Seeing only the children, I frowned menacingly.
"Where's your father?" I asked, irritated.
"He went to see Julie off" Allana replied, looking for something to drink.
"Julie?"
"Dad's friend. She's a great lady" Pam added. "She's very talkative and has nerves of steel. During the most terrifying rides, she didn't even blink" She nodded with satisfaction.
I couldn't believe my ears. My children just praised a certain Julie and talked about her as if they had known her for a long time. Is there something else I don't know?... I didn't want to engage in a conversation with them without knowing where I stood. I preferred to wait for Adam, who, of course, showed up only after midnight. He entered the house with a big banana on his face, obviously pleased with himself. Not for long. He saw me sitting on a chair in the kitchen with a very menacing look on my face.
"Will you finally honor me with your story?" I snorted. He looked at me disgusted and turned around.
"You wouldn't understand anyway. Julie will come tomorrow and explain to you. I'm going to sleep because I have to go to work tomorrow" He went up the stairs and disappeared out the door, leaving me flustered. I couldn't believe what I heard.
Julie will come to explain for him tomorrow? And should I just host her and listen calmly to what she has to say? Is the world trying to punish me for something?
I was shaking with nerves, unable to stop myself. However, after last night's sleepless night and today's hard day, I was unable to fight the tiredness. I wasn't going to go to our bedroom. I lay down on the sofa in the living room and fell asleep. I woke up with swollen eyes, feeling terribly bad. I got out of bed and went to prepare breakfast for the kids. Of course, no one noticed my condition. I dropped them off at school and returned home, trying to focus on working on my laptop.
A few hours later I heard the doorbell. My heart immediately skipped a beat, knowing who might be waiting behind the door. Behind them stood the same blonde with blue eyes as in the photos. She was a head taller than me and had everything I didn't have... I motioned for her to come in and led her to the living room. We both sat down on the sofa and there was an uncomfortable silence for a moment.
"My name is Julie. I know that what I'm about to say is hard to understand, but I'm asking you to listen to me until the end. As Adam's wife, you have the right to know what's going on" She began to say in her sweet voice.
Oh yes. I definitely need an explanation.
I sat quietly, with the last of my patience before I burst into tears.
"I'm from Canada and I'm a member of the BlackMoon Pack. I am a race of shapeshifters, specifically werewolves"
I raised one eyebrow, wondering if I heard correctly.
"I set out beyond the boundaries of my pack in search of my partner. By looking into another person's eyes, we can feel our other half. That's what happened with me and Adam. I noticed him in the forest, cutting down trees. I immediately felt a strong connection to him" She looked at me with regret. "I'm sorry, Tess. I didn't want to make you sad. I have no idea what you're going through right now, but my bond with Adam is very strong"
"I have to get out of your lives, right?" I asked with tears in my eyes. "Just believe in a story like from a novel and move away..." I burst into tears. "What about the children?" I looked at her worried face.
"I'll treat them as mine. They will lack nothing"
Well, not necessarily comforting, considering I'm the one leaving. But how was I supposed to fight it? Even if she told fairy tales, how could I beat her? She was younger, more beautiful and not afraid to talk to other people.
"I'll talk to them after school" I muttered through my tears. Julie got up and left the house without a word, leaving me in despair. I thought I could handle it better, but I was a little disappointed. I went to pick up the girls from school and walked home with them in silence. After eating dinner, I asked them to sit together in the living room.
"There was a situation with me and dad" I started, trying not to break down. "You've already met Julie"
"Did they finally tell you about themselves?" Allana asked, pleasantly surprised. For a moment I saw dark circles before my eyes.
"Did you know?" My voice shook heavily.
"Yeah. Practically from the beginning" Pam nodded, looking at her sister with a stupid smile.
"I take it you don't mind if I leave?" I asked, feeling betrayed by my children.
"Julie's fine and daddy's happy with her" Allana mumbled, seeing the look on my face. "It's not that we don't want you anymore. We just feel good with Julie" She added, breaking my heart into pieces.
"I see. You can go" I went out to the kitchen, grabbing the rim of the sink. I wanted to scream in despair. Loud enough to tear my vocal chords. So that everyone can hear how much I'm suffering right now. Just... Will it change anything? The husband had a new partner. Children, have a new, cooler substitute mother...But what about me? I took a long bath, crying heavily and thus exhausting my body so much that I immediately fell asleep when I lay down on the bed.
I remember the next days as if through a fog. School, cooking, work, children... A week later I looked like a shadow of a human being, unable to sleep soundly at night. The nightmares haunted me. I couldn't stay here any longer or I would go crazy. I pulled myself together and started taking care of the formalities. Divorce papers, transfer of parental rights to Adam, closing of the bank account... I was going to disappear from here...forever. I just didn't know if it would be possible with the way I want. I asked Allana for Julie's phone number and arranged a meeting with her. I was thinking about how to convince her to accept my decision. After all, it was a real bomb. I don't even know why I thought of it, but I liked the idea.
I was eagerly awaiting the day of the meeting, which finally came. At the appointed time, Julie knocked on the door. I invited her in and, feeling a little nervous, sat down next to her.
"What did you want to talk about?" She asked encouragingly, seeing me playing with my fingers.
"I have a huge request for you" I started quietly. "You said that your pack lives somewhere in Canada, away from people, right?" I looked at her shyly.
"Yes?" She was a little surprised at the mention of her pack.
"Would it be possible... for me to live there?" I said more and more quietly. "I mean, not with everyone, just somewhere on the sidelines. I wouldn't bother anyone. I would sit quietly in my house" I glanced at the thoughtful Julie, not knowing whether to continue trying to convince her or wait for her answer.
"It's quite a difficult request, but I'll see what I can do. My brother is the Alpha and rules our pack. I'll call and ask, she replied, taking out her phone and dialing the number. With trembling hands and a racing heart, I waited for them to finish the conversation.
"Okay, I'll put you on speaker" She surprised me and my heart almost jumped out of my throat.
"This is Alpha Zack. Considering everything my sister has told me, I'm not entirely convinced about your stay at BlackMoon. How do I know you won't cause us unwanted trouble?" He asked firmly. My shoulders slumped slightly at his protest, but I couldn't give up that easily. I wanted to fight.
"Please! I promise I won't get in your way. All I need is a roof over my head and something to eat. Of course I will pay for everything" I tried to convince him.
"Can't you find such a place among people? Wouldn't it be more comfortable for you then?"
"When I want to run away from people" Tears start to flow down my cheeks. "When I live alone, there is always a possibility that I will fall victim to some crazy person and I don't want to lose my life..." I already whispered the end, certain that none of my plans will come to life.
"Zack.." Julie spoke gently into the phone, which caused a growl from her brother.
"Okay... But on one condition. You will be given a guard who will keep an eye on you at all times, and you must obey me, understood?" He agreed reluctantly and a big smile appeared on my face.
"Thank you, Mr. Alfa! Thank you very, very much" I smiled through tears.
"J, you have to come this weekend because I'll be busy traveling later. Damon will take care of her"
"What? Why him? You know what he's like" She winced.
"J"
"We will arrive on Saturday. I'll let you know what time exactly later. I love you" She blew a kiss to the phone and ended the call.