Chapter 2 Her Story_Her Fears

✴️Present✴️

Rosella

For humans, the room would have appeared dark since the day was just starting, but for me, the room was as bright as it would be during the day. My glowing eyes illuminated the room while my five fingers ran over a photo frame of my triplets.

Two supernatural creatures desired to share a bed with me and guess what, one was smarter; the werewolf!

In just one night, I made a mistake that turned my life around in a way I'd never imagined. I had a one-night stand with a stranger who happens to be a primordial werewolf. How did I know that? Shh... My title morsel of secret! After that night, I became mighty.

"No one has ever dared to disrespect me in this Pack, but you have the guts to drag my name into the mud. You are a disgrace to me and your mother, Rosella!" I could still remember my half-father's last words to me before he banished me from The Wintermoon Pack.

Why a half-father? I lost my biological father to an invasion by the underworld werewolves when I was only five years old. Mom got captured and was sold to the Alpha: my half-father for a price. I had to reside with Lydia, who was now married to a Fed: a big-time bully!

I hated the man for all I care. One fateful day, he was found on my bed with blood-drenched clothes. Eww! And he was dead cold!

"Mummy, what's going on? Watching the photo frame every morning now appears like a routine for you."

I turned around immediately and found Gundulf behind me. Gundulf was my first son, Acwulf came next, and my beautiful little girl, Accalia. The werewolf gave them to me for a rememberance.

"Gundulf, I will forgive you for interrupting my thought process, but next time, be careful," I warned him.

"Yes, mommy." He began to get closer. "I saw something,"

"Saw what?" I hiked up my left brow at him.

"Your eyes, they were glowing, bright red light," Gundulf said with an indiscernible look on his face.

"A routine?" I puffed, ignoring his observation. "I love this routine, we are all cold, I want to make our coffee now." I smiled and turned my back on him.

Well, we felt lucky to have survived the cold winter night. I got up early enough to make a warm coffee for my kids, even for Paula, an elderly woman who housed us after I escaped an arrest at my best friend's hometown for her death and that of her husband.

Yes! Lydia also died and was cremated, but now, I'm forced to believe that she was a Banshee as I have always sensed her presence around our home a few times whenever I begin to hear a lingering eerie sound.

Gosh! Maybe I'm wrong. I often imagine a lot of things, filling my head with irrelevant thoughts!

After the children were done eating, they exited the table for me and Paula in case we were going to have another adult talk.

Occasionally, I would dump my cutlery in a saucer to look outside, as though my eyes had just caught up with something worthwhile. "You are not eating your food, do you want something else?" Concerned, Paula asked after a close observation.

"Yes, I do."

"Umm, what could that be?"

"That thing in the stranger's pants," I retorted and at once, I recollected myself and looked through the window again, I couldn't stop admiring my stunning triplets because they looked exactly like their father.

The only unanswered question that continued to roam in my mind was, who in particular was their father?

"I'm sorry," I apologized upon realizing the look on Paula's face.

The elderly woman who sat at the table with me exhaled, picked a serviette, and wiped her mouth. "You are at it again, you need to get some rest."

"But the children..."

"I will look after the children for you, go to bed." In a commanding voice, Paula stressed.

I shook my head stubbornly, "The children are my responsibility and besides, it's too early to go to bed. I'll drop them off at school by myself, they got to train."

Paula pressed down the bridge of her glasses to have a direct view of her acclaimed daughter.

"I think their father had so much effect on you that night, but I hope you will get over it and move on with another man."

"I don't want another man," I replied in a weak tone.

"I get it, I know it has to be him."

No, not even him." In a much weaker tone, I responded to Paula while avoiding a look at her face. I would rather not read her thoughts by studying the expression on her face.

"But you don't even know who this man is, I mean you could actually bypass him on the road, shop together in the same mall without knowing he is the one."

"So?" With my elbow on the table and a drink in my hand, I watched Paula through a transparent wine glass.

"A good sleep will send the moon goddess to reveal the identity of the man, remember, you are a she-wolf now."

The door opened, and shoveling feet walked up to a chair where I was seated.

"Mommy, Gundulf's got a bigger piece of cake in his lunchbox."

"Shh... Acwulf, Gundulf is older than you all, he deserves something bigger."

"But Mommy, have you considered the fact that he is a beast? On a certain night, he..."

"Shh... Enough! Enough!" I raised scolding brows at Acwulf and he had no other option than to retreat.

Though I was interested in finding out about what had happened to Gundulf that night, I felt it wasn't the right time to discuss Gundulf.

Innocent little kids are yet to become aware of their identity and destiny, nice one!

"Mommy, when will Daddy come home, remember, you promised?" My oldest child asked, walking in to meet me.

"Don't worry Gundulf, Dad is coming soon. He spoke with Mommy last night. You need to have some more patience, okay?" Paula lied in my defense.

Gundulf smiled and held unto Accalia's wrist. "Smile, Daddy will come for us. He'll get us two dogs each, I love pets, dogs to be precise," Gundulf told his siblings as he led them out to wait by my car.

When I was left alone with Paula, I took out from my bag a towel to mop the lines under my eyes where the tears had settled.

"Rosella, stop it, you have been doing this for a while, but you keep on saying that you are okay without him."

"I am, but not the children. I spend most of my time explaining to my children the reason their father is not in town, at the same time, deceiving them about his imminent return. So sarcastic, Paula. My existence as a mother is characterized by intense sarcasm."

"You are a great woman, Rosella."

"Greatness in the ashes? Soon, the Sheriffs will be coming after me."

Paula lowered her eyes, and they wandered around the dining room.

I got up, dumped my towel in my bag, and moved to the door. "For accommodating us for this long, thank you. We'll be moving soon."

"To?"

"Anywhere, I got some money on me. We'll be fine."

"It's not safe, Rosella. I won't let you leave."

"Alright,"

I closed the door behind me and made it toward the car. As soon as I hopped in, Accalia stretched out and wiped my face with the back of her palm. "Mommy, don't cry." She said with innocence projected on her face.

I forced a smile, "Adults don't cry, babies like you do." I kissed her forehead. "Seatbelts," I announced, and the children pull their seatbelts as they were once directed.

The next thing we saw was a cloud of dust accompanying a Toyota Tacoma. The approaching car was quite dusty, making it impossible to tell the caliber of people that occupied it, but it was obvious that they were heading toward our house.

I took a deep breath and waited for them. Four men in suits walked out of the car and made toward the door of the house. It was as though we were invisible to them.

One of the men took out something, not certain though, a photo? He showed it to Paula at the door.

Without hesitation, Paula shook her head vehemently after a brief explanation, as though she were required to sign her death letter.

"Drive," Gundulf said in a low tone. "Just move the car, mommy." He finished and lowered his head.

"They are coming toward us, drive the god-damned car." Acwulf hurled out.