" She hadn't called us by our names, she had asked us what to call us and we told her our names but she refused, she saidit didn't feel right. So she called us Piff and Puff because we were nice and funny. She said that when she figures outbetter names she will call us by those. And then she said it...We both stood frozen, our mouths open and our eyes wide as we watched her tiny legs carry her towards that monster. When she had almost reached him he turned around and yanked her by the arm, hard, and screamed for her to hurry up. In that moment I saw black and Carlos did too. My body acted before my mind got at chance to catch up. I flicked my hands and had him up in the air with Lydia safe on the ground. I used my magic to stop his oxygen intake and saw how he started to suffocate.
I wasn't planning on stopping, until I felt something pulling my dress. I looked down and saw Lydia standing there with a smile on her face. I thought she would be scared but she wasn't. 'Mommy? I'm hungry'. Those words brought me back and I quickly let go of Mitch and looked at Lydia as he fell to the ground. I told her to run into the kitchen and ask the staff to make her whatever she wanted. When she left I went up to Mitch who was on his feet and used my magic to throw him back into a tree ' don't ever touch my little girl again'. With those words he left and we raised Lydia as our own, under the radar."
" How did I not know?" James looked befuddled and squinted his eyes as he asked Natasha his question.
" You did. We always talked about her, but we called her Anna. We didn't want anyone knowing her name because we did't want her to ever be put in harms way or risk someone coming for her if they knew how much she meant to us. Only the pack knew."
James shook his head and stood to his feet. He walked over to the big window that was also a mini bar and poured himself a glass of whiskey.
"I'm sorry, James, but we were afraid of losing her. You of all people should understand." Natasha looked at James and pleaded. I could tell he meant a lot to her as well.
"What do you mean?" I couldn't help but be curious of what she meant.
" Me and Carlos can't have a baby. Or well, I can't have a baby. So having Lydia made us whole in a way. We were finally a family."
I looked over at Lydia who still had tears rolling down her cheeks, but her breathing was under control and she lookedcalmer. She looked up at me with determination.
" It's time you knew your story. And ours,"
I stiffened upon hearing her words. Fear slowly creeping up my spine. I felt an arm around my shoulders that quickly made me calm and a I felt safe and warm. I looked to my side and saw that James and Amber had switched places without me realizing it. For that I was grateful. Only James could bring me the comfort I needed at this moment.
"I was thirteen years old and about to turn fourteen, when mom came to me one day and told me about a situation and asked me if I could help. She told me about a girl who was turning thirteen and who needed protection. How this girl was really special and was going to do great things in the future, but for now she was just living a normal life like any other human. However, she didn't have many people around her to love her. Her family never cared for her. So my mother asked me to go there, live there and be her friend. So I did. When I enrolled at school I saw you sitting in the cafeteria alone reading a book and for some reason my heart broke, because I knew what you were going through. I went up to talk to you and you immediately greeted me with open arms.
You were so sweet and kind regardless to how you were living. And that time when you punched Stephanie in the face and broke her nose for picking on that loner girl, was when I realized that you and I were going to be close.
So without a second thought I called home and told my parents that I was going to stay. It was only supposed to be a year but I couldn't leave, I couldn't leave you. And then you met Liam. I could tell he was a dick but you were head over heels in love with him-" a low growl escaped James' lips making me confused. Was he jealous ?
" So i stayed. I looked after you and you became more than my friend, you were my sister."
"I was a charity case? A business arrangement on your end as well?" The tears were yet again streaming down but this time it wasn't because I felt sad for anyone, I felt angry, betrayed. At this lie of a friendship.
"No! No, Avery, I mean- maybe in the beginning but I could've said no when mom asked me to come to you but something just felt right about it. And our friendship was true, maybe not how we met but how we felt and what became of us was all pure love and friendship, I promise. Avery, you are my sister, my friend and my family and I'm so sorry that things turned out like this. I wanted to tell you the truth but I couldn't. Your parents knew what I was and that was why they never approved of our friendship because they were afraid that it would get in the way of their plan.
They thought I was sent to mess thing up. But I was sent to protect you and to keep you safe, not only from other wolves but from your parents as well.
I saw how you were living. And I promised you something in our first year of friendship remember? That no matter were life takes us or what happens we will always be friends. We will always have each other and you can always count on me.
I'm so sorry, Avery. Please"
Lydia was kneeling in front of me, holding both my hands with her own and staring me deep in the eyes.
" Why didn't you tell me the truth?"
She tried smiling though the tears and sorrow. I could tell she was afraid of losing her friend. Of losing me.
" Because it wasn't my truth to tell."