"Hi, are you coming down? Or I should use magic to unlock the door. " Elizabeth banged on the door and shouted through the closed door.
I stared at the pink mini dress that mom had chosen for me. It was designed by her. My hair was combed and looked unstyled. The make-up kit was untouched, "Is Silver with you?" I asked,
"Do you want us to break the door, Em?" I heard Silver. She wasn't pleased seeing my door locked.
"He**, no! Girls. Just come in. I'm looking like a mess." I hurried over to the door and pulled it open, unlocking.
They stared at me. They weren't definitely in a good mood, but looking damn pretty in their pink dresses, "Mom purchased us the same dresses," I rolled my eyes.
"She designed," Silver corrected me. "It's beautiful."
"Thank goodness, she's fine." Elizabeth heaved a long sigh, placing her hand over her chest, and paced inside.
"Should I cut your hair?" Silver raised her eyebrows.
"No, help me to look okay," I said.
"You're going to look pretty. Now come to the right person." Elizabeth wiggled her fingers.
Silver rolled her eyes, "Everyone knows... Who's the real beauty?" Silver spread her arms in the air.
True! I held my tongue and sat down, "I won't comment, Betty. I need your help." I gestured with both hands. I was so emotionally drained,
"Sure, honey," Elizabeth said with a sigh.
"You sound like our mother," Silver reached for the vanity and looked through the things.
She exchanged a worried look at me. I wiggled my brows asking her silently.
"We haven't found the book yet. We should try it in the London Academy's library." Elizabeth said.
"Jasper can help us as he's the future king and Alpha." Silver said, still looking through things.
I couldn't pretend that I was excited for lunch. We needed to find the book before he fully forgot me. Which isn't possible, never keep expectations. In the hurtful list, expectations were on the second number.
"Yeah, my brother." I smiled.
They chuckled. Silver turned to me with eyeshadow and Elizabeth grabbed the comb and straightener. I took a breath and closed my eyes. I haven't felt anything inside me, not even the part of me that loved Dastien around and continuously spoke in my mind. Only a storm of feelings for him kept swirling inside me, my mood swings were at the top. I tried hard to rein them in, "Do it," I nodded.
I kept my gaze mostly in my lap, watching my hands twisting together. They carried on their talk. I was just a listener. These days I prefer peace so I could pacify the inner storm of mine.
Where would he be? Didn't he miss me? I knew there was nothing special between us but my heart tugged at him.
"Em, do you like your hair?" Elizabeth asked, still combing my hair.
I raised my gaze to my reflection. A small smile appeared on my face, "Straight hair! It looks good."
"And your make-up?" Silver asked, smiling.
I blinked. My lips are light pink, and my eyes are smoky black. I didn't understand why she picked a smoky thing but it was a miracle. I looked different in a good way, "I look like one of you guys, '' I said, laughing.
" Like us! What's that mean?" Silver asked with a crease over her forehead.
"You all look like models from the cover pic," I blurted with shrugged shoulders.
They laughed, "Goodness! I like her brain." Elizabeth said, grinning.
A soft tap on the door grabbed our attention. I swirled in my seat, "Mom," I smiled back, drifting my gaze. She was looking beautiful in a dark coffee brown gown, her hair was tugged in a loose bun, wavy strands were brushing her rosy cheeks, "Wao! You look sooo... beautiful, mom." I pulled the word.
She chuckled, pacing in the room. She touched the side of my face softly and kissed my head, "Thank you, princess." She took a step back and darted her gaze on us, "Can I get a hug, princesses? " She asked with a soft smile.
Silver and Elizabeth threw their arms around her. I giggled and got on my feet. She must be missing her son. I shook my thoughts and embraced them.
' I can't shift, I can't feel my werewolf without him around me but I have a beautiful family and friends. '
Someone cleared his throat. My gaze shot at the door. Charles was standing in the doorway wearing a black suit. He didn't look old but in his late twenties. I wouldn't tell anyone in the public that they were my parents. People won't believe me anyway.
"Guests are waiting for you, girls." His smile didn't flatter for a second, he strode in the room and extended his hand at mom.
She took it immediately like an excited teenage girl.
We shared a smile, "They look great together, deeply in love." Elizabeth muttered in my ear.
I nodded immediately, still smiling. She wasn't happy in the past. But today, she got what she deserved.
Charles extended his second hand at me. I blinked in confusion. My mother's smile faded and she looked at me nervously, gnawing on her lower lip.
I smiled and curled my arm around his arm, "Thank you," I said, looking at my mother's smiling face.
"I wish I could have two more hands, Young ladies." Charles smiled. But his best smile was only reserved for his mate, "Will you please join us?"
"We'd be glad." Elizabeth immediately stepped forward, along with Silver.
"I'm happy for you." Silver whispered in my ear. I held back the tears and nodded. Sometimes, it's not about you but your family, the people you love and care for.
"Oh! Goodness! Did you cook everything, Carla?" Elizabeth asked louder than expected. Mostly werewolves spoke in a low voice as they had good hearing. I was the only one feeling as I walked in a muted hall.
Our gazes turned to the table. It was piled with dishes, "I didn't hear anything in the kitchen," I muttered.
"You were sleeping. I didn't make a noise." Mom said.
"She's not lying, Em." Silver chuckled.
"I wasn't doubting that but wondering how she did that? Alone? "
"We can hear you," Luke rolled his eyes.
"Uncle is here dad?" Ava rushed to the dining hall. Her tone was louder than usual. Luke walked behind her. Everyone silenced for a second.
I looked around in confusion, "He's my brother. The Alpha. He's Jasper's father." Charles said, leading us toward the door.
I gazed down at my feet, "I forgot to put on my heels."
"You can go later, sweetie." Mom said and I nodded.
I sighed slowly grabbing Silver's hand. I hadn't faced a more powerful Alpha before. We strolled into the room and my gaze darted on Jasper and two women next to him. I wasn't certain who his mother or sister was. Jasper hadn't mentioned his girlfriend ever. Then my gaze dropped on the Alpha. I was expecting an old man. But I was wrong. He looked stronger than other men in the hall with his broad shoulders and tall structure. I stayed two steps back when they greeted each other.
"Mom, she's Emma," Jasper introduced me to a tall blonde woman dressed in a long black gown.
"Hello," I flashed my best smile. Nervous, I didn't know what to do. We rarely welcomed guests.
Plucking a step, she hugged me. I relaxed. I didn't realize I was nervous, "Relax sweetheart, it's a family get-together." She softly drummed her fingers on my back.
My smile wasn't suppressed under anxiety, "Thanks,"
"She's my daughter, Vanessa," She gestured at the girl.
"Hi, Emma." I confidently extended my hand.
She shook her head with a grin, "I know you. You're King's mate." Her hand grip tightened around my hand. It turned painful.
All heads turned to me. I struggled not to drop my smile, "Yea," I shrugged my shoulders.
"Ess," Luke ran his hand in his unruly hair, "She's human. Careful with your werewolf grip." He flashed me his infamous smirk.
"Oh, yeah! I forgot." She pulled her hand immediately.
I held myself not rubbing my second hand around.
"Emma," My head turned to Charles, "He is Jack, my younger brother and the Alpha."
It confused me for a second before I stuck out my hand. Shouldn't Charles be the Alpha?
"Please to meet you, Sir," I said.
He firmly shook my head. I was scared he'd smashed it in his big hand. His grip was soft and he flashed a smile in my way too, "Welcome to our family and pack, Emma."
"Thank you, Sir." I blurted out immediately.
He shook his head, "Jack or Uncle, but no Sir." He said.
"It'd be Uncle," Ava shot from the other side of the room happily. I held myself from not rolling my eyes. But I nodded. I didn't want to contemplate the second meaning that Charles would be my father... stepfather.
He let go of my hand. Vanessa and Jasper came to my side, "You should stay here," Vanessa said, her happiness could be seen from miles away.
"That can't be. She's King's mate." Jasper curled his arm around his sister's shoulder. His arm shot around my shoulder too and he led us toward the table. Silver and Elizabeth were talking to Jack.
"But she's our family and a member of our pack," Vanessa asked the question I wanted to ask.
I didn't know this.
"She is until she doesn't marry him," Jasper said, turning his gaze to me.
My eyes widened. I love him, no doubt but I haven't thought over what we will do after confessing our love.
"You're marrying him!" Vanessa frowned, "Why not the moon ceremony?" She asked.
"I don't know anything yet," I darted my eyes around, all gazes were set on me.
"You wanna know... Why am I the Alpha, not my brother?" Jack said, sitting in the chair. Charles sat on the head chair.
I nodded immediately, peeling myself from Jasper. I pulled the chair next to him, "If you don't mind," I smiled.
"Why would I, kiddo?" He smiled again. All sat down. There was silence so he could start, "I found my mate after my first shift."
"Really!" Vanessa squealed happily.
"Yes," Jack's gaze turned to his beautiful wife. He held her hand and placed a soft kiss on the back of her hand.
"That's it?" Luke asked,
"No," Charles spoke, "I couldn't find my mate. Werewolf is nothing without his mate."
His words put me in deep thoughts. Would he be missing me, feeling empty space in his heart, hollowness in his chest? A hand landed on my shoulder. I didn't notice my mother was sitting behind me. I smiled.
"It was a wise decision. Jack to take care of the pack." Charles said.
"Then why did you marry?" I asked. I couldn't hold my tongue.
Luke growled glaring at me. He doesn't like me anyway.
"For peace between two packs," he said, "Otherwise, I would have waited for her." His eyes locked behind me. They loved each other. No doubt. He made a sacrifice and his late wife too. My gaze turned to Luke. He was watching me with hateful eyes, "You must be proud of your parents. They sacrificed."
"Yes, Miranda was a good companion and good friend." Charles turned to Luke and slapped his shoulder, "There's nothing to get angry about, son. I wish. You could have known your mother." He said.
He shook his head, "Cassidy and Carla are my mothers." He smiled looking at the two kind ladies, "Shouldn't we start the dinner?" He asked my mom.
"Yes, of course," Mom got on her feet.
"I should help you," Cassidy got on her feet as well.
Everyone settled down in their chairs, the buzz of talking filled the hall. Jasper sat with Silver and Elizabeth. Ava sat with Jack and Charles. She was looking curious about their talk. Vanessa was sitting on my left side and Luke on my second.
"I'm eagerly waiting for the day when you get back to your academy and never return," Luke said with his infamous smile. He wiggled his eyebrows at me.
I smiled. His smile flattered, "Thank you," I grabbed my plate and waited for my mother to serve me food. The ladies of the house started from the head of the house. Jack and Charles.
"Didn't you hear me?" He grumbled in my ears.
I turned back to him with a smile again, "Ava is a little careless." I paused. His eyebrows drew together in confusion, "Take care of our mother if something happens to me." I said. I would definitely be gone to find him in the coming days. It could be hell or anywhere. I wasn't scared.
He just stared at me for a full minute. Cassidy, Jasper's mother, began to serve us Mac and Cheese. I glanced up at him. I didn't think so. This could be my last dinner with my family. If Mom and Ava wanted this. I did not mind, including all of them in my family.