I headed toward the cobblestone path. My feet were forwarding against my will. Darkoce did not return to the class, not even his alphas-friends. I had no place to go for now. After gathering some of my belongings, I would call Aidan. Fingers crossed, he would help me.
I paced in the house. The door was already opened. My mother got on her feet at my sight. Jasper was leaning against the chair of the dining table and his arms were crossed on his chest.
Drake looked up at me from the book lying on his lap. "Sit with me, pumpkin." He patted the seat next to him.
My mother smiled at me nervously. Did they argue before my arrival here? After a pause, I walked over to the couch and sat next to him.
"Um, are you sending me home?" I asked him.
"Yes, if you don't wanna stay here with me and Jasper. You can stay with Mother." Drake smiled at me.
Jasper pushed him forward and strode ahead to take the seat next to me. "Only if you want. And no one is forcing you." He offered a soft smile.
"Really? I'm staying here." I squealed in excitement.
"Yes, kiddo." Drake pinched my cheek softly and glanced at Mother. "Mom can't take my sister away. Again." he added whispering, his eyes locked with her.
Hurt appeared on her face. "Mr. Morris is back. I have packed my luggage. Your father and sister must be missing me." She tried to hide her hurt.
I drew on my feet and paced over to her. I took her in a tight embrace. "I love you, Mom. Please, trust me. I might be weak in your sight but I'll be fine. Jasper and Drake won't let anything harm me." I assured her.
Her arms came around me. "I know. But I'm a mother. You'll understand the day you'll be a mother."
I chuckled. I had heard this a lot. "No, I won't tie them to home or myself. We only get one life, Mom."
"We got many lives if we're lucky." She cupped the side of my face.
The way she said. It just confused me. I don't know what she's saying but there must be a secret behind it. I would find it out. "Alright, should I come with you to the airport?"
"Jace is dropping her. You are coming with us." Jasper said.
I spun. " Where?" I asked.
"Queen Reina is here." Mother said.
"Oh, alright." I nodded.
My mother kissed my cheek. "If you wanna come home..."
"I'll call you." That wasn't happening. I was getting my invisible wings. She nodded. The disappointment was clear on her face. I waved my hand at her as she walked over to the door.
Jace forwarded his steps to take her luggage. I was seeing him now after the day he shouted at me. He was looking like hell, with messy hair and the same T-shirt from yesterday.
"Did something happen?" I asked, turning to my brothers.
"No," Drake shook his head. " Are you ready to go?"
"I'm not sure. Is she like mom?" I asked.
Jasper chuckled. " See it yourself, Em." Jasper curled his arm around my shoulder and tugged me toward the door.
I saw Jace's car driving away. "Seriously, what happened?"
"So," Drake enclosed me from the other side. "Have you seen her?" He asked, but confirmation shone in his eyes. There was no doubt.
"Um, Did Sisily tell you?" I asked, looking at my sneakers.
"No, she was upset with Jace for shouting at you and," Drake held my hand and lifted it up, pulling the sleeve up to reveal the bruise. "For hurting you." His jaw locked.
"That was by mistake. It's normal when it's about the mate." I pulled my hand away.
"It's punishable after Silver hurt Emma." Jasper said.
"No! Did you punish him? And Silver was her friend. Why would she do so?"
"Long story." He shook his head.
I was glad that they had started it from somewhere at least. "Hope to hear it someday."
"Sure, Em. Now? Do you want to punish Jace?"
"From his face, I could guess you've already punished him. He's still the Gamma." I asked, anxiously. He had worked hard for this post. He has beaten other shifters to reach her.
"Well, he's suspended for a month." Jasper said.
"What? Suspended! What do you mean?" I shouted, staring at them with a dropped jaw.
Drake got behind the wheel of his latest SUV and motioned us to get in. "He'd calm his head within a month."
I opened the door and slid in. "Who ordered this?"
"Royal. " I gave him a confused look. "Darkice," Jasper said, striding around. He opened the door and got in the passenger seat.
I didn't know this. "What's his problem?" I folded my arms.
"Show me your arm, Em." Jasper said, turning to me. He was holding the first aid kit.
"What's that for?" I pushed it closer to my stomach.
"Do you want me to come back?" Jasper asked.
"Cruel brothers. " I flattened my lips. I didn't mean it. They're best brothers.
They smirked. "Oh, you mean good brothers? Kiddo." Drake said.
"Don't call me that. I'm not a kid." I creased my brows as I stared at him.
"Your arm." Jasper wiggled his fingers.
Hesitatingly, I forwarded it. His expression changed.
"One month wasn't enough." Drake muttered angrily.
"Wanna listen to some music?" Jasper asked to distract me.
I shook my head. "Um, I saw Emma but her mate's face was in the dark. Does Darkice have the same powers as him?" I asked, thinking about everything but the burning because of the liquid pressing against my spin. "Um, power of fire?"
"It's more than the power of fire. You'll learn everything soon but you can't tell Mom." Drake said.
"Promise. But she would freak out the day she would know." Drake asked.
"We'll see that. It's not even near. So don't nag yourself with it." Jasper offered me his best full smile as he applied the ointment on it.
"Ok. Did you know what happened to me that night?" I asked.
"Yes, your next step into the dark is connected to the dark realm. That was the place where he lost Emma before she was reborn." Jasper said.
"Is it because I look like her?" I blurted out in shock. My big eyes were staring at him.
"We don't know anything. we have to wait until you turn eighteen." Jasper said, placing the first aid kit back.
"Why? It isn't giving me good vibes." I told him.
"I won't lie, kiddo. I have lost Emma. I don't wanna lose you. It doesn't sit well with me." He glanced at me through the mirror. Worry made his forehead crease. "This could mean something. You won't run away anywhere. I was hell worried about you. Then Father told me." Drake clenched the steering wheel.
"I'm sorry. I wasn't supposed to see her. I just broke the rules." I muttered. I wasn't regretting my decision.
"Yesterday you reminded me of her. Just tell us what you need. You'll get it. I won't scold you, and won't let anyone harm you if you make a mistake. Are we clear, Emersyn?" Drake asked.
"Yes, bro." I was feeling like a bad bitch who liked to tease people for entertainment. I had no bad intentions. I was scared of my mother's reaction.
"You don't need to fear anyone. Anyone." Jasper said.
"Yes, that won't happen again." I told him.
Drake pulled the car over in the parking lot near the packhouse. "She's a kind woman." He told me.
"I have a little doubt. But I won't judge her. I shouldn't say anything until I meet her." I got out of the car and looked around at the beautiful surroundings, fresher air, and birds flying from here to there.
"Come, Em." Jasper said, walking ahead of us.
"You're nervous." Drake said.
I nodded. I wanted to lie. But they have just told me to be true to them as I didn't want to make them feel bad. I couldn't sense my surroundings and people like them. But I could see the worry clearly in their eyes. We paced forward. I was going to meet Queen Reina. She must be very old.
"Any advice?" I muttered to Drake.
"Just be yourself." He muttered back.
"Why does she want to meet a human like me?" I asked.
" You already knew this." He motioned at my face.
Slowly, not looking certain, I nodded. This would always confuse me until I reached the roots of it.
My feet halted seeing a young beautiful woman not older than my mother, sitting on one of the benches, a thick tome was opened on her lap. She was reading it very carefully.
"Are you busy, Reina?" Jasper asked, clearing his throat.
The shock made my eyes widen as I stared at her. She was a girl nothing older than me.
She lifted her head up and a soft smile was holding on her face. My jaw dropped to see her beauty. I was considering Silver to be Miss World but she is Miss Universe. Her smile was reaching her green eyes and they set on me.
Closing the book, she placed them aside and drew on her feet. Her pearly white gown was trailing behind her as she paced forward.
"She's your sister." Her voice was so soft and her smile never disappeared. I wasn't certain to whom she was asking.
She must be used to seeing people gawking at her in utter shock. She caressed my cheek and kissed my head leaning forward. "You're so beautiful, my child." Her smile stayed the same.
"You must be kidding me. I always thought my mothers are the most beautiful women, but you... no one can match you." I almost shouted in shock. Her eyes reminded me of someone. I couldn't guess it.
She giggled like a cute girl. "Beauty is inside you, my dear. '' Patting her fingers on my cheek, she pulled her hand back.
"True," I nodded. Am I embarrassing myself?
"No, you don't." She replied to my unspoken question.
My dilated eyes shot up at her. "How...?" I took a step closer to my brother. She is a beauty. It could be a lethal weapon to hide her true face.
"That's my only face, dear. Yes, if you want to see my second face. You have to see one at the war."
"Can she read head?" I asked in my fearful voice.
"Nothing to fear. She's the queen. It's just her powers." Drake said, smiling at me as he was convincing five years old, telling me to step forward ahead of the trees telling there was no ghost on the other side of the tree.
"You've already impressed him with your powers, Mom." My head jerked to the door and I gasped loudly.
Shock froze me for a full minute as my eyes linked with his golden eyes. "I can't believe he's her son. It's impossible."
Darkice arched his brows. "Why is that?" He tilted his head.
Now, I'm truly embarrassed. " I didn't mean it like this. She looks too young to be your mother. " I lowered my chin in embarrassment.
"I could say the same for your mother." He forwarded using his long strides as he greeted his mother and kissed her cheek. "I missed you, ma." He said.
She caressed his cheek the same way as mine a few minutes ago. " I missed you, too. I have cooked for you. Jasper and Drake would join you." Her soft voice was holding authority.
"Don't be afraid." Drake muttered walking toward the door that was leading to the house.
"You're safe with her." Jasper also muttered before walking away.
His golden eyes stayed on me longer. My heart picked a slight speed. I looked away immediately. His mother did not need to know her son affected me in a way I couldn't understand.
If Reina heard us she didn't let it show on her face. I was expecting a very old woman, not a stunning woman near my age. after a few years I would look old and they would be the same.
"Your parents are wolves. You'll live a very long and young life." She smiled and walked over to the bench again.
"Really?" My voice was full of shock again.
Sitting, she grabbed her tome and patted the seat next to her on the bench.
I immediately scurried forward and sat down on it. "Then I need a lot of friends." I said.
"Of course, you do, my dear. "Her smile was always genuine. She opened the book again.
My lips parted in shock when I peered down at the book. "It's...."
"Yes, the same book." She glanced at them holding love in her eyes for them.
"Do you know them?" I asked.
She flashed another smile my way. But she did not say a word. It just confused me. "You should read this book. It's about their life before her rebirth." Closing the book, she placed it on my lap.
"You want me to know about them." I asked, shocked and puzzled.
She sighed deeply as she was inspecting our surroundings. "I could feel the change in the air. Are you seventeen?" She asked but it felt like she was reminding herself.
*Yes," her eyes reminded me of someone. I don't remember.
She hummed, thinking over something.
"Am I like my half-sister? I mean cursed? My twin is a strong wolf but I'm a human." I asked the most important thing.
She caressed my cheek. "It's not a big deal. And you're not cursed." Strange! She's looking relief
"Then, why did that happen to me?" I asked. I stepped into the dark and I reached the Dark Realm. How could it be if I'm just a human?
It grabbed her full attention. "Yes, tell me about your visions."
"They seemed real." I told her. Indeed, they were real. I was certain.
"Maybe your soul belongs to the dark realm." She said.
It panicked me. Emma died because she belonged to the dark realm and her mate king. But I have nothing to do with anything. "I... Don't understand." I stuttered.
"Your mother was right. We should wait until you turn eighteen. Things would be easier if you study about us, your ancestors." Her gaze turned to the book.
I stared at her with shock. When did she meet my mother? " Do you know her?" Instead, I asked her.
"Yes, just this morning she came." She smiled fully.
Are they friends? "Alright," I trailed off. It was quite unbelievable. My mother did things for me and expected the opposite from me.
"Be easy on her. She has lost you once." Her green eyes stared afar over my shoulder.
I glanced at her with confusion and followed her gaze. There was no one. What was she talking about?
"I didn't understand you." I wasn't getting a thing.
"You don't need to. Concentrate on your study." she motioned at me to follow her on the path where the boys went a few minutes ago.