Ever or Never After

Chapter Five

I sat on the damp forest floor and exhaled heavily after holding my breath for so long.

Meditation.

The night after Richard left, I looked up meditation and decided to give it a try.

It has helped some people and is said to be very calming.

So here I was, doing this just to get a grip on my emotions. The very emotions my amazing mate -note the sarcasm- has set within me.

Richard.. The very thought of him brought tears to my eyes but I decided to be strong. Strong for myself, or at least try too be.

Taking another deep breath and shaking the tears that threatened to fall, I shut my eyes tight and focused on the sounds around me.

The rustle of the leaves, the soft sounds of the grass moving in the breeze, it was all very calming.

My limbs started to feel slightly tense and I knew what I needed to do.

Shift.

Standing up, I sniffed the air as a double checking procedure to be sure I was alone and I was.

I then stripped of my clothes, laying them down on the grass and shifted into my wolf.

I shook out my fur and let out a small yelp then laid back down. Honestly I didn't feel the need to run or move around much, my body just felt like being in this form and staying that way. A werewolf's wolf form is the most comfortable form to be in. It's like the truest part of yourself, well to any werewolf that is.

A slight pressure came from the back of my head;someone was trying to link me. I let up my walls and waited for whoever it was to speak.

"Where are you Danica?" My mom's voice rung in my head and I sighed in relief that it wasn't him.

"I'm in the forest mom." I replied dully.

For a moment, she didn't say anything so I was about to put my walls back up but then....

"Can you come home to help me start dinner please? We have guests tonight."

~•~

I chopped up some seasoning and put it into the pot, adding the chicken and potatoes moments after.

"I think I can handle it from here. Thanks for helping sweetie." My mom shot me a weak smile and I nodded and turned to leave the kitchen but was stopped by my mother grabbing my arm.

"We should do something later Dani, if you want. I feel like we aren't as close as we used to be."

Mom had a sad smile on her face and it broke my heart. I've been spending less time with since their wedding just to avoid Richard. It wasn't fair to her, even though a part of me despised her for marrying my mate, but that was the wolf part of me. Even though I was having an internal battle within myself for what I felt, I knew deep down I could never hate my mother for something she had no control over or didn't even know about. Maybe I should spend time with her later. This would be a good opportunity to get her hints on how she'd react when I tell her about Richard and I....well, if I tell her. I'm still at odds about this, sue me.

I thought about her offer and for her sake, I considered it. "Sure mom. I'd like th-"

"Roseanna! Baby, the guests are almost here."

I slowly shut my eyes and willed the tears away as his voice filled the kitchen, leaving me unable to finish my sentence.

Richard swiftly entered the kitchen and paused by the door as he saw me and my mother.

Oh how awkward is this.....

He cleared his throat and looked at everywhere but me, making me feel slightly more hurt that he couldn't even keep eye contact with me after what he did, but you know what? Screw it and screw him.

"Did I disturb something?" He asked.

I scoffed and yanked my hand out of my mom's grasp.

"No you didn't, Richard" I spat out his name in disgust. "Mom, I'm going to get ready."

I brushed past him, ignoring the sparks I felt between us.

"Danica! Don't be so rude to Richard." Mom yelled out to me and I stopped dead in my tracks as anger took over me.

"What really makes you think I care?" I said then continued my walk to my room.

Now I'm going to dread going to this damn dinner and I don't even know who's coming over.

~•~

"Danica! The guests are here! Come down as soon as your ready."

"Alright mom!"

I added the finishing touches to my makeup which was my eyeliner and nude lipstick.

Satisfied with my look and my knee length white dress with my nude heels and gold earrings, I opened my door and stepped out, only to hit my head against a chest. A really hard chest.

"What the hell?" I said and looked up to see a familiar face.

"Hey birthday girl!" The person said and I recognized his voice immediately.

"Beta?" I asked stupidly, as I realized I didn't know his name.

He chuckled.

"It's Aiden. Nice to see you again birthday girl."

I rolled my eyes playfully and slapped his arm.

"It's Danica, genius and why are you here?"

"I know your name birthday girl and I'm here on some dinner with my parents." Aiden said, obviously irritated.

I began to laugh softly at his facial expression but then I stopped when It finally hit me.

Oh....

"I'm guessing our parents must be friends. This will be interesting." He added with a wink.

"Why were you even up here?" I asked as we walked down the hall side by side.

Aiden shrugged."I took your scent so I came to see if you actually lived here. We never really spoke after your step-dad almost ripped my arm off at the party." He rubbed his shoulder with a scowl on his face.

"I'm so sorry about that. He's just....overprotective of me." I explained. Well, it technically isn't a lie.

"It's alright, Danica. Dads will be dads."

"Yeah but he isn't mine..." I mumbled so softly there was no way he could hear me.

We chatted until we got to the dining room. There sat at the table, my mom, Aiden's mother and father and Richard, who sniffed the air and his head snapped up to Aiden and I who were still standing side by side. Richard was glaring hard at Aiden who seemed unbothered by the death glare he was receiving.

This is going to be one hell of a night.