Melody
Before I could realise what was happening. The glow in Derek's eyes was gone. It was as if it never appeared there in the first place.
I moved to go to him; to check if it was my imagination or did his eyes really twinkled like Aaron's.
However, Derek excused himself and went out of the room. I tried to go after him; I needed to be sure.
"Melody!" Sophia pulled me into her arms. Hugging me so tight that I almost couldn't breathe. "I've missed you so much!"
Honestly, I've missed her too, but what could I do? Her brother wanted me to stay away, so I did.
"How are you doing, your highness?" I asked, before getting pulled out of my mother's chambers.
"I have a lot to say to you." She pulled me back to the garden.
"Really?" I smiled seeing the excitement on her face and in her tone. It was obvious that she couldn't wait to tell me all she had kept buried within her all these years.
"Yes Mel! A lot!" She exclaimed.
We finally stopped and sat down on the garden swing. Sitting on the swing once again reminded me of the good old days. The times I always sit here with Malcolm.
This was his favourite part of the garden. 'The swing takes me to height,' he'd always say.
I wonder what he meant by that because even now, I still can't understand what he meant.
How could a swing take him to heights?
"First of all Melody," Sophia began dragging me back to the present. "I want to tell you....."She trailed off and looked down shyly.
"Tell me what?" I asked, slowly coming back to being that inquisitive girl who loves to hear the princess talk about her fairytale dreams.
"That....." She stopped again and grabbed my hands. That sweet smile appeared on her face once again. "That...I already found my mate!" She screamed excitedly.
"Really?" I jumped happily. "You found your mate? Where? When? Who is he? How does he look? Where is he from?" I bombarded her with questions and she hugged me.
"Yes Mel, Now I have my old friend back." I don't know what Sophia meant about that, but I hugged her back and couldn't help but join her sobbing contest.
"I won't talk to you!" She suddenly looked away and made a sulking face.
"Why not? What did I do?"
She turned back and looked like she would cry. "How could you leave without saying a word to me? Huh?"
I couldn't respond to her question. If I am to tell the truth, then I'll have to explain everything that happened between Derek and me, and that is the last thing I want to think of.
"I'm sorry," I apologized.
If I couldn't state the reason why I left, I could apologize and let her know how bad I also felt about leaving.
"Don't do that ever again!"
"Yes, Your Highness." I bowed.
She pinched my arm and pulled me to sit. "Stop it."
"Okay, now tell me about your mate."
As soon as I asked about her mate, she blushed and brushed her hand against the other.
"Come on tell me, what he looks like. Is he handsome and tall? Is he a werewolf?" I couldn't wait to quench my thirst for gossip. "What's his name?"
"Malcolm." She blurted.
"Mal... What?" My eyes widened and I jumped up. "Malcolm? My brother?"
"Yes, I found out two years ago, but he seemed to have known for a long time and refused to tell me." She fiddled with her finger. "He said he wanted me to find out and decide if I wanted to be with him."
"Aww, isn't that thoughtful of him?" I squeezed her hand.
My brother isn't just sweet but considerate. He didn't want to push the moon goddess's wish on her. He wanted to decide for herself.
He could have told everyone and the king would have agreed to it immediately, but he kept Sofia's interest at heart.
Sofia deserved someone like him
"It is, and that's why I have come to love him so much." She paused and looked into my eyes. "You don't mind us being together, do you?"
"Of course not," I shook my head. "I don't mind it at all. In fact, I'm happy for you. You deserve a man like Malcolm and he, you."
"Thanks, Melody." She hugged me. "So you don't mind being my maid of honour?"
"What?" I wasn't expecting her to say that.
I know we promised to be each other's maid of honour during our wedding, but I didn't think Sofia would still keep that in mind. Especially, since I was no longer a member of the pack.
"You are going to be my maid of honour and that is final!"
"Sofia...I promise to attend your wedding when it's time, but I don't know if I can still be your maid of honour."
"Why not?" She looked downcast.
"As you must already know, I'll be leaving soon and...."
"And that is why I have asked Malcolm to move the wedding date. We'll have the wedding in two days."
"What? Why?" I gasped in shock.
I mean, who moves their wedding date just to make sure that a mateless, non-wolf like myself attends and becomes the maid of honour?
Well only someone as silly as Sofia would do that.
"So, do you think that's okay with you?"
Why wouldn't it be?
I feel honoured and happy. I won't have to miss my brother's wedding or be absent from my friend's wedding. I even get to participate in the occasion, not stand on the sideline like before.
I couldn't give my response in words, so I hugged her.
"It's so good to have you back Mel, I just wish you wouldn't have to leave."
I was about to explain to Sofia why I needed to go and also tell her about my life in the Dark Flame pack, but as soon as I opened my mouth, I was interrupted by Derek.
"I do not mean to ruin your little reunion, but I have some urgent matters to discuss with Melody."