Dancing with Shadows ✔

A New Confinement

Dancing with Shadows

Chapter 23

Emma had spent the entire week building up her confidence, determined to find a way to make everyone believe her about the werewolf world. She knew it was going to be a challenge, but the idea that had formed in her mind gave her a newfound sense of purpose. She would show them—when the time was right.

The plan began to take shape in her mind as she got ready for school. It had to be something undeniable, something that would catch everyone's attention and force them to see the truth. The best time to do it, she decided, would be when the news crew inevitably decided to invade her life again. They were always looking for a sensational story, and Emma knew they wouldn't be able to resist the bait she was planning to set.

As she dressed for the night, her thoughts churned with the possibilities. She needed to be strategic, and careful about how she approached this. There were still so many doubts and fears swirling around her, but her determination was stronger. If she could prove to the world that the werewolf world was real, maybe then she wouldn't feel so alone.

After dressing, Emma headed down to the kitchen. Her grandparents had locked away all the meat in the house, leaving her with little choice but to pack twice as much food as usual. She rummaged through the cupboards and refrigerator, gathering what she could. The lack of meat was taking a toll on her—she was constantly tired, sluggish, and more drained than ever before. But she couldn't let that stop her now.

She finished packing her bag and then paused, standing in the middle of the kitchen with her hands on her hips. She glanced around, her mind racing with thoughts of her plan and everything that needed to be done. She couldn't afford to forget anything. Not now.

Emma's gaze swept over the countertops, mentally checking off everything she had packed. Snacks, water, extra food for lunch—everything was in place. But something still nagged at her, a small voice in the back of her mind telling her that she was overlooking something important.

She shook her head, trying to dismiss the feeling. There was no time to second-guess herself.

**

The next morning, Emma descended the stairs with a slow, unsteady gait. One hand pressed against the small of her back, while the other gripped the stair railing for support. The weight of her growing pregnancy made her movements more cumbersome, but she pushed through the discomfort, determined to start her day.

Reaching the bottom of the stairs, she was met with a familiar and disheartening sight. The dining room table was littered with the remnants of breakfast—crumbs, empty plates, and used utensils. Her "family" had eaten almost everything, leaving nothing behind for her. The remainder of the food was on their plate. Emma felt a pang of frustration, but she tried to stay calm. She made her way to the kitchen, hoping to find the lunch she had carefully prepared the night before. But as she opened the fridge, her heart sank. The lunch was gone.

Her brow furrowed in confusion, Emma slowly walked back into the dining room where her grandparents and Nadia were seated, leisurely finishing their meal.

"Hmm, excuse me...where is the food that I packed last night?" Emma asked, her voice polite but tinged with worry.

Rosanna looked up from her plate, feigning surprise. "Oh! That was your food? We thought the maid packed that for us."

Emma's fingers began to fidget nervously. "No, I made it myself. Can I have it back, please?"

Rosanna's eyes glinted with cruel amusement as she set down her knife and fork. "What? Of course not, darling. We already packed it in our car. That's too much food for a girl like you, plus you're beginning to look like you need to lose some weight."