It was on the next day. I was dressed in my game wear, getting ready to go to school. Today was for the game so we all had our game wears on our body. I had deliberately thought overnight about what I could do to find my missing mum. I had gotten all the information I needed to know from Jason, but I needed the means to execute it.
As I was passing through the school field, I scanned through for Aya among the visiting students seated on the school field. As an arranged mate of Dax, Aya was surrounded by some groups of girls, and being cheered like a Queen. I walked past where they were seated and once our gaze met, she stood up and came to my front.
“Are you looking for Dax?” Aya asked mockingly, swinging her tongue playfully.
“I'm not here to fight you, Aya. Nor here to look around for Dax. I just came so that we could help each other,” I said to her. She twisted her neck, thinking of my recent words.
“What do you want?” she asked, furrowing her brows.
I made gestures at her and we moved to the other edge of the field. I sat down and she sat opposite me, but her eyes still featured jealousy.
“I will distance myself from Dax on one condition,” I said to her that she could feel the reality of my words.
“What's the condition?” Aya asked as though she was muttering. Aya was a no-match for Dax. She was not that beautiful. She was among the top ten ugliest girls in her school. Apart from her busty boobs and butt, nothing was captivating about her. She knew I was beautiful and loved by Dax, and also, the only way to eliminate the duo's affection was to accept any condition I had to lay.
My eyes were softened with empathy that she now paid more attention to me than suspicion. I added,
“I have seen the pain in your eyes, Aya. I see you can't afford to lose Dax.”
Aya sighed, running a hand through her hair. "Amaya, what is that you want from me?” she questioned.
Aya's jaw tightened, a mix of frustration and gratitude flickering in her eyes.
I took a moment, measuring my words, then finally said,
"I will leave Alpha Dax, but in return, you have to help me work out the release of my mother. I can't be with someone who is already mated to his soulmate.“
"What do you mean, Amaya? Who told you I am a kidnapper?” She yelled, but I smiled at her to calm her temper.
“I know you can help me, Aya. I promise to let go of Dax!" I said in an assured tone.
“Are you sure of what you are saying?” She asked frantically.
“Yes, Aya!” I responded. She sighed and looked away for some minutes then responded, choosing her words carefully.
“I know about your mother's imprisonment. I can't stand idly by knowing she's suffering. I would like to help her out of the forest if only you stand by your words.”
“I promised to stand by my word, Aya,“ I responded to her. She stood up, and we made a covenant.
***
It was in the afternoon. The sun rested its rays on the school field in a warm glow as I practiced stunts with the other students while Dax stood in awe and examined my skills. Thank the goddess for allowing me to meet Douglas who helped my mind to be focused on agility and flexibility. Each of my movements was an expression of the bond between wolf and wolf-shifter, a connection that ran deep within our pack's heritage. Little did I know that this routine practice would mark the beginning of a profound shift in my world.
“Hey, Amaya!” Aya called my name from behind.
“What are you doing here, Aya? You should be practicing with your schoolmates,” I asked and wondered over a secretive smile playing on her lips.
She held up a finger, signaling for me to wait. My curiosity grew as I scanned the surroundings, wondering what had prompted Aya to interrupt my training session. Before I could voice my impatience, a familiar face walked up to the stage.
"Aya, is that...?” My words trailed off as I caught sight of the figure trailing behind her.
Aya's grin widened as she stepped aside, revealing a woman with strikingly familiar features. My breath caught in my throat, and for a moment, time seemed to stand still. It couldn't be. Yet, there she was; my long-missing mother, standing before me.
"Mom?” I screamed at the top of my voice.
Tears welled up in her eyes as she rushed forward, grasping me in a tight embrace. "Amaya, my baby girl. I've missed you so much,” she sobbed.
The students who were training on the field stopped and surrounded us.
I held onto her as if afraid she might vanish again. The scent, the warmth, the sound of her voice affirmed that this wasn't a mirage. It was real. My mother, who had been missing and presumed dead in our pack for years, was here.
Dax's eyes sparkled with unspoken emotions as she watched the reunion unfold. Serah, my stepsister, suddenly appeared, stealing our gazes from a distance before she ran out. I was sure she was going to announce to everyone in the pack about the return of my mum.
My mother pulled away, her hands caressing my face as she examined me with tearful eyes. "Look at you, all grown up. I've missed so much, Amaya!”
The lump in my throat made it hard to speak, but I managed a choke, "Where have you been, Mum? Aurora told me you are dead!"
She sighed, a mix of sorrow and regret etched on her features. She spoke,
"It's a long story, my love. I was held captive by a rival pack, and it took all these years to escape. Aya helped me find my way back to you."
Aya interjected. "Your mom is a strong woman, Amaya. She endured so much to come back to you.”Aya tilted her neck and said.
I turned to Aya, gratitude filling my eyes.
"Thank you, Aya. I can't believe you did this for me."
She grinned, nudging me playfully. "What are friends for? Now, go on, and spend time with your mum. Just make sure you keep onto your promises.“
Aya retreated, leaving my mother and me alone on the field, a wave of emotions crashed over me, and students started clapping hands and cheering us up. "Mum, I can't believe you're here. It's like a dream.” I kissed her cheeks.
She framed my face, smiling through her tears. "I never stopped thinking about you, Amaya. I knew you would make all effort to find me.”
We found a bench on the edge of the field, and I listened intently as my mother recounted the challenges she faced, the moments of despair, and the strength that fueled her determination to return to our pack.
"I never lost hope, Amaya. The thought of you kept me going,” she confessed, her voice laced with emotions.
“There is a lot of darkness in our territory as a whole. They kidnapped me for my strange powers,” my mum said, I looked at her through my brows, an undercurrent of anger at our territory.
"We'll make them pay for what they did, Mum. No one hurts our family and gets away with it. Aurora and her daughter made me face hell.”
She nodded, a fire burning in her eyes. “Aurora is a betrayal, a liar, and a killer. I helped her years ago. I never knew she would be this mean to me. I was bothered about you, but I always believe I raised a strong, determined daughter. We will face whatever challenges come our way.”
Aurora appeared suddenly from a distance with her daughter. She was coming to where the students were gathered with the proprietor, Alpha Brian, and Jason. As soon as my mum saw them coming, she stood on her feet annoyingly and waited for them, grasping my hands.