*Jane*
I got home early, louning in the living room, pretending to filp
through a fashion magazine. My eyes kept drifting to the far
end of the room, where Mia lay stretched out on a yoga mat like
a sculpture.
I watched as she arched her back into a bridge, one leg
extending skyward, making me question if she’s made of rubber
rather than bone.
“Doesn’t that hurt?” I blurted out before I could stop myself.
She didn’t look at me at first, just held her pose for another
second. Then she rolled upright, gave me that signature fake
smile of hers. “Not at all.” She paused to take a breath, brushing
her hair from her face. “It’s actually really relaxing. You should
try it sometime.”
She was 5 years old younger than me. “Please. At my age? My
body would snap in half.” I flipped another page of the magazine
I still wasn’t reading. “I’d like to keep my joints in one piece,
thanks.”
Chapter 22: Oath Bridge..
Mia continued her movements without missing a beat as she
transitioned into another impossible pose. “Age is just a number,
Jane,” she called over her shoulder.
I barely registered her words as my phone vibrated from inside
my bag. My wolf was somewhat restless even before I saw the
caller ID: Mother. Just the name alone made my stomach clench.
There was no world where this would be a pleasant call.
I turned away from Mia before I answered, forcing myself to
sound calm. “What now?”
“Oath Bridge. Now.” Not even a hello or how are you.
“Oath Bridge? It’s nine oclock at night, Mom.”
“Do you have a curfew, Jane?”
“No.” I sighed. “Then get up from your sticky sofa and come to
see me there.” She snapped and hung up the phone before I
could reply.
I stared at my phone in disbelief and then slowly put it down.
“Great.” I whispered and threw the magazine aside.
I stuffed my phone back into my bag and turned to Mia who
had just risen from a low lounge. “Everything okay?” she asked.
Chapter 22: Oath Bridge.
I offered the most casual lie I could think of. “Why wouldn’t it
be?”
She looked unconvinced, but didn’t push. I grabbed my keys and
walked out the door just as I received the coordinates to the
bridge.
It didn’t take me long to get there. I hated how nervous I was, but that was the effect my mother had on me. She always had a way of rattling me.
I parked a few feet away from the narrow arched structure. My mother stood at the center, dark–gray hair, similar to mine flowing in the wind.
She was dressed in a midnight–blue gown, with a brooch at her collarbone and heels that looking like she was attending a gala at this time of night. Her lipstick was perfect. Not a hair out of place. Typical.
I walked toward her slowly, shaking off the nerves.
Her eyes met mine, flicking over my simple brown pencil skirt and cream blouse. “Really, Jane? You couldn’t even try? You look like an assistant.”
I stopped at the foot of the bridge. “I’m not in the mood for a lecture about my wardrobe choices.”
Chapter 22: Oath Bridge.
My wolf stirred, picking up on the unmistakable scent of
expensive bourbon clinging to her. She’d been drinking again.
“Beautiful view, isn’t it?” My mother gestured grandly toward
the ravine below. “Over seventy feet down. Even with our…
abilities, a fall from this height would be fatal.”
“Mom,” I said firmly. “Why am I here?” I needed her to get right
to the point and skip whatever theatrical performance she was
planning.
“What’s wrong with you? Getting a boyfriend, Jane?”
I blinked, caught off guard. Xander told her. My wolf let out a
howl of rage. “What does it matter to you?”
“What does it matter?” She continued. “Xander isn’t just your
husband. He’s the backbone of this family. Since the Donovan.
Pack’s unfortunate… financial decline, he’s been covering our
expenses. Do you know how much he’s done for us?”
She reached into her purse and pulled out a flight ticket. “He
paid our bills,even my upcoming Paris trip. First–class tickets,
suite at Le Bristol. You want him to take that away?”
Anger boils up in my chest, rising fast and hot. She was always
like this, “He fucks his beta!”
Chapter 22: Oath Bridge.
“You’re being foolish, Jane.” She narrowed her eyes at me. “He has a mistress. So what? Men cheat. It’s in their nature,
especially werewolves. The sooner you accept that reality, the better equipped you’ll be to survive in our world. Just accept it
and move on”
Mia had once said something very similar to that. My wolf refused to submit. “I won’t accept betrayal just because you did.”
“Naive child,” she hissed. “You think you’re so smart, but you’re just a naïve little girl playing dress–up in the real world.”
“If ‘understanding‘ means becoming like you… bitter, manipulative, drowning in bourbon before dinner, then I’d
rather remain ignorant.” I met her gaze without flinching. “And
yes, I still love Dad, even if he is a philandering jerk. At least he
never pretended to be something he wasn’t.”
She lifted her right hand up and slapped me across the cheek.
We both froze, staring at each other. My cheek burned where
she’d struck me. She remained motionless and said nothing. But
I could see from her eyes – anger, disappointment, and the
emotions of expecting me to break down, apologize and beg for forgiveness.
“Fuck you,” I spat as I turned to walk away.
Chapter 22: Oath Bridge.
Before I could take two steps, her hand shot out and gripped my
arm with a shocking amount of strength. Her nails had
transformed into claws which she dug into my flesh.
“We’re not finished,” she growled as she dragged me back.
She shoved me against the metal railing of the bridge. It bit into
my lower back, and for the first time, hot fear surged through
- me. I’d always been nervous around her, but now, I don’t feel
safe.
“Mom, stop! Let go!” I screamed. My feet scrambled, trying to
gain balance, but my wolf was in such a frenzy that I couldn’t
regain my footing. I glanced over my shoulder, down at the dark
water far below.
“Let me go” I said it again, but the words sound small and
powerless.
She pulled me closer to the railing. Her face was close to mine,
and her warm breath brushed against my cheek, carrying a
faint smell of alcohol.
“You will reconcile with Xander.” She whispered, “Or I swear by
the moon goddess, I will throw you from this bridge. And after
you’re gone, I’ll send your younger sister to him instead. She’ll
be his perfect wife you failed to become.”
