Broken Treasure

Chapter 17

It's funny how life works out. Just when you think you've escaped something it comes back to bite you in the butt. Karma is the only word that comes to mind as I rake my brain for a possible answer to the situation I am currently in.

I lay my head against the cool window to try and soothe my pounding temple. This headache has lived inside my head ever since the night Conner told me about the anniversary at my prior pack.
Although I'd given many reasons why I wouldn't be able to go, he still insisted and said how Stan was a friend of his fathers so they we're practically family and how he wanted me to meet him.

Well I've gotten to know him fairly well over the past seven years and it's not something I'd like to revisit. Of course Conner is oblivious to this fact so I must try my best to not be noticed at this get together, which will be almost impossible considering the dress that Conner bought me.

It's a long, pure silk dress with a golden hue to it. He even bought me a diamond necklace saying that the dress didn't do me justice and I needed something else to make it pop. Although I was thankful towards his gestures, I couldn't help but be angry at him because of how much he was going to make me stand out.

"Wake up Abigail we're pulling up to the  pack." Conner said while he pulled up in front of the house.

I could feel my heart race as I saw the four people that were waiting for our arrival. Alpha Stan, Marcus , the beta, and my parents stood with smiles that almost split their faces.

I tried to steady my breathing as Conner got out of the car to open my door.

"What if they recognize me? Or worse what if they tell Conner. He'll never be able to forgive me. He may even reject me for continuously lying to him."

I thought while I waited on him to open the door. I didn't realize it till he opened the door and looked at me strangely that I was clutching onto the seatbelt like it was a safety blanket.

"Are you okay?" He asked with worry in his voice.

"Yeah I'm fine, I'm just nervous." I said while my voice shook with my lies.

I took a deep breath, unbuckled my seatbelt and grabbed on to Conner's awaiting hand. When he walked up to the my former pack members, the first to great him was Stan, who shook his hand. The other three quickly followed suit and nodded their heads while mumbling their own welcomes.

"And who may this lovely lady be." Stan said to Conner.

"This is my mate." He said with pride.

While gathering up all the courage I could muster, I lifted my head and looked eyes with my own personal satan. Ironically he didn't even recognize me. He just bowed his head and said "Welcome Luna. It's so nice to meet you. I know you must be tired from your long trip, so please feel free to stay in the room Mr. and Mrs. Tanner have prepared for you two." He said with that same fake smile I've seen him wear many times before.

When he said the names of my parents, I realized that I hadn't even looked at them close up, but when I did I was taken back by their appearance.

My mother's eyes no longer had that sparkle to them and her usually thick, long hair, which she always kept neatly groomed, was now pulled back into a thin bun. You could almost see her scalp in some places.

My dad was no better. Where he used to look tall and strong, he now looked weak and brittle. His face, which was in need of a good shaving, was prickled with salt and pepper colored hairs.

The glow that they once  had was replaced by worry lines and bags. The months since I've seen them have obviously taken a toll on them because they looked awfully thin. It looked like  they hadn't eaten or slept in years. Maybe if this was your first time seeing them you wouldn't have noticed but this was a drastic change from what I was used to.