Page 39 of Supernova

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you earlier.”

There was a moment of silence as she seemed to think about how she’d reply—the path she’d take. “Werewolves, Venus?! I mean come onnn!” she exclaimed. It’s like something in her snapped slightly, like she could finally talk about it to someone and let her wall down for a moment. She didn’t sound upset, just dismayed and borderline unconvinced. Hopefully it would help her to say it out loud and get it out of her system. “It’s just so crazy. I can’t wrap my head around it.” My sister was not into the supernatural. She was a facts and figures girl. She needed to see the data. Understand the science behind something to really comprehend it. The most make-believe thing she believed in was the economic theory of the Invisible Hand. And that was saying something. So I got why this was so hard for her. It was part of the reason I never thought to confide in her in the first place. I was the fairy tale girl. She just wasn’t.

“I know, Cel. I know.” I didn’t know what else I could say to console her, but I tried. “It hardly makes sense. That it all exists among us. When I found out what he was, it always felt like I was living in some sort of fairytale. But for me that was exciting. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you though. It just didn’t feel like it was my secret to tell. I felt like I needed to protect River, that if anyone knew, even if it was you, it would somehow put him in danger.” My voice faded to a whisper, “I never once thought he was the danger.”

She sighed. “I get that it wasn’t yours to share. I wish you had, but I understand. Mum on the other hand—we deserved to know the truth. About her. About our dad. It was our right to know.”

I couldn’t disagree. “Yeah. I’m not pleased with her either. Not at all. But I’m sure it must have been hard for her to keep it from us. She must have really convinced herself it was the best option. Not that I’m making excuses. I’m still mad too.” I waited a beat before asking, “Do you think you’ll ever forgive her?”

“I think it’ll always hold a place in my mind, always be a lingering thought when I look at her. But I’m sure I’ll forgive her … eventually.”

“And me?”

“Even though I’m mad at you, I miss you too much to hold it against you.”

“I miss you too, Cel.” I really did. And hearing her voice now made my heart ache. It was probably why I put off calling her. The distance was easier that way.

“I forgive you,” she added. “Like I said, I understand why you kept it a secret and I know how much you loved him. It makes sense that you were protecting him. And you’re right, I wouldn’t have believed it anyway. It would have altered my world too much, and I don’t know how that would have changed me at that age. So maybe deep down I’m glad that I didn’t know until now. Maybe this was the right time for me to find out in order to accept it. And maybe this will somehow be good for me, once I eventually let it sink in. But thank you, Vee. I appreciate you addressing it.”

“Thank you, Celeste.” I meant it with all my heart. I was relieved she didn’t hate me. She could be so tough and strong willed. Forgiving didn’t come easy to her.

“River is asking around for you. I heard that he’d asked Maxine and TJ at the diner if they’d seen you around at all.”

“What?” I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised, he had no way to reach me at all and who knows what I could be doing with the information I knew. I was a loose end.

“Yeah. You know the town; everyone loves to gossip. There are so many different stories going around. Some that he cheated, some that you met someone new when you were visiting Xari and moved for him, some just that you grew apart and high school sweethearts almost never lasted. The most popular seems to be that you left for another guy. You know River’s reputation, between that and him asking around about you, everyone thinks the poor boy must be heartbroken trying to get his true love back. From what I heard, he played the part of a grief-stricken lover quite well.”

I was going to be sick. This was too much. I didn’t know what I expected to be happening back home. Maybe I just didn’t want to think about it. But knowing the town, this made complete sense. “So in most situations, I’m the bad guy?”

“Yeah. I’ve tried to dispel it as much as I can. But there’s only so many people that believe the biased sister. It doesn’t help that mum hasn’t been out as much, they probably think she’s just so upset that you left.” She sounded angry for me.

“So where does everyone think I am right now?”

“Mum and I told people you just needed a change of scenery so you’ve gone to stay with Xari for a bit.”

“Yeah, okay. That’s good.” As good as it could be.

“I ran into them you know,” Celeste added, her voice dropping an octave.

I froze, afraid for her. “The pack?!”

“Yeah, but as soon as I saw them, I spun around and walked right back to my car. They were hanging in the town square. I could hardly look at them … the wolves.” She said the last part like she was unsure of it. Like she still didn’t quite believe that’s what they were. Or she didn’t know if she should refer to them as that.

“Celeste, please stay far away from them. They’re not safe.”

“I know. Don’t worry. Like I said, I’m either locked in my room or at college. And that’s the only time I’ve seen them so far and I didn’t stick around long enough for them to bother me.”

“Okay. I just need you to be safe until I’m back. I don’t want them threatening you because of me.” I didn’t know how that thought never crossed my mind earlier. But also, why had they not gone straight to the house to find out where I was?

Maybe River knew me enough to know I wouldn’t tell anyone. Who could I tell anyway? Or maybe they just didn’t want the Knights more involved. Which they would risk if they went to the house.

“It’s okay, Vee. As hard as it is to believe, mum is a hunter after all. She’s got us covered. Plus I know a thing or two.”

“Okay.”

“Vee, it’s alright. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to stress you out. I just thought you deserved to know.” Yes, deserved to know, like she deserved to know she was living amongst wolves. That her father was a wolf. Fuck, things were so complicated back home.

“It’s okay. I’m glad I know.” I couldn’t live ignorant forever.

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