The curse of Red

8.

"Sit next to your mother."
Spitefully command Stephan as Gabriella just nodded with agreement.   I wrapped my arms around her making Rain feel happy again. "Our pup."
My fingers gentle caress her shoulder, "Mama, do you think I'll see them again?"
Her question caught me off guard with her sweet innocence but before I can even give her a positive reassurance,  he had to put his two cents in.
"Yes, if you do not obey me." He said looking directly at me.  This was hidden message, one I couldn't take lightly.
"Cole, take them home and take me to the office."
"Yes Sir."

That Cole didn't sit right with me, he was Stephan new driver. But he smelled like burn out rogue, unwanted undesired mix of rotten sewage.   But worse part it was the way he looked at my ten year old daughter that filled my body up with goosebumps.
Luckily he was never around us, just drove Stephen around.   If we need to leave to the market we took my favorite 1987 Chevy Silverado. We lived a simple country life while Stephan lives in penthouse downtown in the city somewhere.  Like I mention, he rarely came home and if he did it mostly to show his parents he hadn't forgotten about us. 
Divorce wasn't going to be easy for me, I was too scared he would take My daughter from me. So, I prefer to go on with our lives just the way they were. 
We arrive to our home as Gabby waited for her fatherly hug that never came.
"Come dear, Ill make your favorite cheesy enchiladas."
She look back at her father while his nose dug into some business magazine.
"Coming mother." Always formally front in of her father.
Cole open our door letting us out as we held hands walking to our small country home.
But I felt evil eyes dig into my back making quickly turn to notice Cole pervert eyes on my daughter. A full tremble growl escape from my chest as my canine teeth were now showing.
The earth shook making me blink and relax my wolf. But it wasn't me who shook the earth.
A strong heavily scent of Vanilla and butterscotch filled my nostrils. "His here." My wolf said
Cole quickly paced around the drive and speed off.

"Mom?"

"Yes dear."

"Akela, wants to know what that was?"

Akela what an interesting name, "who is Akela?"
"Oh mom don't be silly she's my imaginary friend."
She said as we enter our home and she ran off to her room.
'Interesting name for imaginary friend,' I thought. I didn't want to bother her asking her more information.
I start to remove my clothing walking around in panties and bra on my room letting my back collapse in my bed exhaling all energy from today.
My body ache in pain and broken heart. 
All I wanted to do pack bags and restart somewhere new with Gab.
Somewhere no one knows us, a foreign new place.  But I didn't know how or where.
The heavy scent of King linger into my nose once again, but this time I was too tired figure out why.
"We're just going crazy, Rain."
She chuckled "possibly."
I closed my eyes for couple seconds actively listening to Gab playing upstairs.
"You know Akela, Mom going make her famous cheesy enchiladas and maybe she let us watch "Mad Tv" afterwards."

I just chuckle to my daughter conversation with her friend.
"You know, she talking to her wolf, right?"

My heart frozen in the spot as I quickly sat up to come face to face with Him.
"Your majesty."
I bow my head looking down, instantly seen my cleavage. Fuxk my life Am only wearing bra and panties.
"I apologize for my wardrobe or lack of it, I wasn't aware you were coming."
I apologize but I keep wondering why was he here.
His heavy steps echo in the room as my heart seemed to skip a beat with each step.
"Interesting child. She does not smell like wolf but yet her presence is strong."
'Control your breathing,' I reminded Rain.
"Her father is human."
I lie
"Is that so?"
He sound almost convince.
"Your majesty, May I ask what I own this pleasure?"
I ask as his bare feet came to view awhile my head stayed bowed down.
"Business."
Was all he said.
"Put on clothes, my wolf has not touched his mate in ten years he doesn't seem to understand, our chosen mate is at the kingdom not some American disgusting town."
I quickly grab the handmade quilt that I made for our five year anniversary; that Stephen hated. It was made of pieces of my wedding dress and tuxedo.
Black and pink with soft fleece on the inside, a Memoriam I wanted to trade down to our childrens' children.  But he hated it, hundred plus hours sewing and making it perfect for him to tell me, "what the fuxk is this?"
But I kept it reminding me of pre-marriage days; the days were the little things made me smile.  Where courting was every day with him but couple years into marriage he was a different person.
"Disgusting scent."
He said bringing me back to reality
"Mom!! Akela and I hungry , we can eat a bear." She yelled as she was coming towards my room making my heart freeze at its spot.
"Bear? Quite an appetite for such a little thing. What is her age!?"

"8."
I quickly spilled out a lie hushing Rain before she growled.  "I should met her."
He said as he got closer to door.
"Is that necessary." I said making him quickly turn to face me with darkness in his eyes.
"Necessary? Are you questioning your King?"
Full venom spilled out of his mouth.
"No, your majesty I just wonder why is it necessary? I worry about my daughter finding a half naked man in her parents room, is all."
I looked at his face as he was lost in thoughts.
"Quite true, it has been a long day for you both. But I will return my little red. For I must see this child."
Just when I let go of breath I was holding in, there was sharp pain in my neck.
He held my neck to side digging his fingers into my skin making it twisted to the right.
"Where are my marks?"
He angrily asks
"I have no claim to you, a witch has removed them."
My eyes make to his now black eyes, his slick blonde hair shown appearance of black fur.  His nostrils were pulling forward showing his monster was a lot closer.
"MoM!!!!!!!"
A bang in the door made him let me go as he jumped out of the window.