Chapter Six

Mia felt a little shy when Cherry pulled her into the garden where five of her friends were already in the pool. Loud screeches of laughter and splashing water filled Mia’s ears. One of the girls spotted them and jumped out of the sun lounger. She squealed with excitement and hugged Cherry.

“Hey Selene. This is Mia. She’s the one I was telling you about.” Cherry introduced Mia and gave her friend a knowing look. Selene looked confused for a slight second then realisation dawned on her. “Oh yea, well hi Mia. I’m Selene. This is Sasha, that’s Lulu and over there are Dana and Danielle. They are twins.” Selene whispered the last part. Mia grinned and waved at the girls. They waved back and carried on splashing around the pool. Mia longed to get in and join them but she was worried they would notice she wasn’t a great swimmer. Cherry noticed her reluctance and held her hand. They sat by the edge of the pool kicking their legs in the water and chatting.

“So, you going to be staying here for a while?” Sasha asked, joining them. Sasha was tall and slim with short blonde hair. Her eyes were a dark brown colour. She smiled at Mia flashing her perfect white teeth.

“Well, I guess so.” Mia shrugged her shoulders. Cherry who was sitting in the middle of them, nodded.

“Yea she is. Mia had a few problems back home and needed some space.” Cherry explained. Mia smiled grateful for her stepping in so she did not have to explain.

Cherry’s eyes moved to a figure in the doorway and she leapt up, making Mia and Sasha glance up in surprise. Mia noticed the guy standing at the other end of the pool. He was tall and handsome with a lovely smile. His eyes were completely fixated on Cherry. It was obvious he was in love with her.

“That’s Kane.” Sasha told her. Mia blushed realising she had been staring.

“Oh.”

Selene, Dana and Danielle came and sat with Sasha and Mia. Cherry and Kane walked over hand in hand.

“I wish I had someone like that.” Danielle grumbled.

“Me too!” Dana sighed hugging her knees to her chest.

Mia stayed silent and listened to them drone on. She had never had a boyfriend, let alone been kissed.

“What about you, Mia?” Lulu piped up, causing everyone’s eyes to fall on Mia. “Have you got a boyfriend?”

She felt her cheeks burn red with embarrassment. Cherry once again coming to her rescue.

“Hey girls, shall we go inside for some food?” She gestured to the door and the girls immediately got up and followed. Mia lagged behind. She started to feel a little uneasy, but was not sure why.

Kane stood by the door and watched her carefully. Cherry ran out, kissed him on the cheek and grabbed Mia’s hand.

Maria had already left but Mia felt comfortable enough around the people she was with. They had shown her nothing but kindness.

“There’s a party tomorrow, you wanna come?” Sasha called over to Mia. They all looked at her expectantly.

“Of course she does.” Cherry laughed. Mia nodded, although feel down she was not sure.

“Kane, can you give the girls a lift back?” Cherry turned her attention to her husband. He looked up and smiled. “Anything for you, my cherry pie.”

“Ah, so sweet.” Dana and Danielle said in unison causing everyone to laugh loudly.

Cherry did not care because she was happy and in love with Kane. She couldn’t say about the mate bond because Mia did not know about the werewolf realm just yet. She and everyone else were sworn to secrecy.

Cherry knew Mia would be fine with her parents. They would look after her.

“Excuse me?” Lulu exclaimed to Mia.

“Sorry?” Mia frowned coming back to reality from her little day dream.

“What’s wrong?” Cherry stepped in not liking her friends tone. Kane stood behind her without saying a word.

Lulu glared at Mia in disgust which made Mia want to cry. She had not done anything wrong that she could think of.

“Is everything ok?” Fiona wanted to know, she came bounding over and waited for an answer from someone but nobody spoke.

Lulu continued to glare at Mia for whatever reason. Mia was unclear what her issue was. Cherry stared at her two friends and sighed. She did not want her friends to fall out already. Lulu was abit of a drama queen sometimes.

“Lulu, just leave her. She’s done nothing wrong.”

“I asked her something and she blanked me. She’s rude. No wonder her own family dumped her.”

Mia’s mouth fell open in disbelief. “I’m sorry, I didn’t hear you.” She shook her head. Lulu shrugged and walked to the other side of the room, not wanting to be near her.

“Come on Lulu. Let’s get you back home.” Kane told her to which she instantly obeyed him. Cherry looked annoyed at her friend for causing an unnecessary scene.

“Sorry about her.” Cherry said. “She’s gets a little crazy sometimes.” She laughed it off trying to make Mia feel more at ease.

“I will see you tomorrow though, yea?”

Mia smiled and gave her head a slight nod.

Fiona took a seat opposite Mia and reached for her hands.

“Mia, I understand things are happening quite fast here but you are going to be fine. Lulu can just be a little over the top so I would not take what she says or does to heart.” Fiona said looking her in the eye.

Mia nodded in response not knowing what else to say.

“Let me show you to your room.” Fiona got up and Mia followed. Her bags were already in the room waiting for her. It was a beautiful bedroom with a king size bed. There was also an en-suite. Mia was extremely happy to see that it was all hers. She could not wait to get into the bed and sleep.

“Mia, can I ask you a question?” Fiona randomly spoke.

“Sure?” Mia looked up at her with wide eyes. “What is it?”

Fiona took a deep breath and pulled something from her pocket.

“This fell out of your bag when David bought it up.”

She opened up the folded paper to reveal a photograph. Mia jumped forward and took the photo from her. Angry tears threatened to fall.

“I’m sorry.” Fiona exclaimed noticing how upset and agitated Mia had suddenly become.

“She’s my mother.” Mia stuttered through her tears. Fiona froze on the spot. Her heart sunk a little and she turned towards Mia.

“Dawn?”

Mia gasped. How did Fiona know her mothers name? She had never mentioned her name before to her.

“How? How do you know my mother?”