Fate

Chapter One: Her Mistake

Days were bleak, Vivian opting out of funeral services to clean her mother up. She wanted to be in control. For wolf folk, preparing their own dead for burial was part of their rights. As was reporting the death in the family. That night, Vivian had taken her mother into their home and cleaned her from top to bottom. She put one of her favorite scarves around her neck, as Vivian was never good at sewing or any of the supposed womanly chores that were expected of her. She had always rebelled against the idea. Submission, servitude, absolute unyielding and unquestioned loyalty. 

She felt as if she were in a daze, avoiding the dining room where her mother resided, going through the halls like she was the one haunting it instead. She had buried her in her garden, beneath the willow tree next to the patch of lavender and her honeysuckle bush. Whilst she did this, she couldn't help but think back to the last living breathing moments she had with her. 

Vivian had thrown on clothes she believed to be suitable for a party, making her way down the stairs two steps at a time just to prove that she could. That night was the ending of an era. She would be leaving soon, traveling the country in searches of her mate, one that had seemed far out of reach. Once she had settled, she had decided early on that she was going to throw herself into the thicket of the pack she would land in, becoming a strong member of her community. It was what her mother did, she decided to do the same.

"I love you mom; I'll be back at 11:00." Vivian tells her. He mother signs to her, a fixed motherly look in her eyes with a glint of pride. Vivian never made it out much and was far too prickly to have made friends. This party was open invitation. Her mother was under the impression she had been invited. It was a technicality she didn't feel like clarifying.

Her voice from what Vivian remember was like an angel. Soft, clear and concise. Ever loving, ever careful with every word she let cross her lips. She loved her mother more than anything, so she did everything she could do to make her happy. Long walks through the neighborhood, bake sales where they would pass out cookies and muffins to the children's home, just to see their smiles. Vivian wasn't really one to talk to other people, in fear of snapping at them.

Vivian wasn't a kind person, she knew that. Her mother was. A physical manifestation of grace, of poise, of empathy. Vivian struggled with that as she had grown up, knowing she was nothing like that. When she was little, she wanted to be like her mother in every way. This was the only hiccup. There was not a single gentle thing about Vivian and her manner of handling people.

There was something about her that couldn't handle even the smallest trace of disrespect. Unable to keep her mouth shut of the insults dripping in sarcasm when she deemed another person in a manner any less than pleasant. Most of the time, Vivian stayed home, where her and her mother would practice sign language. The only time Vivian could think before her hands spoke for her. It was good practice.

Her mother insisted that she should go, get out into the social scene and have some fun. Vivian didn't consider this fun, but the wishes of her ever silent mother, who never asked for anything, had to be Vivian's weak spot. She would do anything for her. 

Vivian snatched the keys before stopping at the door. Vivian signs to her mother that she loves her. Her mother does it back. They exchange a smile, and Vivian leaves the house before getting into their shared car to make her way over. There were thick dark clouds steadily moving across the evening sky, the sun just shy of dipping below the horizon. Vivian liked to drive, liked the control of such a large vehicle. She places one hand against the wheel, the other out the window to feel the chill of the air against her fingers.

Maybe this would be a good thing. The taste of independence that neither of them had since that night 5 years ago. They had clung to one another like a life raft, if not, they both would have surely sunk.