Page 42 of Awakening the Beast
Once she’s gone, I turn back to my parents sharply, my expression hardening again.
“There’s only one way you’ll ever be in my life again—and if you want anything to do with me or your granddaughter you’ll listen to me very, very carefully and take it seriously.”
They exchange a quick look before locking their eyes back on me and I can feel their uncertainty.
“You will apologize to Arlo, and you will leave him alone.” I say sternly. “I don’t need or want your so-called protection if this is what it looks like. What I want is for my family to remain unbroken, free of your influence, free of your reckless decision-making.”
My dad opens his mouth as if to respond, but I cut him off before he can even begin. “The night you decided to dump Arlo in Mexico, you made the decision to destroy my entire fucking world,” I hiss. “I don’t give a damn what your excuses are. They mean nothing compared to what we have suffered because of your stupid mentality.”
My chest rises and falls heavily but what I’ve said is not enough. They need to understand fully what they’ve done, the gravity of their betrayal and how serious I am.
“You didn’t just cross a line. You shattered everything I built with Arlo, and for what? Some misplaced sense of control?” I scoff bitterly. “You’ve lost the right to dictate anything in my life. The only thing you can do now is apologize, step away, and let me live without the devastation you’ve brought.”
“Wren, this goes way beyond anything that has happened," my mom begins, her voice almost urgent. “Arlo is continually threatened as a result of his family’s actions, which means you are as well. I can’t just stand aside and—”
“Yes, you can,and you fucking will!” I shoot back, cutting her off mid-sentence, my tone ringing with annoyance. The shockregisters on her face for a brief second before it hardens into a harsh, scolding look, but I don’t stop.
“Don’t you think I’m aware that Arlo is constantly in danger?” I challenge. “I’ve known exactly who and what he was from the moment I laid eyes on him. And if I have to die loving him, then so be it,” my words waver with hurt, just for a second, but I continue on.
“And the way you go about this whole charade—letting Dad pretend he’s Ghost just to protect you? Don’t you see you’re putting him in danger as well?” I shake my head in disbelief.
“Love is love, Mother, and this is what we do. We protect the ones we care about, no matter what. But that’s not what you’re doing. You’re destroying everything I have, everything Arlo and I have, in the name of your selfish version of safety.”
The room feels heavy around us, and I can feel her trying to find a response, but I don’t let her. “I choose this life. I choose Arlo. I’ll continue to choose him every single fucking day and beyond, even if that means walking over the searing coals of hell beside him when we’re dead.”
I catch my father rubbing his beard out of the corner of my eye, deep in thought.
“Wren, I don’t like that you’re involved in all this; he’s changed you.”
My eyes snap to him, narrowing coldly “The only thing that changed me was that night—and who was to blame for that, Dad? Certainly not Arlo. I was fine until then. Now, I’m messed up in the head because of this woman’s selfish mentality and control.”
My mom’s face reddens as she pipes in, her tone rising to assert her authority. “I’m sure you’ll feel the same way when Lumi gets older, Wren. My intentions were pure!”
“No, Mom, in that moment you weren’t thinking as my mother; you were thinking as Ghost.” I bite back. “There’s a huge difference, and I would never do that to my daughter. That is where we clearly don’t know each other at all.”
She takes a deep breath, clearly irritated by my defiance.
“Now what is it going to be?” I ask, glancing between them both.
They eventually give a small nod in agreement, and I scan my mom’s face, struggling to trust the woman who gave me life with the one who seems so distant and manipulative now.
“I don’t want to have this conversation with you again, Mom,” I say. “I don’t want to have no trust in my own mother, just as I don’t trust Carmella.”
At the mention of Carmella, her expression shifts slightly, a brief moment of recognition crossing her face before she offers me a sweet, sympathetic smile.
“Wren, you’re my daughter, and I love you more than anything. I made a serious mistake, one that haunts me every day. My sole intention was to protect you, and I will never stop wanting to keep you safe. You understand that don’t you?”
“As long as you leave Arlo alone, I don’t care who or what you are, Mom. If you ever pull a stunt like that again, I won’t hesitate to cut you out of our lives forever. It’s unforgivable.”
Her eyes close, and she turns away, but I carry on. “If you want to protect me, then look in the right direction. Arlo wasn’t the one who pulled the trigger that night or aimed the gun at me.”
She opens her eyes, her lips pressed together as she considers her words before speaking. “This is more coplicated than anyone can imagine, but I’ve learned from my mistakes. With you involved now, I have to be extra cautious.”
My brows furrow as I shake my head in confusion. “What are you talking about? Do you know who did it?”
Her gaze meets mine, and she gives a reluctant nod. “I believe so, but I can’t be certain. It’s a delicate matter—not just for our family, but for Arlo’s as well.”
“And you’re not going to tell me?”
