[11] Not A Show Off

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Mom and I had a long conversation on my birthday. But this one was different and peaceful, not rushed but relieving.

I couldn't help but observe how mom would dress up casually at home. She was wearing a feet long flowery dress with half sleeves. She had pearl earrings and a pink lipstick on.

"How did you come to know everything?" She asked looking at me.

I sat quietly on the bed, calculating in my mind that I could tell her all the truth. But I just had to hide the Gilbert's blackmailing part to save my Gran.

"I found this box in the attic and I cleverly opened it. I found the photos and asked Gran about it. She kinda started crying and was hesitating. But when I forced her, she told me everything," I explained, making her lower her eyes.

Mom gulped before looking back at me, her face paling at the topic. But she was bravely facing it. "What did she tell you?"

"The truth," I breathed while patting the fingers on the braid that she just made happily, offering herself. "That the man in the photo is none other than my real biological father. That you met him and you guys fell in love. You were pregnant and then he married you because his morale told him to offer you that as protection."

Mom looked like she would cry any minute. But if we once complete this conversation, we would be saving so many arguments and awkward moments from happening in future.

"Did you love Dad?" I asked casually, talking support of the bed rest while picking a big pillow to put on my lap.

Her lips parted as she met my eyes. She nodded and smiled, "It would be more understandable if I tell you from the beginning."

I straightened up, my eyes widening in interest. "Hooked already, please."

She took a long breathe before looking at the bedside lamp in concentration. "I was a normal she-wolf like any other, Misty. A she-wolf's life is much fun than a male wolf."

I smiled when she told, "A male would be doing all the errands, labor work, patrolling, fighting peer pressure of becoming a fierce wolf, outdo his father's achievements, run up to the expectations. There's so much more if that male is an Alpha. But for me, I was as active as a male wolf. I wasn't someone who could be dominated by a man."

"I am an Alpha's daughter, Misty."

I was surprised. "Damn! That's so cool."

Mom chuckled, "I had two brothers." My smile faded from the past tense. But she continued, "One is two years elder, one was a year younger."

"Rudy and Franky," she smiled with tears in her eyes. "Rudy had to become Alpha so he was always training and used to lead everyone. While Franky and I used to play together, laugh together. We were best friends."

I smiled but it soon vanished when she started, "Then, came the mating season. My pack which is the northeastern pack from the red valley, was hosting it. I was to welcome everyone. I remember I was just sixteen and Franky was so scared that I would find my mate and he would take me away."

I wanted to awe but couldn't distract since I felt that something bad was coming. "Then, all of a sudden, in the middle of hundreds of wolves, I saw Gilbert. Everyone getting away from his way because he belonged to a pack where wolves were blessed."

My eyebrows furrowed, "Aren't all wolves blessed?"

She nodded her head. "I'll explain that later. You could attend the mythology class for that which would be happening soon."

I groaned. "Okay? Back to the story."

Mom chuckled, "Gilbert announced that I was his mate and with his all family backing him, they we're ready to take me away." She smiled weakly as a tear slipped from her eye. "Franky wasn't happy so he challenged the Alpha that winning his sister wasn't that easy. I didn't know that Gilbert had once fucked a she-wolf who was none other than Franky's best buddy's mate."

I gulped, noticing that in the morning itself mom was warning not to swear and now, she was swearing herself. It looked like this was her Luna tone. She sounded relaxed and soft.

"Frankie didn't want an arrogant Gilbert to be my mate. And Gilbert didn't like that he was challenged. Before they could even fight, I stopped them and told Franky that I believe in Moon and would love my mate to her," she explained while I blinked.

Her nostrils flared as she further narrated, "But I didn't know that challenge had to happen for sure. Some years had passed. There was still bitterness between Frankie and Gilbert. But for my sake they were compromising at family gatherings. But this one day, I remember I was gone to the lake with all the she-wolves for an outing. I had little Eva in my arms. She was barely an year-old. And suddenly I hear this male running to us, informing that my little brother was killed in a fight with my mate."

I gasped.

Tears flowed from her eyes while I squeezed her hand. "I loved Gilbert. But it had broken me, the death. I was highly traumatized. I hated that Gilbert had such big ego and he couldn't forgive my little brother for being blunt."

"I ran away."

My eyes widened, as I realized now she was coming to the main part.

"I was so stunned, I didn't care about kids, pack or anything. I ran away to the woods. Running towards Southwest, where humans lived to find solace," she explained. "No wolf, no kids, I was having the time of my life, being all single and enjoying human world."

She chuckled, remembering her days. "I had done this job of being a store keeper, for two-three months when one day I met your father."

I was looking downwards but now my gaze was stoned at her.

"Handsome, charming, an intelligent man. I was attracted to him at first sight. He had this good physique and was so innocent like a mama's boy. That he truly was," she smiled through tears. "We had some interesting little conversation as he was buying some stationery. There was another unexpected meet where I was smoking a cigarette late at night near this public fountain in the city and your father was there coincidentally."

My eyes filled up when she said, "Andrew recognized me and came, sat beside me in that harsh weather. I wasn't affected by the cold because I was a wolf but he stayed for me despite being sensitive. I was crying because I missed Gilbert and Andrew asked me if it was break up or divorce."

I gulped.

Mom unexpectedly answered, "Divorce. That's what, I told him. I explained, that I had kids back there. He even knew the names. Pete and Eva. He was thankful because he could make a move, Misty. He was thankful because he wasn't breaking a home by talking to me about love that night."

"He was a good man," I exclaimed with glossiness in my eyes.

Damn! Who was cutting the onions?

Mom nodded. "We were attracted and we started dating. I felt more like a human and started believing in humanity. Andrew made me feel at ease, that I could live without worrying over a pack, or my dead brother. Andrew made me feel loved instead of being pressurized."

"It turned into a full blown romance. He took me to his home to meet Rose. It was getting ahead slowly. But I didn't care. I was enjoying it all. I felt like I had found my peace. Soon, I realized I was pregnant and I told Andrew. His happiness had no limits while I was freaking out. Not because what my parents, my pack or mate would think. I was scared if you would become a wolf."

I smiled cheekily.

Mom narrated, "Andrew was a kind man with well-taught etiquette. He didn't like the idea of me being pregnant without us married. So, he proposed to me and I said yes. We got married and for a new, I had a great human family. Andrew's father liked me a lot."

I nodded. "I know, Gran tells me often."

She chuckled and looked happy about it. "He was happiest when you arrived. Andrew couldn't breathe because he was crying all day. He was overwhelmed."

Her smile faded soon enough and I knew why.

"You were only taking me home. You had reached and within a second, Gilbert arrives and rips Andrew's throat," I repeated Gran's words while mom nodded with a sob.

"I am sorry, Misty. I had been a selfish woman, looking for my happiness. I didn't care about Andrew's life that I had put in danger the moment I met him. I stole your happiness from you before you could even be born," Mom cried, making my lip tremble.

"Then, why with Gilbert now? You know what he did. He shouldn't have killed my father-"

Mom cut me off with her wide eyes. "He is an Alpha. For an Alpha, the craving for a mate is thousand times higher. He was getting crazy without me those two years. Finally, he found me and a sad lover like him, what does he see— mine and Andrew's baby."

I nodded. "But he should've understood-"

Mom shook her head. "Gilbert didn't, Misty." She sobbed, her eyes wide. "A mate's a mate, no matter what."

My eyebrows furrowed. "So, what does that mean? You love Gilbert?"

Mom looked at me quietly. "I love my mate, Misty."

My heart dropped, sadness spreading in my chest.

"Gilbert loves me and that's what matters. He is possessive, but he is a great lover. A great father. He begged my forgiveness for killing Franky, I forgave him. But it was me asking his forgiveness for cheating on him-"

"My father was not at fault," I said, angrily.

Mom was shook for a second before she continued, "I have loved Andrew, Misty but Gilbert is my mate. He is the one I worship and my children look up to. He is the man of my dreams."

"So, my father was just a collateral damage?" I asked, looking at her in disbelief. "A killer is the man of your dreams, mom. I don't believe you."

I got up from the bed, throwing the pillow while Mom tried to call me.

"Enough, Mom. Enough of the rubbish. Either you are insane for loving him, or been pressurized. The most I feel is for the latter one as this society already looks like a patriarchal one to me."

"Misty, you are thinking too much. Think from my side."

"I can't," I said, my voice cracking. "I don't look up to the man of your dreams. You say, you love me. If Gilbert was so good, did he allow you to take me with you to here?"

Mom was stunned.

"I doesn't have his name on my records, mom. If he was a kind man, he would have understood that it wasn't my fault what happened between you and my Dad." I cried, "He shouldn't have given me the punishment. He should have given me his name, should have adopted me."

Mom gasped while I let out a loud cry, sobbing away.

She blinked and stared far at the wall while I wiped my eyes and left the room, walking out of the house, to roam the pack.

Because this time, I wanted to be as much as far away from the woman who had given me the birth.

_______

With wet eyes, I was walking on the grounds, observing the streets that were made with wooden houses built in line. I was low-key impressed.

But conversation with mom had a big impact on me. It made me pity my true father more. I felt bad for him that mom loved Gilbert more than she loved him.

He was just a fling. Just a fling.

While I was the wings of that fling.

I hated it.

"Bad day already?" Came the voice from my right, my eyes squinting in sunlight. But I had recognized Thomas.

Before I could even say something, he came forward to hug me properly. "I didn't get the chance to greet you properly. You are my sister. Come on. This is the way one meets their sibling, right?"

"Hello Thomas." I squeaked out, sniffling.

He started walking beside me as I was walking in this street. Kids were out playing, their faint growls coming out unintentionally.

"It wouldn't be my father because he is back at the ground, training wolves. So, definitely, it's mom." He breathed out, looking at me. "The reason behind your tears."

I didn't say anything and kept walking slowly. My tears had stopped but I was still sad and hurt. I didn't want to be rude to Thomas by keeping quiet but I didn't want to speak either. I would end up crying again.

"You can share with me, Misty."

I looked at him, observing him giving me an apologetic smile. "Maybe, not today. But you can tell me anything. I will be there to hear you and tell you what you wants to know."

"Are you this kind for real, or is this a prank along with those sisters of yours?" I asked, my voice sounding rough.

His eyes softened under the setting sun. "Misty, in a place where you don't know your own family, you really won't be able to trust anyone. But you can trust me. I don't care if you are my half-sister. I am glad that you exists, because I need sister for myself. Eva and Natalie always take Pete's side and I am always alone."

"Even Natalie? Despite being your twin?" I asked while observing the faint similarities of noses both had.

Thomas smiled tightly. "Despite being my twin."

Oh.

I kept looking at him, searching for any mischief. But nothing was there except for politeness and genuineness. Slowly and steadily, I smiled and chuckled. "I am not going to stay here for that long," I told him.

He looked away chuckling. "Oh! You will stay for more than you think. You'll love this place, you wouldn't want to leave."

"Really?" I laughed out because I didn't believe his words. I already wanted to leave, considering I'd have to see his father's face in the evening again. "I would give anything to return back to my home back in the city. To be with Gran. But I am helpless."

Thomas looked like he wanted to know what was stopping me but he didn't. Maybe, he saved the question for another time. "You know Eva used to say that Natalie looked more like mother and you, not even one per cent. But I can see that your smile somehow gives me hint that you are mother's child."

My heart had started to fly. I stopped and smiled at him. "Really?"

"Yeah. But of course, you don't look like father. That's why, Eva is always rude. Don't be surprised if she pushes you casually, or pass a taunt. She is usually like that. Even with me," he said, while we continued walking.

The street had ended and now, we were looking at a big ground that was touching the dense woods after four hundred meters away maybe.

"Why is that? With me, it's okay. But you are their real brother." I asked curiously.

Thomas shrugged his shoulders while I watched the sun setting behind those forests. Looking at my left and right, there were all mountains some wild kilometers away.

"Natalie follows Eva, and Eva follows father. Father thinks I am not as great of a wolf as an Alpha's son should be. They all are grateful that Pete is amazing. But I am not jealous of my brother honestly. That's not class. Right?" Thomas grinned asking me. "We are cool with each other. Pete knows me and respects me for what I am."

I was giving him a goofy smile because it seemed like he was about to tell me about being gay. But honestly, nothing in him was giving me those vibes.

"And who are you, Thomas?"

"Not a show off," he replied with a smile.

My eyebrows raised in amazement while he chuckled and turned around. "Those forests are off limits or you'll face my father's wrath." He smirked at his own answer and started walking backwards. "Let's go. It's getting dark and mother would be wanting to see you. She is obsessed with you. Always."

It was hard to believe what he told me. I couldn't help but repeat what he answered for my question.

"Not a show off."

I blinked, smiled and finally turned around, not before giving those woods, the last look.

______

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