Chapter 4
2313 Words
~Willow~
They actually dare wander around the forest?! It is the boundary between the properties, but still, how dare they? There will be more council witches arriving this morning and I was checking the forest for weaknesses. Now I know that Glinda’s precious waterfall is definitely a weak point. We can keep an eye out for her here. Maybe make her our first target. It's still maddening to think that he wants her sisters, but she will do whatever makes him happy.
She is the weakest of them after all. Standing on the ridge of the waterfall, I watch concentrating on the movement between the trees, when I see her. My wolf sister. Right beside her is that horrible Gareth. I never liked him… he always saw me as an outsider!
Turning on my heel, I return to the castle. It’s decided. I will go after Glinda first.
***
I arrive at the castle just in time to greet our guests. The head of the council and his secretary have been so kind as to join us for a day or two as our guests. Radagast decided to take the chance of greeting them by the front door.
I show them inside and have the staff take them to their rooms to rest after their journey.
Radagast “You remembered that he is particular about the temperature of his meat?!”
He asks in a whispered tone as we follow behind his Grace to his chambers.
Willow “Of course.”
Radagast “An that he is allergic to shellfish?”
Willow “Of course.”
I smile brightly when the Councillor turns around to look at us when he enters his rooms.
Radagast “I do hope you enjoy your stay with us.”
Councillor “I’m sure I will. Listen to your lovely young lady that made sure everything is according to my needs.”
He gives Radagast a quick nod then smiles at me and taking my hand, he plants a soft kiss on it.
Councillor “I will see you, at dinner my dear.”
I can see Radagast's anger boil from the corner of my eye. Giving the Councillor a quick bow, I leave the room, trying to get away from there and Radagast as fast as I possibly can with the excuse prepared that I am going to check and double-check that everything is on schedule.
Radagast “WILLOW!”
Damn!! I just thought I was safe rounding the corner of their old room, on my way to the dining room. I turn around slowly, taking a deep breath, and open my eyes to find him standing right there in front of me.
Willow “Yes, Sir.”
Radagast “What was all that about?!”
Willow “I’m afraid, I don’t know. You will have to ask the old geyser! Now, if you don’t mind. I have to go and check and double-check on everything to…”
Radagast “Don’t lie to me!!”
Willow “I’m not! I’m trying to make sure that everything is perfect for tonight!”
I take a step backward, feeling his anger radiating off him, watching as he breathes through his nose like a dragon ready to attack. He pulls his fingers through his hair, putting his one hand on his hip and I notice a stain on the left side of his shirt. Trying to take a whiff without him noticing, I realize, he smelled of alcohol… again.
Radagast “I’m sorry.”
Willow “Yes, you should be. Now let me go, so I can make you look like a star, and change out of those clothes! Oh, and take a damn shower!”
I shout over my shoulder, walking in the direction I originally planned on running to when he so gallantly tried to chase me down! Walking into the kitchen, I check on the food, which is of course perfect as per my instructions. What else would you expect from one of the world’s most well-known chefs?
Willow “What do I see in him?”
I ask myself, the words slipping out of my mouth before I can even catch them. I look up at the staff.
Willow “Well? Don’t you have work to do instead of eavesdropping on my private conversation?”
They must all think I’m mad!!
From the kitchen, I go to the dining room to see a perfectly laid out dining table. I have loved these black plates, with the silver ridges since the first day that I came to the castle. Isobel said that for the life of her she couldn’t understand why anyone would buy such ugly plates, never mind eat of them, and had them sent to the charity store.
Little did she know that I had them packed away, hoping above hope that one day, I would be able to use them in my home. Smiling at the thought, I hear the voices of two young servant girls walking down the passage on their way into the dining room.
Girl 1 “Did you see how she walks around here like the Queen of the castle? You would think she is the lady of the house when she is just a staff member like the rest of us.”
Hearing this, I quickly made my way around the corner behind one of the huge black velvet curtains framing the roof to floor windows.
Girl 2 “You shouldn’t be talking like that. She has cameras all over the castle. I heard that she even had an assistant fired for saying something awful.”
Girl 1 “Oh, I wouldn’t want to be fired. I can barely make ends meet as it is. There is no workaround town and with what we get paid here, well let’s just say, if I wasn’t hoping to marry one day, I would probably give in to becoming like her… you know… a lady of the night.”
They burst out laughing and are on their way out when I step out from behind the curtain.
Willow “Seeing as you aren’t paid enough for your current services ladies.”
I watch both of their faces go pale at the sound of my voice.
Willow “And the fact that you decided to slander my good name in such a manner. I have a job for the two of you. One for which you will not get paid extra. I suggest you let your parents or guardians know that you won’t be coming home tonight.”
I walk past the two of them, my head held high, and turn in the direction of my room as soon as I leave the dining room. Not a single tear falling, until I reach the confines of my room, where nobody can see how much their words hurt me. No, how much the realization of the truth behind their words hurt. I am his mistress after all.
~Glinda~
Circe “Dad wants to see you in his study.”
My sister swings around the door frame of my room, informing me that I have been summoned to appear in front of my father. Great! Gareth is a tattle-tail and I will never trust him with any secrets ever again!
Closing the screen of my computer, I sigh and make my way downstairs.
Melissa “Ah, there you are darling. Daddy and I have been looking for you everywhere.”
Glinda “You can’t have. If you did, you would have found me in my room.”
I try and say in the best English possible, trying to walk like a proper lady for once, hoping above hope, it will grant me favor with mommy at least. If I can dazzle her right before I’m in trouble, I might not be punished that harshly.
We walk into dad’s office and I was right. Gareth is sitting on the edge of his desk, making small talk about some of the warriors and their training… as if that would interest me… why am I here then?!
Frank “Dear darling daughter, please sit.”
Oh, brother! Just kill me! Kill me now!! If he starts like that, I’m as good as dead. I send Gareth my best death stare.
Frank “Don’t look at him like that. He wasn’t the one who went traipsing around the forest… he was the one keeping you out of your sister’s hands, keeping you safe! What were you thinking?!”
Glinda “I was thinking that I was in wolf territory, in wolf form, and I have magic.”
There, I said it. Now, what are you going to say about that? I sit up straighter feeling more confident.
Melissa “Younger and less experienced than your sister in magic you know.”
Glinda “Mommy, that still doesn’t change the fact that I’m a wolf and she’s not.”
I nod confidently convincing myself that this is one conversation I’m going to win. Come hell or high water. I’m not going to give up my freedom because my daft sister decided to betray us!
And that’s what I told them… earning me a warning look from my father that I was very close to the verge of being grounded for life!
Glinda “I’m sorry. I know that you both… You three, only worry about my safety, but when am I ever going to learn to protect myself if you are forever keeping me locked inside the house?!”
Gareth “Glinda, princess, please understand that this is not a question of us not thinking you are capable. This is a matter of the witches playing dirty. There are many of them from the information we received just an hour ago. It seems they have brought in security to protect Radagast.”
Frank “If they bring in security for his protection, what is to stop them from attacking us, my darling girl?”
I sigh seeing their point. This is so unfair! A grown-up throws a tantrum… and I am grounded! If only there was away, I could get rid of Radagast and Willow, maybe then I could also prove that I am strong enough to take care of myself and wouldn’t have to be hidden in the house like a child all the time!
Glinda “Fine. What am I allowed to do then?”
Frank “You can help your mother around the house a little more, or help the ladies in the packhouse.”
Glinda “Wouldn’t it be unsafe for me to leave the house to go to the packhouse?”
Melissa “Glinda!! Don’t be sarcastic!!”
I sigh again. It’s not easy being a teenager… and a wolf at that… stuck indoors all day!! I slump my shoulders, lifting my head, looking at the ceiling.
If I want to get out of here, without being checked all the time… I will have to give in to their demands. And I will have to be able to move freely between here and the packhouse.
Glinda “Fine.”
I sigh into the air.
Glinda “May I be dismissed now?”
I’m about to say, I have tons and tons of nothingness to do, but think better of it and am relieved when my father lets me leave.
~Frank~
Frank “Do you think she is going to listen?”
I ask Gareth. Out of everyone, he knows Glinda the best. Of course, being her mate gives him an advantage above all of us. It also makes him want to protect her even more.
Gareth “Nope, that was just theatrics to get out of here.”
Melissa “Surely it wasn’t.”
She looks surprised.
Frank “My darling wife, when it comes to our daughters, you have no idea sometimes how much they take after me.”
I can’t help but laugh, thinking about the time Circe tried to sneak out of the house when she was Glinda’s age. She was dressed half-naked, on her way to be picked up by friends on the main road, who were going to a party. Unfortunately for her, our border patrol saw the young Circe walking down the road in her neon pink skirt and called me.
I had made it to the main road with time to spare and was waiting for both her and her friends to arrive. The next time she wanted to go to a party, she was prepared. She had all the details ready when Melissa and I asked her about it, and one of our drivers took her there and made sure she was safely returned home.
Frank “I fear Glinda might need more than just one talking to.”
I burst out laughing and Melissa gives me her angry look, telling me it’s my turn to be in trouble.
Gareth very discreetly excuses himself, the little bugger, and makes a run for it, before Melissa realizes he is just as much to blame as I am. If not more! He started it in fact!
Melissa “WHAT? The Alpha hiding behind one of his warriors now?!”
She asks me, then a smile starts forming on her lips and she walks over to where I’m sitting behind my desk. She promptly flops down on my lap, wrapping her arms around my neck and kisses me on my forehead.
Melissa “Don’t worry, I’m not angry. I know you are just making sure our daughter is safe. I’m worried about what she might get up to, trying to get out of our grasp.”
Frank “Now you say it! That’s what I’ve been trying to say for the past hour!”
She laughs at me.
Melissa “If I don’t tease you, who is going to huh?
- Writer
