In a few short months, my life was upheaved, overturned, and then when everything settled, it was overturned again.
I wasn’t the same person I was a few months ago, and my life was completely changed. I marveled at that thought, the complete parallels from the beginning of the summer to the end. I reveled in my accomplishments and didn’t shy away from them. I took a deep breath looking at everyone I loved, their faces held pride and love and affection, and they all chose to be here to support me in this. I wanted to be here for this.
Caspien’s mom clasped her hands, her eyes misted over, my mom and dad were wiping away tears, and Lola was bouncing up and down in her seat.
I earned this, and I would bask in it.
(Willa)
“Ready?” Caspien asked, his face was set; he already knew my answer.
“Sure,” I shrugged.
There was a sinking feeling in my stomach that settled as soon as I opened my eyes this morning.
He nodded resolutely, nothing he could tell me was anything he hadn’t said to me before. He trusted my decision more than I did.
“You look the part at least,” He amended, taking my hand and spinning me around.
I chose a n**e wrap dress and plain black heels. The weather was cooling off, but not enough yet to wear anything heavy. Cali helped me braid one side of my hair that ended in a loose high ponytail so my waves hung down my back.
Caspien opted for his signature white button-down and gray slacks, something I would have sworn he slept in if I didn’t know him better.
“As long as I can fake it,” I tried a smile..
“You can do this,” He kissed my hand, “We can do it.”
Emmett was downstairs waiting for us. I wrapped him in a hug, trying to settle my nerves. I missed him, I was used to him being with me most of the time, and now that his grandparents wanted to share time, I felt like I rarely saw him even if he was with me most of the day.
“I like your dress,” He said, “It’s pretty.”
“Thank you, my sweet boy.” I kissed his head, and Caspien picked him up.
“Let’s do it,” Cali walked in the door wearing dark green pants and a matching blazer that trailed behind her, “It’s a cape blazer,” She tugged at the side of the cape.
“Very nice,” I said admiring her while she twirled.
“I didn’t know I had a thing but I think this is it now,” She smiled, “I never really had time to have a thing besides the whole diner b.itch personality but I have now moved on to capes.”
“I don’t know if that really is a comparison,” Caspien said.
“It suits you,” Holden came up rolling up the sleeves of his light blue button-down that almost matched his eyes perfectly.
“Griffen is meeting us downstairs,” Caspien wrapped an arm around my waist.
“So is Rachel,” I said, and his hand froze, “I invited her, she has great insight, and I value her opinion.” I went on.
Caspien sighed but didn’t say anything.
We descended in the elevator in silence, the air felt heavy, none of us truly knew what to expect.
“I, for one, am excited,” Cali said stepping out first.
“At least there’s that,” I mumbled.
Rachel was standing by the front entrance next to a solemn but presentable Griffen. He opted for something that he could fight in, but I really didn’t think it would come to that. Rachel had her perfect hair down in her signature Hollywood waves. She was wearing an elegant knee-length black dress.
“Welcome to the team,” Caspien said.
“Really good impression of someone smiling,” Holden whispered to him, and Caspien gave him a flat look.
“Thanks for inviting me,” Rachel said giving Caspien a brief smile before looking at me.
“I want you here. Thanks for helping out.”
“This is going to be a day,” Cali said.
That was one way to say it.
Cali linked her arms with ours and tugging us out to another limo, at least we would have enough people to actually fill this now. That was one way to say it. “We’re bringing the b.itch right?” Cali asked.
I thought to the last time I saw Camilla, I only visited her once again after I thought she had time to process some of her anger.
(A few days ago)
“Camilla,” I stood at the glass door of her cell.
I didn’t know what to expect but I felt like I owed her this for some reason. Not for who she was to me but for who she was as a prisoner, I was determined to make a fair decision. She slowly turned her head to me. They took care of her down here, she had fresh clothes and food and water but the glint in her eye faded.
“What do you want?” She c.roaked.
“Are you ready to talk?” I sank to the floor to be face-to-face with her.
Her back was turned to the door, and she shifted barely so that she could face me.
“We already did,” Her voice hardened barely, “Just get it over with, you win, k.ill me or whatever.”
“Camilla,” I sighed, “I want to talk,” I paused, “Actually talk.”
She turned slowly to face me, her hair was tangled and matted.
She had a brush here, I made sure she had basic comforts, this sight was jarring, she seemed completely broken, and it made me feel sad.
I didn’t want to see her like this; years ago that would be another story but I felt so past this part of my life that it was just annoying to me that I still had to deal with it.
“Camilla?” I asked again, and she fully turned to me, crossing her arms.
Her face was sour but the anger she had a week ago was replaced by sadness. “Willa?”
“She’s behind us,” Caspien said to me rubbing circles on the back of my hand, “Presentable, well as much as she would let them help her, I know you didn’t want to force her into anything.” He read my mind. “Thanks,” I studied the now familiar landscape.
The city dispersed into suburbs and a few buildings. The suburbs were behind us and the houses were replaced by trees, I always admired how the landscape could change so completely in such a short drive. The trees thickened and I started to recognize them. The place I knew most of my life that stopped feeling like home now. That realization sent a smile across my lips. Caspien squeezed my hand.
The other’s chatter stopped around us as we got closer, the silence made me shift in my seat. I wasn’t nervous really, not a quarter as much as when I first faced my old pack.
More than anything, I wanted this to be over, put it past us so that I could focus on my mate, my family, and being the best Luna for my pack.
“So, this is it,” Rachel breathed, she gave me a reassuring smile.
“It is,” I said.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.