Bared her soul

Christen Thornton

Christen then took some quick breaths in and out as she calmed herself; honestly, she wanted to be left alone in her sorrows and self-pity; she did not want to talk about it.

Especially with Aubrianne because what was she going to say, 'Hey Aubrianne, it's just that I thought I would be free of this and never have to bring this up again.'

'That I never expected this turn of events that a long lost daughter would appear in our lives. Not only was she my husband's daughter, but her mother was his love.'

'And I knew I did not have to worry about his mate because she was dead. Theo's father took care of that when he found out Theo's mate was weak, nothing but a lowly omega wolf who had come to their home one day to interview for the house manager's assistant position.'

'And James had quickly dealt with her after he realized her reaction towards his son's scent as Theo had just left the office and headed out for the day, making it look like an accident so that, now, with Theo's mate gone, his father needed to act fast to get him away from that witch, your mother?'

Was she supposed to really delve in and open up to Aubrianne about all that she was struggling with, the truth that weighed heavy on her, and for what?

Christen sighed again and shook her head. For what? Now it was for her son. She pursed her lips.

Or should she sit here and admit that she cannot stand to look at Aubrianne because all she sees is her mother?

How was she supposed to do that? Why was she being punished like that? What did she do in her past life to be poorly crushed in this life?

All the while, Aubrianne sat and watched Christen go through all her phases of emotions; it seemed as if she was debating about what she would say or if she should say anything.

Aubrianne quietly sat and observed; she did not want to rush Christen and be pushy. It was clear things were not as they seemed.

"I can just sit here if you like, Ok. I will just be here for you, and when you are ready, I will listen," Aubrianne informed her.

Yes, it was Saturday late at night, and she was antsy to see Daniel; they had an appointment tonight, and her pvssy clenched at the thought.

But she would sit there as long as Christen needed her to.

Christen's eyes widened, then dimmed at Aubrianne's kind offer.

After another long pause, "Thank you, Dear." She rose from the chair, walked to her liquor, and poured herself and Aubrianne a glass of red wine before she beckoned Aubrianne to sit with her by her mini bar area in her room.

It was a simple high cabinet full of liquor, and on top had a few already opened bottles and glasses.

Aubrianne went to her, took the glass, and sat on the double-seater comfy couch next to Christen. Raising her glass, "Should we toast something?"

At that, Christen looked at Aubrianne and started to laugh hysterically. 'To...what?" Christen managed to get out between her laughter.

Aubrianne shrugged when Christen said, "Ahh, let's toast to never falling in love with a man who already loves another."

Aubrianne grimaced but raised her glass, "Here, here." And they clinked their glasses and took a sip.

Aubrianne instantly realized she was right in her assumptions, "I am so sorry, Christen."

Aubrianne felt bad for Christen, though she could do nothing to fix that situation.

With narrowed eyes, Christen inspected Aubrianne, took another sip, and sighed heavily, "Oh sweetie, it is not your fault; you need not apologize for your father."

Christen twirled the wine glass as she swallowed another sip and watched the contents swirl. She shrugged again, "I mean, I can't even blame your father. We can't help who we love."

Aubrianne nodded and sipped her wine, crossing her legs and adjusting comfortably.

Christen made a sound of frustration and finished her glass, "I can't go on like this..." She rose, grabbed the bottle of wine from the counter, and brought it closer. She poured another drink.

"Don't get me wrong...I wish your father could move on...but at this point..." She sighed again, "I don't think he can."

Aubrianne raised an eyebrow in question, hoping Christen would elaborate, and to her surprise, Christen did.

Christen relayed the entire story, leaving out James and her tricks. She spoke of meeting Theo and his reservation from the beginning about getting married.

This Aubrianne already knew from her father. He was pressured into this by his father.

However, as she was his 'mate,' she thought nothing of it, believing that with time and distance from Athalia, he would love and care for his mate like a mate should.

They had two boys, and for years, Theo was preoccupied, especially when he tried finding Athalia and could not find her. This part Aubrianne knew as well. Her father attempted to find her mother even after his marriage.

Christen downed another glass of wine, and Aubrianne's eyebrows furrowed. What was she trying to do? Get drunk? This wine is not a regular wine made for humans.

This more potent mixture ensures a magical being gets a nice buzz when consumed.

Christen shook her head and smiled at Aubrianne's scrunched eyebrows. "Don't judge me. I need this."

"This is hard for me to, you know," She gestured between herself and Aubrianne.

"The fact that you look just like her does not help my situation," Christen said flatly.

"I am so sorry, Christen," Aubrianne indeed did, and her heart went out to Christen while she battled with her thoughts on the matter and her mate.

"Goddess, would you stop apologizing," Christen snapped, and Aubrianne's eyes dimmed and features saddened.

Yip, there was nothing she could do.

Christen's snare softened at Aubrianne's sad, pitying features; she did not want to be pitied. "I am sorry, Aubrianne, but you don't need to apologize for my struggles."

"As I was saying..." And Christen continued her story; she just wanted to get it all out; James was no longer here, and just to be able to talk about it without really giving away much was still something for Christen.

She went on to explain that about a year before he met Aubrianne, only then was Theo finally starting to move on. He was finally giving up on the idea of finding Aubrianne's mother.

Aubrianne realized where this was going, and she felt even more horrible, but she would not dare offer an apology again. Instead, she, too, downed her wine and poured another.

"So you can imagine what happened after he met you? Or should I continue?" Christen lifts an eyebrow in question.

No, she did not have to continue this sad tale. She saw their first chat as father and daughter when her father spoke to her in her living room.

The feelings for her mother were still raw and fresh; she had to console him at his realization that Athalia loved him just as much.

Shaking her head negatively, she quickly uttered, "No." Aubrianne swallowed. But it was only air.

Aubrianne rose from her seat and stretched her legs; they had been at it for a couple of hours when Christen bared her soul to Aubrianne. To her, it was nice to talk to someone.

Christen wished she could talk to Theo about this and have him listen whenever she brought up her concerns, as she had the right to, as a mate and wife.

But Theo would only shut her down, quick to dismiss it, and earlier this week in his office, he snapped at Christen for mentioning 'HER.'

Christen regarded Aubrianne as she poured a fresh drink, "Thank you." She would not go as far as to say they would be best friends forever, but Christen undoubtedly felt differently about Aubrianne. A little.

Aubrianne had sat next to her and listened to her moan and b!tch about her situation, and she held no judgment. She listened to her, and that is what Christen needed right now, to be heard.

"For what?" Aubrianne shrugged her shoulders, "All I did was listen."

"Exactly," and Christen pursed her lips. Understanding dawned on Aubrianne.

And her heart clenched for Christen; she just wanted to be heard. "Oh..come here." Aubrianne placed her wine glass on top of the counter, opened her arms, and leaned in to hug Christen tightly.

When suddenly, Christen started crying in her arms.