Chapter 6

Angel: You seem pretty optimistic.

I tried to pull away, but he tightened his arms around me and kissed me on the forehead.

Alexander: I told you, my angel, I can feel your wolf; she's very close to appearing.

Angel: But what if my wolf appears first?

Alexandra: Then there's no problem, and we can have the ceremony sooner.

I raised my head and gazed into his eyes, so blue I felt like I was losing myself in them. That's when my stomach rumbled. I saw his lips tighten.

Alexander: You haven't eaten!

Angel: I... Sorry, I was going to the kitchen and I heard you talking, so...

Alexander: Come on, I'll feed you.

He led me to the kitchen. There were people working there, and I felt myself stiffen with fear.

Alexander: Everything's fine, my angel, you have nothing to fear.

The people turned toward us, and I felt them watching me. I was afraid to look at them, afraid to see the contempt in their eyes. After all, who was I to have their Alpha's attention? I heard Xander's voice in my head.

Alexander: You are mine, and you are their Luna.

Angel: Their what?!

Alexander: Luna, their queen.

He squeezed my hand encouragingly and continued to pull me toward the table, inviting me to sit down.

Alexander: What would you like to eat, my angel?

Angel: I don't know...

Alexander: Then let me choose for you, shall I?

I nodded, careful to keep my head down. I felt him slide a finger under my chin, forcing me to raise my head. Although it pained me, I let him continue and fixed my gaze on his.

Alexander: Everyone, this is my partner. We don't know her name yet, but in the meantime, you can call her Angel. Angel. Here are the kitchen staff. If you're hungry, they'll be happy to cook for you. I'm sure you'll remember their names soon enough. But here they are: the lady behind the stove is Agnes, the man beside her is her partner, Burt, the young woman cleaning the counters is Melody, and the young man bringing in the wood is Bryan. Bryan and Melody are brother and sister and the children of Agnes and Burt. Melody and Bryan's partners are in other parts of the estate. Carlos, Melody's partner, is working on construction, and Jasmine, Bryan's partner, is a nurse at the maternity ward.

I swallowed hard, all her eyes fixed on me. I felt myself trembling from head to toe. Xander continued,

Alexander: I found my Angel in terrible conditions, so she might be afraid of you at first. I ask you to be gentle and compassionate with her.

The woman, Agnes, stifled a sob and approached me.

Agnes: Of course, Alpha.

She held out her hand and helped me up from my chair, pulling me into a hug. I felt myself freeze, my breathing quickening. I then smelled her scent of sugar and vanilla and felt my body relax and surrender to her embrace.

Agnes: There you are, my Luna. You're safe here.

I breathed deeply, clinging to her as a fleeting memory tried to surface, but it vanished before I could process it, leaving me confused and perplexed. I felt as if I'd smelled that scent before. But that was impossible.

Agnes: Alpha, my brother, Alpha Drake, told me he's coming soon. He'd like to speak with you.

Xander sighed and agreed, watching me struggle. I immediately asked him through our connection,

Angel: What is it?

Alexander: Drake is the Alpha of one of the largest allied packs I have, but he's been bitter ever since they took his only daughter a little over fifteen years ago. She was two years old at the time, but she was Drake's pride and joy. His mate died of grief after her disappearance, and he continues to search for her relentlessly.

Angel: That's sad.

Alexander: Yes, and he's likely to watch you very closely because you're about the same age she would have been then.

Angel: But you say I’m about twenty, and you say his daughter disappeared about fifteen years ago when she was two, so how old would she be?

Alexander: Seventeen, almost eighteen. She was supposed to transform this year.

I took a deep breath and continued, my voice clear for everyone to hear, aware of the bewildered looks they were giving us.

Angel: So, she’d be about my age, and he might mistake me for her, is that it? Since I don’t know my past or my origins…

Alexander: Yes, he might mistake you for her, but we mustn’t let him.

Angel: Why? If it eases his pain!

Alexander: Because if we do that, when you transform, you’ll lose yourself forever, and I refuse to lose you now that I’ve found you.

I looked him in the eyes and tried to focus on him.

Angel: But how did he know there was a young woman here, a stranger, about the same age his daughter would be?

Alexander: Oh! He probably doesn’t know. He’ll find out when he sees you.

Agnes placed a plate of scrambled eggs, toast, and bacon in front of me and brushed her free hand against my shoulder. I jumped, not from fear, but from something else, like a feeling of déjà vu.

“Auntie,”

“Yes, my love.”

“Cheese, please?”

“Of course, Evangeline, but eat your eggs first.”

“No, cheese, egg!” She ruffled the girl’s hair and kissed her on the nape of the neck, right where the heart-shaped birthmark was.

I snapped out of it and looked at Xander in disbelief. What had just happened? Was that me in that vision? The girl had the same birthmark as me. Without really realizing it, I started talking.

Angel: Agnès?

She looked me straight in the eyes and smiled tenderly.

Angel: Did your niece have a birthmark?

She looked at me in surprise and confirmed.

Agnes: A heart-shaped one on the back of her neck.

Angel: That you liked to kiss, especially when she asked you for 'egg cheese.