Page 75 of One Nightstand With My Ex's Uncle

EMILY’S POV.

I looked at Lucas, but he didn’t look at me. He simply toyed with his dinner. My heart thundered in my chest. Everything was going wrong.

No, things weren’t supposed to be that way. I swallowed, and looked at them. They were expecting a reply from me. “Uh, wh…what time?”

“We’ll call you whenever we’re ready.” Lady Genevieve said, looking at me like she’d love to just cut me off from the family.

If she wanted to do that, I had no objections. I had no interest in staying with a family that had so much rules, and regulations, too many dos and don’ts.

It would have been better if they just told me the time, so I could be prepared for it. Why would they say they would call me when they needed it?

The dinner was a quiet one, but within me was a storm of fear.

Alpha Raymond and Lady Genevieve scared me a lot.

They were always looking tight, and angry whenever I saw them.

Lady Mira didn’t seem to care about me or anything I did, and Alpha Will looked like he was considering if I’d be trouble or not.

They made me feel like I was walking on eggshells.

After the dinner, I went to my room, and sat, taking out my phone, and wondering if I should bother Dahlia with it.

In the end, I decided against it, and dropped my phone. Just then, a rock hit my window, and I jumped.

I got up from my bed, and walked to the window slowly.

I opened it, and another rock flew in. With a little yelp, I stood back, and peered down at whoever was down there carefully.

It was Mandy, and she looked annoyed.

“Come down.” She said, and began to walk towards the garden.

I rolled my eyes, and left the room. It was probably her doing. She had dared to display our pictures at such an important gathering. All because I didn’t upload a drunk video.

Well, according to me, our pictures on that screen was better than the drunk video she wanted me to do.

Mandy was waiting by the rose bushes, folding her arms, with her back to me.

“What?” I said, and she turned to face me.

She walked till there was only inches between us, and I dug my hands into my pockets.

“You didn’t upload the video.”

“That’s why you displayed those pictures.” I said, and she raised a brow.

“Well, now you know. I’m dangerous, and I will stop at nothing to rid you from my sight. Ever since I knew you, I’d always hated you. You’re one ambitious fool. Toying with John wasn’t enough. Did you have to turn to Lucas too? You’re really greedy, and have come only to leech off them.”

“And you? Isn’t that what you came to do? You came to leech off them. You’re trying to get closer to Lucas because you want his money. Isn’t that it? You’re pathetic. If I saw an easy escape route out of this family, do you think I wouldn’t take it?” I asked, and she scoffed.

“Escape route, or a way to stay?”

“An escape route. I’m not like you, and I prefer building myself up, than attaching myself to others.” I said, and turned away.

“I called you out here for a reason.” She called after me.

“And I do not want to hear it.” I replied, walking away.

“Emily! Do you think I came out here just to see you walk out on me?” She shouted.

“Then you should have been quick with your words.” I shouted back, leaving the garden.

I was tired, and couldn’t handle more stress. Already, I was having a meeting with the elders the next day, and I didn’t know what to expect, so that alone was too much pressure on me.

~

The next morning, I dressed as respectful as I could. A simple T-shirt, tucked into jeans. It wasn’t anything outrageous, formal, or uncomfortable.

I packed my hair into a bun, and tried to look like I wasn’t having a good time either.

“Just try to be remorseful as you can. They hate it when there’s even a little dent to our public image.” Sadie said.

“You saw how people were flocking around us yesterday? That’s how important we are. The other packs that are less successful than ours would fight for any chance to bring us down, and show that we can’t even manage our family well.” She continued, and I sighed.

“I never wanted this.”

“But you intended to marry John.”

“I didn’t think things would become as toxic as this, did I? I thought John and I would live alone, and enjoy a blooming love everyday. Not once did I think things would turn out like this.” I said, and she rolled her eyes.

“Anyways, just be on your best attitude, okay? And don’t ruin chances for our matchmaking.” She whispered into my ear from behind, and I turned sharply.

“Are you still on about that? Do you want more photos to be displayed to the public? I’m not interested in Lucas, so why do I have to play along?”

“If you’re not, then you will be, by the time I’m done.” She said, and I turned back to the mirror. There was no winning against Sadie.

The elders didn’t call. Not until I was about taking a quick nap after lunch.

“Ma’am. You attention is needed at the Main mansion.” A maid said at my door, and my heart leaped up, the same way I jumped up.

“They need me?” I said, going to the door.

I suddenly felt an intense need to see Sadie, but she was nowhere to be found. At least, her nonchalant words telling me it would be nothing would do well to comfort me.

I walked down the stairs, half fast, and half slow, expecting to see Lucas hanging around somewhere. He wasn’t there. I checked the kitchen on my way, and the dining, but he also wasn’t there.

“Ma’am?” The maid called when she saw I was peeping into John’s office.

“Oh sorry, I’m here.” I said, hurrying towards her. It felt like I was going to throw up. We stepped out of the house, into the greying sky. Maybe it would be better if the rain fell. That way, if they made me cry, I would curl up in my blanket, and pretend I was cold.

I walked into Alpha Raymond’s mansion for the first time, and saw it was probably the best of the mansions. The maids looked skilled and experienced. There were also older and matured ones, watching over the activities of the younger ones.

I was led to a room with a single chair in front of a set of sofas. Already, it seemed like the chair for the accused in court.

I sat, awaiting the elders, with my legs placed together. It seemed like my heart had lodged itself in my throat. Saliva kept on forming in my mouth, and it was work to swallow it.

The last time I had felt that way was when I wanted to sit for an exam. My fingertips were cold, and it felt like I was going to scream due to the nervousness being too much.

I heard the Elders approaching shortly, but it felt like I had waited hours for them.

They came in and I gulped. Alpha Raymond and Lady Genevieve were wearing deep scowls, and looked they had come to tell me I was no longer wanted.

Alpha Will and Lady Mira spoke in low tones, but I couldn’t tell if they were angry, uncomfortable or not bothered by the issue.

“Good afternoon.” I said, in a low voice. None of them replied. They simply settled themselves in their sofas.

Then they watched me.

“I apologize for…” I began.

“Are you sleeping with Lucas?” Lady Genevieve cut in, and my mouth dried up.

I wanted to say something, but nothing came out.

Damn it, Emily! They’ll think you’re admitting it!

I opened my mouth again, but…

Nothing came out.