She shrugged her shoulders, ignoring me. We made our way through the crowd, " Everyone is here to see you." She whispered in my ear.
I ducked my head down, "Why would they do this?" My teeth pressed together in annoyance.
"You're The Dastien King's mate," She smiled, tugging me away at the parking lot with long steps.
"And you know this?" I asked again.
Slightly, she shrugged her one-shoulder, "Everyone knows. First, I was worried about you. Then at the end of the class. I am convinced now." She said in merriment.
"You're taking the werewolf thing so easy." I was trying to understand her. She was the same but... Differently changed. I have a strong feeling she's going to piss me off.
Her smile vanished, "Mom has a lot of things to share with you. " She was trying to change the topic. It's her mistake if she thinks it will work.
"After visiting home, I'd like to meet her doctor," I said. Mom's important. I told myself. The strong desire to know the reason behind her strange boastful behavior could wait.
"No need," Her smile returned.
My feet halted, "What do you mean?" She took out the car keys from her messenger bag and unlocked the vehicle.
I gaped at the black SUV, "Something has changed. I'm not updated." My eyes narrowed at her. She wasn't the sister I knew. It's pushing me to the edge.
" True. Hope in, sis." She sauntered around the car and pulled open the door. I was still staring at her in astonishment. The shock suppressed my anger for a while.
The thud of the door closing tore me from my thinking. I got in the car, "When did you get your car?" I asked, buckling myself.
"It would be better if mom told you everything." She turned the key in the ignition.
I leaned back. I had a feeling. It wouldn't be good.
"Is it something to worry about?" I asked, exhaling. My heart was beating in my ears. I pressed two fingers over my forehead. I wasn't feeling around a familiar person. Could someone change so much?
"I freaked out first." She scratched her head, "You're always stronger than me. But things have changed. I'm the strong one," She said, boastfully.
My eyes narrowed at her. "What do you mean?" I shook my head. I woke up every day with tears, Dastien in my dreams every night. I turned to look out of the window. The sun made me blink, I pressed the side of my face on the glass.
"Are they following us?" Ava asked with a frown.
"Dastien or Alessandro or one of the Alphas, I don't know. must have set a watchful eye on me." I muttered. I controlled my gloomy, anger. I was still learning to hide my emotions.
"What's that mean?" She turned to glance at me.
"My babysitters. I usually watch them when I leave the academy." One of them was Burt and the second person must be a shifter. "An elite fighter. So, stronger or the strongest. I'll always hold the upper hand." I said.
Irritation flashed on her face. Her gaze wiped over the rearview mirror. I waited for her to challenge me again. She doesn't seem like the sister who shared her hot chocolate with me.
"And you don't care? You're truly royal." She chuckled.
"I have better things to care about." I kept my gaze out of the window. It would help with my anger.
"Emma! Where's my sister?" She asked.
" I should be the one asking you this. " My voice was full of emotions. "My mate left me," My throat choked. I closed my eyes hoping to rein in my tears, "You won't understand."
"I understand. Mom has a lot of things to tell you." I heard her.
Opening them, I squinted at her, "Mom is fine?" I asked though I knew the answer.
" More than fine. She's happy with Charles Quarles." She smiled.
My head jerked to her, my back straightened, "Charles Quarles! Who's he?" My heart began to thud louder. I wasn't expecting this. I wanted to see her perfectly fine, normal.
"It's mother's place to tell you. I can bet. You'll like him." She said nervously.
I threw my head back. Ava's gaze held concern, "Don't give me that look." I was unable to sit and find any comfort.
"I'm... " She opened her mouth.
"Don't," A bigger part of me wanted to run back to Dastien's home and locked the door. Though I wasn't exactly sure where we stood, what right I was using to stay in his home. I passed with the help of my friends. I still needed to work on my fighting skills. Martial arts was on my dislike list. It wouldn't ever upgrade. I let out a long breath. More than anger, disappointment engulfed me.
She slowed the car after the drive of five minutes. I glanced at the mansion. I arched my brows looking back at Ava. We can't afford this. Not in this life.
"We live with Charles," Ava jumped out of the car.
I hit my head back twice. A niggle of anxiety started to build. I let the air out of my lungs. It was a different feeling.
"Emma," My head snapped out of the window when I heard the joyful sound of my mother.
I was shocked. My mother had a totally different personality. A white gown with a slit, her dark hair was curly, spread over her shoulders, she had also done makeup, blood-red lipstick. She looked more pretty and the happiest person. I froze, just stared at her with an open mouth.
' I'm going to kill you Ava for not telling me everything.'
She opened the door and pulled me out with strength I wasn't imagining. What the heck happened in my absence!
Before I could fall or stumble, she took me in the ring of her arms, "My princess!" Her voice was telling me she was so happy.
I looked at the man, standing a few steps away from us. He glanced at us with his dark blue eyes. He was tall and had a long and chiselled face. He's wearing a dark blue suit. I could bet he was a shifter.
Mom pulled back and looked at me with misty eyes. She looked more like my elder sister than our mother, "How are you, mom?" I asked, still in shock. I couldn't ignore the feeling of betrayal and anger surging through me. What were they thinking while hiding everything from me?
She cupped my face and kissed my head, "Fine. I wanna introduce you to someone." She held my hand and turned to him, "He's Charles Quarles." Her smile was the broadest I had ever seen.
"Welcome home, Emma." He kissed my cheek, offering his perfect smile.
I wasn't sure how to react. I just glanced at my mother. They were blushing while looking at each other as if they were teenagers.
"He's my mate," She whispered, her whole face lit up.
Mate! Is she kidding me? No! No! She won't. I glanced at them with big eyes and a shocked expression, "I... I.. "
"She's tired, mom," Ava said, coming to my side.
"Ok, sweetie! We'll talk over dinner." Mom kissed my cheek again.
Ava pulled me away from them, inside the house. I was still in that moment when she said he's her mate.
"What's that mean?" I stopped walking and turned to Ava. Mom sauntered behind me with him.
"He's a werewolf. I think you know about us. " My mother said, her smile didn't waver
"Us?" I asked, dumbfoundedly. I don't know what to feel - Shock or anger? But my irritation was at peak right now.
"We'll talk later. You need some time." Ava pulled me away again
"No," My hands shook when I ran them through my hair.
"We're werewolves," Ava said. Nervously, she looked at them.
I laughed, " You gotta be kidding me," We're still out. I almost glared at them.
"If you think, then...." She began to walk to another side.
'I know what's going to come. She's a werewolf. Donovan did the same to make me believe. I suppress my inner voice. It can't be true. '
She didn't stop. Her clothes tore and she shifted into a beautiful brow wolf.
I inhaled a deep breath, "I... I wanna be alone." I muttered. My hands fisted at my side.
'Werewolf? Am I mute? How can the king of shifters find his mate in me? I'm going to be crazy.'
"I'll show you your room." Mom said, stepping forward.
I nodded, still in a freezing state. I let her lead me along the path, "Mom, are you fine? You were..." I gulped, I couldn't say the word.
"I'm not a mad person anymore." She smiled my way, but her amber gaze was holding concern.
"I didn't mean to say that, mom." I wanted to forget whatever I discovered right now.
"He!" She sighed heavily, running her amber gaze over the walls and resting on me. She cupped my cheeks, "I was eighteen when he came into my life. When I look back, I hate him now. My father was Gamma and he was Alpha's son, future Alpha. I thought it was love. Ten years with him! I'm glad he left me. It was a very difficult time. I have my princesses. I have my true mate. That's all I want." Her smile returned. Her eyes were filled with tears. She did not want to talk about him. He's my father if she's forgetting that. Perhaps, it's not the right time to pick an argument.
' I respect her for that. He has given her nothing but pain. She has suffered a lot because of him. '
I took her in a tight hug, "I love you, mom. No matter what. I respect you and your decision."
"I love you too, sweetie." She kissed the side of my head, "Well! Do you like your room?" She strutted toward the mahogany door and clicked it open.
I paced inside, "Wao!" The walls were painted ivory, queen-size bed, matching curtains with bedsheets, "Thank you, mom," I hugged her again.
"Charles is looking forward to meeting you. He has taken good care of us." Mom said.
She wanted me to accept him as our family member. I'm not certain. I am not going to stay here forever. Just a few days! I reminded myself.
"I'll take a nap, mom." I kissed her cheek and put my backpack down.
"Um, alright. Take your time," She caressed my cheek and walked out of the room
"Yeah! Thanks." I nodded and closed the door.
I sat on the couch and placed my head between my hands.
' I need to know who my father is. Indeed, he's just a sperm donor. That's it.'
I felt anger. I wanted to insult him, taunt him. That won't be wise. I just can't insult him. I have better things to bother about.