Deanna Kinney - Raven's Rose

Hope

Nana Butterfly turned to face me, her smile apologetic. “I’m sorry, sugah, but I needed him to help me carry the trays of food,” she said as she laid the trays on the end of my bed and took a seat beside me. “Are you hungry?”

I eyed her skeptically, knowing she hadn’t just told me the entire truth. I sensed she was trying to help Wesley and I come to some kind of truce, but it wasn’t gonna happen. This guy had crossed the line, and he was gonna pay. I grinned at the thought.

“Hmm, I’ll take that as a yes.”

I straightened as she placed the tray of food on my lap. It looked really good, and I was starving. I grabbed the blueberry muffin first and shoved a huge bite in my mouth, chewing with enthusiasm. Nana studied me as I continued to chew bite after bite but said nothing until I had finished the entire plate. I sat back, sighing and rubbing my stomach in contentment.

“Did you enjoy it, dear?”

I smiled for the first time since arriving in this crazy place. “It was delicious.”

“That’s great to hear. You know, Wesley isn’t all that bad. He’s just a little rough around the edges, but he’s got a good heart. Now, he doesn’t let many people see it, but I’ve seen it. As a matter of fact, I was there the day it broke.” She shook her head, sadly. “And he’s never been the same since.”

I stirred in the bed, inching closer as my curiosity urged me. “What do you mean?”

“It was a long time ago. Do you know the story, over ten years ago, about when vampires attacked the Westside Pack?”

I nodded, remembering the stories my daddy shared with us about the amazing Levi and his pack. I had developed a crush on him after that. I secretly hoped I’d get a chance to meet him and maybe even marry him. I had heard that he was having trouble choosing a mate until the day he met Charity. The stories about her made me jealous, but soon after I began to like that crazy girl.

“Well,” she continued, drawing my mind back to her words, “our pack joined them in the fight. We defeated the vampires that day, but sadly, Wesley’s father, along with the Westside Pack’s alpha, better known to you as Levi’s father, were both killed. Wesley had secretly snuck out to watch the battle and witnessed the brutal death of his father.”

I gasped, putting my hand to my mouth. I had heard about the deaths of both of their fathers, but I didn’t know Wesley had witnessed it. “But you said you were witness to the moment his heart broke?” I questioned.

“Yes, well, after that Levi and his pack became part of our pack, as you know. Wesley began clinging to his grandfather, my husband, Clark. This was something he needed to do, and I tried telling my husband this, but Clark felt a strong draw to the sweet spirited Levi. Clark took both boys under his wing, but it was clear to most, including Wesley, that he favored Levi. One day, Wesley had gotten an A on his class assignment and was eager to show his Papa Windsor. He burst into his office, determined to show off his work, but Papa Windsor was in the middle of showing Levi some fighting moves. Wesley tried several times to get his grandfather’s attention, but my Clark never acknowledged Wesley at all. Levi also noticed but felt helpless. I was in the office that day watering the few plants he had allowed to almost die and witnessed the entire thing. I saw the grief and pain in Wesley’s eyes that day as the moment sunk in and he knew he had lost his grandfather too. From that day to this, Wesley has been filled with many emotions, anger most of all. I tried to fill the void the best I could, but it wasn’t enough. My husband didn’t see what I saw. And after Wesley began acting out, it was natural for my husband to grow closer to Levi and pull further away from Wesley.” She lowered her head, shaking it sadly. “He was never the same after that day.” Her eyes filled with tears. I gently laid my hand on top of hers. She glanced up at me and smiled, squeezing my hand in return.

“Thanks for sharing that with me. I still don’t like him.” Nana laughed at that. “But at least I understand him a little bit better.”

“You’re welcome, sweetie.”

“Hey, I have an idea. Why don’t you show me around your greenhouse? After all, if I’m going to be working with you, I guess I better get familiar with things.”

She brightened, straightening her hat with one hand and wiping at her tears with the other. “Well, I guess you’re right. Let’s just do that.”

I felt happy just knowing I had made her feel better. Maybe this place wasn’t so bad after all.

Hope

Nana Butterfly had spent the day walking me through her greenhouse, which she had named Petals, and pointed out all her favorite flowers and plants. As much as I was beginning to like this woman, I had to admit, she was very strange. I tried to remember all she had told me, what the name of the flowers were, how to take care of them and things like that, but it was overwhelming to me. I had never really cared about keeping plants alive before. After all, as werewolves, we did live underground. It was hard enough keeping myself alive. Although, I had to admit to myself, it was nice being surrounded by so many beautiful and colorful things. There was a moment when I actually felt blissful, but it was only a fleeting moment, and I didn’t dwell on it.

My mind kept going back to Wesley and the story Nana Butterfly had shared with me. It affected me more than I let on. I felt sad for the little boy who watched his father die, and then to be rejected by the only other father figure he had left. And not only was he rejected, but he was looked over, as if he didn’t even exist. Sadly, I understood that feeling very well.

That evening, Nana Butterfly took me to the dining hall where dinner was being served. She let me sit with her and her husband, as well as others she had introduced to me but I had already forgotten their names. I found myself studying this Clark guy, the one who had passed Wesley over, and discovered that I didn’t like him that much. Why? I didn’t know. I was still staring at him when I heard a commotion and turned to see Wesley entering the room. He was excited and was laughing and high-fiving his friends and elite. I had never seen him like this and my eyes were drawn to him. His black hair was messier than normal, the spikes leaning toward the left side of his head, and his tall, muscular form was dressed in a hugging blue t-shirt and faded jeans. Black and white converse finished the look. It was a nice look , I thought before shaking my head, desperate to shake those crazy thoughts loose. He began making his way to our table and froze mid-stride for only a second when he recognized me, but then continued cautiously. I quickly went back to my food, trying to ignore the fact that he had taken a seat at my table.

He cleared his throat. “Hello, Miss Mason. I hope you’re feeling better tonight.”

Everyone at the table had quieted as if they were hanging on every word. I glanced up at him to make sure he wasn’t being sarcastic and found that he seemed sincere. “Oh, well, I’m doing much better, thanks.” I managed a smile but just a small one. I almost choked when he changed seats to the one open next to me. I peered up at him and recognized nervousness as he first looked to his grandmother before addressing me.

“Uh, I just wanted to say I’m sorry for the way I behaved last night. I think both of us were on edge, and it angered me that you would dye your hair just to irritate me. But now that I know you’re a true redhead I totally understand.”

I snapped to attention. “What is that supposed to mean?” I demanded, my anger returning in a flash.

He noticed my shift in emotion and also seemed to get angry. Nana Butterfly cleared her throat, trying to grab his attention but it didn’t work. “I just meant that the red hair explains the attitude.”