Iris:
The moment I noticed Kash heading home, I grabbed my keys and started locking my office. I saw Lara with him, and I had a bad feeling. When a mother's instincts kick in, I believe she should trust them.
So I left soon after they did, probably five minutes later, but I tried to catch up as quickly as possible. By the time I got home, his car was already parked in the driveway. I jumped out, slammed the door, and walked straight toward the guest house.
As soon as I stepped inside, I realized my instincts had been right. My kids were sitting on the couch with Kash beside them, while Lara sat across from them at the table, leaning forward.
"What are you?" Amy asked, looking confused.
"I'm going to be your stepmommy. But don't worry, I'm the cool kind, the one who never says no to anything. I'll be the cool parent," Lara mumbled, speaking in a childish tone.
The clicking of my heels announced my arrival. Lara didn't turn around, but Kash looked up from the kids, his arm draped across the back of the couch as he settled in with a smile.
I ignored him and looked at my babies.
"No! I don't want a stepmommy!" Amy's voice cracked with hurt. She had already taken offense to Lara's words. She jumped off the couch and ran toward me.
"Mommy!" she cried, rushing into my arms. I squatted down to hug her.
"That aunt said she's going to be our stepmommy! I don't want a stepmommy!" Amy sobbed in my arms, and I shot Kash a sharp glare.
This time, he wasn't smirking anymore. I guessed he hadn't expected Amy to react that way.
Then Colin stood up, walked around the table to avoid Lara's hand, and rushed toward me too.
"Don't worry, Amy. I'm your brother. I'll take care of you. We won't let Daddy marry a cunning woman," Colin said, making Lara gasp as she stood from the table at their reaction.
But being clever as she was, she quickly composed herself and turned to Kash.
"It's alright. I'll try to connect with them another day. I guess some kids are scared because of what their parents tell them about stepmothers," she said, throwing a pointed hint my way.
She took her time walking out of the room. When we were finally at eye level, she gave me a sharp, unmistakable look before speeding away and leaving the guesthouse.
Kash stood up to go after her and didn't even pause for a moment to acknowledge me.
I took my kids to their room and sat them down to try and make them understand. I realized I didn't want to be a bitter mother, nor did I want them to suffer just because I didn't like her.
However, I knew the end goal. The minute my child was saved from this sickness, I intended to leave. I planned to run away and never return home, not even to my parents. That chapter wasn't an option anymore.
"Listen, it's not good to talk like that," I told them gently. "Your father is going to marry this woman, and I'm sure she'll be a good stepmother. Just remember, you're not supposed to upset anyone or cause trouble, okay? But if she's ever mean or rude to you, you'll tell me right away."
I wanted them to know their feelings mattered, but that didn't mean they should hurt others.
I wasn't sure if they even understood. After all, they were just babies at the end of the day.
After that, I walked out of their room to prepare lunch, only to find Kash standing in the living room, hands on his waist, looking furious.
"You've taught them so much negativity about others," he said, making me roll my eyes almost instantly.
"Is there anything else you do besides put me on trial and accuse me of things?" I asked, strolling past him but stopping halfway to the kitchen.
"They didn't grow up with all these thoughts and scenarios. It's all new to them. They didn't even know about being werewolves. I wanted them to know about it later but—the council decided otherwise," I uttered, stealing glances at him. I remembered the council wasn't happy about it, and who was responsible for it.
"Were they wrong though?" he grunted.
"Gosh, Kash," I muttered when his eyes narrowed at me. Whenever he looked at me like that, I felt strange. I remembered the times when his gaze would soften, when he'd touch me, when he'd look at my body. It reminded me of all those moments, and it became so hard to keep myself together in front of him.
"I just didn't want them to think they're werewolves and have no wolves, like their mother," I said. That was the best excuse I could come up with, but the way he exhaled through his nostrils like a bull told me he didn't like what he heard.
"What made you think they'll go after you? My genes are way more powerful, so of course they'll have their wolves. And as for Lara—" he pointed toward the door, mentioning his lover who had just walked out.
I cut him off, raising my palm.
"You need to not introduce her so quickly. Let them settle in first," I hissed.
It seemed like every time I spoke about Lara like that, he didn't like it. I mean, of course he wouldn't. She was the one. She was the love of his life. Naturally, he didn't like me talking about her that way.
And somehow, that made me talk even worse about her.
"Besides, she doesn't have to be so creepy, sneaking around my children until I ask her to. So please keep all that in mind next time you bring her over." I paused to appreciate myself for putting a frown onto his forehead.
"And you can't just barge in, like I said. You need my permission first. Otherwise, things could go very wrong." I stopped talking the moment I saw his mother and his sister walking into the guesthouse. My breath almost hitched at the sight of them. It had been so long since I'd seen Zoe.