Guide • Laurmani

Finally Home

Normani

I sat with my new family at a very long dinner table, glancing up once in awhile at them. Last night, I had met my real parents, Derrick and Andrea Hamilton. They had been very welcoming and kind but it felt strange. It felt so weird to walk the halls of the fortress and to look down the stairwell where the vampires were kept.

It was even a bit painful to think about how Lauren was down there. I hadn't had the guts to see her after I betrayed them. Part of me was scared to see her because when we had came to rescue her, she was bloody and broken looking. Her eyes were empty.

"Normani, are you alright?" I heard someone ask and I lifted my head, looking at Ally. The alpha always ate meals with her head officers and it was a bit weird to me.

Since I had gone back, the werewolves had been rejoicing. I was to be crowned alpha at a special ceremony in a few days, but I was supposed to deal with the vampires before that.

"Yes Allyson. I'm just fine," I answered, thinking about Lauren. They wanted to execute her.

"Is the food alright?" My father asked and I nodded, taking another bite of the roasted ham. All I could think about was Lauren and whenever I did, I remembered the kiss. Had it been right of me to betray them?

How could my mind even contemplate that? Of course I had every right. They had kidnapped me.

I gulped, trying to forget as I looked around the table.

"So, Lauren's execution," one of my commanding officers spoke, sliding forward a folder. "Scheduled for tomorrow at noon."

"What?" I nearly spit out my wine as I stared at the man who looked confused. "Tomorrow?"

"Yes ma'am," he answered as I took a deep breath. "Is that okay?"

"Yes. Of course," I lied. "Sorry, I need to be excused." I scooted back in my chair and got up before pushing the chair back in. I left the dining banquet room, two guards following me. "Stay," I spoke and they stood still as I walked away.

I needed to see Lauren.

I walked to the stairwell quickly and quietly, going down into the basement level as guards watched me. I passed by each of them till I reached the last cell.

"Let me in," I commanded and the guard opened the door immediately, revealing a stream of light into the room. I stepped in and the door was shut behind me swiftly.

"Lauren?" I called out, trying to adjust my eyes to the darkness as I heard her breathing.

"What are you doing here?" She questioned angrily, making me feel a pang of guilt.

"Please don't hurt me," I requested, slowly stepping forward as I heard her hiss in pain.

"I wouldn't do that. I don't want to die today," she answered as I reached out and touched her leg which was retracted quickly.

"Lauren, I'm so sorry," I whispered, sitting down next to her.

"No you're not," she spoke and I laid my hand on her leg. I could feel her flinch beneath my touch. "You don't understand. I was protecting you Normani. They're sick here. They're going to change you."

"Are you saying that's any better than what you do? I watched you kill an innocent woman before my eyes."

"I was protecting you." Her tone was agitated as I felt her turn to face me. "That's all I was doing. I was hiding you, I admit that. But it was to protect you. It was all done to ensure your-"