6.
1128 Words
Weston's POV
Dad, Michaela and Mr Orson left what feels like hours ago.
But only after her father fought tooth and nail to get every advantage her new role could offer.
Her new role.
I look down at my knuckles, still white, as they remain rapped so tightly around this goddess foresaken chair.
This throne.
The one everyone around me covets.
The one I am meant to be grateful for.
The one I long ago decided I wanted nothing to do with.
It takes effort to unfurl my fingers, pins and needles riddling my hands for spending so long in one position.
I lean down, my face now buried in my hands as I think of how I am going to survive this next year of torture.
Quickly coming to the conclusion that I stand no chance.
"Thought I'd find you here" Jiren says knowingly as he leaps up onto the podium before kneeling down beside me.
"You heard?" I ask, my hands now leaving my face.
Jiren falls back to sit beside me, his arms encircling his legs before he just nods.
"I don't think I can do this Jye... how am I going to do this?"
"Maybe.... maybe..." he begins. I look up, giving him my most disdainful look for what he is about to say.
"F*ck off, Wes, deep down you're thinking it too... you just ain't ready to admit it to yourself... to hope".
"There is no hope" I reply automatically, as I do every time Jye tries this well practiced conversation. One my future gamma will never let rest.
"I killed her mother Jiren. A kind of act like that doesn't just get forgiven! For goddess sakes, she hates me now and she doesn't even know I'm the reason her world withered into shards of what it once was".
I again bury my face in my hands as Jye replays his lines in this well-practiced heart-to-heart.
"You were fourteen!"
"FOURTEEN WES!!!"
"Yes, she died defending you, but that was her choice. A choice she made! I know you are terrified for Mish to know, but I think she may actually find comfort in the fact. Her mum was a badass who went down fighting, and she won for the most part. I mean one on four with only the help of a fourteen year old? She deserves legendary status".
I nod, Jye for once saying something I agree with.
"She's still going to hate me" I sigh.
"Yeah" Jye agrees casually with a shrug, "But all best friends hate each other from time to time".
"I haven't been her best friend in a long loooooong time" I breathe as I rub my hands down my face now willing myself to stand.
Jye and I begin our slow walk back to the packhouse, wolves now streaming out, us obviously having just missed lunch.
"So whats she like now?" Jye asks. He tries to hide it, but I can see he misses her almost as much as I do.
I shrug, "The same really, although she may have become more stubborn".
"Not possible" Jye laughs in reply.
I raise an eyebrow, sparing him a glance.
"F*ck man. We are f*cking doomed" Jye jests
"Tell me about it" I reply, a half smile creeping onto my lips.
After leaving Jye I pass by the kitchens, Clara having saved me some lunch.
"You're a saint" I say kissing her on the cheek as she passes me my now warmed up and overflowing plate.
Clara smacks my arm softly, a warm glow now clouding her cheeks, "Quit it you trouble maker".
I plant another kiss on her cheek before quickly stepping away to avoid her next slap, "Just remember to bring the plate back down" Clara sighs as she admits defeat.
"I will" I promise before taking the stairs three at a time, quickly making it back to my room.
I kick off my shoes across the room, remove my shirt and switch on the tv before collapsing down on the couch and having the first bite of Clara's double-decker lasagna.
I'm almost halfway through when her casual voice fills my ears, "I really don't see how you have survived this long, inhaling your food like that is for sure going to kill you one day".
My eyes swivel over to find her lazily sprawled on the bed, book in hand.
I try to ignore the dress she now wears and how as she kicks her feet so casually in the air it creeps up and down her thighs.
"Mish" I breathe before coming to my senses and coughing my voice back to what I hope sounds normal
"You make it a habit of breaking and entering? Cause if so this year might be more fun than I've been dreading".
Mish gives a light chuckle as she moves to instead sit crossed legged on my bed.
"First, it's Michaela.
Second, I used the door to our adjourning rooms, which, to my horror, does not have a lock.
How quickly can one of your many slaves fix that for us?".
"First, Mish, I don't have slaves.
Second, why exactly would I want to do you any favors? Not like you did me any today" I reply as I finish off my now cooling lasagna.
"What choice did I actually have today, Weston?
What, you wanted me just to reject your dad's offer and leave mine alone next year?
You don't think this little deal is less than ideal for me too?
I woke up today thinking I had a chance of at least becoming a third tier warrior, but instead I end up your babysitter because you can't stand your responsibilities?".
I place my plate down on the coffee table before rising and closing the distance between us. Mish sits close to the edge but I still pull her closer before placing a hand either side of her and leaning over her.
"You really want to start talking about matters you can't fathom to understand?"
"If there is so much I don't understand why don't you enlighten me?" Mish replies, not bowing down an inch.
"I wouldn't even know where to begin" I reply my eyes not leaving hers.
"Surely it can't be that bad" Mish replies with a small smile, the first I've seen from her in years.
I sigh, shaking my head and go to pull away but Mish entangles her hand in my shirt and holds me gently in place "Wes.... whats wrong?".
Without thinking I place my forehead against hers, my eyes closing as I allow myself a moment of peace, Mish doesn't move aside from her hand now flattening on my chest as she again whispers "I can help Wes".
"Everything.... everything is wrong".
- Writer
