Forbidden Love

Chapter 12

{Emily}

"I'm sorry, Jasmine. I didn't mean to leave you guys hanging at the lake."

"It's okay but I should be asking you if you're okay," she sighed. 

"It wasn't that bad," I winced, pressing ice to my bruised cheek. 

"When are you having dinner with your biological family?"

"In an hour."

"Are Rebecca and Renee ready?"

"They don't have blood ties with them anyways. Victoria only thinks that but she doesn't know the truth." I patted down the red shirt with the Blood Eclipse coven crest. My skinny jeans fell evenly against my curves. "Jasmine, I'll talk to you later."

"Okay, bye."

***

Our footsteps click-clacked against the tile as two Dawn Howlers opened the doors to their Dining hall. I fell in sync with my father. I couldn't let a ray of emotion betray. I had to be cold and calm. I told Rebecca and Renee to do the same. But I saw their eyes stray to Victoria's twin boys. Braden and Brandon. I nudged them lightly before father noticed.

The entire Davis-Adler family was present. I felt their eyes on me. My eyes focussed ahead coldly as we were shown our seats. Victoria and her mates were seated at the head of the table. My biological sisters were oblivious to my relationship with them.

"Let's get straight to the point," my father's tone was menacing. "You haven't seen Emily since she was nine and I'm sure your other daughters aren't aware she's their older sister."

"I think..." I drawled, my eyes cutting sharply to my biological parents. "I wasn't wanted. Why else would you forget about me?"

"We didn't-" Victoria rushed in speaking but I shushed her.

"I wasn't finished." I swirled the wine in my cup before placing the cup down. "I'll admit...My resentment flows deeper than I thought toward you."

We ate in silence for the remaining time. My words clearly shook Victoria. Her mates, my biological parents were murmuring to her discreetly. We took our leave first. Rebecca and Renee were escorted by our coven guards back home but Demetri stopped my father and me.

"We want to speak with Emily in private," he said firmly with no room for further discussion. My father's gaze was sharp toward me. A clear warning. He can hear everything.

"Very well. Have it your way," Father shrugged and departed the dining hall. I was left alone in a room full of strangers that were not quite strangers. The woman who birthed me was a few steps away and the sisters who filled the hole in her heart were queasy. 

I flinched as Demetri tilted my head to see the light bruising on my cheek. "What happened here?"

Wearily, I glanced at the door. I could still feel his prying eyes and hearing ears. I snapped back into reality, taking steps away from Demetri. "Don't touch me, Demetri."

Demetri back away from me and Victoria came forward. Her smile was sad and tears swelled in her eyes. "It's been so long since I last saw you. What happened to you? When did you become a-"

"A pureblood?" I said bitterly. "It was bound to happen since you left me with my father."

Victoria flinched. "That man is not your father."

"He's the only father-figure I had growing up." I glanced meaninglessly at my biological dad's who looked ticked-off and rather dull.

"Has he done something to you? Did he hurt you?" Victoria began bombarding me with various questions. 

I wave my hands around. "Excuse me, but what right do you have to ask me questions like you're my mother?"

My superior voice was hard to control as I felt everyone flinch. Dejectedly, Victoria fell back beside her mates. I recognized Dominic's brown eyes from earlier. He was that wolf that I slammed into a tree. The bandage around his shoulder proved so. 

"You've wasted my time just for this?" I spat, spinning on my heel. Damien lurched forward, his calloused hand gently wrapping around my wrist.

"How long have you known?" he hoarsely whispered. 

"Known what?"

"How long have you known that you belong to this family? That we are your parents." 

I tugged my wrist free, feigning repulsion of his touch. "Since the day you gave me away like I was nothing. I mean, was it that hard to fight my father to get me back?"

"We weren't strong then but we are now."

"Now? Now is too late. Back then I was a baby. Now I'm a pureblood vampire." I shook my head in distaste. "Besides, you hid my existence for this long so what was the point in me returning here when I had the chance."

"You-" Victoria started.

"Yes. I chose to stay with my father." The air felt full with my lies. I was forced to stay with the father who isn't even my father. But I couldn't say that. Not with my father's ears hearing from a distance. My footsteps echoed as I exited the dining hall. 

Outside, I found that my father and sisters had already left. We didn't drive but our rapid speed and high-jumps allowed for a fast trip through the territory and across the river that divided our lands.

I didn't expect my eyes to meet Orion's before I dashed into the woods. He looked dumbfounded. I laughed in my head. Of course, he would be. After all, he was messing with my sister before meeting me.

***