Nostalgic

Scarlett's pov 

The invitations were sent over a week ago and there was no way my father would cancel the ceremony. Not after preparing for it so much. 

Waves of nostalgia were making me nauseous as I helplessly watched the all too familiar scenes unfolding in front of me. I knew how it ended. I was going to spend the entire day getting pampered and dolled up for the ceremony. The only difference was I wasn't joyful like I was the last time. 

I managed to sneak out of the packhouse and go for a little walk outside. I knew my mom would probably go bonkers if she ever found out that I had left. Still, I needed some time to myself. I knew she wouldn't understand the sudden change in my attitude. How could she? I was looking forward to this day for the entire month. 

I wished I had the power to stop everything from happening. I wished that I could cease the preparations. I needed to reverse what had happened to me. To us… the whole Crimson Crescent. Though I maintained a forced smile on my face, deep down in my heart, I was panicking. 

"Hey, Star!" 

My heart skipped a beat when I heard his voice. Gasping, I swirled around in haste and stared at the tall, well built man who was approaching me. Feeling astounded, delighted, and grateful, I waited for Gavin to reach me. 

"You're here. I have been looking all over for you!" 

Everything was the same. His enthusiasm, and the way he smiled at me. Back then, I had pushed him away and went on with the preparations. I told him to be with the other warriors so that I could have time for myself. Frankly, I was annoyed by his constant care and affection. He wasn't my mate. That was the reason why I didn't want to have a strong bond with him, even though my father appointed him as my bodyguard. 

My eyes welled with tears, which I quickly blinked away. I regret pushing him away and getting irritated by him. I learned that he was one genuine person who wouldn't backstab me. I learned that the hard way and this time, I would change everything.

Grinning from ear to ear, I jumped into his arms, and twirled us around. His hands rested on my hips instantly though I felt him go rigid, taken aback by the proximity between us. 

"Woah!" he exclaimed. Unmistakable signs of being shocked yet pleased glimmered in his eyes. "I wasn't expecting that, little Star." 

I used to get annoyed that he called me that, but not anymore. I wanted to hear him say it more often. If possible, I didn't want to let him out of my sight. 

"Gavin! It's so good to see you!" I greeted him cheerfully. 

He raised an eyebrow as though he was confused by the way I reacted. "It is?" 

His forehead creased as he gazed deeply into my eyes. "Are you sick?" 

I giggled and shook my head. "I'm perfectly fine, Gavin. I just realised that you are a great friend. I'm sorry I have been trying to avoid you." 

"Oookaaay… I really feel that you should sit down. Or, better yet, lie down somewhere. Maybe I should call a doctor…" 

"Gavin, I mean it. I'm sorry. I now believe that you are a genuine friend," I repeated my affirmation. 

Though he seemed to be still sceptical, he nodded his head. "If you say so. Aren't you supposed to be in the spa?" 

I grimaced. "What if I don't want to get pampered?" 

"Why not?" His confusion increased. "You're acting really weird today, Star."

I snickered. "Life is short, Gav. Stay weird. I think we aren't being weird enough." 

He smirked. There was something in his eyes that made my heart skip a beat, which surprised me a little. It was something I never felt in the past. 

"I like this new change," he said. "Yeah, stay weird." 

His eyes clouded. I knew that he was receiving a mind link. But before his eyes cleared away, I heard my mother's frantic voice in my mind. 

"Scarlett! Where in the world are you?" 

"Mom. I just stepped outside for a while," 

"But honey, you need to get ready! We still need to wax, do facials, do your nails…" 

I sighed. "Mom, this isn't my wedding day." 

I couldn't believe how bored I sounded, but to tell the truth, I had no desire to take part in tonight's event. 

"Sweety, you sound weak. Are you feeling okay?" 

"I'm fine mom. Just… overwhelmed I guess." 

"It's going to be fine dear. Just come inside. I want to do my nails with you." 

"Okay. Will be there in a while." 

I realised that Gavin was patiently waiting for me to end my mindlink with my mother as soon as she cut the link between us. 

"Hey, that was the alpha. I'm needed in the Grand room." 

"And my mom wants me in the packhouse now."

We went our separate ways. Unlike the other times, I left his company with a tiny spark in my heart. 

"Scarlett, baby gurrrl!" 

Georgette's voice rang through the air as soon as I entered the packhouse and I had to restrain myself from glaring at her in anger. Of course, she wouldn't understand if I reacted that way. Besides, I knew that I would have the best chance of uncovering her treacherous plans if I didn't act suspiciously. 

After masking my displeasure to the best I could I turned around to face her. 

"Hey," I offered a broad smile. "Excited about tonight?" 

"Oh, yes!" she squealed. "You will hopefully find your mate! What's more exciting than that?" 

I almost rolled my eyes. I made the mistake of thinking that her excitement for me was genuine. Not anymore. I had seen the destruction they planned to cause and since we were all sent back in time, the only reason would be to save ourselves from the harm Georgette and Micheal had planned for us. 

"Yeah," I said, forcing myself to smile. "It is exciting." 

"Oh, there you are! Come here! And hurry. We have already lost so much time!" My mother dragged us both inside. 

Throughout the time all the females spent getting pampered and bonding together I continued to cringe internally. It was appalling that Georgette was laughing and making jokes with everyone and none of us suspected a thing. The way her eyes sparkled as she laughed with them would have thrown anyone off the hook. 

 I couldn't believe that she would do such a thing after what my parents did for her. She was an orphan rogue who didn't have a place to go, but my parents took pity and accepted her in Crimson Crescent. We were around fifteen years old when she was found crying at the perimeters. The guards were unsure of what to do since she was a minor. After she told him that her parents were rogues and died in a fight, my dad, the alpha, decided that he wouldn't let an unshifted wolf on her own. He accepted her into the pack, enrolled her in school and we quickly became best friends. She seemed to be cool, regardless of being brought up in the wilderness.

That bitch! She was fooling us all the entire time and none of us realised.

"Damn, she is good at acting, isn't she, Iris," I tried to link my wolf, but all I received was silence in response. 

I frowned. "Iris?" 

Silence. I narrowed my eyes, wondering what was wrong with her. She had been silent since I woke up in the morning. Yet, I didn't think about it much until now. I was sure that she was in there somewhere, especially since I was able to successfully mindlink my mom. 

But why wasn't she saying a word? 

"Iris!" I called her with all my might but all I received in response was silence. 

I started to get worried. It wasn't likely for her to be unresponsive. She was one I always could count on. After all, she was a part of me and not hearing from her was like losing an arm. 

"Honey," my mother's voice interrupted my thoughts. "You are sweating. You don't look fine to me, dear. Maybe we should ask the pack doctor to take a look." 

"No, I really am fine. I'm just…" 

"Let's just get doctor Liana take a look. It'll be fine honey," my mom interrupted me. 

I didn't say anything as I knew that the best option I had was to silently let her do a simple check up. I didn't want to let them, especially Georgette, find out that my wolf was not responding to me. 

Doctor Liana was called. She didn't take much time to come and rule out any sickness. 

"I think she is just stressed out," she said before smiling at me. "How is your wolf feeling?" 

Stunned by her question, I snapped my head at her. 

"Iris?" I blurted out receiving a nod in response. I felt the blood rush to my face as I prepared to lie. "Oh, she is fine." 

I felt Georgette's prying eyes drilling holes in me from behind. Oh, how I wished that she left me alone. After learning what a backstabber she really was, I had no desire to spend even a fraction of a second in the room as her. 

"Then, I think unwinding a bit will help. Perhaps, you are too excited about tonight," Liana offered a sweet smile. 

"Mommy!" 

Doctor Liana's three year old daughter, Jasmine, rushed into her arms. The little pup most probably must have learned that her mother was in the packhouse and came running to meet her. 

"Hey, my little sweetie," Liana wrapped her arms around her pup and pulled her onto her lap. 

"I missed you, mommy!" Jasmine giggled, excited to see her mother before her duty at the pack hospital ended. 

Chuckling, "I missed you too, my love, but I have gone just a couple of hours," her mother replied. "I have to go back darling." 

My heart swelled as I watched the sweet exchange between mother and daughter. Jasmine pouted and buried her little face in her mother's chest. I remembered when I used to complain about my mom's working hours when I was a little girl. I cast a glance at her, who was beaming at Liana and her daughter. My lips stretched into a wide smile. It was a sweet thing to witness. However, when I saw Georgette watching them from a distance my heart plummeted to my stomach. 

This was what she and her lover destroyed. How could anyone be so cruel? I gulped down a lump in my throat as I quickly looked away from them. 

The hour that I met my 'mate' was slowly creeping close. Though I couldn't do anything to stop everything, I surely would try everything in my power to prevent them from harming my people. I wouldn't let them destroy the Crimson Crescent pack. 

I cleared my throat, gaining the doctor's attention. "I think I should go for a walk. Perhaps that would help me unwind." 

"That's a good idea. Some fresh air really could help," she agreed. 

"I'll go with you!" Georgette instantly offered, making me go stiff. 

"I'd like to be alone for a while," I said, hoping that she would wait. "There is a lot of pending work here, anyway." 

"Are you sure that you want to be alone?" My mother asked. 

Nodding my head, "yes," I confirmed. 

"Okay, but make sure that you are back by four." 

"Sure," I hastily stood up and left, avoiding Georgette's gaze. I knew she would have tons of questions, but I didn't want to deal with her just yet. 

I needed time. Time to think and estimate what she and Michael had planned for the night. My mind was boggled with various thoughts as I absentmindedly strolled towards a little creek that was not too far away from the packhouse. The sound of the running water and the rustling leaves brought solace to my chaotic heart. Yet, I was still in deep thought. 

I remembered meeting Michael that night. Though Iris didn't scream out mate as soon as we saw each other, sparks erupted when he shook our hands. That confirmed our bond. We were mates. I was elated to discover that. Alas this time, all I wanted to do was avoid that traitor. 

Frowning, I sat on a rock near the creek. Perhaps, if I didn't attend the event tonight, all of the pain and heartbreak could be avoided. Georgette did tell me that they were in love way before he met me. Maybe then, she and Michael could live their lives and leave us alone. 

Maybe I should run away, just for tonight…