Chapter 8

• Emily's POV
• Seeing me, she let out a grin.
• “I was wondering if I'll know you after many years of not seeing each other but then I remembered we often video call.”
• She let out a slight chuckle. “Welcome.” She pulled off from the hug to assess me. “You don't look so bad,” she said with a satisfactory grin.
• “Yes–” I stammered. I wondered if I should tell her now or when we settle, it could even be after the party. I didn't want to ruin the good atmosphere we had now.
• When I went in, the house was already filled with drinks and gifts for the party. The interior decor of the house itself got me fascinated. Although our pack estate was much more beautiful and screamed luxury, I adored this stately home. I felt this was the perfect environment to resort to in trying times like this. Through the floor to ceiling glass window here in the living room, I caught a straight glance of the large lovely garden beside the house.
• “You adore the garden right?” Sierra asked upon catching me looking in that direction. I nodded.
• “The event will also take place there, you can always have a better view but come assist me now. Two hours and the guests will start arriving. The pots are on fire, come assist me.”
• “Sorry for stressing you out after a long flight.”
• “No! No issues at all. We're gonna do this together.” I said and went to assist her in the kitchen.
• An hour later, we were done and had carefully scoped, garnished and arranged the delicacies, and set up drinks at various stands. The gifts were arranged properly. I stood to look at all this and I couldn't help sharing a proud smile.
• “We did it!” I cheered for my sister. Together, we drank a glass of wine to applaud ourselves.
• When she gulped down all the content from her glass, she let out a deep sigh. “We need to freshen up and prepare for the party. Soon they will be here.”
• I was about to go away to do as she said when she grabbed my shoulders and I paused. “Did you bring suitable gowns for a family party?”
• It hit me hard as I stood there blank.
• “No–oo!” I shook my head slowly. I've always been dressed as a tomboy and most of the clothes and shoes I brought with me are tomboyish, especially as I was coming here for school. I didn't have the thought of attending something really formal and important here, even when such cases might come along, I knew it would be in the future and before then I would get new dresses. I never thought something like this would come up quickly. Probably if I didn't leave Oxford, she wouldn't have bothered inviting me to come for the party.
• “The only gown I have with me is the one I wore three weeks ago for a night club. It's sexy and not suitable for a family gathering.”
• Sierra froze, she narrowed her brows, staring at me.
• “What did you just say?” Her mood changed and I got even more confused. “Don't tell me you went clubbing on your first week at Oxford.”
• “Who did you club with?”
• It was at this point I turned pale. No, I didn't know what to say and I couldn't find the strength in me to tell her what went wrong. Then she peered at the watch on the wall.
• “Hell no! Time is going so quickly.”
• I released a slow breath, I was glad time saved me from her nagging.
• “Let me check out the gown to see if it's a bit manageable for this party. Time is so fast.” I nodded readily.
• “It's in my luggage. A red gown. I brought it.” There was nothing really bad about it, just that it was short and stopped mid-way, a few inches above the knees. It was sleeveless but at least the hands weren't string hands. They covered my shoulders.
• The moment I let her go to check my outfit, I recalled something. I'd made a terrible mistake, at least for the moment. My pregnancy result and scan were right at the top of my clothes and I didn't even put them on a file. I wasn't keeping up with a steady mind while packing.
• While processing what to do, I heard her storm out of the living room and meet me in the second room which was close to the dining room.
• “What's this, Emily?”
• The second I heard this question, looked down and saw the files in her hands, my legs weakened.
• “I–I wanted to tell you–that I'm–” I paused, my eyes flickering and my face turned sideways. I was too afraid to look at her eyes.
• “Pregnant.”
• This word clashed with a heavy slap on my face.
• “What do you mean?” Her voice went loud, I turned my face to look at her. Her eyes had gone bloodshot. “Why must you follow in my footsteps? I got pregnant in my third year in college and you're just coming here and you decided to–” She was so angry that her voice failed her.
• “I'm gonna tell dad about this and kick you out of my house before he comes after me.”
• “No–oooooo.” My voice rang out in the room but Sierra had already turned and walked out of the room. I sank to my knees, tears streaming out of my eyes. I didn't think of this, I thought she would ask me what happened gently and discuss with me on how to sort this out.
• Why is everything just crashing in on me all at the same time. I wish I listened to Leo and schooled at my pack, probably I wouldn't have met with all of these.
• “But I wouldn't have known Calvin?” I thought to myself.
• It seemed he didn't really have anything to do with my family which is why he left us once he had the means and never returned. But why did dad adopt him? Sierra told me he was an orphan. What killed his parents?
• “I need to find out.” I told myself.
• “We are in the midst of a big mess? Can't you see?” My wolf scolded me, bringing my senses back.
• She was gonna tell the Alpha about this. “Oh God! I'm dead!” I groaned.