Page 6

Perry

“Gregor doesn't knowyou’rehere?”

Dad paced back and forth,his eyes trained on the carpet. Jupiter played quietly next to my chair, distracted with a little toy wolf. She was three, and had grown adept at tuning out the arguments and serious conversations of adults. Our life back in Elclaw, with her father, Gregor, made that an easytask.

“No,”I said. “I just took Jupiter and left. I’d hadenough.”

“Oh,”Dad said, pushing his gray hair back. I could see what was going through his head—he was trying to think up of a way to make this “right,” to apologize to Gregor and send me and my daughter back to Elclaw. Dad was just like that. He wasn’t a bad person in any sense, but his mind was always on the status of our family name and whether or not it was in “appropriate standing” or not. Our family got prestige from being married in to the Houndfangs and their Silver Sun Clan, so me walking out on my cheating bastard of a husband was a problem forDad.

“It’s not toolate to make all this right,” Dad continued. He was just talking to himself at this point, giving himself reassurances. “Yes. You can call home and say that… that I was sick. You came home to visitme.”

“Hounds of Hell,Dad. Are youserious?”

“Of course I’m serious,Perichor. And you should be too. This is your family’s name you’re dealing with. If word gets around that you’ve walked out, that you two are having problems… The gossip will be extraordinary, and I don’t know what I’ll be able to do for youthen.”

“Idon’t givea damn about any gossip. I’m not going back, Dad. Not to a man who’s been bringing womenandomegas into our bedroom for years. I never wanted this marriage, but I gave it a fair shot. He had so many chances, and blew every single one of them. Force me out of the house, or out of the family if you want. I’m not goingback.”

Dad looked hurt.He leaned against the couch and rubbed his forehead. “I know the situation is less than desirable, Perichor… But we’re highborn. You and Gregor are bound under the seal of the high wolf clans. You can’t just leave. You have to goback.”

“The longer Istay there with him, the faster my soul deteriorates. I’ll have nothing left. I’m withering away, Dad. And our daughter, she’ll be affected too. She alreadyis.”

It wasn’t justthe infidelity. Gregor could be an angry, hateful man, especially when it came to interrupting his lifestyle. He’d never lifted a hand against me or Jupiter, but he struck with his words and voice. The shouting matches were so frequent and intense that many of our house staff had quit. I wish I could say that he was at least a good father, but he hardly had a care to participate in our daughter’s life. The Houndfangs were the wealthiest family in Elclaw, and Gregor basked in that lifestyle. Extravagant parties. Competitive wolf-cycle racing. Traveling for “business”. And of course, all the temptation that came with thosethings.

IguessI had to say that the cheating didn’t bother me so much. I might’ve thought I’d loved him for a brief period when Jupiter was born, but now there was nothing. It was the disrespect, and the example he was setting for our daughter. The irresponsibility, the lack of character. And I was bitter that I’d been forced to sacrifice my life in Wolfheart to be with him, to waste so many years of my youth suffering. There were times when I wished he would change, and that maybe at least we could have a calm life together. I didn't need to love him, but at least we could have that. Of course, that wasn’t possible. That wasn’t who he was. But more than anything, I wished I could just be done withhim.

“You’re here now,”Dad said, his expression softening. “So what else can we do? You and Jupiter will stay here for as long as possible. But eventually, you will have to go back. I’m sorry, son. I wish there was something we could do, but you and Jupiter will be better off there than living in exile. I know you know this. So please, think aboutthat.”

He was right.That was the worst part ofit.

The doorto the living room opened and my brother Dimitrius came in, towel draped around his neck. He was a first year at the Dawn Academy’s Fighting Arts School, and must’ve just gotten back fromclasses.

“Hey,”he said to us, and then crouched down next to Jupiter. “How’s my niece doing, huh? You having fun,there?”

Jupiter looked up at him,smiled, and continued to play with her wolf. She was a quiet girl and didn’t like to talk much to other people, exceptme.

“Everything good, Perry?”Dimitriusasked.

Ismiled,not wanting to burden my brother. “Everything’sfine.”

“You sure?You want me to beat Gregor up for you? Because I will.” He threw out several rapid jabs and akick.

“I’m pretty surethe FAS wouldn’t appreciate that type of behavior from one of their students,” I said. “But thanks. I wish it were thateasy.”

“If you wantme to babysit Jupiter for you, just let me know. It’s been a while since you’ve been back home. You should have some time to check the cityout.”

“I’m not really herefor sightseeing,Dimitrius.”

“Iknow.But you’ve been through a lot. You should have some time to yourself. Right,Dad?”

“Uh, sure. Of course.”

Dimitrius rolled his eyes.I knew he didn’t respect ourfather.

“Go,”he urged. “I know you want to get out and check things out. It’salright.”

“Fine, fine,”I said. He was right, anyway. Waiting around at home would just drive me crazy. I was in limbohere.

Iwentupstairs to my old bedroom, which had long ago been converted into a study, and changed my clothes from my suitcase. Next to it was Jupiter’s miniature pink suitcase. I felt terrible. I wished I didn’t have to be here. I wished I didn’t have to run. I hated that Jupiter had to be put through all this, and I hated that my father wasn’t more helpful. I knew he was right, his hands were tied, but I wished he could’ve at least been more supportive and understanding. If Mom were still alive, it would’ve been the same way. She’d been the one to set up the damn arrangement with the Houndfangs, and all because she felt our family was “too poor.” Not enough status, not enoughmoney.