LARA’S POV
Scarlet was on the back of my wolf while I rode her. She was always excited and carefree whenever we do this and I loved to see her that way.
We were approaching the mansion and so I reduced my speed. We have not taken too long at Crystal Realms Pack and I don’t think anyone would be looking for us yet. In fact, they won’t even know that we went out.
As I looked ahead of me, I saw Gina standing by the gates of the mansion with her hands on her waist.
She appeared to be ready for some trouble but I did not draw Scarlet’s attention to her. She was still enjoying her time outside the mansion and I am not about to cut that short for her just yet not even because of someone as insignificant as Gina.
“Can you please increase your pace a little more?” Scarlet pleaded.
She was lying on my back by this time and was looking up to the sky.
“I have always begged you not to stay in such a position, Scarlet. Something could happen and I might tremble and you would fall off. That would be a great fall and I don’t want it” I responded.
“But then, Lara, I just got to this position. Moreover, we are close to the mansion and nothing is going to happen. So please increase your pace” she pleaded.
“No, I won’t. Unless you sit up first” I replied.
I knew she was never going to accept to sit up and with the sight in front of me, I do not want her to. And I am not going to increase my pace as I am not in any hurry to go back to any of the troubles in the mansion.
“You know, just continue. Actually, I am okay this way” she said.
“Better for the both of us, Scarlet, better for the both of us” I answered.
“What about I sing you a song as we go?” she offered.
“For your voice, Scarlet, I will do whatever you want” I agreed.
Scarlet, yes, Scarlet. Everyone seemed to be focused on all that she was not doing right but no one want to know the things that she does right.
She has the most beautiful voice I have ever heard. Her voice is very melodious and it has the ability to bring gods down from their throne.
But she never sings, yes she does not and it is only I and my mother that is aware of just how good her voice is.
Due to the fear that has grown in her over the years, she could not bring herself to sing before any other person no matter how much we tried to make her. But anyway, that is understandable. No one would be able to sing if in her position.
“Please not be loud, Scarlet. Sing softly” I requested.
“Okay” she replied.
She started by humming and I joined her but ensured that my voice was much lower than hers so as not to spoil the song.
She started to sing while I listened to her and enjoyed the song. Listening to her made me forget all my problems and I wished I could stay away from the mansion forever just listening to her sing.
“And what are you doing cat-walking to the mansion with your wolf” Gina flared.
Scarlet flung up from my back. She was not expecting to see Gina and now I wish I had told her about Gina’s presence.
“Gina” Scarlet exclaimed.
I shifted to my wolf and ran to stand close to Scarlet.
“And what are you doing singing, Lara?” Gina asked. “I think you have a good voice but what does it matter?”
“It was me, I was the one singing” Scarlet revealed in excitement.
“Shut up you fool, and who do you think you are talking to?” Gina flared up.
“But… I…” Scarlet stammered as she tried to explain.
“Who are you lying to, idiot? And where did you girls leave the mansion to?” Gina yelled.
“But you don’t call me an idiot” Scarlet retorted.
I was shocked to hear that. I looked at Scarlet amazed. I have never seen her talk back at anyone or try to stand up for herself. And even when I heard that she tried to attack Gina, I believed it was only but an exaggeration.
“Oh, I see. Is it because I only gave you a little fling the last time?” Gina mocked. “You know I almost believed that I killed you then when you laid before me helpless. And tell me is it that you are determined to die by my hands?” Gina asked.
I know this was not going to end well, but I am here for my friend and I will not stand by and allow Gina to treat her like trash.
SCARLET’S POV
I don’t mind her calling me a liar because I know it will make no difference whether she believed it or not. But I will not take her referring to me as an idiot no matter the circumstances.
Now I must respond to her and put her in her place once and for all.
“But you don’t call me an idiot” I fired back.
It was easy for her the last time when I had fainted, but it will not be so for her this time around, that I promise her.
“Oh, I see. Is it because I only gave you a little fling the last time?” she said.
I could tell that all she was aiming at was to mock me and make me feel very low of myself. I would take such treatment from members of my family but not from Gina. She has to be married to Sam first before I allow her to act in such a derogatory manner towards me.
“You know I almost believed that I killed you then when you laid before me helpless. And tell me is it that you are determined to die by my hands?” she asked.
“And who are you to kill me?” I retorted. “What do you even think of yourself? A heroine, wait let me ask, have you ever killed a fly? And just so we are clear, you’ve got no right to ask of my whereabouts and what I decide to do with my time”
Her face had turned red and I know I’d got her just where I needed her to be. I might not have the physical strength, but I must let her know that I can stand up for myself in one way or the other.
“I see you have some guts” she chuckled.
She tried to walk towards me to hit me but I rushed up to her instead. I intend to give her a heavy punch on her tiny stomach.
But before any of us could achieve our aim, Lara had come between us. She was shielding me from Gina and even though I never ask her to, I was grateful to her because as it is, I cannot vouch that my punch will have any effect on her.
“Stay away from Scarlet. She is my friend and I will not let you treat her the way you like” Lara threatened.
“And is that a threat I detect in your voice? Now get out of my way, you slave” Gina said.
At the mention of slave, I heard the sound of a heavy slap. At first, I thought that she had hit Lara and so I tried to pull Lara away until I noticed that Gina had her hands glued to her face.
I noticed that her face and eyes were even very red now and I could swear that what I saw in her eyes were tears that had gathered.
“You slapped her, Lara?” I murmured in disbelief.
“You slapped me?” she stammered.
I could not believe that Lara would have the mind to slap Gina. Does she want to get into trouble with my brother, Sam? But then, Gina should know better than to talk down on Lara.
“And I am going to do that again if given a chance to” Lara guaranteed.
“Don’t worry, I will make sure to report this to Sam, my fiancé” she threatened.
“I dare you to, Gina. You have a choice of either letting this die here or risk being reported to alpha Fred. And know that I am only giving you this choice because of Scarlet and the relationship that you have with her brother and it is not because I give a damn about what becomes of you. And if you should as much as dare to talk about anything that had transpired here to anyone at all, I will go to the alpha and tell him that you referred to me as a slave and you know the consequences. I am a full member of this Pack and no one can refer to me as a slave. You would be banished for that and if brother Sam dared to support you, even he would be banished too, and the same goes for every other accessory. And don’t think this is over yet because it will never be over as long as you keep making life uncomfortable for Scarlet. Dare make life uneasy for Scarlet one more time and see yourself thrown out of Diamond Cut Pack and I don’t need to remind you that no Pack around here would want to associate with you” Gina responded.
“This is not over, don’t think it ever will. I know where you guys had been to, and I assure you that I will pick my fights better from now on” she said.
“You cannot do anything because I am very much prepared for you anytime, any day” Lara giggled.
Gina smirked and walked back inside in shame and defeat.
I went and hugged Lara and started to sob. At the point when she had slapped Gina, I thought it was going to be all over for us and I was amazed at how she had turned everything around against Gina. And it is now that I have come to realize why no one had ever referred to me as a slave.
“Stop it, Scarlet, you won. She will never bother you. Please stop crying” Lara consoled me.
“I thought we were in trouble, I thought I was going to be in deep shit,” I said.
“No, there is no way I am going to put us in trouble. You can dry your tears now” she replied.
“Thank you so much, I don’t know what I would have done without you” I said.
“No need to thank me, dear, we are in this together” she replied.