Riley
When I open my eyes, I have a strange sense of deja vu. I'm in my bed at home with my alcoholic parents, but... it feels like I'm a zombie finally waking up from my slumber.
The worst part? I remember everything, how I met William and the crazy things that unfolded, but... the more I think about those things, the more I realize that I've lived the same year twice.
There are two versions of this year.
"This is so confusing..." I whisper. "My head hurts..."
The scenes that depict what I experienced with William are fighting for space with many dull, new memories. It seems I haven't been myself for this entire past year.
It's as if I've lived a year without remembering William, and now suddenly, the memories are flooding back, and it's like... I'm finally waking up from a deep slumber.
"But wait... what does that mean to our—?!"
I place my hand on my stomach, gasping when the baby bump is larger than before. What the heck?! I'm still freaking pregnant even though nothing of the past happened! How is that possible?!
'The two of us are the only ones who remember the past... but what is creepy is that it's like we have lived a year vastly different from the one we remember. I don't quite understand it myself. I just now woke up with my memories, and... it's freaking me out.'
My heart stops when I hear William's voice inside my head. Even though I don't remember doing anything after the moon goddess clapped her hands, it feels like it's been ages since I heard his voice.
'W-William...' I whisper inside my head. 'You... you remember me?'
He chuckles in amusement. 'Are you dead? That's what I just said!'
The smile in his voice makes me happy to hear, but I'm still shaken by everything. 'Right... I'm just... relieved... when I woke up, I feared I would be all alone without you.'
'Shit, Riley... that would have been unacceptable. We are fated mates—we were made for each other. So don't even think about such a cruel fate... it hurts me to even think about it.'
My bottom lip is trembling with emotion. 'Me too. I can't even imagine how empty a life without you would have been...'
William sighs heavily. 'The moon goddess wouldn't be that evil. She helped me ensure the crazy war wouldn't happen, and it's peaceful now. But there is something important that we need to take care of.'
'Oh, and what is that?' I ask in a happier tone. I'm a mess, but I'm trying not to fall into violent tears.
'Well... you still live with your parents in this universe, and... they are a problem, right?'
Even though he can't see me, I nod. 'Yes... I live with Henrik and Ravenna. I refuse to call them my parents—they have never shown themselves worthy of that role. They are both abusive alcoholists. One is verbally abusive, and the other... well... you know...'
I can hear William growl inside my head. 'I will come over immediately.'
I smile. 'Hurry...'
Once I can no longer hear William inside my head, I get to searching for a bag. This time, I will pack all the items I want to bring to my new life. Because staying here? Pfft. I would never choose to live in this hell house with my baby!
I open my wardrobe and throw clothes into a black duffel bag. It takes about ten minutes of packing until I hear the doorbell ring downstairs. Immediately I hear Henrik grunt and trample to the door. Each step can be heard as a thunk, and then he opens the door.
"Yes?"
A smile spreads over my lips even before I hear William speak. I know it's him—I can feel it in the air! It seems the completion of the mate bond stayed. I'm still claimed, and it's as if my entire body can sense that my fated mate is here. I'm brimming with yearning!
I grip my bag and rush through the door.
I can't believe William is finally here, and we are back home! I need to get to the bottom of the stairs more quickly! I require more speed, goddamn it! Excitement is gushing into my veins, and I curse my short legs for not being fast enough.
"No, you can't come in. Riley isn't taking visitors, not even from the damn alpha—"
"I'm here!" I interrupt. "William!"
William looks up, and I can see the warm affection coming to life in his eyes and face. He tries to walk past Henrik's large, fat body, but the man growls at him, which isn't a wise idea...
I stop at the bottom of the stairs and witness William lock his eyes on Henrik. He doesn't look happy at all.
"Are you challenging me?" William asks coldly.
Henrik hesitates for a moment and then growls. "Wait a minute... you're not only the alpha... aren't you that teacher?"
"So what if I am? It's none of your business."
"It is my business!" Henrik yells and points at me. It's clear that he has been drinking again. William is here wearing a suit, but Henrik is standing there in a wifebeater and boxer shorts. He reeks of Koskenkorva Vodka, and he hasn't shaved... anywhere. "That little whore is my responsibility, and you can't just come here and—"
Henrik yelps when William grips his wifebeater and easily lifts him up from the ground with one hand, even though Henrik is extremely overweight.
Is this William's fairy strength coming into play?
That must be it. Henrik's weight doesn't bother William, but the wifebeater breaks and Henrik falls hard onto the ground with a loud thunk. It makes William snort and instead plant his shoe over the fatter man's ribcage, pressing down hard.
"You call my mate a whore again, and I will eat you, do you hear me? Blood victims are rare, but they happen."
For the first time, I see fear flashing over Henrik's face. This reality is much different. Everyone knows William is a half-fairy. It's strange, but I remember now: after William ate alpha Asher and Josh, he became the strongest and most feared alpha on the entire continent.
But I don't fear William. That would be silly, and when Henrik nods his understanding, William finally looks at me. His face goes from cold and scary to affectionate, and I drop the duffel bag.
"William!" I throw myself into my mate's arms, and he picks me up from the ground with an equal sense of need.
"Riley..." William holds me like a bribe, eyes searching my face before he looks down and realizes I have a baby bump. He freezes. "You're still... but I thought? Wait... how?"
"You know, I'm not even going to question it," I laugh a little and grin when his confused blue eyes meet mine. "I mean... I'm just happy that we are reunited. Our entire family."
"Agreed..." William sighs in relief, and I smile when he buries my nose in my messy hair. He inhales and then breathes a laugh. "Wow... you need a bath... you stink..."
Beyond insulted, I glare at him. "Are you surprised? I've lived in this shit hole for the past year!"
He laughs. "Well, let's change that, why don't we?"
William grips me tighter, and despite me probably smelling like old socks, he continues to nuzzle me. He nips at my neck and holds me as if he fears losing me. It makes me feel cherished, and I hug him back as he carries me out of the house.
My bag is flying behind us, carried by his telekinetic powers, and a black SUV is parked next to the curb, waiting for us.
I look at it, and my chest fills with joy because I know that my life will only be filled with happiness from now on. The Crescent pack is no longer a threat. William can control his fairy self. Life is finally how it was supposed to be, and I'm pregnant!
When William slips me down onto my feet, I try to kiss him, but he is way too tall for me. He smiles down at me teasingly. "Yes?"
My cheeks turn molten. To think we are mated, and there are moments when I still get nervous. It must be because my mate is so wonderful. I really love him. All of him.
"Can I have a kiss?" I ask.
He peers down at me, face angled to gaze into my eyes while stroking a thumb over my lower lip. "Was that what you were trying to do?"
"Mhm," I hum in a demanding tone. "I want my happy ending kiss."
His lips twitch. "You say the strangest things."
"Are you complaining?"
"No, not at all," a dazzling smile spreads over his lips, and even his dimples are showing. "I love that part about you."
He dips down, scoops me back into his muscular arms, and then his lips are on mine. In the background, I can hear William's chauffeur sigh, but I don't give a damn.
I finally have everything I've ever wanted: a mate, a child, and a bright adventure ahead of me—motherhood. I can't wait for our child to be born and determine its gender!
I'm happy and excited, but... wait.
I break from William's lips and a look of confusion flashes over his handsome face.
His hair isn't black in this reality. It's white, which hints at William being able to control himself. He has mastered his fairy powers, which is good, but one question is burning in my mind.
"What happened to your sister?" I ask.
William snorts. "Oh, so that's why you stopped..." he smiles. "Isabella and Dane are... in denial. He is still claiming he is wrong for her, but... my sister is pregnant, so he will come to his senses soon. Don't worry about them—the mate bond always wins."
I giggle. "Almost."
We kiss again; this time, the chauffeur loses his goddamn mind and groans in frustration. "I will just... put on music or something..." he complains loudly enough for us to hear.
William smiles against my lips at that but doesn't stop kissing my lips. I don't want him to either because I'm not in a rush to be somewhere: I'm already home.
The end.