives as Theodore shut the door behind him.

He looked at them with anger, putting the servants in an uncomfortable position, causing some of them to increase the pace at which they performed their tasks.