TRENT
I wasn't expecting Derby to come over after what I witnessed yesterday.
After she left with the fellow, who turned out to be her brother indeed, I followed them from behind, hoping to get an answer to my question.
She was right about the guests. Her family did have visitors over, and they it was a wealthy family from the neighboring pack.
It was easy to tell from the cars they came with and the dresses they wore.
Derby's family welcomed them like they were the Royal family of Wolf Fall, showing their full interest in the huge and chubby man that came along. I didn't read their body languages quickly, until I saw what went down through their living room window.
It was a marriage arrangement between Derby and that fatso!
Derby's family were doing all the talking, making plans to mate Derby to this chubby pig.
I was dumbfounded, understanding why she was so depressed and shattered. She was soon brought out by her brother, all dressed in a flowing red and black floral dress, with her hair flowing down on her shoulders.
She was beautiful, really gorgeous. But her sadness refused to bring the glow on her face, and that made her parents annoyed with her. They were controlling her every move, telling her what to do and what not to do.
That's when Derby sparked out, ruining the arrangement. She stood against their plans, insulting her supposed suitor with no fear.
Her rage amused me. I saw a new side of Derby that felt really attractive.
But that side of hers sent the suitors away, making her family furious. They ordered her to be locked up, so she'd learn her lessons.
I couldn't stand this. I felt like stepping in to intervene, but it felt like the wrong way to solve the problem.
Instead, I left, thinking about Derby.
Later, I left Evolet and Cadell to check up on Derby again. She was in her room receiving insults from her mother, who bullied her like crazy.
"Selfish brat! You should be grateful that your father and I brought you into this world! Isn't that enough to tell you that your life is in our control?!" Her mother had yelled, poking her on the head.
Derby was trying to hold back her rage. It was clear in her eyes that she was furious and felt like attacking anyone who troubled her. Despite the bullying, she kept her cool.
"You're always walking around with that Wolfless girl called Evolet. After she helped our people from that Werecat, she began to attract men to herself like a slut! I've seen her roaming around the pack with two of them. Shameless!"
"Stop insulting my friend, Mom. Just stop it!" Derby had sparked, defending Evolet. And that didn't go well, because her mother struck her on the face with a back hand, daring Derby to raise her voice one more time.
"You are better than that girl in many ways, but you chose to belittle yourself before her! You have a wolf, you where ahead of her in the hunt! But you foolishly ended your journey for heaven knows what!" She roared at poor Derby.
The heat was much for Derby. Now I understood why she tried to hide everything from me and Evolet mostly.
It's all because of her family. They are toxic.
When she showed up at night for her unplanned Sleepover, I knew something must have happened at her place. Her family wouldn't let her out of the house, unless she ran away to cool off her steam.
Still, I felt happy seeing her smile when I comforted her. She needed that attention.
"Goodness, I need to run," Derby said, getting ready to leave.
It was eight in the morning and she didn't want Evolet's mother returning home to find her there. "Don't want her going wild at us," She laughed along with Evolet before leaving.
When I saw this, I also made my move.
"Another important work? I hope everything is fine?" Evolet asked worriedly when I told her I was heading back to my pack for a quick work. I didn't want to break my promise to Derby nor increase Eve's worry.
"Oh, everything is fine. My Beta just wants me to handle something. You know… Alpha stuffs."
"Okay then. Just be safe, alright?" She smiled, patting me on the shoulder.
"Thanks," I appreciated, leaving the house to catch up with Derby.
She wasn't heading to her place but into a different path in the pack.
Derby arrived outside a mini-office to see a man, asking about an apartment she booked down a few days ago. "I'm ready to move in. Can I have the keys?"
"Um, about that…" The latter brought out a wad of notes and tossed it at the table, saying, "Look, I don't want any trouble. It's best you take your money and leave."
"What are you saying? What about my apartment?!" She raised her voice, getting tensed.
Only for the man to reveal what her family had done. They came over to threaten him, forcing him to return Derby's money and send her away.
The cruelty! What kind of a family would stand against their daughter's dreams?! This is just unfair.
"I see," Derby said, getting raged. She grabbed her money and stormed out of the office, heading back home.
I kept my distance from Derby, watching her walk back to her place to face her family. They were already waiting for her in the living room, gathered together as a team against one young helpless lady.
"What is wrong with you people?!" Derby roared out in anger. "Why can't you leave me in peace?! Leave me in PEACE!!"
"How dare you raise your voice at our father?! Know your place!" Her brother yelled, silencing Derby.
She was breathing heavily, struggling to suppress her anger.
"Don't mind this ungrateful child, Theodore. She thinks she can go behind our back, get a place of her own, and run away after all the things we've done for her," Her father said, smirking out with pride.
"She has forgotten how we took care of her, fed her, clothed her, educated her… She has forgotten all the things we did to make her the woman she is today! And now she thinks she can just do as she likes without compensating the ones that took care of her when she had nothing."
"Your so called care has been a nightmare to me! You didn't contribute anything good in my life! It's frustration upon frustration!" Derby yelled, flashing her wolf eyes at her family.
"You never allowed me to make friends or do things that I wanted. You kept controlling everything I did! Every jobs I have taken in the past, you either get me fired or ruin my chances of earning a dime. When the Queen made the announcement of the hunt, you greedily forced me to register so you'll benefit if I had won the hunt to become the Alpha's Queen! But you didn't even care to ask if your daughter felt anything for the Alpha or if she's okay with the decision. No! She must do as we want because we control her!"
"Mind your tongue!" Her mother ordered, rising to her feet.
"I won't! Don't control my life any more! I am not a puppet. I'm Derby for heaven's sake! DERBY!"
"You have now grown wings from roaming around with that Wolfless Omega, huh?" Her father said, getting off the couch. "You now see her as your motivation, isn't it?"
"She has a name and it's Evolet. Stop calling her like she's an object. And yes… I get my motivation from her. That's because she's a true friend and understands me way better than my own heartless family."
"DERBY!" Her brother sparked, drawing closer to her, with his hand rising to strike her!
The moment I saw this, my whole body shivered. I didn't think of what I was doing at that moment, but I did it.
With speed, I dashed into Derby's home and grabbed her brother's hand from hitting her on the face. "Don't even think about it!" I growled, pushing him back. When they all saw me, they became shocked.
"Goddess! A thief!" Derby's mother screamed, hiding behind her husband.
"Who are you?!" Her father sparked, while her brother got ready to fight back, growling back at me.
As I stood there, shielding Derby… "Trent?" She called, forcing me to turn back and look at her face. She was stunned to see me in her home. Her eyes said it all.
I gave her a faint smile and held her hand, showing her my support. "I'm sorry for stepping in like this, but I couldn't stand how they were treating you," I confessed, noticing how Derby's face flushed red with her head lowering down.
That's when we heard her mother uttering out, gaining our attention, "I recognize your face. You're always with that Omega girl with a pet wolf. You're one of her lovers!"
"I saw you yesterday! You were flirting with my sister!" Her brother accused, looking at his father then at me.
Hearing all these from both his wife and son, Derby's father squeezed his face in disgust and said, "Repulsive! So, my daughter now goes about following men? Oh! That's why you ruined our chance in wedding you off to that wonderful man! It's because of him, isn't it?!" He accused, pointing his finger at me.
"This lowlife with nothing! You threw away such an opportunity for a Bum like him?!"
"Not every man is a Bum, sir. Would you like it if someone calls your son a beggar?" I questioned, pointing at the overgrown adult standing next to them.
"Can you imagine?! Derby has brought an animal to insult us in our own home!"
"This is why I said you should keep her chained. Look at what she has done!" Both parents attacked Derby because of me.
And seeing all these, I realized something.
"I'm sorry, I know I shouldn't be getting myself involved in matters that doesn't concern me but…" I directed my eyes at his son standing at his right hand and asked, "What about your son? Why isn't he getting the same treatment you're giving Derby?"
"And how's that your business?" Her father glared narrowing his brow at me.
"Trent, please," Derby panicked, getting worried about me. But I wasn't going to stay shut without giving them something in return.
"Oh, it's my business now since you called me a Bum. I mean, I have something doing. I take care of myself, feed myself… I'm a grown man with a job! Derby is a hardworking girl who's ready to do anything to take care of herself, but looking at your truck load of a son… He's the true definition of Sleazebucket!"
"How dare you?" Both parent shouted, widening their eyes. Their Scumbag son was getting mad at my words, glaring at me.
"Don't act so surprised. You know I'm saying the truth. He has nothing doing. You're giving him all the sweet treatment because he's a man, but you're treating Derby unfairly because she's a girl? What has your son achieved that Derby hasn't? Tell me."
"Trent," Derby called, grabbing my arm from behind.
I know she's worried, but I've said I won't leave until this people get it from me.
"You are just an outsider. You know nothing about our family, you Bum."
"That makes you three an outsider since you don't act like your daughter's family. So, this is a Bum to Bum matter now, isn't it?" I fired back, annoying them further.
"Let the truth be told. Your son has nothing. He's patiently waiting for the day you two will die so he'll sell this house and spend all the money. That's why he's helping you to attack his own sister! If it's any other brother with a brain, he'd have stood against the unjustly acts you two are forcing on Derby. But no! Greedy Mac Slacker wants to fight until he earns what he didn't work for!"
Damn! I sound like Cadell. But who cares? I can do this all day. I'm so fired up now.
"I am not greedy!" Theodore roared, kicking the couch in anger. "You bastard! I am the son of this family and that brat means nothing to us! She owes this family and will pay for everything we've given her!"
"Don't you open those eyes at me otherwise I'll pluck them out! You did it yesterday, but I left you because of Derby. This time around, I won't hold back. Two fingers coming at you means two blind eyes!" I threatened, pointing at Derby's brother.
The animal wanted a piece of me but was dragged by his parents, who began to calm his mood, sweet talking him to ignore what I just said. "Don't listen to him. He's just jealous that you have a better life than him," Derby's Mom comforted her son.
I was disgusted by this. Looking at Derby, I saw the bitterness on her face, as she watched how her parents showered her brother with love, ignoring her existence.
Her expression struck me deeply. It got me feeling mad, tempted to run my claws into this people's flesh. But that will only traumatize Derby.
"Can you see what you're doing to your family?" Her father spoke, directing his eyes on Derby. He glowered at her and accused her of bringing problems into their home. "You attract nothing but negativity to this family! Can you see what this madman is doing to us?!"
"Yes, I can see it clearly. He's not wrong," Derby supported me, standing up to her father. "You all have been unjust to me for long. I have to go out all day, asking myself why my own family hates me so much. But that ends now. I will no longer be your puppet. I will make a name for myself without you three," She decided, tossing the money she got back for her apartment, right at her father's feet.
The trio opened their eyes widely at Derby's action, picking it as an insult.
"That money should cover up all the debts I owe you people. You can even keep the change because I don't need it."
"You shameless brat! Go to your room now!" He ordered out loudly, pointing at the door at the right.
Derby swayed her head and said, taking hold of my hand, "No, I won't. I told you already… I am no longer your puppet. You can't control me." She tightened her grip on me, so her parents would see the new her.
I was proud of her. I held on to her hand, facing her family.
They were furious with Derby for disobeying the order. That's when her father said, showing his power as the owner of the house, "In that case, you don't deserve to stay under my roof, since you've chosen to show your powers. You won't take anything from this house because I bought it with my own money. Even the dress you're wearing belongs to me! Drop it all and GET LOST!"
"FINE!" Derby yelled back, pulling the clothes off her body before her family.
I wasn't expecting her to do that right there, but she had to show them she was done with their nonsense. I had to look away immediately, so I wouldn't see her stripping.
I only got to look when she said, "At least you can't take this from me. My best friend gave it to me." She was wearing the night dress Evolet gave her, proudly showing it to her family.
"You can keep all your things. Maybe give Theodore to wear them, since all the good things go to him!"
"GET OUT, BOTH OF YOU!" He yelled out, getting frustrated.
Derby boldly grabbed my hand and took me out of the house, walking freely in her nightwear.
She didn't care about the eyes falling on us. It was as if a child had taken over her, expressing her freedom as she liked.
And I must say, I felt pleased to see how happy she looked.
Once we where far away from her place, Derby suddenly stopped and took a look at herself.
I thought she was beginning to feel ashamed of her appearance because of how she ran her hands on her body, looking around.
That made me worried. "Hey, don't be scared. I'm going to get you all the clothes you need. I'm here for you."
"Is this what it feels like to be finally free?" She looked at her hands then around, slowly grinning out and giggling. "I'M FREE!" She screamed and began to run around, going crazy.
"Oh," I uttered, realizing I misunderstood her behavior at first.
She's not worried but excited. And that crazy side of hers is back again. I have to admit it, I kind of missed that madness.
"Oh my God! I never thought a day like this would come. It's all thanks to you, Trent. You helped me!" She shrieked, jumping right on me without hesitating, wrapping her arms around my neck and kissing my face all around.
"Derby," I groaned, trying to control her. She was too excited and didn't stop thanking and kissing my face.
She soon came to a pause when she accidentally planted a kiss on my lips, widening her eyes in shock. My whole body froze when I felt her kiss. I stared into her eyes, as she carefully pulled herself away, still stunned by her action.
"I… am so sorry," she apologized, turning her back at me and slapping her head.
"It's fine," I said, clearing my throat while glancing the other way. "It was an accident."
"I swear, I didn't mean to. I was just…" Derby still felt embarrassed. She ran her hands in her hair, getting worked up about the little mistake.
Though it came as a surprise to me, I still had to compose myself and show her that all was well. To prove that, I took Derby by the hand and said with a smile, "Your excitement is more important now."
That made things better. Derby blushed at me and nodded, gathering herself together. She didn't feel bothered but protected.
"Come on. Let's go shopping."
"Okay," She smiled, tightening her grip around my hand.
I took Derby to the stores and got her all the clothes she needed. She had to change out of the night dress into a black and orange gown I spotted.
It was nice and better on her.
Later, we went to see a different home agent, who gave Derby a nice apartment, not too far from the road that leads to Eve's place.
I made sure she moved in and felt at home.
"What do you think?" I asked, helping her with her stuffs.
Derby was lost for words. She looked around for some minutes and came over to my side, looking guilty.
"Crap… That money was too much, Trent. You didn't have to pay for this place. A smaller room would have been fine, but now… Goddess! I must have drained your account in just a day," She said, pointing at all the expensive things I got for her, apologizing innocently, "I'm so sorry. I promise to gather the money and pay you back. I already applied for a job at a…"
"No, that Is not needed," I refused at once.
"The job? You don't like the idea?"
"Both," I answered, walking up to her. "I don't want you to pay back nor do you need to go out and work."
"What?" She uttered, looking at me strangely. "You're bluffing right? You don't want me to work or pay you back? You're serious?"
I smiled, tucking her hair to the back of her ear. "Leave that to me. You're my responsibility from now on."
"Are my ears deceiving me? Someone is giving the secret rich boy vibe," she teased, poking my chest.
"Tell me, are you a hidden millionaire or some king from a far away land?" She smirked, still poking me.
"What if I'm one? Will you still be friends with me?" I smirked, taking her hand in mine.
Derby rolled her eyes funnily and said, "I don't know. Maybe, I guess. I don't know!" She laughed, planting a glow in my heart.
"Still Trent, thank you for everything. We… don't really know each other that much, yet… you're already doing this. How can I repay you back?"
"A hug?" I shrugged, opening my arms for her.
Derby's face flushed with smile as she dived into my arms for an embrace, saying, "That's exactly what I need," she squeezed tightly.
Her calmness brought peace to my heart.
I'm glad I stepped in to help.