My arms wrapped around him. He growled, not approving my move. I glanced up at him resting my chin on his chest.
He kissed my cheek. 'Stay among people. Don't go alone anywhere. Lance will be here soon.'
I nodded my head. I tiptoed and kissed on his lips. ''I love you.'' His arm fastened around me. He rested his head on mine.
Pecking on my lips hard, he prolonged his hands that were resting on my shoulders. Two hands pulled me back from him. Tears rolled down. I haven't felt so bad before. He turned, showing his back, and strode away.
'I love you too. 'I heard him clearly. But he was out of sight disappearing behind the wall. The magma was back in place.
I sobbed silently, glancing at it blankly.
"Our bond would be disturbed during their travels. It could disconnect them for a few minutes or days. " Silver said.
"Ok," My voice cracked, and turned on my heels. He asked me not to be alone but I wanted to be for a few hours.
"We should go back." Mr Wolfe said.
"Yes, all super alphas are waiting to hear from us." Mr Morris said and both strode away, toward the pack house.
We walked back to the 7A villa valley. That's what I called it. I hurried my feet when I saw Sisily sitting on the grass ground and Aidan was muttering something to her.
"Are they gone?" Sisily asked in her cracked voice.
I hunched next to her and curled my arms around her. "It's okay, Ily. They'll take care of each other. We'll see them soon." I told her.
"See, I'm telling you the same thing. Your uncle will be fine." Aidan told her.
"Where's Jace?" I asked. He should be with her when her family isn't around.
"He's gone to pack. King has assigned him some tasks. I didn't ask." Sisily said.
"You both could stay with us." Silver said, wiping her eyes.
"Yes, that would be nice." Elizabeth nodded. They glanced down at us.
" Daddy L will be here at any time. We're staying there." I told them.
"Alright, we can go out to watch a movie tonight." Elizabeth said.
"It would be a good distraction." Silver said.
"Can I come? I mean. It would be good to have a man with you.." He trailed off, looking at us and up at them.
"You're Em and Ily's friend. So, you can come. But we don't need a man to protect us." Elizabeth said.
"Ok, " Aidan muttered.
"See you at eight, girls." Silver waved at us.
I nodded my head. I never felt strange with them. Was it because they were only friends of hers? I didn't even believe what she said.
"We have an hour." Sisily glanced down at her wrist. "You should call Uncle Lance and tell him about our plan."
"So, we're going into my car." Aidan said, excitedly.
"I wish, you find your mate, dude." Sisily shook her head and drew on her feet.
"What has it to do with my mate? I'm trying to divert your mind somewhere else." Aidan got on his feet as well.
My eyes drifted back to the portal. The magma always remained alive in it. No one could consider passing through it until he wanted to be dead.
"They're not coming back." Aidan said, extending his hand.
I took his hand and he pulled me to my feet. I needed to call Dad. My phone began to ring. I took it out of my pocket and swiped it on the display.
"Mother, I'm hanging out with my friends. I'll be late home." I told her.
"Well, I need the full details. Then I'll decide, honey."
Mom would have taught her. "Sisily, Silver, Elizabeth, and Aidan we are going out to see a movie. We'll be late." I told her.
"Alright, I'll tell Lance. Don't switch your phone off,"
"I won't." I disconnected it and shoved it into my pocket.
"Do you wanna change?" Sisily asked.
I shook my head. "Maybe, Aidan wanted too."
"Hell, no. I'll be in my car. Don't take too much time."
"Do you need something to eat?" I asked.
"Yes, I would love that." I heard him.
"You okay?' I asked, running after her as she opened the door.
" Beth and Silver are good. You can trust them. They were Emma's friends. " She entered and didn't wait for me. She took the stairs to her room.
"Ily?" I shouted her name.
"I'm fine. Just worried about my family. You won't understand. I lost my parents. I haven't ever seen them, I don't even remember them. Uncle and Grandpa are everything to me." Crying, she took the stairs.
Exhaling, I turned out of the house and closed it behind. She needed to be alone. Tension rippled through me. Why did I agree to go with them? All I needed was my room. It would be a good distraction. I turned to the parking lot.
I stared at the scorched land. The dark portal had ravaged the land. The black rings could be seen clearly under the dim light too.
Aidan's brows crushed together as he saw me coming alone. He rushed forward and looked at my back. "Why are you alone?" He asked.
"She wants to be alone." I shrugged my shoulders, taking steps forward.
"It could be dangerous. You can't wander around alone. The dark could be anywhere." His words made me halt and looked back at him.
Shock rippled through me. I haven't shared it with anyone but Alphas. "How do you know?" It dreaded me.
He rolled his eyes. "You mate asked me to take care of you without letting you know. Please, tell him that you're so intelligent to guess it quickly from my slipping tongue."
"Did he threaten you?" They weren't looking like friends from any angle.
Sighing heavily, he shoved his hands in his jeans pockets. "I'm hungry. They are taking more than an hour."
"Sure, the Cafeteria isn't far. It's open all the time." I turned, knowing he wouldn't tell me if he would have.
"It's his shirt." Aidan said. He used his long gaits to reach me.
My cheeks turned crimson recalling everything that happened. I could only nod my head. "So, do you believe in mates or do you have the same ritual?"
"Same. I hope she won't get jealous of my beautiful friends." He chuckled.
I smiled. "That's not going to happen. If she'll love you, she'll trust you too."
"This weekend," He hurried his steps forward and opened the door for me.
"You don't need to do this," I told him.
"I'm a gentleman." He slightly bowed his head.
"I'll punch you next time if you dare to bow. I'm your friend, not a queen."
"Alright. Don't get upset."
"I'm not. What were you saying"
"Next week, there is a secret masquerade ball in our academy. Should I get passes for us?" He asked.
"Do you think Sisily would come?" After seeing her in gloom today I wasn't certain she wanted to socialize."
"Why wouldn't she?" He frowned looking at me as I was going to hit him.
"Then ask it yourself." I muttered, treading toward the queue.
"And will Royal allow you?" He asked.
"Why would Darkice deny me?" My brows pulled together.
"Have you ever heard of Masquerade ball?" He looked at me, not looking bothered about the food. I grabbed the plate and shoved it in his hand.
"Yes, people wear masks and dance and party." I took a few steps ahead as the queue moved.
Thinning his lips he got behind me in the line. "You don't know a thing. It's not just a party. All kinds are going to be there. They enjoyed themselves, not bothered that you're with a vampire or a wolf with a witch."
I blinked at him. "My adopted parents and my actual parents would have your head for suggesting this to me. Go to such a party. " I shook my head. "You should hear them clearly. I'm still a kid. And.." I trailed off, lifting my palm to show my mark. "I'm engaged."
"But you can come with Royal. No one would mind then." He suggested.
"I'm not certain." It seems like a hotshot party. "Are you seeing someone? You don't need to wait for a party." I served myself some veg rice, mashed potatoes, pasta, and salad. I redirected myself to our usual table.
"True, " He set his plate down. It was a mountain of food. Everything looked messy. He didn't wait and began to fill his mouth. "But, we are in the best academy. We don't know there could be war after this weekend."
My hand stopped before grabbing the spoon. "What do you mean?"
I heard a sarcastic laugh. I didn't need to turn to look at her. "You stirred a war and poor Royal is out there to wipe your mistakes." She said sweetly.
"I can't believe you have the guts to even stand around our table." Aidan waved his hand in the air, clearly telling her to go away.
"You bloody witch! Keep your mouth shut." Grace snapped at him. "Ain't you going to say something? Well, what should I call you, a weak mate, or an unwanted mate."
"Unwanted sounds good to me but for you, not her." Aidan snapped back.
I stayed quiet, I started to eat ignoring her around me. Stuffing my mouth with mashed potatoes I craned my neck to peek through the heads of all students. There was no sign of them. This looks suspicious as hell. "I'm not certain they would come."
"Are you planning to go out on a date with your Bitchy-Witch." She giggled.
"They didn't know about the curfew." Her friends laughed hard.
"Watch your mouth, you greedy bitch." Aidan growled.
"What did you call me?" She was about to attack him.
"Get out of the mess if you can't have your meal peacefully." I stared at her angrily. She was pissing me off now. I was already upset with them going away from Sisily's behavior and now she was ruining my little peace in my head.
"You're the one who should get out of here and this academy and his life." Grace glared at me, baring her teeth.
"I'll complain to Mama." I repented when I heard them jumping out of my tongue. I heard them laughing out loud and making comments on me.
"Oh, she means Headmistress Reina." I heard a loud and clear voice over their laughter.
Their laughter died immediately and they stared at me with big eyes.
Silver slid into the chair and grabbed a piece of tomato and popped it in her mouth.
" She called Reina mama?" Grace asked Silver, shocked. Her big round eyes never leave me.
"Yes, so better find your seat. Live and let live. You don't wanna be in our enemy list. Do you, Grace?" She asked, muttering.
"No, we just stopped to say hellos, nothing else." Her friends pulled her away from our table.
"You don't need to say that." I whispered, feeling all shocked eyes on me.
"They won't bother you again." He said.
I glanced at them mutinously. "I don't like all this. " I drifted my gaze on all staring eyes at me. They looked away immediately.
"So, as you know. We're under curfew after sunset until they return. So, we're watching a movie at your place. Lance will be here in thirty minutes to pick us." Silver grabbed another piece and popped it in her mouth.
"When did this happen?' I snorted. They knew my family before my birth.
" What about me?" Aidan snorted.
"You can come. It's not a problem."
He shook his head. "I should head back to my apartment. That would be nice. You girls, have fun." He stuffed more food in his mouth.
My appetite died. I shoved the plate at Silver. Shrugging, she grabbed the spoon. Aidan shoved the glass in front of me.
I shook my head. If I said something, I was going to cry in front of everyone.
Aidan understood and replaced it with a water bottle.
"You don't look okay." Silver said.
"I'm fine and waiting outside." Getting up, I marched toward the door. I felt all eyes on me. Ignoring them, I kept walking.
"You're not supposed to go in the dark alone." I heard a soft voice.
"She said after thirty minutes." I looked over her shoulder but she was alone.
"Lance is attending a meeting. He is coming with Sisily and Elizabeth." She looked at Aidan and Silver. "Have you eaten!"
I shook my head. "I'm not hungry." I looked down at my sneakers. I was glad she wasn't asking why I was wearing his shirt.
"No problem. Rhi has already cooked your favorite Italian food." She caressed my cheek.
"I should grab my books."
"I have already taken them with me." Her eyes were studying me. She could also feel my sadness.
"Sweetie, they'll be back soon. You're attached to him now. He can sense this. Do you want him to be sad and frustrated because you're not happy here?"
We were out of hearing. "That place is horrible. I have seen it in my dream." Tears prick the inside of my eyelids.
"You shouldn't forget. He was born there. It doesn't scare him. It shouldn't scare you too." She said looking into my eyes.
Suddenly I missed him so much that my throat closed up. I did even know him properly. We just met. I got injured because of him on my first day in the academy. Here I'm crying for him.
"It feels weird. We just met and he is affecting me so much."
Her hand shot up to cup my cheek again. "It's normal. He's your mate. We wolves can live without anything but not our mate. "
"I'm just a human."
"You're more than that, my child. Now, you just have to give yourself some time to adjust. That's it. And you have me, your parents, Daddy L and Daddy C, brothers, everyone."
I chuckled hearing her saying their code names.
"You have me too." I heard Silver behind me.
They smiled at me warmly. I looked back at Aidan. He waved his hand, lifting up his head. I nodded before walking with them toward the parking lot as Mother announced that Daddy L was waiting for us near the car.
He curled his arm around my shoulder and kissed my head. "Did you eat?" He already knew the answer. I couldn't lie. I reminded myself.
"I'm not hungry. I'll eat later." I smiled up at him.
He nodded his head, looking convinced. "Get in the car, Emersyn."
I walked around and got in the back seat. This is going to be more difficult than I thought.
When the car was on the road. "Well, girls. I want you in your bed at eleven. Is it clear girls?" Mother said.
"Yes, Kate. " They said in unison. I nodded my head. I wasn't certain.
"Anything from them?" Daddy asked.
"Not yet," I saw the same disappointment in their eyes matching mine.
"Wait till the morning."
"You okay, kid?" he asked.
"Yes, just feeling low."
"It's okay, sweetie. It happens sometimes. When Lance goes away, I go out with my friends." She suggested.
"Sounds good to me. " The disappointment is too much to bear. I smiled anyway,... Something I don't wanna bother is that they could scent my emotions. I just expect understanding from them. Which I get a lot from my brothers.