Ricky disregards me and seizes her son, forcibly extracting him from my grasp. She kneels to align her gaze with his and regards him with a harsh expression.
“Bray, how many times must I reiterate this to you?” Engaging in conversation with unfamiliar individuals is prohibited! It is perilous!She snaps, causing the little boy’s lip to tremble at the severity of her tone.
“However, mother…”
“No excuses, Bray,” she replies, her cheeks tinged with fury. Her expression softens as Bray’s eyes brim with tears, prompting her to inhale deeply. “Understood.” Affirmative. “I apologise, dear,” she murmurs, embracing the youngster and kissing his forehead. I apologise for raising my voice. I did not intend to. It is inappropriate to converse with strangers in that manner, understood?She exhales softly.
Bray assents gravely. “I apologize,” he states, kissing her cheek.
“Alright, position yourself by that tree,” she instructs, returning his kiss and gesturing towards a tree situated immediately behind me. “Do not stray.” I require a conversation with your pal, understood?”
He nods and rushes to the tree, seizing a stick and brandishing it like a sword.
“Should you approach my son again, Jadi, I will terminate you.” Am I clear?Ricky enquires, her voice rather strained.
I nod in acknowledgement, unable to elucidate the misconception.
She rhythmically taps her foot in impatience while contemplating. “Satisfactory.” Let us expedite this rejection so that we may both forward in our lives.
My pulse races wildly as Jimmy’s scheme echoes in my mind.
“I am aware of your name,” she persists, her gaze brimming with resolve. “Considering your recent relocation, employment in security, and cohabitation with friends and your mother, my inference is that you are an unranked wolf… A Rogue.”
I swallow audibly as she gazes at me with a smug smile.
Indeed, she possesses remarkable skill, Jimmy mutters.
“Did I ascertain correctly?”She enquires, turning her head slightly to the side in amusement.
A quiet envelops us, with the only sounds emanating from Bray as he leaps and bellows to himself, wielding a big stick at an unseen dragon.
“As I previously stated, I have no interest in a mate or any werewolf customs, so I would appreciate it if you could acknowledge my rejection,” she says with a disingenuous smile. “I, Ricky Ira, repudiate you, Jadi Jay, a renegade, as my partner.”
I prepare for the agony, yet unexpectedly, I experience none. Ricky gazes at me in perplexity, raking her fingers over her hair.
“Perhaps I articulated it incorrectly,” she exhales. “I, Ricky Ira, repudiate you, Jadi Jay, as my partner.”
I blink at her, still entirely devoid of emotion.
She must be mistaken…Jimmy remarked. Is it possible that only a wolf can instigate a rejection?
“Proceed, you articulate it,” Ricky insists. “If you reject me, I shall accept.”
According to Jimmy, the responsibility now lies with us. My strategy may well succeed.
I shake my head at my friend, and my heart shatters as her eyes brim with tears.
“Please,” she implores, kneeling and raising her hands in supplication. “Kindly decline my request.” I am willing to undertake any task. Any item. Kindly let me to leave. I cannot repeat this experience. I am unable to….
What is it that she cannot do again? I ponder.
Her voice falters, and a sob emerges from her throat. “I implore you!””
Overwhelmed by her incessant wailing, I stoop and embrace her tightly against my chest. Ricky flails her arms and demands that I release her, yet I maintain my grip until she ultimately concedes and weeps into my shirt. I caress her hair and place my chin atop her head.
Do not weep… I wish to convey my thoughts to her, although, as is customary, the words seem insipid in my tongue.
Bray halts his game and approaches us, his eyes widening.
“Mother, what is the matter?”He enquires, positioning his little form between Ricky and me to view her face. “What is the reason for your sadness, Mother?””
Ricky dries her eyes and kisses her kid on the forehead.
“Why are you crying, mother?”He scowls when she withdraws from my embrace. He employs his little fingers to elevate her cheeks into a grin. “There.” All improved!”
He offers her a mischievous look, prompting her to chuckle as she lifts her son into her arms, showering him with kisses while he squeals with delight.
I have a slight ache in my heart as I recall the tender kisses my mother bestowed upon me following my father’s beatings. She was the one individual, apart from Melina, who did not render me feel like an outcast.
Ricky casts a fleeting look at me, her scepticism towards me still evident in her gaze.
“Let us negotiate,” I gesture, but to my disappointment, she declines.
“I am uncertain of your meaning,” she murmurs. “I possess a limited comprehension of ASL.”
