C35. Abnormal Mother

Juliette's POV:

     "I'll take two small decaf mocha iced coffees," I heard my mother say to the cashier before she nudged me in my side. "What do you want dear?"

     "Make mine a small mocha iced latte," I said as I blinked a few times and looked at the barista. I had been zoning out since I got out of the car. The lady behind the bar punched it in and my mother swiped her card to pay. I walked away from her as I went over to the waiting area for orders. I crossed my arms as I felt uncomfortable. The hairs on the back of my neck was standing as I looked around the only coffee shop this town had. I recognized pack members that were about to leave out for the pack duties. Their eyes landed on me. 

     "Poor dear," I heard someone whispering. "First her father and now her uncle." My eyes searched for the gossiping hags. They were about my mother's age. They were staring with their noses stuck up. I could feel holes being drilled  into me and I sent them a glare. I can't believe it! Gossip spreads fast in a small pack. It had been a week since the night of the storm. Not much has happened since. I've kept my eyes on my mother. I still wasn't being persuaded it was really her. Grandma summed it up to me being in shock. My memories from that night must have been corrupted due to the wreck. 

     "Two decaf mocha iced coffees!" I heard a barista yell as he sat down my mother's order. I walked up and he handed me straws to go with them. 

     "Hi, can I get a cup holder?" I asked him. "I've got a third drink on the way."

     "Sure thing," he said and nodded. I could smell he was an unmated omega of the pack. He wasn't worth noticing other then that. He must be the same age as me. He gave me a drink carrier. "Do you have the small latte?" He asked as he came back with it in hand. I nodded as I took it from him and looked over my shoulder. My mother was waiting by the door for me. "You're the Luna's daughter?" He asked as he sounded unsure. 

     "That's right, doll," I said as I looked into his eyes. 

     "My condolences," he whispered. "Has the new Beta been appointed?"

     "It's still not filled for right now. We're trying to decide on the pack leaderships' future." I thought then to the night of my birthday. It just so happened to line up with the masquerade. He nodded as he gave me a friendly smile. 

     "I hope it works out in your favor either way. You're a good person. I can tell these things," he said as he reached up and rubbed the back of his neck. It was funny to hear that. I always thought I had a bad reputation for being an utter bitch around the pack. I chuckled as I watched a light blush cross his cheeks. I eat his kind for breakfast regularly. I'll eat him up... Especially if he keeps up that look. I looked towards his nametag, Dustin. Maybe... not today. Not while my mom's around.

     "Thanks sweetie," I whispered. I picked up the drinks and carried them towards my mother. She held the door open for me and we walked out towards my car.

     "He was cute," my mother suddenly said. "I didn't know you liked omegas. If you want an omega for a mate I can easily arrange that. You two can eat fast food every night and live out in the trailer park where the rest of the trash is."

     "Mother," I hissed and looked around us to make sure nobody heard her. How- How dare she say that in public! "Do you want to die?" I asked her as I feared for my very life. 

     What if an omega heard that? They'd rise up and kill all of the family! We're supposed to be their protectors. We're their muscle and might. Omegas are the low-lives that aren't afraid for a second of rejecting an Alpha-family. If she was over-heard we would be fighting for our lives while they tear us to shreds for disrespecting them. Omegas can make a pack. Where an Alpha will work alone in battle... An Omega relies on groups to hunt and kill it's prey. Number matters. Alphas are closer to rogues then of any of the positions of a pack. It doesn't take much to tip the scales. There are certain things one should be completely quiet about... That was one of them. Filter your thoughts for once you hag!

     I got in on the driver's side and looked in the back at my grandmother in the back. She had tagged along for this outing. We had the dress last-minute resized. The measurements were off in the chest-area. I was going to literally look like a princess at the ball... A perfect attraction. 

     We were on our way to see Edith because they were releasing her from the hospital today. For some reason they insisted on keeping her there for observations. Especially after hearing she had a baby on the way. She didn't loose it of course. Thanks to the doctors she was persuaded to stay there and relax the whole time. 

     "So we're in agreement the Alpha position will be handed over to Edith?" My grandmother asked as she took her drink from me. "Let's inform her today. Zeke should be there as well."

     "Zeke and Edith will need a lot of training," my mother grumbled. "I should have paid better attention to her as a child. Especially, if I knew it would all turn out like this." That was true. My mother was so caught up with me she hardly had time to train anyone else. I'm sure Uncle Matthew would want Zeke to take over no matter what. He will be a good lead for this pack. 

     "I don't think any of it will matter as long as Juliette secures the Queen title the night of the masquerade."

     "I won't have a problem," I assured. After all... I have the love potion on my side still. The masquerade is in two days. All I have to do is stay in my mother's good for that long. Once the King is mine... I can figure out what's wrong with my mother.

     "You're forgetting about Josephine," my grandmother said suddenly. "We have no clue where she's at or what she's plotting. The masquerade could go totally wrong. Is there any way I can get you to change your mind and not go?" She asked and sounded almost worried.

     "No," my mother said quickly. "We're going. I'll make sure Josephine isn't let into the party. I've already communicated with a guard scheduled that night. He will spread the word to not let her in if she shows up." I looked at her in surprise. When did she get in contact- how would she know anyone in that pack? Is she fucking someone from there too? 

     No... This isn't even my mother. This is someone else. Something is going on here. This is too suspiciously easy. What is she planning?

     "At least you've thought about everything," my grandma sighed out. It sure seems like my mother is trying her best. It's a shame we'll be worried the whole night that my sister might show up. If she does I hope I see her first. "I suppose you two will be heading off tomorrow to go stay at the manor?" My grandmother asked. The invitation we received invited us to stay in the king's manor the weekend of the masquerade. That way we would have a safe place to rest. It was props of being an Alpha family. I would be picking my dress up in the morning before we go.

     "Yes," my mother said in confirmation. "The quicker the better."

     I just wish grandma would come with me. I don't want to be alone with this stranger. I don't know how she's ringing every single dotted lined script on what my mother would say. She's got to be something abnormal from this world. Something I've never heard of. I wish I could ask Jossie if she knows anything. Would she know more then me? What if this is my mother? What if what I saw really was the illusion? Then was my mother out of the house that night and left something behind like that? Did she figure no one would bother her in the bath if they only saw her in it? What does Edith think? I'll have to ask her tonight if I get a chance.

     I drove us to the suburbs and to my Aunt's house. A memorial was set up by the mailbox with candles, handwritten notes, and a picture of my uncle Matthew. It was just out of the way of the drive. I parked on the street though as I gave my grandma a hand out of the car. We followed my mother to the door. I noticed an unfamiliar cop car was parked out by the curb as well. I couldn't help but wonder if it was Zeke's or someone else. Mother rung the doorbell. It didn't take long for my cousin to answer the door. 

     "Come in," she said when she recognized us. I was surprised to see how better off she already was. I half expected her to stuck on the couch. Maybe not from her own will of course. Her mother was a freak about safety when it came to darling Edith. Her eyes landed past us and I couldn't help but feel she was staring at her father's memorial. We still haven't found his body. My mother glitched instantly as she pushed her way through and distracted my darling cousin. She grabbed her cheeks and smooshed them as she started to bring her towards the Livingroom.

     "My~ It's good to see you out of the hospital," my mother said unexpectantly. I was bewildered to see her treating Edith that way. My grandma closed the door behind us when we walked through.

     "How's the baby doing?" My grandma asked and then blushed. She covered her mouth as she looked guilty. "Sorry baby. I already told them." Edith looked slightly annoyed before looking at me and gave a smile. 

     "Yes, thank you Luna. Good-Good grandma. Hi Juliette," she whispered. I could see her overwhelmed as the ladies surrounded her. Poor thing. She never had so much attention at once. Both my mother and grandmother? It looked like she was a nice juicy porkchop. I waved at her as I left her to the wolves. I walked towards the kitchen. The smell of crockpot beef stew was making my mouth drool. Inside the kitchen stood Carole with Zeke standing not far away. He was picking a wine from their pantry. 

     "Wow, can we stay to eat this?" I asked. I felt a hand land on my shoulder as Edith came around me. 

       "Sure! Why do you think my mother put it in the crockpot?" She suddenly sent me a playful growl. I knew I was a little in trouble for leaving her behind. Zeke showed us the wine he picked out. 

     "We'll pair it with this," he suggested. Edith walked over to his side to check the label. I was a little surprised as it hit me... That's right. He's the baby daddy~ She's a lucky one. He was good eye candy to eat up! Carole smiled and turned around to look at the wine he picked out. 

     "Oh," she said as she tilted her head. Her eyes watered up suddenly. "That's Matthew's favorite. It's a good selection," she sighed out before forcing a smile. "But- we're not hear to sit around sorry all day. Are we? Della, I think you had something to say." Her eyes flickered from Della to Edith. I suppose Della gave her a heads up about today's real reason for being here. Edith gave her mate's hand a squeeze as things got quiet. Edith stared at my grandmother. Della would only look towards my mother. A confirmation waiting. My mother cleared her throat as she caught all eyes in the room.

    "Edith... Zeke... I have come to the conclusion that when I get back from the king's territory... I will be handing the pack over to your leadership. You will always have-" she grabbed grandmother's hand. "Our wisdom to guide you."

     "Unfortunately there still isn't a Beta to appoint," my grandmother said. "If you have any ideas..." she trailed off as she looked towards Zeke for his opinion. He will be Alpha. He has every right to pick his beta.

     "I might know someone," Ethan said as he looked to be considering his options already. "Thank you," he said as he gave a huge smile. "I understand this position doesn't come so easily. You can trust me to fill it."

     "We know dear," my grandma said as she looked just as excited. "We're pleased to hand it to you. You're going to grow into a fine Alpha. The moon goddess will soon bless you in your sleep."

     "When I come back," my mother told him firmly. Of course I don't believe the authority will be handed down so quickly. My mother has had it for so long. I'm sure she'll want to die as Luna. She looked towards Edith. "I'll be training you after I come back for the position. Your wisdom will help guide him to make healthy decisions for the pack." As I thought. I'm sure my mother will keep her claws in Edith and Zeke's power as long as they allow her. Poor Edith... She'll be stuck with that hag. My mother cleared her throat. 

     "The bathroom is down the hall, right?" My mother asked as Carole nodded her head. 

     "It's the second door," Carole told her. 

     My mother walked off down the hall. I looked towards Carole... Watching her face go red for some reason. She looked at Edith suddenly. "You don't have to be the Alpha family if you don't want to," she told her as she walked up and grabbed her hands. "You don't have to take on the role. If it's too much-"

     "Mom, this is what I want." Edith patted her mother's hands as if to reassure her. This was all Edith and me wanted for so long. We were rivals for so long until I decided being the king's girl would be far better then sticking to this small pack-life. 

     "Don't worry, I will take care of her," Zeke seemed to comfort her as he put a hand on her shoulder. It wasn't surprising Carole would try to talk her out of it. After all her mother had always been an omega. This was a role that intimidated her. Probably brought fear into her sleep at night. She was someone my mother has hated having around- but put up with due to Matthew's sake. Will my mother try to take over motherly duties to Edith when her nest is empty? Zeke will have to find a way to wedge something between these women and his Alpha duties. And, Edith will have to find compromise. "I promise I'll be the best Alpha this pack has ever had." It's not easy to follow my dad in leadership. He was good when he was around. He kept the pack in shape. 

     "My bones feel like they're going to give out at any minute. How about you come sit down with me?" Grandma Della took my hand and guided me towards the living room to go sit down with her. My eyes stared off in space as I tried to overhear my cousin's conversation with her mother. All I could hear was Zeke following from behind. His heavy footsteps echoed and blocked out any clear conversation I would have. All they would be arguing about wouldn't be of much interest anyway. Her mother would try to talk her out of the role of Luna and as usual... My cousin would keep her ground against her mother. It looks like I won't be able to see her alone today. I'll try to see her before I leave town tomorrow. I might sneak over here in the middle of the night.