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"Would either of you like to explain to me what the hell happened here and why I was the last person to find out?" Tessa screeched, as she slammed the front door closed behind her and stomped her way into the living room entrance. "I busted my ass to make this house perfect and some little ass-wipe decides to ruin it, oh hell no." She said sassily with her hands on her hips.
I smiled and shook my head as I continued to pick up the remanence of my living room. I figured Tessa would be mad when she found out, but I didn't expect her to come barging into the house to get answers. I guess Erik forgot to give her the memo that I wanted to be alone.
"We have no idea who did this. At least I don't." I said, side glancing at Sebastian who was oblivious to our conversation.
Tessa carefully made her way into the room, lifting her feet up and over the large shards of glass and torn up cushions. It truly looked like a war zone.
"What were they looking for? And why destroy the place? I mean, didn't they figure out you were living at the pack house?" 455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3s7dhQbUfD
Raising my eyebrows and shrugging my shoulders, I shook my head in an unknowing gesture. Anyone in their right mind would know not to even attempt to get into the pack house. That was just asking for trouble.
"Oh, and I also heard that some hot guys were here. Come on sis, you couldn't call me to at least tell me that?" She said sarcastically with a huge smile on her face.
Sebastian let out with a low growl before both of our heads snapped toward him and stared for a second. I could see his face starting to turn a light red and his breathing starting to increase.
"First of all, Jasper is not hot. Second of all, why did you disobey my orders?" His husky voice spat as he locked eyes with Tessa. "Just because she is your sister doesn't mean you can disobey me."
Just as I opened my mouth to defend her, Tessa puffed out her chest like a peacock and walked casually over to him. She was always a firecracker but when it came to me, she went a little nuttier than her usual crazy.
"You listen here, buddy." She started while poking her small pointer finger into his chest.
"That's enough," I said loudly as I threw my hands up in the air. "I have had enough arguing for today. Tessa can be here if she wants to."
Crossing her arms over her chest, Tessa smirked at Sebastian causing him to roll his eyes at me. For the sake of argument, he continued picking up overturned furniture that littered the room.
"Tess, can you take a walk around and see if any of this is salvageable?" I asked, nodding my head to the side to signal her to leave the room.
She let out with a loud exhale and stomped each foot on the ground until she was out of the room, obviously mad I made her leave. Sometimes she could be very childish.
"What was that all about?" I questioned Sebastian who was now on his hands and knees pulling handfuls of cotton out from underneath the massive couch.
"I wanted to be alone with you, not have every wolf in Black Lace showing up to the door to see what happened."
"Tessa isn't just any wolf, Sebastian, she is my sister. I understand what you mean, but you could have been a little nicer." I replied calmly.
"She disobeyed my orders." He blurted out.
Knitting my eyebrows at him and placing my hands on my hips, I spoke before I could think. "If my siblings want to be with me or come to my house your orders don't apply."
Putting the handful of cotton into a garbage bag, it seemed to have been only a second before he was in front of me. His arms wrapped tightly around my body, calming me from the anger that was bubbling inside.
"I'm sorry. I just wanted to make up for all the time I lost. I wanted to be alone with you." He mumbled into my neck.
I enjoyed the feeling of his warm, strong arms around me. The intoxicating feeling the spread through me like wildfire when his body was close to mine.
But my body wouldn't let me fully succumb to peacefulness I so desperately needed. My mind kept drifting back to the mess that was around me. Not even Sebastian and his calming powers would make this go away.
When Sebastian's grip finally loosened I pulled away from him gently and stared into his eyes.
I didn't see that angry force that was begging to be released. The black mist that spun around in his eyes like a tornado. It was gone.
"Thank you for staying and helping me." I whispered.
Giving my body one more gentle squeeze, he smiled before letting go of me and walking back over to the bag of cotton.
Directing my attention to the other side of the room, I pushed large pieces of wood and glass with my feet to create a path.
Sitting below the window and flipped onto its side was my small oak coffee table. "Damn leg is broken." I mumbled to myself.
I carefully pushed it to the side of the wall and picked up the magazines and books that were scattered around it.
Amongst the paper was my favorite family photo. The golden frame with ivy crawling up the sides was now broken into pieces, the picture now sporting slice marks.
455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUOtVllcYS
FLASHBACK
"Stop goofing off and just take the darn picture already." Mitchell growled. He hated having to take family photos with me and Tessa. We were like little kids, we couldn't contain our excitement.
"We are just having some fun. Why do you always have to be a party pooper?" Tessa giggled as I made faces behind Mitch's back.
Standing in the front of a massive rose garden, we attempted to catch a family portrait that described exactly who we were. Of course, this was our mother's idea.
"Mom, please. Just take the picture." Mitchell whined.
Not wanting to hear any more bickering, our mother continued to snap pictures. Some of us smiling, others of us complaining.
"Alright you brats, we are finished." Our mother announced.
That's all she had to say before we all scattered, each of us going our own way.
END OF FLASHBACK
455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4RYgtMESQ
Gently rubbing my hand over the picture, I smiled. With all the complaining, my mother was able to capture a moment of beauty. All three of us facing each other and smiling. To me, it showed siblings love for one another.
"Are you okay?" Sebastian asked, wrapping his arms around my waist from behind.
"Yeah. I think I've had enough excitement for today." I admitted quietly.
"Are you ready to head home then?"
"Yeah." I breathed.
"Okay. I'll go find Tessa and let her know we are heading out." He said while placing a kiss on my forehead.
Before I knew it, Sebastian was rounding the corner and I was finally alone. Alone with the mess that had become my life.
Picking up the curtains that were thrown in a pile, a small piece of paper floated to the floor and landed in front of my feet. I quickly bent over and picked up the torn white sheet and examined it closely.
"Are you ready to give in? Ready to let the darkness turn your worries and fears into pure bliss? I have asked you twice-"
"We are ready to go." Sebastian's voice echoed through the hallway, making me jump. I quickly shoved the note into my pocket not wanting Sebastian to see it. "Do you want to take your car?"
"Uh, yeah. Yeah, let's take my car." I stammered, hoping he wouldn't catch on to my startled reaction.
"You two head on back, I'll finish up here and lock up when I'm done." Tessa yelled from the kitchen, still surveying the damage.
Grabbing my keys off the end table we walked toward the garage. The large golden hinges squealed as the heavy metal door was pulled open. It moaned even more as I pulled it closed behind us.
A sadness came over me. Even the doors made it known that they were being neglected. I bought this house to start new memories in, not to run from the damage that had become it.
"Do you want me to drive?" Sebastian asked sweetly while gently unhooking the key ring from my finger. "I would like to take you somewhere."
A big part of me wanted to "awe" him because of how sweet the gesture was. But the other part of me just wanted to go back to the pack house, take a shower and crawl in bed.
"You don't have to take me anywhere."
"I know I don't," He mumbled. "But I want to."
Sliding into the Hummer I got myself comfortable in the passenger seat and clicked the seatbelt in place. I pulled lightly on the gray belt to adjust it over my chest, I didn't like the constricted feeling and inability to move freely in the seat.
"I promise it won't take long. I just want to show you something special to me."
I nodded my head and laid the seat back and put my feet up on the dashboard. If I had to be in the car for any amount of time, I might as well be comfortable.
As we started pulling out of the driveway I noticed Tessa standing in the window watching as we left. Since she was a little girl she always tried to be my protector, my Miss. Fix-It. I still remember like it was yesterday how she reacted when I told her about my break up with Damien.
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FLASHBACK
I was curled up on the couch, my legs under me and my arms resting on the armrest. This poor black suede couch as seen its fair share of tears, both happy and sad. But today, it was getting the worst of my salty tears.
"How can you just wake up one morning and not be in love with someone anymore. How does that even happen." I yelled in the direction of the kitchen. "How could someone be so insensitive as to even say that?"
Juggling two containers of ice cream and a can of whipped cream in her hands, Tessa unleashed her weight onto the cushion beside me and handed me the icy goodness. Dropping the spoons she was balancing in her mouth into her hands, she placed them down on a napkin beside us.
"V, we have been over this a million times. Men suck." She giggled. I knew she didn't mean that she was just a little sour that her fling with one of the Marcus twins didn't pan out.
"I know, I know," I repeated sarcastically. "But I'm serious, what's wrong with me?"
Shoving a spoonful of vanilla ice cream in her mouth, she began to mumble something I couldn't understand. She started shaking her head back and forth violently while closing her eyes and opening her mouth wide.
"Sorry, brain freeze. Anyway, there is nothing wrong with you. I told you from the moment I met Damien that I didn't like him. He was with you just because you gave him a free ride. I know you are a caring person and like to help everyone, but he didn't need saving."
I spun my spoon around in my chocolate ice cream before taking a scoop and shoving it into my mouth. Tessa was right, I'm a people pleaser and everyone who knew that took advantage.
"What you need is a nice quiet boy. One that will treat you like a queen, rub your feet, shower you with love. Like that cute little blonde boy that use to follow you around like a puppy dog when we were kids. I wonder whatever happened to him." Tessa stopped talking for a moment and scratched the side of her head.
"My point is, don't waste your life crying over a man. It's not worth it, he's not worth it. I promise the right man is out there for you. He might not ride in on a white horse and sweep you off your feet, but he will set your heart on fire and every touch will feel like the 4th of July." She smiled, rubbing her hands up and down her arms.
I admired her outlook on love. I could only dream of a love like that, a love so pure that their heart only beats for that one person. But it is hard to believe something like that really exists. That out there in this crazy world is the perfect man for me.
Curling her legs up on the couch, she leaned her body against my side and rested her head on my shoulder. "Who needs a man when we have ice cream, Netflix, and wine?"
A laugh escaped my lips. Only Tessa could make a bad breakup fun and enjoyable.
END FLASHBACK
I smiled at the memory of us and just how good of a sister she really is. I've never forgotten how lucky I am to have someone like her in my life to watch over me.
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