We had checked a mountain of books, but nothing about the dark realm and anything to reach there. My back was in pain. Burt was guarding the door. Though there was nothing to worry about and anything dangerous. I don't know where he disappeared after climbing down the car.
"Guys," I said with a smile.
"Did you find the book?" Elizabeth asked.
"Say yes, I'm starting to hate books," Silver said, making a face in disgust.
"Shouldn't we ask Burt? He's from the dark realm." I wiggled my brows.
"Why didn't we think this before?" Elizabeth got on her feet.
"Hello, Burt. We didn't introduce ourselves before." Elizabeth walked over toward him, "I'm Elizabeth," She extended her hand, "They are my friends. Silver and you know Emma,"
He smiled, "I can't help you. King won't approve of it." He said in his robotic voice.
"At least, give us a hint. You robot!" Silver thinned her lips, glaring at him. But nothing could work with him. He is here to face troubles and danger. I don't wanna know what he's trained for.
"You'll find the clue in the library." He said and quickened his steps out.
Elizabeth deflated, "It's going to take days." She raked her gaze at the ranks, bookcases, touching the ceiling.
"Let's start," Silver said, extending her feet at the nearby bookcase and pulling the random book.
"How will I get there?" I asked, looking up at the bookcases touching the ceiling.
Elizabeth swirled her finger in the air, a blue sparkle shimmered around her hand. The book began to float in the air to the giant table.
"Can't you use your spell to reach them or pick the right one?" Silver asked, watching her with excitement.
"Would that! My training is still pending." She exhaled heavily, grabbing the book randomly.
After several hours, it was almost dark out, "I'd be glad if you come tomorrow," Elizabeth asked.
"I'd be one saying so." I didn't want to use thank you.
"Thank Lord. You didn't say 'Thank You' " Silver said with disgust, she was looking tired. Indeed, we all were feeling tired.
"I am blessed to have you." They smiled at me, "By the way, I'm a werewolf. You won't ever hear from me. That... I'm just human. But... I'm mute." I frowned.
"You're not mute, Emma. We'll find a way." Silver rolled her eyes.
"We should rest," Elizabeth said, placing the book on the pile.
We all nodded and I headed out of the library. Jasper was already walking toward me. His gaze drifted over our drained faces, "You girls need help?" He asked.
"No, good night, Em. Jasper." Elizabeth said.
Jasper nodded. Silver waved her hand as she leaned her head over her shoulder.
"I'm good to go home on my own," I told him.
He backed off, shaking his head, striding toward his car, "Get in the car. Carla is worried about you." He unlocked the car and climbed behind the wheel.
I took out my phone and stared at the ten missed calls from my mother. I rubbed my temple as I felt the pounding in my head. She must be worried. I was too busy to attend anything.
Sauntering forward, I slipped into the car, "Did she call you?" I asked, putting on the seatbelt.
"Twice," He said, driving out of the parking lot.
It was strange to travel in just a few minutes from one country to another, "You must have told her something." I asked. She shouldn't be worried.
"She's your mother, Em." He said.
A long pause passed, I did not know what to say, "I don't feel part of their family." I blurted and stared at the time on the display of my phone.
He stared at me for a full half second, "Are you upset with Luke and Avelyn's behaviour? I can take care of that."
Of course, he can take care because he's their Alpha. Jasper is my friend. He offered his help when no one wanted me around them. I shouldn't forget Luke is his brother.
I shook my head, "Including that too,"
' I'm a werewolf. I'm not a werewolf. My own sister taunts me. My mother is going to wed. I don't know how to digest everything. '
"You can talk to me and you can trust your friends." He said.
"I trust them. Elizabeth has recently gained her powers. Her relationship is still facing ups and downs with Edward. And Silver. I don't wanna see her worry because of me. I don't wanna trouble them. I know you'll be there for me whenever I need. It's just too much to take."
I don't understand which part to leave and handle first.
"You're thinking too much." He said.
"Perhaps," I muttered, battling with my inner voice. Strangely, I felt her inside me often but around Dastien. No one heard anything from him.
My phone buzzed and glanced at the message. I read the message twice.
'Your mother has invited us to lunch tomorrow. After our grouping in the library, we'll head together. What's you say?'
'Sure,' I answered quickly.
She planned lunch. How did she get their number? Jasper! I didn't ask him.
He pulled over the car. Abrupt quiet echoed, "Good night, Jasper." I got out of the car.
"See you at lunch," He said.
That made me pause and I looked at him, "I'm the only one who doesn't know. See!" I shrugged my one-shoulder. Sadness seems to be my all time favorite emotion these days.
He opened his mouth and shut it immediately, " See you, sis." He called me by the Nickname my mother and his uncle's wedding gave us.
I waved my hand and paced toward the door.
"Carla was waiting for you," Charles said.
I didn't look at him, "I didn't know the rules of your house." I said, moving toward the stairs.
"It's okay if you don't like me," He said.
I spun to him, " It's not true." I looked at him. "I don't know. What does my scent describe, right now? But you can't say that. My mother sees her life with you. That's all that matters." I twirled, taking the stairs, feeling the need to run away from the conversation. Why does everyone want to guess things?
I closed the door softly behind me. I should shower. It would help. I put my backpack on the couch and headed to the washroom.
When I headed out of the shower, I was still holding the towel. I stopped when I saw Charles on the couch, with a tray placed in front of him.
I sighed heavily, "I can take care of myself." I told him.
"You don't wanna give me your father's place. I understand," he said.
"I don't want any father figure or that sperm donor in my life," I told him.
"I won't leave your mother. She's my mate." He said, looking in my eyes.
"What do you want, Charles?" I didn't have patience for all this.
"You need to understand. We're a family." He said. I held my tongue from snapping. He must have scented my irritation, "I can feel your mother's tension through our bond." My eyes dilated. They've completed their bond, "She was ready to reject me." He sighed. I don't have powers like them but I could guess from his face. It troubles him very much.
"I'm sorry,"
"No." He shook his head, "Thank you. She would have rejected me if you'd denied her. She loves you so much." He paused and inhaled deeply from his mouth. His gaze turned to the door, "Your mother and I have arranged a small party with family and your close friends. She called you."
Footsteps rang out of my door and it creaked open, emerging my mother. He must have felt her, "Emma, ain't you happy with my decision?" Her eyes were slightly red.
My feet carried me toward her and I opened my arms, hugging her, "Mom, stop thinking too much. I am happy for you. What's making you think this?" I pulled back. Tears were rolling down her eyes. I lifted my hand to wipe her cheeks. Charles advanced and swiped his hand on her second cheek, "Mom," I grabbed her hand in mine, "I won't lie to you. You can detect it." She chuckled and nodded, "I hate that man who caused you so much pain." She opened her mouth but I cut her off, "I know Charles won't hurt you. No doubt." She nodded, her eyes pooled with tears, "I need some time to accept him as part of my life. I have already accepted him as your husband. But..." I sighed, "He has to earn. The father's place in my life. I don't know how to explain."
Her hand rested against my cheek, "I can scent your confusion." A small smile crawled over her cheek.
"I really don't know how to accept him as my father figure in my life. I have no problem with him. Seriously." It was true.
She chuckled and wiped her eyes, "I understand now." She embraced me.
Charles looked worried. His sadness was crawling over his face.
"Mom, you called all my friends?" I squealed.
"Where were you? Where's your phone?" She demanded in her motherly tongue. Her hands shot to her waist.
I giggled at her bossy attitude, "We're in the library. My phone was silent." I told her.
"You can talk about him." She said, softening her face.
"Dastien?" I inhaled deeply.
"Yes," She rolled her eyes with a wave of her hand, "Fire wolf!"
I stared at her to explain more. Definitely, I didn't know much about him. I relied on people for more information. He didn't talk much. He just left like an amazing brush of warm wind in the cool weather. He just disappeared.
There is so much to take in.
"Charles and I, we'll manage. You don't need to worry, mom." I told her.
He nodded, "I trust you both. I want my daughters at my side."
I nodded, "So how's the wedding preparations?" I looked at both.
"Carla wants a simple wedding with family and friends," He said, looking at her with affection. I knew this look from the look of Alessandro.
"My friends aren't only invited to lunch tomorrow," I asked.
Mom nodded, "You must be hungry." She glanced at the tray.
"Yeah, thanks, Charles," I sauntered over to the couch and sat where Charles was sitting a few minutes ago.
"We should let her enjoy her food," Charles told her.
"Good night, sweetie." She walked over to the couch and kissed my head.
"Good night, mom." I averted my gaze to Charles, "Good night, Charles."
"Sweet dreams, dear." He said and they walked over to the door. My mother looked back at me. Emotions waves inside me. My opinion mattered to her.
I wasn't hungry but I ate because of my mother.
The next morning: I pulled right up to the garage and stared out of the windshield. I didn't know about driving but I had read books. It was my first experience of driving. I walked out of my room when the house was quiet. Charles and mom were home. They must be busy preparing for the party at noon. I left the note for Mom over the door of the refrigerator. I had also asked for a message when she returned home. I avoided Ava and Luke. I wasn't in the mood of another taunt reverberating in my mind the entire day. I found a note and a car key at the side of my table when I woke up. Charles wanted me to have a brand new Audi! That was all I knew about this car. Red Audi!
I took out my phone and typed a quick message to him, 'Thanks for the car. It's beautiful. Please, tell mom I'm still waiting for her message.'
I slid the phone back in my pocket and stepped out of the car. After locking the car, when I spun and my feet halted. Samantha was staring at me with sadness over her face. She didn't look away after finding my gaze on her. She was a human like me.
"Emma," I twirled, looking away from her.
Drake's gaze was questioning on me, "Hi, Is she alright?" I looked back at the place where Samantha was standing but she wasn't there anymore.
"I wasn't expecting this." He motioned with his head at the library.
I shrugged my shoulders, "Are you here to help us?" I asked.
"Yes, to help you." He pursed his lips.
" Thanks. Are you free today?" He cut me off.
"Charles and Jasper have already invited me. Do you like your new home?" He asked, waiting for me to walk.
I took a slow pace at the library. He matched my pace, "Yes." I nodded, looking down at the grass. I do know, seriously.
"You're having trouble." He said.
I felt comfortable around him. This part was still to be discovered, "A little." I admitted.
He glanced at me with his rare eyes and nodded. He wasn't looking convinced with my answer, "Okay, " he said slowly.
I sighed heavily, gazing forward. When we entered the library, My jaw dropped. My feet halted. All heads turned to me. Alessandro, Edward, Jasper, Daniel, Drake, Carlos, Silver, and Elizabeth had already checked the half library's book. The tables were almost piled with books, some piles were over the ground near Edward and Daniel's feet, going to reach their waist soon.
"You guys are making me cry. I don't know how to digest so much love." Tears gathered in my eyes and rolled down.
"Hye." Drake curled his arm around me, "We're family. We are all. " He looked at them.
I gazed at him with my tearful eyes and nodded. Silver and Elizabeth rushed to my side and took me in an embrace, ignoring that Drake was already hugging me from one side.
"We cannot see you like this," Elizabeth whispered.
"You're not sharing anything with us, " Silver complained.
A frown gathered between Jasper's brows, "He could feel you." He said.
He means Dastien. I wiped my eyes immediately. Shouldn't he be here, around me? Helping me to comprehend things more closely?
"Shouldn't he come back?" I asked him.
They stepped back. Drake still kept his arm around me, "You need to share everything. We won't judge you. We can help you understand things that are troubling you." Drake said.
I bit on my lower lip and nodded. Silver held my hand and tugged me toward the empty chair. Elizabeth beckoned at the chair after pulling out, "Sit," She mouthed.
I stared at my hands but I could feel all gazes on me, "My mom has a son. He took him with her and that affected my mother's condition. I always wanted her to act like a normal parent. She's happy to have her mate and Luke. I am afraid of spoiling things. That scent thing," I thinned my lips, "It sucks. I can't pretend or lie all the time."
"Are you upset, she's getting married," Elizabeth asked, holding my hand.
"Hell, no!" I shook my head, my voice was louder than expected, "I don't want a father figure in my life."
"Do you want me to talk to Uncle?" Jasper asked.
" No," I shook my head, "We've already talked."
"You don't have a problem with your father figure. You hate him who caused your mother so much trouble." Silver said.
I nodded. A lot of things are running in my mind. Dastien! I'm a werewolf and I can't shift. Ava and Luke's hatred for me. Mom. Charles. That man and my brother, does he know about us? Of course, he wouldn't have told them about us, to his new family.
"Charles is a great guy. Miranda wasn't his mate, still he gave her everything she deserves as his wife and a part of the pack." Jasper said, "Of course, I was a kid but I remember everything."
"Did he divorce his wife to marry his mate?" I didn't wanna think about what Miranda would be going through.
"No, she died in childbirth," Jasper said.
I blinked at him, "Sorry, I didn't know this." I felt bad for Luke.
"I know there's a lot of things. We can talk later somewhere in private." Silver whispered.
I nodded, "Sounds good to me,"
"Good, I'm feeling relieved now. Should we get back to work?" Elizabeth asked.
"Yes! Yes!" I got on my feet.
They all scurried over to the bookcases. Drake stayed sat, Jasper got on his feet and walked over to us.
"Em, we're family." He told me.
"Yes, we're." That was true. I couldn't ignore it all the time.
"You don't need to feel alone," Drake said.
I nodded, "Thanks for coming. I hope we'll find him soon."
"And that's gonna sort out your more than half troubles." Jasper smiled.
"Pretty true." I pushed myself on my feet, "Let's grope," I felt a little better after talking to them. I still needed to work on my fighting skills. That was at the end of my problem's list. Now he's gone I don't know where we stand. He's not coming. There must be some reasons. He must have met another Samantha, he could be in trouble? I don't know. My mind is overthinking.