Heir To The Iron Crown: Butterfly ✓

25 - Tuttugu og Fimm

I changed out of my pajamas and wore a simple off-white, ankle-length, full-sleeved dress.

It was cold outside so I put on a light shawl. Werewolves usually stay warm, and I'm used to the cold, but the temperature was low, even for me.

I mentally prepared myself for the looks I was going to get from the packmates, but I really had to stand up for myself. I knew what happened wasn't my fault, and Valente's support made me feel a little more confident to step out of the house.

I combed my dark hair, which was now just touching my shoulders, and put some clear lip gloss and nothing else.

I could feel a lot of stiffness in my movement still, my chest still sore from the pain. I made sure I didn't move too fast as I was afraid of what could trigger it.

"You doing okay Ima?" I asked her.

"It's not good Rayne. I'm okay for now, but I can feel it rotting me on the inside bit by bit," she said.

Her words worried me a little, but I tried to stay calm. Hopefully I'll come back home tonight without incident.

I walked downstairs to find Valente and Gramma talking. They looked at me as I came down, covering myself up with the shawl.

"You're beautiful butterfly," Valente said in my mind. I smiled at him in return.

Gramma handed me a small gift box.

"For Frida?" I asked her.

Gramma nodded.

"What's in it?" I asked.

"The same thing I gave her sister on her first shift," she replied. "Take a look."

I opened the box as Valente came to stand beside me. He was curious too.

Inside was a silver amulet with a wolf sitting atop a red dagger, along with a silver chain.

"Gramma where do you find these things?" I asked her. This truly was such a beautiful piece.

"eBay," she said and turned around to face the door.

Valente just laughed and started walking in the same direction. I just stood there standing at them both.

"She's not serious. Is she?" I asked Valente.

"I don't know! C'mon now we're going to be late Rayne," he said.

I moved to lift the pendant, to see it outside the box in better light.

Ouch!

I took my hand back, the tiniest mark of a burn starting to heal on my finger.

"What happened?" Valente asked me.

"Gramma this is real silver. I don't understand," I asked her.

Why would she gift Frida something she can't wear?

"Frida can wear it honey. Let's go now," she said, stepping out.

Valente took my hand in his, lifting my burnt finger to his lips, and leaving a kiss there, softly.

"You're such an adorable dumbass Rayne," he said, pulling me to the door by the hand before I could say anything else.

I heard Ima's slight chuckle in my mind. "Well we sure can agree on that."

...

As the whole pack started to gather around Frida, I realized I was already getting looks that I didn't like. The fact that Valente stood beside me, my hand in his, didn't help.