Derek
"Is something going on between you and Melody?"
"Huh?" I took another glass of drink and sipped the contents, my eyes staring at the couples on the dance floor. I was particularly staring at the ones at the far end of the hall.
Dorian had his hand around Melody's waist and she placed her head on his chest. They swayed to the music and didn't seem to care about the others in the room.
They were lost in their world.
"Are you in...."
Before Mother could finish whatever she wanted to say, I stood up. I can't watch it anymore.
"Excuse me," I left the banquet hall and returned to my chambers to change my robe. However, I had lost all interest in the celebration.
How did it get to this?
Why have I lost my peace? Where is it lost?
What do I do with this strange feeling building up in me? How do I tell this tale?
Everything seemed so confusing. I didn't even know what to do.
I can't stake my claim on Melody because I already rejected her. I can't claim my pups either because I never had a relationship with Melody. How do I explain it?
I have never seen a complicated situation such as this one in my entire life.
I sat on the sofa and tried to think of what to do, but nothing came to mind. I wish Jay would speak to me now, but my wolf has been quiet since we left the banquet.
I guess we were both in pain. But he must be in a lot more pain.
It isn't polite for the king to leave his banquet halfway, so I gathered myself and returned to the banquet, toughening myself up for whatever I might see there.
I turned to leave but found my mother standing behind me. I didn't even realize it when she came in.
"Mother?"
I called out as if to confirm if she was there. I mean, what could my mother be doing in my chamber?
She never visits me. Instead, it's the other way around.
"Are you alright, son?"
My mother sounded calm, but I could tell that she was worried. She took my hand and touched the half-healed wound.
"I'm fine, mother."
My mother shook her head and pursed her lips. I knew she wanted to say something but was stopping herself.
"What is it?"
She raised her head and met my gaze. "Tell me honestly dear, is something going on between you and Melody?"
Goddess. Not this question again.
Why would my mother ask such a thing? Does she suspect something? Or is this just about the resemblance I share with Melody's pups?
"What is going on between you and Melody?" My mother rephrased as if my silence gave her some kind of clue.
"I don't know what you're talking about," I lied.
My mother was too smart to be taken for a fool. She placed her hand on my shoulder and made sure I was looking her straight in the eye.
There's no way I would lie straight to her face. "Derek, I'm asking if you have feelings for Melody or if....."
"No!" I exclaimed before she could finish.
I didn't even let her complete the sentence. I just couldn't let her make such deductions. My feelings for Melody are already confusing enough, I can't afford to have her add to my confusion.
"No?" She stared at me with her head tilted sideways. "Derek, do you realize that I'm your mother?"
Is that even a question? The entire kingdom knew that she was my mother. How can I not know?
"Mother, I ....."
"Derek, you know you can't lie to me, right?" Mother took a seat before me and she eyed the seat in front of her, silently asking me to sit.
"Why would I lie to you?" I sat down and slowly put my shoes on.
"I don't know," She shrugged and rubbed her hands together. "So tell me, Derek, are you in love with Melody?"
"Melody?" I repeated the name like I was hearing it for the first time. "Mother, don't be ridiculous. Why would I be in love with Melody?"
"The way you look at her," My mother's response left me stunned.
I mean, what did she mean by the way I looked at Melody?
"The way I look at her? What about the way I look at her?"
I wanted her to expatiate on her words. I want to know what she meant by the way I look at her. There is nothing to speak about the way I look at Melody. At least not to my knowledge. "I have never seen you look at anyone that way."
Really? The look I have when I look at Melody is anger and frustration. I get angry whenever I see that ring on her finger. I'm frustrated with her indifference towards me.
She doesn't give a damn what I say or do.
"I don't know what you're talking about," I shook my head and adjusted my robe.
Whenever the subject is Melody, I get giddy and restless.
"I'm your mother, Derek, and I know when something is wrong. I can tell that you love Melody."
"Mother. How could you be so sure?"
She moved to sit beside me and took my hand. "Because your eyes are always full of love whenever you look at her."
Full of love? In my eyes? For Melody?
My mom must be joking. I'm not even sure what I feel for her and my mother thinks that my eyes are always full of love.
"Son, the eyes have a mind of their own. It expresses the feelings of the heart that the mouth cannot."
I became speechless. My mother's words were like an opener. The answer that I've been searching for.
"Mother, she hates me," I muttered.
She sighed and squeezed my hand. "Do you love her?"
As much as I would love to deny it, I can't do that anymore. If my mother could notice my feelings for Melody, then it's only a matter of time before others do too.
Staring at my mother's deep eyes, I chose to speak the truth. First, my head moved, nodding positively to my mother's question. Then my mouth opened and my lips moved as if they had a mind of their own and all I heard was my admittance.
"I do."