Catching Genesis

"GenGen, you have to commit to this. Promise me you're going through with this. He made you suffer, he's gonna pay. He should feel at least a fraction of the pain he put you through. You're gonna show him what he's missing. You're going to show him that you don't need him. He needs you," commands Reese spiritedly. "Doesn't he know that an alpha needs his true mate to be really strong? This pack is going to the wolves...like literally.

"I'm getting an ulcer just thinking about him and Mia leading the pack." Reese shudders.

The thought of the two of them together is less painful now. Maybe because I haven't been around him in a while. I don't think I'm good enough to be a luna, but I don't know what I'll do when the two of them become the alpha and luna of the pack.

"You think they'll kick me and my family out of the pack once they become alpha and luna?"

"They can't do that, can they?" asks Penny.

Yes, they can. The three of us sit in thoughtful silence for a few minutes before I suggest that we let our wolves out and go for a run.

It's a great relief to let Ezra out. I feel light and feel almost normal again. I should let my wolf out more often.

Penny ends up spending the night at my house. Reese has a date with River later that night and has to leave. Both of Reese and Penny are coming for a sleepover again tomorrow night.

After Reese left, Penny wants to watch Deadpool and drools over Ryan Reynolds. I've drooled over him like a thousand times, so I decided to butcher Elizabeth Browning's beautiful sonnet, How do I Love Thee , changing the word love to reject and tape it on my wall.

How do I Reject Thee?

How do I reject thee? Let me count the ways.

I reject thee to the depth and breadth and height

My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight

For the ends of being and ideal grace.

I reject thee to the level of every day's

Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.

I reject thee freely, as men strive for right.

I reject thee purely, as they turn from praise.

I reject thee with the passion put to use

In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.

I reject thee with a love I seemed to lose

With my lost saints. I reject thee with the breath,

Smiles, tears, of all my life; and, if God choose,

I shall but reject thee better after death.

Penny thinks I'm nuts. I think it's funny in a sick, twisted and sad kinda way.

Original Poem:

How do I love Thee? (Sonnet 43) by Elizabeth Barrett Browning.

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.

I love thee to the depth and breadth and height

My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight

For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.

I love thee to the level of everyday's

Most quiet need, by sun and candlelight.

I love thee freely, as men might strive for Right;

I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.

I love thee with the passion put to use

In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.

I love thee with a love I seemed to lose

With my lost saints,–I love thee with the breath,

Smiles, tears, of all my life!–and, if God choose,

I shall but love thee better after death.

Chapter III

Operation Payback

Today is Monday. Last night, the girls had a sleepover at my house so that we can get ready for school together. We're starting Operation Payback-phase one.

"So, tell me why are we wasting our time doing this again? We agreed that he's a worthless jerk anyways," I ask, as Reese pulls and tugs at my hair.

"Well, reason number one, he's gotta pay for what he put you through. Number two, isn't this fun? I'm excited to do this!" answers Penny.

"And reason number three, it stops Penny from going crazy ninja on Logan and getting herself thrown into the dungeon," adds Reese.

"I still think we're just wasting our time. No amount of work will get me noticed around school when all the other girls are so gorgeous."

I stare at Reese in the mirror. Reese looks like a doll in her yellow gossamer sundress, a white cardigan, and a pair of bright yellow sandals. Her golden curls are in a high ponytail, tied with a white filmy ribbon.

"Genesis," sighs Reese, turning me around to face her. "Even without all the makeup and the makeover, you're easily the prettiest girl in school."

"Boys are always staring at you, you're just too dense to notice," adds Penny, dabbing some color to her eyelid. Penny is rocking her new sleek hairstyle with black shorts and dark blue crop top paired with high top black sneakers and also a black leather jacket. Truly, Penny is so gorgeous, she looks like a model to me.

"Hey! I resent that," I complain. "If you think I was already pretty why do we need to do all this then?"

"Honey, the makeover and all this is just to boost your self-confidence...plus, you finally agreed to let us dress you up. It's like having a real-life Barbie doll to play with," replies Reese gleefully. "Oh, I can't wait to have a baby girl with River...well, not yet, but in a few more years."

"You'll make a wonderful mother, Reese," I smile, imagining her with babies.

"Yeah, she will. And I'll probably be the worst mother ever. I'd probably forget where I left my pup when I'm too busy playing Crashlands or something," confesses Penny.

We start laughing at that because Penny does tend to forget things when she plays her games.

Checking my reflection in the mirror, I have to admit, I like how I look in the small purple top and a white skater skirt. The top follows the contours of my body like a glove, the V-neckline just skimming over the rise of my creamy skin, making my boobs look bigger...sort of. The skirt makes my legs look long and endless. I have a pair of white converse on. My hair is in big loose curls.

"I envy your long legs." Reese sighs. She really has no reason to envy my anything.

"My goddess, you girls look stunning!" exclaims my mom when we get to the bottom of the stairs.

"Thanks, Lavinia," reply Reese and Penny.

Mom hugs all three of us with tears in her eyes. I think she's thankful for my friends for getting me up and about again. Ready to get back to school again too.

We join dad and Autumn in the kitchen for breakfast. Mom has made lots of pancakes for us.

Later, Autumn joins us in Reese's car for a five-minute drive to school. I know Autumn enjoys spending time with my friends too. She's known them since she was in diapers. They're more like big sisters to her.

"I'd like to do my hair like yours too soon," says Autumn, pulling at a lock of my hair before she jumps out of the car and disappears into the crowd.

"That's the closest to a compliment I've ever gotten from her," I inform Penny and Reese.