Thirty two

Rhea.

The morning air felt different today. I woke up with a knot in my stomach, and for a moment, I couldn't tell why. The events of yesterday played in my mind like a broken record—Damien's smug face, his arrogance, the way he demanded my family back like they were property.

I shuddered at the thought of his return. He wouldn't give up that easily, and I knew it. But for now, at least, my family were safe. I told myself that over and over, but the restlessness wouldn't leave me.

After dressing, I stepped out of my room and made my way through the silent corridors. The packhouse, usually bustling with life, was quiet, but not in a peaceful way. It was the kind of silence that felt like something was about to break.

Remus was already up, standing near the window in the living room, his posture stiff, his hands clenched into fists. His gaze was distant, lost in thought. I knew what he was thinking—Damien. He wouldn't stop worrying until he dealt with him.

I walked over to him, placing a hand on his shoulder. He turned slightly, his eyes meeting mine, but his expression didn't soften.

"You're thinking about him," I said softly. "But confronting Damien now will only make things worse. We need to stay calm. If he tries anything again, then we'll deal with him, but we can't afford to act recklessly."

Remus didn't say anything at first, but the hard line of his jaw told me he wasn't fully convinced. I leaned in, wrapping my arms around him. "Trust me," I whispered, my lips brushing against his ear. "We'll handle it, but not like this."

Before he could argue, I pressed my lips to his, kissing him with a fierce need to pull him away from his anger.

~~

Later that morning, after breakfast, I heard the sound of a car pulling up outside. My heart skipped a beat. I knew who it was before I even saw them. Remus' parents had returned. The peace we had managed to hold onto for the last few weeks was about to shatter.

I stood at the top of the stairs as they entered the packhouse, their presence filling the space. Elara, tall and poised, her face as cold as ever, led the way, her sharp eyes scanning the room. Remus' father followed, his demeanor more relaxed, but there was a certain authority in his stride that couldn't be ignored.

Remus greeted them, and I forced myself to descend the stairs, keeping my expression neutral, though I could feel Elara's gaze burning into me the moment she spotted me.

"So," Elara said, her voice clipped, "I hear things have been… eventful while we were gone."

Remus chuckled, though it didn't reach his eyes. "You could say that." He kept his tone light, but I could tell he was holding back. He didn't want to alarm them with the full story of what had happened with Damien.

Elara's eyes narrowed. "I'm sure you handled it."

I knew she was baiting him, but Remus didn't bite. He simply nodded, his hand resting protectively on my back. Elara's gaze flicked to me then, her lips pressing into a thin line.

It wasn't long before the questions began. Over lunch, Elara turned to me, her eyes sharp. "I've heard that your family has moved into the packhouse. Surely that's a temporary arrangement?"

I met her gaze, doing my best to remain calm. "They needed somewhere safe. Damien threatened them."

Elara raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "Safe? Or are they bringing their problems here? This pack has enough to deal with without outsiders adding to the chaos."

I could feel my patience wearing thin. "They're not outsiders," I said, my voice steady, though my insides were churning. "They're my family. And they're not here to cause trouble."

Elara didn't respond, but the coldness in her eyes spoke volumes. She didn't believe me, and she didn't care. To her, my family being here was nothing but an inconvenience, a disruption to the way things should be.

Remus, sensing the rising pressure, tried to steer the conversation to safer ground. "We've handled the situation with Damien, Mother. There's nothing to worry about."

But Elara wasn't convinced. She gave a small, dismissive nod, as if the matter wasn't worth her time. Her disapproval remained midair, a silent but powerful statement.

Lunch was uncomfortable. Elara's cold demeanor filled the room, making it hard for anyone to relax. I tried to focus on my food, but I could feel her eyes on me the entire time, like she was waiting for me to make a mistake.

Tessa joined us at the table, her usual smirk plastered on her face. She thrived in this kind of environment, where others felt uneasy. She glanced at me, then leaned forward, her voice dripping with mock sympathy.

"It must be hard for you, Rhea," she said, her eyes gleaming with false concern. "Managing your family's issues and the pack's responsibilities at the same time. That's a lot for anyone."

I looked up, meeting her gaze head-on. "I can handle it," I said firmly.

Tessa's smile didn't falter, but I saw the flicker of surprise in her eyes. She hadn't expected me to push back.

Rachel, ever the optimist, tried to lift the mood. "Well, the pack's training schedule has certainly improved. I think we're all getting stronger, and that's something to be proud of."

But before anyone could respond, Elara spoke, her voice cutting through the room. "Discipline is what this pack needs. It's not about improvement, Rachel. It's about maintaining control, especially after the recent disruptions."

I clenched my fists under the table, my nails digging into my palms. Every word felt like a direct hit, a calculated blow aimed at me and my family. But I wouldn't let her see that she was getting to me.

Remus, suspecting the growing annoyance, tried his best to diffuse the situation. He brought up stories from his parents' trip, trying to shift the conversation to lighter topics. But Elara wasn't interested. She was fixated on the present, on the problems she believed my family was causing.

As the meal went on, I could feel the weight of her judgment pressing down on me. No matter what I did or said, it wouldn't be enough for her. I would always be the outsider in her eyes, the one who didn't belong.

After lunch, Elara wasted no time pulling Remus aside. I was just out of sight, but I could hear every word.

"I don't agree with this, Remus," she said, her voice low but firm. "Her family shouldn't be here. It's a risk to the pack. You're letting your feelings cloud your judgment."

Remus' voice was tight with frustration. "They're not a risk, Mother. They're my family now, too. I've made my decision. They stay."

Elara didn't back down. "Your decision? Or hers?"

The words hit me like a slap. I knew Elara disapproved of my family being here, but to hear her so openly question Remus' loyalty cut deeper than I expected.

Hearing their conversation, I felt a mixture of emotions—anger, hurt, but also a steely fortitude. Elara might not want my family here, but I wasn't going to let her push us out. I wouldn't give her the satisfaction of seeing us leave.

I had fought too hard to be with Remus, to build a life here. And I wasn't about to let anyone, not even his mother, take that away from me.

That evening, Elara took things a step further. During a meeting with some of the pack members, she raised her concerns openly.

"This is about the safety of the pack," she said, her voice loud and clear for everyone to hear. "We can't afford to have outsiders living here, bringing their problems with them. I won't sit by while this pack is put at risk."

I felt my chest tighten as she spoke. The eyes of the pack members turned toward me, and I could feel their silent judgment. Elara had made her stance clear, and now the rest of the pack was starting to wonder if she was right.

But as I stood there, facing the crowd, I made a silent promise to myself. I wouldn't let Elara's words break me. I would prove her wrong, no matter what it took.

And this battle for acceptance, for my place in this pack, was far from over.