Chapter 26

When I got home, Inez was waiting on the front porch with his arms crossed. He had on a forced scowl on his face. I think he was gladder to see me than angry. He sighed in relief and almost lost his hard look. My father could never be angry with me. And, as much as I hate to admit it, I took advantage of that fact.
“You’re in so much trouble young lady.” he stopped and looked up at the sky. He was trying to find words that could make him sound more fatherly. “Where were you young lady?”
I wanted to laugh but it would seem inappropriate at this moment especially when he thought he was being strict. I wouldn’t put it past him to have stayed up all night reading books on parenting. He wasn’t good with confrontations; in fact, he avoided them as much as he could.
I could blame all this on Sue. She probably put him up to it. She was the worst. She wanted her children to see her as a best friend.
“What a nice evening daddy.”
His face softened. “Yes it is.” He paused. “Hey. I’m not done with you. Stop distracting me. Where were you?”
I thought about the most depressing thing I could recall. It was when I left the boys. I could see that Peter didn’t want me to leave as much as I didn’t want to leave.
“Dad you know…” I sniffed and to my pleasure, it came out believable. “With all the mating ceremony and all the she wolves finding their mates I just needed time out.”
He nodded. I could see the pity visible in his gaze. “Come inside. You must be starved.”
I nodded and allowed him to take my hand and lead me inside. The second I closed the door he turned me sharply and stared at me in wonder.
“What’s that smell?”
I had a scarf over my neck hoping it would help disguise my mark and Peter had to buy me expensive sweet smelling cologne to hide his scent but I knew it wouldn’t be long until someone smelled it.
“What smell?” I asked walking past him. “Is it dinner, mom?”
I could hear his hesitant heavy footsteps behind me. “Isabella, that’s not what I’m talking about.”
I wrinkled my nose. “I don’t smell anything funny.”
He sniffed me. “It’s coming from you.”
“Oh.” I said as casual as I could muster. “That’s a new fragrance I’m using.” I sniffed herself . “It smells good, right daddy?”
I could see it in his eyes; he didn’t want to hurt me. “It’s something.” At least he didn’t lie.
We walked in the kitchen in silence. Sue looked up from the stove and smiled at me.
“She’s still a virgin right honey?” she asked dad completely ignoring me.
“Yes. Her blood is still pure.” He answered in the same ignorant voice.
It was as if they forgot I was even there. I watched them as they exchanged looks. I knew that look all too well. They were having a telepathic conversation.
“Yes.” Sue said after a few minutes with her fist thrust high up in the air. “I won.”
“What’s going on?” I asked to no one in particular.
They didn’t answer me. Sue ran out the door calling for Callie. Dad sat down on the aisle and picked a book up and sure enough, it was a book on parenting.
Sue came back dragging a sleepy Callie behind her. When Callie saw me, she passed me a disapproving look.
“Fine,” She grumbled. “You won.”
“Give it…” Sue was jumping up and down. The wooden spoon she held fell to the floor creating a nasty brown stain against the white marble tiles.
Callie thrust a hand in her pockets and gave Sue her car keys.
“I can’t wait to go on a test drive.” Sue said thrusting the keys in her back pockets.
“Please don’t hurt my baby.” Callie said all puppy eyed.
Sue waved her hands frantically. “Oh shush. I’ll be careful.”
Dad, who, this whole time seemed engrossed on the book looked up. “I told you not to bet, Callie. Everyone who knows Sue knows she can’t drive. I wouldn’t trust her with my car and that’s a lot coming from me. I’m her mate.”
“So father you decide to hit the man while his down.” Callie said not impressed.
“I’m offended. I can drive.” Sue smiled knowingly.
Dad shook his head and very, very slowly unpeeled himself from the chair. “You can drive but a car that you drive never survives to see the next day.”
Callie let out an unearthly screech.
“I’m not that bad. It was only a few cars.”
Dad snaked an arm around Sue’s shoulder. “To you my dear a few cars in translation to a language I can understand means ten cars in the first month you got your driver’s license and fourteen years later fifty cars. Do I have to remind you that three of those cars were mine?”
Sue sticks her tongue out, picked up the spoon and stormed over to the faucet. She glanced over her shoulder as she filled the basin with water.
“It wasn’t my fault.” She said defensively.
“What did I get herself into?” Callie asked herself. “I knew you’d let me down.” She looked at me when she said this.
“What did I do?”
Dad cleared his throat and ran his hand over it. “You came back a virgin.”
“What?” if I was drinking water, I would’ve choked.
Callie didn’t answer or look ashamed instead she graced me with one glare and disappeared. I stared at the spot she once occupied. If it were possible, she would’ve crumble wherever she is under my glare.
“Well.” Dad said sitting heavily on his previous seat. “Your mother and sister had a bet-”
“It’s a good thing she lost then.” I interrupted him sharply. “I hope her car doesn’t survive an hour.” I was beyond angry.
“Whatever.” Callie said from upstairs.
“Ugh.” I stormed to my bedroom, shut the door with more force than necessary, and slid against the door with tears overflowing my eyes. How could my own sister do that?
The next morning when I came out of the bathroom I ran into Inez. He helped me up. It was like hitting a brick of wall.
He sneezed. “What’s that awful smell?” uh-oh
I ran away from him. I mentally slapped herself . Of course, anyone could smell it. I just had a shower and washed away any traces of perfume and I made it worse by running away. He’ll know I’m hiding something. I complained to the walls of my bedroom.
However, it was a good thing too. He would’ve noticed the mark on my shoulder blade and how could I explain that?
“Isabella, we’re leaving.” I heard Leslie say,
“I’ll take my car today.”
“But you hate driving.” He complained.
Right now, I’d hate a ride with dad. I said mentally. “I’m good. I still have a few things to do. I’ll see you at school, okay.”
He didn’t answer and after a minute, I heard a trilling sound. “Stupid, she can’t see you.” Sue said.
I smiled. He must have nodded.
“Fine,” Leslie said to me. “Mom that wasn’t fair. You know kids lose their intelligence when parents do that.”
I could hear the front door open. “You’re not intelligent Lee. You’re…” her voice disappeared as the door closed.
Quickly I sprayed half the bottle on me and ran out the door. My car is a Hyundai elantra passed down to me by Silas. I cursed under my breath when I saw the dust creating a bronze color to it. Before I abandoned it in the garage, it had a nice white color that shined beautifully.