The day started cool and dewy. I pulled the blanket closer to my body. The sun rays made the birds boisterous. It broke my sleep.
I walked over to the window. A smile appeared on my face. Silver and Elizabeth were running with Jasper, Carlos, and Daniel. The portals had really helped them to end the distance.
Another voice reached my ears, "My mother is shouting at someone." I didn't give it a second thought and turned to the door. I hurried down the stairs.
My feet flattered and I clasped the railing. His grey eyes turned to me. He smiled, "Good morning, pumpkin." He said, his eyes glinting with happiness.
"Emma, breakfast will be ready soon. Go, get a shower." My mom said. It was just an excuse to send me away.
I didn't move, just stared at them. Charles was one step behind mom. He was ready to pounce and attack Lance if he needed. He wouldn't hesitate if I was standing right in front of them, watching everything.
"Emersyn, I'm here to see you," Lance said.
I snorted, "You must be kidding me," It came out of my mouth as sarcasm.
"Don't listen to him. Go to your room. Your friends will be back soon. " Mom said, walking toward me. I saw fear in her eyes. What was she frightened of?
"Seriously, what's going on?" I looked at them. Tension was tight in the air.
"I'm here to talk about the book you're finding." He said.
I stared at him, "You know. Where's that?" My heart began to drum.
"He's not trustworthy," My mother snapped.
I ignored her and rushed forward, "Where's the book?" I asked.
"You have to come with me," He said.
My mother's hand tightened around my wrist, halting my feet, "She's not going anywhere with you." My mother said through gritted teeth.
"Mom, "I tried to pull my hand away, the pain was cutting through my skin as she tightened the grasp to stop me.
"Carla, sweetheart!" Charles placed his hand over my mother's clenched hand around my wrist. I let out a long sigh when my skin was free from the grip.
"You began to talk in your head again," I pulled my hand away and rubbed my fingers on my wrist, "Mom," I understood her concern, but I need to find the book, "It's important. " I said.
"We're talking to other Alphas. They'll definitely help us to find the book. We can talk to our legends too. They must have knowledge about his whereabouts." She said,
"It's just an excuse." I blurted.
"We're already in their contact," Charles said
My mother wouldn't allow him near me. I didn't want him around me too, "You can tell where I will find it." I asked. It was clear I wasn't interested in going anywhere with him.
"Why don't you come with me? I'll drop you home after you get it," He said.
I sighed and took a step forward. Mom tensed and reached out her hand to stop me. Charles held her hand and shook his head.
"Um, your daughter tried to kill me, your wife, she wasn't good with me. I don't know you. I don't trust you," I said.
"They got punishment for their bad deeds." He said with intensity, "Your friends can come with you. And I didn't come alone." Lance said.
Drake walked in. His rare gaze swiped over me and stopped on our mother. Mom inhaled sharply. I saw tears shining in her eyes. Charles wrapped his arm around her. She tried to show herself strong but her lower lip began to tremble.
"Hello," He bent his face down and kissed our mother's cheek like an obedient son.
She smiled and tears welled out of her eyes.
"Drake, " I couldn't hold myself, wrapping my arms around my brother, "Is what he is saying true?" I asked.
"He's not like his wife." His lips thinned in frustration, but he smiled down at me. His gaze turned to our mother again, "I'll be with her, and Alessandro and Daniel will be with us. She'll be safe with me." He told mother.
"I trust you," She tapped her fingers on his cheek. Her eyes were glistening with motherly love.
"I don't understand," I turned to mom.
Was she going to hide again? That Lancelot was... I hate to say it. She should ban him from coming around us but the situation is different. I didn't know. In which circumstances he left my mother and us? I wouldn't forgive him. I should have hated him but there was nothing in my heart for him. My mother was almost a mad person before coming here. I was so happy and relieved to see her living her life again. But shouldn't she explain things to us?
Ava walked in. A pink towel was gripping in her hand as she wiped the sweat from her forehead. She glared at Dawson. Luke was a step behind her. His smile disappeared when he saw Drake in the hall.
"Hey! Stepbrother!" He smirked but there wasn't any humour.
Step! He does not like him, too, like he doesn't like me. Strange! Ava blends in so easily.
Drake glared at him. His eyes flashed golden.
"Step brother!" I arched my brows at him.
"Yeah! You two look like brother-sister. You don't match with us." He lifted his hand for HiFi.
Ava laughed, lifting her hand in the air.
"Mom, is Ava adopted, or do you pick her from a garbage box?" I asked.
"What the fu** did you say?" Ava squealed in frustration.
"Ava!" Mom glared at her.
"You heard me right, brat." I gave her a cold look.
"You must be the adopted one. You can't shift," Ava stomped toward me, "You're mute. You..." Before she could complete yelling. Mom slapped her across her face.
"Don't you dare to talk to your elder sister like that? She gave up her studies. So you could attend your classes. That's how you're going to repay." Mom's voice boomed in the hall.
Ava's face fell, "Such a mean, b****!" I heard Betty's soft voice. They were standing at the entrance.
Silver stepped forward, "Respect your sister, next time you talk to her. " Silver's eyes flashed amber. She blinked and it turned to its colors. She did it to scare her.
"You won't like the consequences. Like you have seen the demo. Right, Luke?" Elizabeth asked with a smile.
Luke gulped, "We're just kidding, Betty." He said.
"Elizabeth," She stared at him, "You're not my friend,"
Luke nodded, "You're starting your training with your uncle from today." Charles said in a firm tone.
"Nice decision, uncle." Silver smiled.
"There's a lot of things going on. I think I don't know. Or! No one wants to tell me." I flattened my lips. My eyes darted on them.
They exchanged looks, "We couldn't ignore Ava and Luke's crude behavior." Mom said and turned to Ava, "Go to your room." Mom ordained Ava.
She hurried to her room and Luke went to his room.
"That's all!?" I asked.
"Yes, sweetie." Mom touched my cheek.
"Mom," I placed my hand over her, "You don't need to protect me. I'm strong enough. You can tell me anything." I glanced at Lancelot Dawson.
"You need to find the book. Get ready. Breakfast is almost ready." She turned to Silver and Elizabeth, "Girls! You have thirty minutes." Mom smiled, ignoring the tension in the air.
I exhaled and turned to the stairs. I felt Drake's gaze on me but he didn't say anything. A lot of things have changed in the last few months.
I got ready. I was wearing a dark grey cardigan, faded jeans. My hair was in a messy bun. I grabbed the new backpack. My mother placed it in the cupboard. I headed downstairs.
I could hear low voices. I walked toward the kitchen slowly, trying very hard not to make any noise. I peeped in. Charles and Mom were arguing.
"You know. How did she react last time?" Charles said in a soft voice.
I squeezed my eyes shut when someone tapped on my shoulder. I twirled. Grey eyes were looking at me with a mock expression, "It's not good to eavesdrop on them." He said.
I snorted but pivoted on my heels to the hall. Mom and Charles blocked my path.
"Are you arguing over me?" I asked. They must have heard Lance. No use to pretend.
"No, we were just talking," Charles said as mom looked nervous.
"I didn't hear much. Don't worry. But you should listen to your husband." I smiled and sauntered away. I heard them murmurs again, "I'm hungry," I shouted in frustration. The footsteps echoed behind me.
I felt my chest tightening. The pain reminded me of something essential. We would find him before I lost my mind. A panicked reaction gripped me. My knees wobbled and I fell, face first. Strong hands clasped me by my shoulders, around my waist.
"Emma," I heard Lance near my ear.
My heart thrashed against my ribcage. I breathed deeply. Mom wouldn't allow me out of the house, "Just stumbled," I said.
"Do not lie, " Mom's smooth voice hit my ears sharply, "I can feel your pain."
She didn't sense my lie, "Of course, I will be in pain. I hit my toe, " I peeled myself and sauntered toward the table.
"Give her some space. She's stronger than our imagination," Lance's deep voice reached my ears.
I blocked their conversation, contemplating over something. Soon, everyone joined us.
A tinge of fear crawled up my skin as I walked out of the house. My friends were treading ahead of me. Elizabeth came to my side. She drew her arm around my shoulder. I didn't protest and leaned in, resting my head over her shoulder, "Thank you," I whispered.
"You're in pain." She muttered.
It happened when I got angry, "It feels like I'll die without him." I blurred in a slow voice.
True panic flashed in her eyes as she turned to me. I pulled the door open of Daniel's car and got in. Elizabeth got in next to me. She kept her hand on my arm.
"You'll be okay," She said.
I looked around for my bodyguard. I saw him only when I was in trouble.
Daniel sat behind the wheels and Drake in the passenger seat.
"Will they stop this ever," Drake said in exasperation.
I glanced out of the window, "We don't need a lot of cars. You can come with me, Charles." Lance said.
"No, because I don't trust you. My husband and I are coming with them." Mom snarled.
"I won't harm her," Lance said in resentment.
"I. Don't. Trust. You. Now get out of my face," Mom yell-whispered at him.
"What's the problem?" I glanced at Drake. I shouldn't but my expectations were high.
"We'll talk some other day, Em. Promise!'' With a heavy sigh, he turned his gaze to the windshield, " Let's go, buddy." He told Daniel.
"Where are we going?" I asked him.
"Our house," His answer confused me, "I mean, my place." Drake said.
"Your mother and sister will kill me," I laughed.
"She's not my mother," His voice was edgy.
"Is she not good with you, Drake?" I asked him, looking at him. He looked like his father in some ways, but he had adopted blond and dark brown hair.
"She's his stepmother." Elizabeth said.
"Oh!" I knew it. But I didn't want them to hear it, but something else, "She hates me. Your sister too." I added again, more for myself. Nothing was on the track in my life.
"You shouldn't care," Drake said. I waited for more but nothing.