“I know I caused a lot of hurt, damage, and pain to all of you, whether it was indirectly or directly. Mama, I’m so sorry… When I found out what he wanted in return, I thought it was ok, because I was useless in my studies – in everything, and Dad’s return would be better for everyone because he could do more than I ever could. We all needed him, whilst I was just so holed up in my own emotions and pain. So, I’m sorry, Mama, for thinking that, when I know now I was wrong. No matter what my flaws are, you will always love and miss me.”
She looks up with a defiance that I have not seen fromher since before we lost Uncle Rayhan. “And Aunty Raven, Uncle Liam… I hurt Jayce, when he’s the last person on heaven and earth that I wanted to hurt, and in doing so, I hurt you both, all of you.” She pauses, looking at all of the Westwoods. “But I’m going to fix it; I’m going to make up for what I’ve done.”
“IfJayce accepts you again… but it might just be worth staying away from him,” Ares says quietly.
Sienna doesn’t reply, and she’s gotten better at hiding how she feels. Usually, you could read her openly. Interesting.
Uncle Liam glances across at Ares. “That’s between Jayce and Sienna, Ares.” He then looks at Sienna and gives her a warm smile. “Do what you need to do, but don’t blame yourself for something any one of us could have been tricked into doing. You were the victim of an unfortunate event, that’s not on you.”
“And I think Jayce is happy you’re back, even if he wants to act like he doesn’t care,” Aunty Raven says cheerfully as Uncle Liam smiles at her and kisses her softly, before hugging her tiny frame.
I look over at Theo, and he’s surprisingly quiet, one hand tucked under his jaw.
“Thank you,” Sienna says softly to Aunty Raven, as the others ask her a few more questions.
“So, what’s this about Hades and Poseidon?” Grandad Elijah asks, making Theo and Ares exchange looks.
“And how long have you two been hiding such big secrets?” Uncle Liam adds.
“I would like to know that, too,” Uncle Leo says.
And here I am, hiding something, too…
“Well, you know, sometimes there are certain things you shouldn’t share with anyone; you never know when the enemy is near,” Theo says lightly, with a cocky smirk.
My eyes snap up to him; he’s smirking, but I know him better than that. What is he really implying?
“You should have at least told your family,” Grandma Scarlett says.
“Yeah, or me,” Ahren adds as he bites into the last cookie. “You know I can keep secrets.”
“I’m sure you all have some secrets,” Aunty Kiara says, “But I think us older generation can say keeping secrets often does more harm than good.”
“Maybe,” Theo says. Uncle Leo’s lost in thought.
“So does a god get to choose what side their chosen picks, or is that up to the favoured?” Uncle Leo asks after a moment.
“A good question, next time I have tea with my man Hades, I’ll ask him,” Theo says sarcastically.
“I love when Leo doesn’t know something,” Allie whispers loudly, although everyone can hear her.
“It’s a good question,” Grandad Elijah says, looking between Allie and Theo, and the others agree.
“I’m not sure, ask someone else,” Ares says.
“Yeah, and I’m not favoured, so I have no idea,” Renji says.
The door opens, and I glance up as Grandpa Alejandro enters. His expression is grim, but he says nothing, kissing Aunty Kiara’s forehead as he sits down again.
“So, what about the attacks? What happened?” Renji asks.
“The Indomitable; they’re trying to reduce our numbers,” Uncle Leo informs us quietly.
“Do you think it’s time to move pack locations underground?” Uncle Rayhan asks.
Uncle Leo’s eyes snap up to him, a deep frown furrowing his forehead. “It’ll do much more harm than good. We’re wolves, we need nature, and this ain’t about some trauma or shit,” he adds with a pointed look towards Grandpa Alejandro, who was about to say something. Instead, Grandpa Alejandro closes his mouth and takes out a cigarette.
“Well, just making fucking sure,” he grunts.
