My Step-Dad Is My Mate novel Chapter 5

I sat on the moist forest floor and exhaled heavily after holding my breath for so long.

Meditation.

The night after Richard left, I looked up meditation and decided to give it a try.

It has helped some people and is said to be very calming.

So here I was, doing this just to get a grip on my emotions. The very emotions my amazing mate-note the sarcasm- has set within me.

Richard... The very thought of him brought tears to my eyes but I decided to be strong. Strong for myself, or at least try to be.

Taking another deep breath and shaking the tears that threatened to fall, I shut my eyes tight and focused on the sounds around me.

The rustle of the leaves, the soft sounds of the grass moving in the breeze, it was all very calming.

My limbs started to feel slightly tense and I knew what I needed to do.

Shift.

Standing up, I sniffed the air as a double checking procedure to be sure I was alone and I was.

I then stripped of my clothes, laying them down on the grassy and shifted into my wolf.

I shook out my fur and let out a small yelp then laid back down. Honestly I didn't feel the need to run or move around much, my body just felt like being in this form and staying that way. A werewolf's wolf form is the most comfortable form to be in. It's like the truest part of yourself, well to any werewolf that is.

A slight pressure came from the back of my head; someone was trying to link me. I let up my walls and waited for whoever it was to speak.

"Where are you Danica?" My mom's voice rung in my head and I sighed in relief that it wasn't him.

"I'm in the forest mom." I replied dully.

For a moment, she didn't say anything so I was about to put my walls back up but then....

"Can you come home to help me start dinner please? We have guests tonight."

~•~

I chopped up some seasoning and put it into the pot, adding the chicken and potatoes moments after.

"I think I can handle it from here. Thanks for helping sweetie." My mom shot me a weak smile and I nodded and turned to leave the kitchen but was stopped by my mother grabbing my arm.

"We should do something later Dani, if you want. I feel like we aren't as close as we used to be."

Mom had a sad smile on her face and it broke my heart. I've been spending less time with since their wedding just to avoid Richard. It wasn't fair to her, even though a part of me despised her for marrying my mate, but that was the wolf part of me. Even though I was having an internal battle within myself for what I felt, I knew deep down I could never hate my mother for something she had no control over. Maybe I should spend time with her later.

This would be a good opportunity to get her hints on how she'd react when I tell her about Richard and I....well, if I tell her. I'm still at odds about this, sue me.

"Sure m-"

"Roseanna! Baby, the guests are almost here."

I slowly shut my eyes and willed the tears away as his voice filled the kitchen.

Richard swiftly entered the kitchen and paused by the door as he saw me and my mother.

Oh how awkward is this.....

He cleared his throat and looked at everywhere but me, making me feel slightly more hurt that he couldn't even keep eye contact with me after what he did, but you know what? Screw it and screw him.