Leilani.
My skin was sore from how excessively I've been scrubbing at it ever since I stepped into the shower fifteen minutes ago, but despite this, and the searing hot water cascading down my body like a fucking tsunami, I could still smell him on me.
Caelum.
The bastard who had insulted me in ways unimaginable today. The fool who for some reason, my body still reacted to like a damn wanton.
Tears burned in the corners of my eyes as memories from our encounter flashed across my mind, and in rage, I squeezed hard on the hose of my detachable shower head whilst imagining it as his throat.
And Goddess help me, it'll be his throat soon…
I was however snapped out of my daydream when the sound of my phone ringing in my room caught my ears. Curious, I dashed for it, ignoring the way I was dripping water all over the place.
I quickly picked up the phone from my dresser and frowned instantly. The number was unsaved. Unrecognised.
Who the fuck is this?
For a moment, I contemplated dropping it. I thought about ignoring who the damn fucker was until they called again. And again. Without a break.
Whatever this was had to be important.
Deciding to finally pick up, I pressed my phone against my ear and waited. They didn't speak. But I could hear their erratic breathing.
My heart began to race. My body trembled in a mix of confusion, fear and rage.
Now, I was thiss close to putting down the phone.
One,
Two…
"Leilani." A feminine voice finally called out, and as soon as I heard it and recognized who it belonged to, my heart instantly stopped beating.
I froze. Tears slipped into my eyes. And strangely, I became lightheaded as well.
For years, I had anticipated this call. I had hoped… wanted her to call me, at least to tell me why. Why she hated me so much.
Why she never tried to protect me when I suffered right in front of her.
Why she joined them in bullying me…
"Leilani, it's me, your mother." She whispered softly, her voice breaking as she spoke. And when I wouldn't respond, she continued; "I know you're there. I know you can hear me, so please don't hang up on me."
"What is it?" I finally croaked out, my voice sounding worse than I wanted it to.
For some reason, after waiting to hear from her for so long, finally getting to hear her speak made me irritated so bad. I wanted to smack her… to hurt her like she had hurt me. To just be as uncaring towards her as she'd been to me.
I snarled; "Why are you calling?"
"Oh, my child—"
"Spare me!" I snapped, rudely cutting her off. "You and I both know that you're not calling to remind me of our withered family tree. So go on, state why you've decided to call me, and we can both go on our merry way."
"I heard about what happened at Frostclaw. Inc. today…" she drawled.
Of course, you did!
"…And I want to personally apologize to you on behalf of Caelum and Zevran. I do not know exactly what might've transpired between you all but please forgive them."
"Oh."
"You know that they're family. They're your sister's fiancés, and they need that collaboration with Frostclaw. Do not allow some unimportant beef with them to ruin that. Don't jeopardise your sister's future because of some petty quarrel."
Unimportant beef…
Petty quarrel…
The more she spoke, the angrier I became. Sighing, I closed my eyes and pinched my eyelids, feeling the traitorous sting of tears prick my eyes. Goddess above, do not allow me to cry. Do not allow these carelessly thrown out words mess up the peace and serenity I've managed to achieve.
"Leilani…"
"They're your family, Mrs Blackthorne. Not mine. Never mine. Now, if you don't mind, I have other important things to do…"
"What's more important right now than your sister's future?!" She growled, finally slipping off her ugly mask, and when she did, I wasn't surprised at all.
I was hurt, yes… but not surprised.
I was hurt because to them, Chalice will forever be more important than me.
And they'd proven that countless times. They had shown me just how far they could go for her when our pack was attacked by rogues four years ago. They'd proven it when my mates chose her… and when I was dying but she needed some of my blood. You just name it!
Heavens, there's no shade of neglect I have not been exposed to by them...
"I have work to do." I sounded chill… too chill, it was unlike me.
Mom— Mrs Blackthorne sighed dramatically on the other end of the phone, then muttered; "We all know you don't need the work. You've been sleeping with Alpha Frostclaw… and trust me, that's not a bad thing. It only further proves that you'll not create problems for your sister and her mates in the future. It proves that you've gotten over them, and I am so proud of you."
The backhanded compliment made me see red and I gritted my teeth in rage to keep myself from saying something I would regret. But after several seconds and trying— and failing— to calm my raging heartbeat. I seethed;
"It's all about Chalice, isn't it?" I coldly asked, and when she wouldn't respond, I continued; " It'll always be about her, right?"
"Leilani, you should know that you're also my—"
"You're calling today because you want her fiancé's to get to collaborate with Frostclaw. Inc because you know it'll generate more revenue for them… which also means she gets to become richer, right?"
"Baby…"
"I get it. I really do. Now, with all due respect Mrs Blackthorne, fuck off." I spat angrily. I heard her gasp in surprise but before she could retort, I ended the call, turned the phone off and sent it flying across my bed.
My rage exploded in my chest, making it difficult to breathe. My tears now poured down my face in torrents and my limbs? They shook so bad, it was a miracle I was still standing.
However, just then, I was snapped back to reality when my doorbell rang. I froze.
I wasn't expecting anyone. In fact, no one knew my house besides Jarek and the occasional delivery drivers that come to drop off my stuff.
After haphazardly throwing on a night dress and wiping off my tears with the back of my hand, I quickly rushed downstairs, but because I was way too curious… but scared, I decided to check the intercom system first before going to the door.
— And I froze again.
Because right there, standing on my porch was no one but Zevran, and he looked confused as hell.
I think I already hate coming back to this godforsaken country!