"Get up; it's daybreak already!" Rachel yelled, "We've got work to do."

The loud banging of my door forced me out of my sleep before I heard my aunt's shrill voice. Rolling out of bed, I murmured a curse, still a bit sleepy.

"Did you say something?" My aunt growled. Shit. She was still at the door.

"No, I didn't."

"I thought as much," she said as her footsteps moved away. I tried coming up with a retort for her, but I knew whatever I said next would not be a kind word, which could complicate things for me. With her superior hearing, it would not be hard for her to get wind of it.

Getting up, I shuffled to my wardrobe to change into the clothes I slept in.

Making myself a bit presentable, I went out to meet Rachel, who, I am sure, had a few chores stacked up and was waiting for me to attend to them. Living away from the human population had its perks, and that was complete solitude, which at this moment is a source of great solace to me after yesterday's events.

Since all my aunt has done since she saw me this morning is remind me indirectly of all that transpired mere hours ago.

As much as I tried to spend the rest of the day thinking about it, Rachel only made it harder with all her side jabs and prancing as if she were a beautiful mare on the highway.

A chill crept down my spine as I hung a linen under the sun in the backyard, making me shiver a little, though winter was still far off.

What was that? But whatever that was, it can't be good since it's popular knowledge amongst my people that whenever you feel such things out of the blue, it's not a good omen.

This is really bad, I thought as I heard the hooting of an owl in broad daylight. All of a sudden, I heard my name. "Tasha," the voice called, but it sounded distant. It felt like someone was trying to reach me, but who could it be?

"Instead of ogling like a fool, I suggest you spread those clothes quickly and get back in here." Rachel called from where she sat in the kitchen, "Or is being stupid one of your numerous flaws now?"

Her words broke into my thoughts, making me jump a bit.

But slowly, surprise gave way to anger, which bubbled inside of me. As I stood under the sun, all I could think about at that moment was what a bitch she was for treating me the way she does.

"What? Do you want to attack me now like you did your friends yesterday?" I blinked several times in surprise at her words.

Adjusting properly, I went back to my work and ignored her taunt. I didn't know my blind stance was that of someone poised for attack. Thinking back to the way I attacked Jacob and Charlotte, I almost felt sorry, but I quickly got a grip on myself.

I did what I did because I was angry.

What else could have been my reaction at that moment? Probably a hug and a pat on the back. A heavy knock on the front door broke my line of thought. I flung the excess water on my hands and wiped them on the apron I wore as I straightened up to check who was at the door.

"Don't bother; I will get it." After about a moment, I heard the door yawn open. "Oh Charlotte! How are you doing?" Rachel said aloud, obviously to draw my attention. "I hope you were not injured when Tasha was acting up yesterday."

There was no need for her to go to the lengths she was going to go to make me aware of the traitor's presence because her scent and her damned voice already did. And what did she mean by saying that I acted up yesterday? Annoyance already clouding my thoughts.

I must have missed the other things they said because, before I could react properly, my aunt was already leading Charlotte in my direction.

A smile played on Rachel's lips, which made me think for a second that she had a hand in this, but I quickly ignored her as my eyes zeroed in on my new-found enemy. One who once claimed to be my best friend but went ahead to betray me by snatching away my one shot at happiness and freedom.

A look that seemed to be one of gloats crossed her face briefly, but she quickly masked it with indifference.

"You have got some guts coming here after what I almost did to you earlier," I said with my arms across my chest, fixing her with one of my most deadly glares.

"I thought you would have cooled off by now," she shrugged.

"What the hell are you doing here, traitor?" I snarled.

"I will be inside," Rachel said as she strode off.

I don't care where you are going to bitch. For all I know, she might stick around to see the outcome of the face-off.

"I came to see how you are faring." She replied with a smile.

"For what?" I was barely able to get the words out of my mouth due to the rage that consumed me. "Are you here to gloat about taking away my golden opportunity or snatching my mate?"

Raising an eyebrow at my outburst, she shook her head. "I came here for none of that."

"Then what did you come here for?" I snapped almost immediately.

"Does that really matter? Can't I just come to pay my friend a visit anymore?" She asked, sounding like a concerned friend, but her face said otherwise. "By the way, I suggest you carry on with your chore; your aunt is watching." She added.

I gave a mirthless laugh at her words: "Did you come here to insult me? You know I could kill you where you stand, and I won't feel any ounce of remorse for it."

My threat must have startled her because the same look of unease appeared on her face again. But then she raised her chin and stood her ground.

"You can try if you want. I am not scared of you.

"You should be." I clenched my fists with every intention to use them on her, but after giving her a thorough look, I unclenched them.

She is not worth it. "Just get out of here before I try to kill you for real this time. Stay away from me, including Jacob. Tell him I said you both should stay away from me or else face the consequences the next time you try this again."

After a moment of hesitation, she turned and walked away, only to stop at the door.

"One day, you will understand that not everything is about you. The earlier you get this into your thick skull, the better. See you around." Then she strolled out, shutting the door behind her. "Who the hell does she think she is?"