Chapter 43 The Guest
AUTHOR’S POV “I can’t believe this?” Mindy screamed, kicking the couch and hitting it with her bag again.
The humiliation Nia put her through made her furious, and the only thing that came to her mind was strangling her. She almost couldn’t wrap her head around Nia threatening her. Everyone knows how meek she is, and having her turn around to look Mindy directly in the eye means she is getting the courage from somewhere.
Caleb strolled into the living room, yawning. He had just woken up from the afternoon nap he took. “Can’t one have peace in this forsaken house? Why are you screaming like a banshee? Did you get dropped off a tall building or what?” 
She glared hard at her brother, “If you have nothing intelligent to say. It’s best if you keep your bloody mouth shut. Don’t annoy me any further.”
He lay on the long couch, spreading his arms and legs lazily. “What’s wrong?”
Faking tears, she dumped herself into the couch. “I am so embarrassed, and I don’t know how to say it.”
Caleb sat up, resting his head on his hand. “Talk to me, it can’t be as bad as having your bare ass all over the net.”
She eyeballed him, flaring her nose. “So, I went to Nia today to ask for some cash. You wouldn’t believe that she insulted me and practically had me chased out of the clinic.”
“Hmmm, serves you right.” Her brother muttered, blowing his fingers.
“What? What did you say?”
“I’m sure you don’t have wool in your ears, baby. It serves you right. It’s understandable if Mum or Dad chose to harass her for money. Why would you do that? What right do you have over her?”
“She lived under our roof, and we fed her.”
“Point of correction: she lived under our parents’ roof. Nia has been more useful to our parents than you or I would ever be. Stop bothering your dumb head, and it will only make you dumber.”
“You bastard!” She cursed, throwing the cushion pillow at him.
He didn’t flinch from the hit. “Say all you want. It still won’t change that Nia stood up for herself today. However, it took her long enough. I was always wondering when she would finally wake up and smell the damn coffee. Good for her.”
Mindy scoffed in disbelief. “Whose side are you on exactly? Does Mum and Dad know they have a traitor in their midst and under their roof?”
“Shut up! You don’t get it, do you? I am all for the gains, but you and Mum are beginning to irk me. I see why Kingston wants to dissociate himself from us. Mum exhausted our savings on many luxurious things that aren’t even worth shit now just because she wishes to be considered an elite in the pack, despite knowing about Dad’s financial state. Seeing her act so extravagant, you would think she has somewhere reliable to get more money from. And now that it’s all red, you want a girl who knew nothing about the times you lavished money to help pay your debts. Isn’t that ridiculous? I would have had you all murdered if anyone bothered me like that.”
“You are the foolish one. Mum and Dad didn’t help Nia because they were nice. The plan was to use her in the future to earn money. Now is the time to get all that they desire through her.”
Caleb shook his head, letting out another loud yawn. “I feel so sorry for whoever ends up with you. You might send the poor guy to his early grave.”
“Mum will hear about this.” She threatened.
He looked bored, “no one said you shouldn’t tell her. I will find my way out of here, too, just like Kingston did. I guess I have been living the life wrongly all along.”
“Did I hear someone say moving out?” Stephanie muttered from the door with Levi behind her.Content © NôvelDrama.Org.
“Mum.” Mindy let out a dramatic howl, running towards her mother.
“What happened, baby?” She asked, caressing her face. Caleb kissed his teeth and got up to leave.
“Don’t you dare take another step from there, young man? Show some respect.”
“What’s with all this chaos again?” Levi mumbled tiredly. 
Letting her mother guard her back to the couch, Mindy wiped at her fake tears. “Nia had me beaten up and thrown out of the pack house because I asked her to lend me some cash.”
Stephanie sat up quickly. “How dare that half-breed touch my daughter? It’s not like she can’t afford to pay the money; why is she being so stringent?”
Levi coughed dryly. “Mindy must have asked in an unfriendly manner.”
“Even if she did it that way, that half-breed owes us,” Stephanie added. “I’m so going to deal with that filth for laying her hands on my daughter.”
“Why don’t you check Mindy for any scratches to be sure she is truly wounded,” Caleb interjected.
“Are you supporting that good-for-nothing over your sister?” His mother queried.
“He has been making excuses for her all along.” His sister accused him.
Stephanie gasped dramatically, “I can’t believe that witch has finally charmed both of my sons. She will regret this. I will make sure she does.”
“What if she harasses you too, mum?” Asked Mindy.
“Trust me to report her to the Alpha. I hear she is his number one enemy.” She replied.
Mindy grinned, “That makes many of us.”
“Dad, are you not going to say anything?”
Caleb questioned his father. Levi turned his face away, pretending to be searching for something. “It’s such a waste of time to reason with any of you. I need some air.” He mused, leaving the house.
“Can you let it slide this one time? We just collected some cash from her.” Levi suggested.
Stephanie gave him a curt look. “If you have nothing important to say, it’s best to keep your thoughts to yourself.”
“Yeah, I thought so.” Levi mused, making his way to the room.
Leaning into her mother, Mindy caressed her hand. “Mummy, make sure she regrets ever messing with me.”
“I promise to do that, baby,” Stephanie assured. **********************
Gemma turned, letting out a loud hiss for the umpteenth time. She couldn’t seem to catch a glimpse of sleep. Her tears had soaked both sides of the bed. The look Gael had on his face when he asked her to leave made her heart heavy. Despite all of their fights in the past, he has never glared at her like that before. She thinks there might be something bothering him. Gemma refuses to believe that he would turn her away for the sake of a mere concubine. Her eyes watered again, and it tinged.
The door to her room opened, letting her mother in.
Daniella parts the curtains, letting in sunlight. Gemma winced, shielding her face away from the sun.
“Put it down, mum.” She groaned.
“Good morning to you too, Gemma. If you don’t mind, kindly get yourself dressed. Your father wants you downstairs for breakfast this morning to meet our guest.”
She sat up reluctantly, “what guests?”
Daniella folded her hands, blinking slowly. “You will know when you come down. Also, don’t keep your father waiting. You know how he gets when that happens. Put some foundation on that face; they look too puffy.” She said, walking away.
Gemma blinked as she tried to backtrack her memory of what just happened. Her mother seemed off, like she couldn’t wait to leave her presence. It must have been evident from one look at her face that she had been crying. It’s unusual of her mother not to ask what the matter was. Her mother’s attitude made Gemma curious to know what was going on. Getting off the bed, she entered the bathroom to get dressed.
“Ah, there she is.” Beta Ezekiel grinned when he saw Gemma coming down the stairs. “Come, sweetie. Our guest has been waiting to meet you.”
Gemma looked towards her mother for an explanation, but Daniella only turned her face away. She didn’t bother to spare Ezra a glance, and he didn’t seem to pay her any mind. “What’s going on?” She asked, staring at the young man sitting opposite her father. He has a calm demeanor to him and a handsome face. Still, that doesn’t change the fact that he is a stranger.
Her father chuckled a bit too loudly, not fitting his person. Beta Ezekiel hardly shows off his pearly whites. “Why don’t you take a seat first? He is Zac; he is the son of my old friend from the Redwood pack, but he stays in New York. His father asked that he visit when he comes home, and here he is. Zac, this is my lovely daughter, Gemma.”
Zac smiled sweetly, his eyes roaming her entire features. “Nice to meet you, Gemma. You are more beautiful than your pictures.”
“You have been showing off my pictures?” Gemma questioned her father.
Ezekiel shrugged guiltily. “I was just excited to do so.”
Gemma scoffed, “I can almost predict what this is about. A random stranger sits at the table this early in the day to eat with us, and he compliments me. That is just perfect. I am just going to say this once. Whatever they told you, mister, I am not interested. To think I got up from the bed for nothing.” She hissed, leaving the table.
“Gemma, get back here!” Daniella yelled after her.
“It’s okay, honey. I will talk to Gemma.” Ezekiel said. “I’m sorry for the rudeness, Zac. Please enjoy your meal. Ezra will show you around when you finish your meal.”
“It’s no problem, Beta Ezekiel,” Zac assured.
“Please excuse me.” He mumbled, going after his daughter.
Gemma paced the room back and forth, clenching her fist. “Now I understand why Gael sent me away out of the blue. It’s your fault.” She accused her father when she sensed his presence.
Ezekiel folded his arms, gritting his teeth. “You made a mistake walking out on my guest like that. And if Gael says it’s over between you two, isn’t that a good thing? Zac lives far away from here. You can start a new life with him and have new dreams. You should be ashamed of yourself, parading around the pack headless. Not only that, but you are a plaything to Gael, and that’s all you will ever be. Even though it hurts to admit it.”
“Enough, Dad!” She growled. “I know you must have threatened him to stay away from me. But I promise I will only spend the rest of my life with Gael. He will make me the Luna, you will see.”
Her father stared in utmost shock, conflicted on what to say. “What is wrong with you, Gemma? Why do you keep acting as if you weren’t loved right growing up? Why would you keep pushing yourself on someone who treats you like trash? What good man will sleep recklessly with other women if he does respect and love you? I have laid a good example for you, loving your mother endlessly. Where exactly did I go wrong training you?”
“It’s none of your business! I am an adult and can handle myself. I promise you, I will get back with Gael, and you won’t be able to do anything about it.”
“Shut that stupid mouth of yours, young lady. Apologize to your father right this minute.” Daniella ordered from the doorway, giving Gemma a stern look.
Gemma threw her hands out, “I am so not apologizing to anyone. I’m afraid I have to disagree that it’s my fault that Dad lacks the insight to take in a new experience. I am glad you will no longer be the Beta. I can get to live whichever way I choose then.”
Kissing her teeth, Daniella slapped Gemma hard across the face. “You idiot!”
“Honey.” Ezekiel cautioned.
“No, baby. Let me handle this. You ungrateful child! It’s bad enough that I must put up with the sneers and mockery from my friends and foes. But you disrespect us for wanting what’s best for you? I am so not going to take that. Do you not feel depressed or ashamed of a man who treats you like some dirt under his shoes? You have a lifetime of goodwill with someone willing to look past your bad mistakes and be there for you. I am tired of seeing your shameless self. I have tried to be a supportive mother, even going against your father’s will, included. I have had enough. And if at twenty-two, what you intend to do is waste your life not working and planning for your future, but only spending your father’s money and running after dick. That’s good for you. I hope when you see someone like Perry making a name for herself, you won’t go about badmouthing her. We know keyboard warriors like you. Frustrated beings on the internet only started this way.”
“Mum.” Gemma let out a shaky breath, feeling tears in her eyes.
“Let’s go, honey. Our guest still needs us. It’s a total waste of time with this one.” Daniella urged, pulling Ezekiel with her.
“Fuck you all!” She screamed after them. “I will prove to you all that Gael is mine and mine alone. You will see!”