“That’s a backhanded compliment if I ever heard one.” I said clenching my fist.
'Is that so,” Elijah put his hand to his phone.
“What did you mean by that?” I said fighting the urge to punch something or someone.
Elijah took a deep breath as he put away his phone. I guess he decided to engage with me.
“While it is true that you are beautiful and you are in great shape, there is no guarantee that you are actress material. At best you could be sign to our modeling department later on after the competition is over.”
I could feel my canines grinding against one another. “ I am not interested in being another pretty face. I do not want to model. I want to be an actress.”
“You want to be an actress yet you are not on the list. Be grateful that you are here.” Elijah said giving me a warning. However it was a warning that I ignored. I refused to be singled out and labelled as just another pretty face.
I was able to hold a pack together when my mate was showing weakness. When he was running chasing the tail of his mistress.
I’m interested in the acting contest not a modeling contract! I mean, you haven’t even seen me act yet...”
“Oh, what kind of acting skills does a beautiful girl like you possess?” Elijah said indifferently. “Again you are not on the list. You didn’t come because of your acting skills or lack there of. You said it yourself you came to observe. But since you are so beautiful, I will allow you to stay for a while.”
Oh Goddess, please guide me! This self absorbed son of —-
I felt like dry heaving to the point of vomiting because of pure rage I felt. The arrogant tone of the man in front of me was starting to piss me off. It began to remind me of the reason why I left the werewolf world.
It reminded me of the person that hurt and belittle me more than anyone could. It reminded me why I decided to run from my anger and pain. My mate. Jacob.
I guess I could say he was no longer my mate since he was trying to reject me.
It felt like he was laughing at my dream right along side of Elijah.
I pushed play on the old tapes that I was so fond of. I could hear that laughter and singing in the background. I was being cheered on not only by many fans but also the one person that meant everything to me.
“Mom.”
Just then Jacob walked in with a frown on his face shaking his head at the image he saw. I tried to ignore him as best I could be he could still be heard over the volume of the television. For a moment I got a whiff of a scent that was unfamiliar to me.
“Ava, are you still watching those videotapes you brought back from the world? What’s the use of that?” Jacob said as he shut off the video. At first when we were together Jacob had supported my ideals but everyday he grew bitter and angry at the thought of my interest being anything outside of the pack.
What was that smell?
“Jacob, this is my time, my hobby, and I hope you respect me.” I said pleading to my mate. I just wanted to look back on my memories. Even though I could not go back to the human world, I wanted to cherish the memories I had left. Even if they were all but fifteen minutes long.
“But you still have a lot of Luna business to do.” He huffed as he looked in disgust. “You do not have time to play dress up and sing to the music of the humans.”
“Have I no time off? I am Luna, not a slave. This is my greatest passion!” I began to cry. Was peace of mind so hard to ask for. I had been helping Jacob with everything from training the pack combatant skills to running along side Jacob during patrols. I did things that where unheard of in most Luna’s of werewolf packs.
“What are you wasting your time on that useless thing? Be realistic Ava! You’re not human anymore!”
“Jacob what is that smell.” I said. He stopped as he was about to leave the room.
He smell the air and shrugged. “Must have ran into a berry bush during my run or something.”
Jacob said as he walked out of the room slamming the door behind him.
“Yeah or something.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
With that pain shattering memory breaking through to me. I began to tremble all over in rage. Just another person doubting me and my dreams.
It was like I could see Jacob’s form taking Elijah’s place. Elijah was determine to make me feel small before the competition had started. Jacob wanted to degrade me into believing that I was never good enough to be his Luna. That I was never good enough to be a star actress in the human world. That I was just a replacement until Alex came back.
Both of you can screw off, for all I care. My choices are my decisions to make.
“You that confident in yourself? Are you sure that you can be confident in your judgement, Mr. Elijah?”
“I make a living off my good judgement,” Elijah held no emotion in the words that he spoke.
I gritted my teeth but tried to keep my composure in front of this man.
“Ha! Oh yeah! Then let me tell you something. You need to get your eyes re-examen, because you have misread me. And I promise you that you are going to regret everything that you have said to me.”
“Oh is that right?” Elijah said. He began to chuckle. “I have seen girls just like you ordinary give off false confidence and it all ends the same.”
“And how's that?” I challenged. The Luna in me was always up to making men feel my power.
“Them all becoming a stand-in model; a vase women just like you.”
I met the man directing in his eyes accepting his challenge. “I’ll be in your game.”
“Naturally,” Elijah said smirking.
“I am going to win! And when I win and take the top three you are going to eat your words.” I felt a fire coursing through my veins. I was ready for this.
“Bragging and boosting was never a good qualities in a woman.” Elijah stated.
“Oh it that so?” I asked playing innocently. “If you are so confident as you say you are let make a wager?”
“You want to make a bet with me? Do you think that is wise?” Elijah said. He could see the fire in my eyes. He knew that I was not going to back down from this.
All Elijah could do was smile as I stuck my hand out to seal the deal.
This man had no idea who he was dealing with.