Chapter 4

Mia was walking faster than normal looking towards the ground. Without looking where she was going, she bumped into someone making them both fall to the ground.

“Sorry, sorry. I wasn’t looking where I was going.” Trying to make my way to my feet. I noticed a hand stretched out towards me.

Looking up towards this man. I felt an instant connection. Without saying a word, I grabbed his hand, and he helped me to my feet.

His dark-brown hair was just long enough to style into a comb-over. Looking into his dark blue eyes. Muscular built, to make any woman swoon over him. Made me wheezy.

“I am truly sorry.” I said with a bow.

“No need to apologize ma’am. I am the one that needs to apologize.” He said with a bowing gesture.

“I’m handsome. I mean Mia.” I said with embarrassment. Looking towards the ground.

A giggle escaped the man’s mouth. “I’m Aspen. One of the queen’s guards. I was informed that the king and queen had a guest, and I was to show her around. I assume it would be you, Mia.” A grin appeared on his face.

“Yes. That would be me.” Embarrassed, I made my way down the footpath of the garden.

Fuck Mia, what is wrong with you? How embarrassing. Why do I feel this way? I have never felt like this with any man.

“Miss Mia. Do you wish for me to show you around?” He asked. His voice was deep but somewhat mesmerizing.

“Yes, I do wish for you.” I stopped. Then realization kicked in. “Um, yes I do wish for you to show me around.” Saying this I shook my head and continued walking.

Aspen’s grin grew. “Ma’am, if I make you feel uncomfortable in any way. Just tell me and I will assign someone to accommodate you.” He said keeping his pose.

“No, Aspen. It’s not that. I’m.” I froze for a second, with Aspen’s eyes locked on me. “I’m just a little bit new to this. I wasn’t much at my other pack, and I’m just a bit scared. I’m still trying to figure some stuff out.”

“I understand miss Mia. One thing I can assure you is that I will protect you until my last breath.” As Aspen said this, I felt safe.

“Thank you. Will you show me the most beautiful site here?” I asked while swinging back and for the like a little kid asking for candy.

“Sure, follow me.” He turned around and started walking.

Mia followed Aspen. Staring at all the different flowers around her. All the random colors. Pink, blue, and even black and so much more.

While walking Mia spotted her favorite flower. A black rose. Where her pack lived, there weren’t any black roses, only Lilies, and wildflowers. Names she never could remember. Mia stared at the black rose and found a spot to sit next to it.

“This is my favorite flower. I’ve only seen them in books. Never in real life. It is so different.” I said with a big smile on my face.

“It is one rarest flower that the kingdom owns. Well, the rarest flower in this country.” Aspen said while standing at attention.

“Wow, I would like to have my own garden with these.” I made my way to my feet and continued walking.

Mia stared at all the flowers around her from Chocolate Cosmos to even a Ghost Orchid. Even a Juliet Rose made its appearance in the garden. There are so many more beautiful flowers in this garden.

Aspen led her towards the water fountain, that’s located in the center of the garden. There are two concrete couches in front of the fountain. Mia took a seat and stared at the water flowing out. Aspen stood on guard to be sure Mia was safe.

“You can join me if you like.” I gave Aspen a gesture to sit.

“No thank you, Miss Mia. We, as guards are trained to stay vigilant, always. Nothing can or will distract us.”

He replied will keeping his guard.

“Oh, okay. Thank you by the way.”

“For what?”

“For showing me around and keeping me company.” I said with a smile.

“It is a pleasure, Miss Mia. You are a wonderful person to keep company.” He replied, returning a smile.

“Can I tell you a joke?”

“Sure.”

“What do you call a cow with one leg missing?”

“I don't know, what do you call it?” He asked with a confused look.

“Lean beef.” I burst out laughing, not able to contain my laughter.

Aspen giggled. “That is the lamest joke I have ever heard in my entire life.”

“But you laughed. Didn't you?” I asked with my fingers pointed towards him.

“I did. I will give you that.”

After Mia had told her joke, silence filled the air. Mia stared at Aspen wondering what about him makes her attracted to him. Why does she act like a toddler when she speaks?

Minutes went by. Then Maya came closer. Wearing a blue dress that sparkled in the sun. Her hair is loose with long curls.

“Mia, would you care to join us for breakfast?” Maya asked.

“Sure, thank you. Aspen, I will see you around.” I smiled at him and walked with Maya.

“See you around miss Mia.” He replied, turning around and walking towards the other side of the garden.

Mia and Maya returned to the castle and made their way to the dining room where Kylo was already waiting. Mia being a bit shy. Not know how to act in front of these people who say and proved they are her parents. She isn’t someone who interacts with people she just met. At this moment she doesn’t have a choice.

Making their way to the dining table. Kylo sits at the end of the table and for me and Maya we sit across each other. The kitchen staff brought out our plates of food and placed it in front of us. Mia sat and waited for Kylo and Maya to start eating before she even thought of touching her fork.

Mia was so hungry, she waited patiently.

“Mia, is it possible to continue our conversation from last night?” Kylo asked as he picked up his fork and stabbed the sausage lying on his plate.

“Sure.” I replied and took my fork and started eating.

“We got you something. We know you have a tough time believing the fact that we are your real parents. So, we did a DNA test.” Maya said as she handed me a piece of paper.

Reading the DNA report thoroughly. My jaw dropped almost to the floor.

“Thank you.” I said stuffing my face with scrambled eggs.

“So, Mia. We were wondering if you would like to stay here?” Maya asked me, and I almost choked on my food.

“Um.” I hesitated before answering. “Sure, I don’t know how to get to my old home. I will be delighted to stay. You are my parents after all.” I smiled at them and continued eating. I finished my food as quickly as I could. Excusing myself from the table and making my way to my room.

Mia rushed to her room, slamming the door. Standing still. The photo was one thing but a DNA test. Mia paced back and forth in her room. Reality kicking in.

What is worse? The fact that my adoptive parents lied to me or the fact that my real parents are the king and queen of a pack. Fuck! All of this is too much. I don’t know how to cope with all this information, all at once.

Mia thought to herself.

Mia tried to remember that night at the barbeque. Her mind was still fuzzy. All that she could remember is the crowning of the next alpha and that she was rejected by Ethan. The rest was a blur. Nothing she did help her to remember.

Making her way to the garden. She found a new place to clear her head and just be by herself. Mia made her way to the fountain. Sitting on the couch. Staring at the sky.

“Miss Mia?” Aspen’s voice came from a distance.

“Aspen, hi.” I said with a quivering tone.

“Is everything okay?” He asked, finding a seat next to me.

“I thought you were trained to always be on your guard.” I said looking into his gorgeous blue eyes.

“This I will make an exception for. What is going on?”

“I’m not sure if I’m allowed to tell you.” I said as a tear ran down my cheek.

“You don’t have to. Just remember I am here if you want to talk.” He made his way to his feet. “I will let you be and clear your head.” He said and turned around and started to walk away.

“No! Wait.” I sprung up and stopped him before he could leave. “Can I ask you a massive favor?”

“Of course, miss Mia.” He replied.

“Please, just call me Mia. Can you please show me where I was found on the beach? I need to know what happened to me. How I ended up here.”

“Of course, miss.” He stopped mid-sentence. “Mia. Follow me.”

Making their way to the beach. Mia scanned the area to see if something reminded her of anything. Still nothing.

They arrived at the beach. Mia made her way to the waters and sat down on the ground staring out into the abyss.

“Why can’t I remember anything?” I screamed in frustration.

“Mia, you’re not going to remember everything at once. It will take time. You hit your head extremely hard against a rock. Don’t push yourself too much.” Aspen said in a sympathetic tone.

Mia stares out towards the waters to try and remember one more time but to no avail.

Aspen helped Mia to her feet, and they made their way back to the castle. Walking in silence. Not saying a word. Mia finally broke the silence that was brewing in the air.

“Maybe I need to come to the beach more often. Maybe one day, I will remember. What do you think?” I asked Aspen.

“I believe that will help. Pushing yourself in one day is not going to work.” He said as we walked through the gates leading to the castle.