6. The King Finds His Queen

[Erica]

The moment had arrived. That moment when the line between dream and reality blurred, and it became one.

'This feels surreal,' Erica thought as she sat in the passenger seat of the Range Rover.

Earlier it was decided that they will leave the next day, but suddenly her dad had informed her that the departure had to be postponed till Sunday. Someone from the university had called him to inform him that the students weren't expected until Sunday She found the rules a bit odd. It was different from other Universities; she reckoned.

She had also received an email from them, the acceptance letter was attached to it. She thought she would explode with happiness. When Nessa and Meghan had heard about it they were shocked at first for some reason, but then they were elated. They even went shopping, and she gave them a treat at their favourite diner.

Erica saw her father talking to the guard near the entrance gate of the city. Yes, this one, unlike other cities, had a gate- a huge one with tall and muscled men standing as guards with a poker face.

Even though she was within the earshot of the two males deep in conversation, for some reason she was not able to hear what they were saying but could only see their lips move. Suddenly, as if feeling her gaze on him, the guard glanced at her for a fleeting second before throwing a questioning look at Adrian.

After some time, her dad came back and started the engine as Erica saw the gates slowly open for them to enter.

"What took you so long dad?" Erica asked as they came quite a distance away from the gate. "Nothing important. They were just inquiring who we were and the reason for our arrival," her dad replied cryptically. Erica furrowed her eyebrows, there was more than her dad was letting on. She didn't prod further.

The day was slowly edging towards dusk. She unplugged her phone from the portable charger she carried and switched on the gadget.

No sooner did the phone come back to life than there were several pinging sounds. There were 3 messages from her mom and 5 messages in the WhatsApp group of Megan, Nessa, and hers.

Ma ❣ : How far have you reached? 
- Are you both alright? 
- I wish I didn't have this stupid

meeting :( I miss you. Love you lots. xx

She tapped on the reply box and started typing...

- Yes, we're fine. Just passed the city gates. I miss you too already :' ( Love you. xx

"Evelyn? Is it?" Adrian asked without looking at her. She nodded.

"She doesn't like the fact that she couldn't accompany us. She misses me," she mumbled as her shoulder slumped. She was more of a momma's girl than daddy's and Drake always teased her for that. "Don't worry. You'll always have Skype," Adrian quipped glancing at her for a second before training his gaze on the road.

She then tapped on the WhatsApp group. She had this weird obsession of giving nicknames and emojis beside it to the contact numbers of her loved ones. 

The first ping was from Megan

Megs😼 : did you reach Ric?

Nes 👦 : yes , did u?

Megs 😼: luk at her Nes, she is alrdy avoiding us 😑

Nes 👦: yeah 😖 din'  expect this from u chico rico 😟

Megs😼 : this is what we get for loving you so much? Huh? Tell me? Tell meeee😤😤😤😢😢 chica rica😭 not fair gurl.😠

Erica rolled her eyes, slightly annoyed at the stupid nickname Nessa and Megan used to irritate her.

She started typing...

Shut up, you two. 😑 I was sleeping for half of the journey. My phone was switched off coz my battery died a tragic death 🤐 I realized that after I had lunch. 🙈 You know I can't function widout food in my system 🙊 I just charged it on the go till like 50% and then I switched on and saw ur msgs. We will reach soon. We have entered the city alrdy 😁. Happy now? I'll text you at night, yeah? 😘😘

Soon her phone dinged again. It was Megan.

Megs😼 : yeah yeah..okie dokie 🍫

She glanced at the text, after which she locked the phone and slid it in her jeans' pocket and looked at her father.

"By the way, when will I get to meet Drake?" Erica quizzed

"He is probably waiting to see his little sister. You will get to see him soon, pumpkin," Adrian answered with a smile.

Erica rolled her eyes. "As if," she scoffed but her dad knew better so he did not reply but chuckled softly. She was very excited to meet him as it had been nearly one year since he had come home. They exchanged texts now and then, but she really wanted to meet him in person - one of her best friends, her support.

~~~

The car crunched over the gravelled pathway as it inched towards another huge and intricately designed iron gate. Erica was once again speechless at the magnificence of it.

The sun was slowly dipping into the horizon, splashing red and orangish hue on the clouds.

She wasn't surprised to see that there were guards standing on either side of the gate. In front of them, there was another car — a black Beetle.

The huge gates opened, and the car glided in, after which it closed again. Their car halted just in front of it.

Adrian rolled down the window as an almost 6ft black-haired, pale skin guard approached their car. He stopped on Adrian's side. He bowed his head a little, which yet again did not faze Erica because she saw this a lot back at her hometown as well.

Adrian nodded. Then the guard asked in a gruff voice, "Name of the student, Sir".

"Erica Morris — my daughter," he answered.

Erica fished out her ID card from her backpack and handed it to Adrian, who in turn gave it to the guard. He checked it and tapped something on the phone, which he was holding in his other hand. Then he gave it back and hollered for the gate to be opened.

Their car moved forward. Erica suddenly felt anxious. She couldn't​ place what exactly made her a ball of nerves right then.

She clenched her fists and turned her gaze to look outside for distraction. She found it in the form of lush green trees and bushes. The trees lined on either side of the road were like a silent yet intimidating guard. She had seen this from the moment they entered the city. There were very few houses for quite a distance, but then the number increased. But the people here, love nature, she mused, as there wasn't any shortage of greenery even with the increasing number of houses.

"Look", her dad's voice pulled her out of her thoughts and she turned her head to look at what her dad was showing and her mouth hung open.

The first thing that she saw was the magnificent castle that stood tall and proud. Looking enchanting and foreboding at the same time. Words failed to describe the beauty of this aged castle, which still had the power to make anyone's breath hitch with awe.

She then saw the cars lined on either side of the road before the entrance. Adrian found parking and parked their car.

Erica got out of the car on wobbly legs. She could not believe that she was, at last, standing in front of the very institute she had dreamt of studying in.

"Ric, you are happy, right?" Her dad asked softly, placing his hand on her shoulder.

The tears that formed were given the freedom to fall. She sniffled before embracing her dad, "Yes, dad. Thank you so much".

Adrian chuckled, "Your ma, I and your brother will always be there for our princess." And kissed the top of her head. "I know," she mumbled into his chest.

"Let's go in. Shall we?"

She nodded and took out her bags. She had 2 suitcases and one huge backpack. She took the backpack and one suitcase while Adrian took the other.

People were scattered here and there. Some saying goodbyes and some trying to locate the right way.

No sooner did she enter through another beautifully designed gate than her eyes zoomed in on the tall guy with dirty blonde standing near one of the several white marble fountains with a wide grin. She did not waste time as she left her luggage​ and all but ran to him.

Few heads turned to witness this reunion of two siblings who were more like twins.

Drake was ready to catch her the minute she started sprinting.

"Drako!" she squealed as he caught her and pulled her in for a hug. She hugged him back, tightly. He chuckled, "I missed you a lot, Rica." Erica smacked his arm, "Do not call me by that name." and pulled away.

"Yes, I will," he grinned. He ruffled her hair to annoy her further.

"How's my little sister?" He asked, looking at her affectionately.

"Good, but she missed you a lot," she pouted.

"Same here sweets," he murmured.

"Oh, really?! Then why didn't you come home for the whole of last year?" She scowled at him.

Drake opened his mouth but then snapped it shut. What could he say? If he explained he'd have to tell her the truth? That he couldn't visit because of the Alpha training.

But Adrian became his saving grace. He had reached the duo by then dragging the luggage, "You two meet after so long and absolutely forget about this old man and let him become your luggage carrier", he narrowed his eyes and accused them playfully.

Erica giggled forgetting about the question, and Drake sighed in relief.

"Dad, you look just fine", Drake smirked earning another smack on the back of his head from Erica.

"Ow. That hurt Ric. You surely have become stronger since the last time I saw you," Drake whined playfully, rubbing the back of his head. Erica stuck out her tongue.

But all of a sudden she felt alert. She felt someone's eyes on her. Her subconscious urged her to look around, to find the source. She swept her gaze across the area. Nope, no one was blatantly staring at her. Some people were talking while others were going somewhere. Maybe I am being paranoid, she thought.

"Oi...what are you thinking?" Drake nudged her. She shook her head, "Nothing".

"Okay, now I'll guide you from here. I'll walk you to your hostel," Drake said, grabbing the suitcases. Erica nodded and took her backpack.

She turned to her dad, "Take care papa bear," she whispered trying to keep her tears at bay. "Yeah, sweetie. We'll miss you. Drake, take care of your sister." Adrian kissed her forehead and gave Drake a hug.

After waving goodbye she started towards her new abode with her brother, completely oblivious of her soulmate's gaze upon her.

~*~*~

[Xavier]

He had seen it all. He had felt it and he had smelt it. The Alpha King had felt her presence the moment she had entered the city. His wolf had instantly become alert and anxious. At first, he did not understand his wolf's unusual behaviour, but then when the dusk fell, his senses were aware of her. The woman who was made for him to call her...his.

The scent of sandalwood clouded his senses. It was like a drug, which in this case did not harm him at all but was like a balm to his heart and soul.

"Uh...Xavier?" He couldn't even focus on his work from the afternoon even though at that time the scent was faint, informing him that she was near but not close enough.

"Yes? Did you inform the mentors?" He asked, flipping through a file.

"Yes, that's what I just said. I had informed them yesterday to instruct the werewolf freshmen about the rules. They have done that since the Weres had all arrived by noon," Arnold had explained once again.

"Are you alright?" He had inquired, concerned.

"Hmm.. yeah. I'm fine. Good," he replied vaguely, since the only thing that he could focus on was the scent of the mysterious woman who had already ensnared his heart and mind. And his 9 years of patience and longing were finally answered when he could feel her presence inside the campus.

But why did she arrive now? 'She is late.' he growled inwardly and sulkily. But he did not care. Even the humans had arrived now, therefore, it'd be a perfect excuse to get of glimpse of the beauty. His wolf yipped in happiness.

"I'm going to keep an eye on the humans," he declared gruffly.

"But Alpha there is—" Arnold was cut off mid-sentence.

"I know. I will mask my scent so no one will know I'm there," and with that, he strode out of the office leaving a thoroughly perplexed Beta behind.

~~~~

The balcony that was on the deserted East wing of the castle gave a perfect view of the well-carved pathway and the huge garden with the beautiful fountains.

He did not want her to see him. He wanted to savour this moment without being called a stalker by the humans, although he couldn't care less.

He channelled all his power to locate his mate. Being an Alpha King, he did not need to look into his mate's eyes to confirm the fact. Just by her scent, he would know.

After scanning the area while lurking in the shadow, he finally laid eyes on the being who he thought did not exist.

The Alpha king had finally found his Mate. His Luna. His Queen.

His wolf was itching to be set free. His primal Instinct told him to claim her as his but he reined them.

He saw her entering with a man who he recognised as Alpha Adrian Morris. But suddenly his happiness was doused completely when he saw her running to an unmated wolf. He growled lowly.

Mine. Mate. Mine. His wolf chanted and he could feel his teeth elongating. But then the word 'sister' calmed him instantly.

He immediately saw the resemblance between the two.

Her brown tresses which were secured in a ponytail made him want to release them and run his fingers through them. Her blue orbs that twinkled with mirth made him want to look into them all day, and the beautiful curve of her lips made him want to never remove that smile that lit up her face and his heart, ever. His only wish at the moment was to hold her in his arms and never let go.

'Turning into a poet, are we?'

His wolf Leikos teased. He growled at his animal half. He now understood all the stories of love and devotion that he had heard from his parents and other mated couples. The attraction was beyond physical. It was like the meeting of two halves of the same soul.

Then he saw her looking around and just like that his heart started beating faster. She could feel it!

But something seemed off...

His eyebrows furrowed as he tried to put his finger on it. What was it? What--

And then as the daze of meeting his mate slowly cleared, as his senses came back from the high. He realised something. The smell was faint, fainter than a normal wolf's scent. The realisation lodged the sword of dread in his heart.

She was Alpha Adrian's daughter. She was the one. The only one who never met her wolf. She was the only Human born to two strong werewolf parents.

His eyes widened as the truth settled in.

His mate, the Luna Queen, was human.