I woke up after a loud tap on the door. My sleepy eyes drifted around the room. But it was empty. When did he go? Perhaps after seeing Dad coming. He was the first thing in my head after waking up. Gloomy enclosed me finding it empty.
"We have classes, Ember. Your father is also waiting for you to wake up." I heard Aidan.
"I'll be downstairs." I told him in my groggy tone. I forced myself out of the bed. I slept late and I still felt like I could sleep for hours.
After taking a long and hot shower, I headed out of the room. The cupboard was stocked with new branded clothes. They must be of her. I picked the white top and blue dungaree. My hair is down and straight.
I peeped into the kitchen. Dad was making sandwiches and coffee. I knew he had sensed me as a smile crawled on his face.
"Good morning, Dad." I hurried in and curled my arms around him from one side.
He curled his arm around my shoulder and kissed my head. "Did my child sleep well?" He asked, holding affection and emotions in his eyes.
"Yes, I know you'll always help me. " I never used" Thank you "with him. He said I should ask everything without any hesitation.
He cleared his throat and motioned out of the kitchen. My eyes fell on Aidan who was chopping fruits, giving his full attention to it.
When my gaze turned to him. I knew what he was going to ask. I shook my head. "We're friends." I rolled my eyes, clearly showing how unwanted this question was.
His words were nagging me still in my head. What was wrong with everyone? A week has hardly passed since I'm the academy.
It still felt like a dream. I couldn't believe he was in my room and stayed there the entire night.
"Just wanted to be sure. Coffee or juice?" He asked.
I stared at the coffee machine. It wasn't my thing ever. "Juice."
"Hi, Ember. Look, I made you fruit salad." Aidan said, getting on his seat, beaming at me.
I met his grey eyes and he arched his eyebrows telling me silently that That's Why I asked you, princess.
"I could do this myself. I have cooked before with Dad. People will think we're dating." I glanced at my dad, pressing my lips.
He chuckled and shook his head, grabbing the cup for the coffee.
"What? No!" Aidan squealed and looked at me with big eyes. "My sister likes fruit salad too. I thought you would like it."
He misses his family so much, particularly his mother and sister, he rarely mentioned his father.
I giggled and paced out of the kitchen. "You must be the sweetest brother then." I took the plate from him and settled down to eat. I hadn't eaten anything last night. I was hungry." Thank you." I grabbed my fork.
"ER... WELCOME." He rubbed the back of his neck.
I shook my head. "The coffee is in the kitchen. I think you need a strong one before heading back to the academy." I gestured at the kitchen with the fork.
"Yes, true." He strode into the kitchen. Still rubbing the side of his neck.
Dad took the seat next to me. "What else did you do?" He asked.
I gulped hard and glanced at him. "I went to the library and saw her picture." I blurted.
Now it was his turn to look at me with big eyes and open mouth. "You did what?" The fork dropped from his hand with a clink and he slammed the cup on the table. Luckily it didn't break. His eyes turned over my shoulder.
I also felt Aidan's eyes on me and his fear and shock too. "You shouldn't tell him."
Daddy L glared at him and he was about to get on his feet to pounce on him. I placed my hand on his arm. "You won't say a word to my friend. It was my idea."
"Bullshit! You don't know a thing about libraries." He glared at him again.
I chuckled and his eyes softened on me. "True. But I could find a way. You can't hide all the time."
"And you used your friends?" He stared at me. There was no expression.
"Er," I shrugged my shoulders and smiled. " Look,"
"I don't love and care for you because you..." He trailed. The mask dropped from his poker face.
"I know. You don't need to say it." I engulfed him. "Please, don't scold my friends. They are my only friends."
I heard Aidan gasping behind me. Ignoring him, I glanced at him with a sad face.
"Your mother would freak out." He shook his head.
"I was going to find it out one day. " I told him.
He breathed out and stared at his coffee. "I'm glad you told me your secret."
"I don't think it would be a secret anymore. Sis would have told her mate and he to all the alphas." Aidan got in the seat with a dejected expression.
"I think she hasn't. Finish your breakfast, kids." He told me gesturing at my plate.
Sighing, I grabbed my fork and began to eat. I couldn't believe that She didn't tell them. Aidan was also looking a little shocked but he didn't say a thing. We weren't expecting her to not tell him as he was his fated mate.
Aidan was in his car driving ahead. I wanted to know more about them. Every time, I glanced at him, he just shook his head. I tried one more time.
He chuckled. "My obstinate kid, you'll get to know everything after your eighteenth birthday."
"But Drake would have told you about my little adventure in the dark?" I asked.
His face creased with worry. It made him look more mature than a teenager. Though, he was the father of four adult kids. "Enjoy your school life, be happy. I don't know what destiny has in store for us."
Particularly to me, I understand now what they are worried over, what is nagging my mother most? Emma died because of the curse that all I knew. Her mate couldn't save her. He died too.
"Did she die because of the curse?" I asked.
"No," I heard his voice changing with emotions. "Her death was the key to the dark realm for her. She died there, reversing the magic she caused years ago."
I didn't ask him further as I knew he would start weeping. I didn't want to see my parents and family broken. It would hurt like unbearable.
My gaze darted out of the window. "Pull over! Pull over! I want cookies." I told him.
He glanced out and chuckled. "And muffins too." He pulled the car in front of it.
"Yes, please," I told him and opened the door. My eyes locked on the black Audi car. It was the same one I saw that night when he left me in the dark of the back aisle of the club.
Instead of going in, I sauntered over to the car. I tried to peer through the black window glass. It didn't allow me to see through.
"Em? If you like the car you can have one." Dad said, chuckling.
I turned on my heels and nibbled on my lower lip nervously. "Yes, it's a nice car." But I was looking for the owner.
"Lance," I was startled, hearing his deep voice. My head jerked at the door of the shop from where he was coming. He was holding a cup and some sandwiches.
"Darkice, what a pleasant surprise. How are you, son?" Dad turned to him, smiling.
I couldn't believe Dad couldn't smell him in the house. Or It was the result of his powers. I don't know.
"I'm good. You have a meeting with Senior Dawson and Morris. If I'm not wrong." His golden eyes darted from him to me.
"Yes, after dropping Emersyn I'm heading to the airport." I didn't know he came all the way just to help me. I'm feeling like a bad girl now.
"I'm heading to the academy. I'll drop her." He said.
"What!" I whispered. I opened my mouth to deny it immediately. There was no way I was going with him. I hadn't told anyone that he was in my room last night.
"Em already likes your car. She would like to go in it." Dad said, walking over to his car and halted in front of me. "Nothing to worry about, princess. Nothing is more important than you." He kissed my head.