Chapter 2. A Planned Trip

For a few seconds no words were said and I wondered why Madame Lupita didn’t respond to my uncle.

“Lupita………”

“I now understand my lord.” My nanny began in a calm tone. “I am sorry I questioned you, indeed it would be a wonderful thing to see Lovette mated to a man of such opulence and background. Master Frederick is capable of taking care of the young mistress and I am sure he is a kind man. But can I ask for a favor? Just one favour please?”

My uncle sighed. “Fine go ahead.”

“Let Master Frederick come for her when she has shifted…….”

“Lupita…………”

“It would be better for everyone. Master Frederick may not see her as useful if she hasn’t shifted, he might look down on her. Please I beg you she is near her day of shifting already……….”

“And what if that day doesn’t come soon? I can’t sit here waiting for that……….”

“On the next full moon. It’s not so far away, give her till the next full moon, if she hasn’t shifted by then then we will send her off.”

Pause.

I started to shiver at the spot where I stood listening to everything that was being said. With every word that was spoken inside my father’s office, it dawned on me the decision that they were making concerning me.

“Fine. The next full moon.”

“Thank you my lord……………”

“Leave my office please you exhaust me sometimes.”

“Yes my lord.” The footsteps started to get closer to the door again. For a few seconds I wasn’t able to move from the spot where I stood because of the shock of what I had heard and because I was only halfway through understanding fully what they were talking about. The moon goddess was kind enough to help me recover on time to turn and sprint to the staircase which was close enough for me to duck under and hide till Madame Lupita had walked away from the area. I remained there under the staircase for a while. I was still shivering a bit and I felt numb. Maybe it was because I had been standing at a spot for a while. Or maybe it was because with every long breath that I took to calm myself, I realized gradually that Madame Lupita and my uncle were trying to send me away from the pack.

I was in my room playing with my doll. In my room there was a little cupboard where I kept little treats that Madame Lupita brought for me every singe evening when she came to play with me and read me stories. I just loved collecting them into my cupboard and looking at the pile of treasure I had. And I didn’t eat them that often because she always made sure I was full and well fed before leaving me with the treats. So I just left them there.

Tonight however I brought out my pile of treats and began to munch on them. I had never been this nervous before.

I almost forgot that my nanny would come up with my food soon. I hardly went down to eat because there was no one to eat with. My uncle was always too busy to come join us for dinner so Madame Lupita just brought food to my room and we both ate it.

Soon enough I heard a soft knock on my door and my nanny came in. “Hi my pretty angel………..” She said with a wide smile on her face. She strolled into the room while swinging the door shut with her leg. She was holding a large tray on her hands and she set it down on my table before she came and sat next to me. All the while I was lying on the bed and looking at her. I didn’t get up to hug her like I usually would.

“Lovette!…………why you’ve unlocked your cupboard today……….”

“Yes.” I answer straightforwardly.

“But……why didn’t you wait for me? Did I take too long to bring food? Are you hungry?”

“No.” I maintained my cold expression.

She inches closer to me and pushed all the treats asides, then she made me sit up on the bed. I avoided her eyes and looked at my lap.

“Lovette, what’s wrong?”

“I don’t like you anymore.” I could feel the tears welling up in my eyes as I spoke.

“Oh!” Madame Lupita exclaimed sadly. “But why? Why would you say that………”

I kept mute. I began to contemplate confronting her about the conversation with my uncle.

“Lovette, please tell me what I’ve done wrong my sweetheart.”

I looked away and faced the wall, wrapping my arms around each other.

“Baby girl please don’t look away from me. Please tell me………….”

“You don’t want me here anymore!” I yelled. Then I lowered my head to my folded arms and started to cry.

“No…….no why would you say that?!” Madame Lupita exclaimed again and turned me to face her. I couldn’t control my sobs so she hugged me and kept patting my back for me to calm down. When I was sure I had cried enough I relaxed and allowed her look at my face. “Lovette don’t you ever say that again I love you so much and of course I want you here………..”

“You’re lying. I heard you in Uncle’s office. You want to send me away!”

Madame Lupita suddenly went mute and just stared at me. “You were listening to our conversation earlier today.”

I nodded and sniffed.

“Oh my dear child. No……..” she shook her head. “No I would never not want you around me. As a matter of fact if I had my way I would always have you around………”

“Then why are you planning to send me away. What did I do wrong?”

“You did nothing wrong my baby girl. It’s just……….I………” She sighed deeply. “Look at me Lovette……” she cupped my cheeks. “…………I would never send you away. There’s just a situation right now but trust me I have it under control. Do you trust me Lovette?”

I nodded.