Chapter Five

     My true mate could be anywhere in the world. A dreamy look filled my eyes. My pulses picked up as I smelled his familiar scent. No way, he could be here. Could he? 

     I darted my big eyes around. I hurried out of my room, "Momma! Momma! Did someone..." My jaw fell open. When I could smell his scent in the living room too. He was here. 

      "Here you are, my dear. You missed breakfast with Alpha Troy," Carina aunty said. Her small smile never left her. 

      "What?" It was a whisper. I snapped my jaw shut, "He was here?" I drifted my gaze from aunty to my mother. I couldn't keep the astonishment away from my expression. 

     "Yes, are you hungry?" She asked with her usual full smile. 

     "Yeah," I muttered, sitting down on the chair. I wasn't certain. He was here. My mother was the best cook, no doubt. Obviously, this would be the reason. 

      Mom placed a bowl full of chopped fruits, "Why did he come?" I asked, feeling a rush of warmth begin in my belly at the thought of him being here. He came here, to our old home. 

      "He wanted to eat tasty food before leaving," Carina said. 

      "Leaving!" My voice filled with shock and my head jerked at her. 

      "Yes, get ready for school." My mother told me.

      "School! But the examination is over. What would I do there? Don't you want my help to take care of your herbs, and plants?" I asked with a frown. She never asked me to get ready for school. 

      "Oh, Alpha Troy left his warriors. So they could learn something from your mom. He was impressed with the huge garden in our backyard." Carina said

      My gaze rested on the door. Max walked in, his beta and a girl younger than me were trailing behind him. What was happening? Did he leave his warrior to learn? That did not settle well with me. 

      "Good morning, Martha, Carina." He smiled at the woman. 

      My mother and Carina greeted them with a warm smile and asked them to join us for the breakfast

      Kelvin greeted everyone and sat calmly next to me. Mom placed another bowl, bigger than mine, in front of him. The girl stayed behind him, scared and timid. 

      "Thanks, Martha." Kelvin began to eat, not bothered about anyone.

     "Martha, She's Ammu. Fabri would have told you about her," Max said, gesturing at the girl. 

      She was looking hesitant and in dread. She took a few steps forward and bowed her head. She didn't speak a word and stayed there in fear.

      "Have you frightened her, Max?" I stared at him. He was a brother, he wouldn't do anything wrong to any girl, or which he wouldn't endure for his sister. 

      "She's a lone wolf. Troy and I found her on the premises of our territory. She was wandering alone." He said, returning the stare. 

     "Some people were chasing me. They wanted to sell me. I was running for my life," Ammu told us in her dreadful voice. She wrapped her arms around her. 

      "Oh sweetie," momma took her in an embrace. She wasn't bothered about her dirty clothes, dirt on her face, messy hair, "Nothing to worry. You're safe now." She patted her hand on her back softly. Obviously, she'd be frightened to hurt her. The girl looked fragile. 

      Ammu's chin began to tremble, tears rolled down her dirty cheeks. Poor girl! I wouldn't mind taking her in as my little sister. 

     "I want you to take her under your care, to your house. She's a healer," Max said. 

     "Oh great." Carina smiled. 

     "We can adopt her," My mother looked at me, her arms still draped around her slim body. 

     "She's a stranger," I told them. My mother's face fell, "If she's not a danger we can adopt her." I said with a smile. I felt sadness crawling over her face too.

      "She's not a danger. Troy himself checked on her background. Her parents were killed by rogues," Kelvin said. 

      Her parents' mention brought more tears to her eyes, "What's your age, dear?" Carina asked. 

      "Fifteen," She stuttered because of tears and emotions. 

      "You must be hungry. Sit down, young lady." Mom sauntered into the kitchen. 

      Carina began to whisper and talk to her in a sweet tone. No one wanted to see her in tears. We had faced a lot after the attack. 

      I felt Max's gaze on me. I caught marks on his neck, "What happened to you?" I asked. 

      "We killed two wild bears last night," His words couldn't convince me. There should not be claw's marks, or dried blood. He was an alpha. His wounds should heal faster than a blink. Did he get into a fight with someone, or Troy? 

      I nodded my head as I was not getting any details. Mom piled the plates in front of her. Ammu glanced at food with big watery eyes. 

      "Finish it, Ammu. You need to shower. My old clothes would fit you," I told her. 

      She smiled at me and slightly nodded her head. Her bottom lip was trembling. 

      "Don't feel shy, sweetheart," Carina said, still rubbing her hand on her back, speaking to her politely. 

      My mother walked Max and Kelvin out of the house. I couldn't pick a single word exchanged between them. I pushed the worries away and glanced down at my untouched fruit salad. 

                                   Claudia dumped her old clothes on the single bed. Momma and Carina cleaned the storeroom next to my room. There was a single bed, a desk for study, and a closet. Troy's warriors, Kelvin and Fabri, helped them in making with the use of old furniture and wood from Woodhouse. I could still smell the strong scent of paint. They have also painted the walls. 

     "Would she like them?" Claudia frowned at her old clothes. They were neatly folded. She wasn't looking sure. 

     My gaze dropped to the next pile on her bed, "I'm worried about it too. We should buy her a few new dresses too." I told her. 

     "Yes, I wouldn't buy new clothes." She said, turning to me. 

     "Yes, we'll buy her new clothes. Good decision." I hugged her. We were excited to have a new healer. People were going to address her as my mother's daughter, more than me. I adopted my father's ability more than my mother's. But, I'm a healer too, knowledge of all herbs but I wasn't strong like my mother. 

      "What should I wear?" She came into the room, draped in my towel. Her wet hair was blonde and tied up in a bun. I couldn't see her beautiful hair before because of dirt. 

     "You're beautiful, Ammu." Claudia pulled her to her side and plucked the best dress from the heap. Blue jeans and a white top. We painted friends forever on it when we were fifteen. 

      "Use my room to change," I told her. 

      She took clothes from Claudia's hands and hurried next door. 

      I opened the cupboard. Claudia began to place them inside, "Why would they have gone so soon?" Claudia asked. 

      She didn't need to say his name, "He's the alpha as you have told me. He must have a lot of things to do." I told her. 

    Indeed, the same question was nagging me. 

      "I wanna see Claire's face," She giggled, picking the tops. 

      "Shouldn't we visit her?" I asked. 

      "No way," Claudia made a face, "Just don't talk about it, bae." She waved her hand in the air.

       "How do I look?" Ammu asked us in a weak tone. 

      Our gazes turned to her. She was slender, but wouldn't be any longer. Momma would be running after her, forcing her to eat. 

      "I know. You'll look beautiful," Claudia clapped her hands. 

     "Should I comb your hair?" I asked. 

     Her eyes widened one more time. I could smell her fear and shock. Slowly she nodded her head. 

     "Do you like your room?" Claudia asked, chewing on her bottom lip. She was nervous. 

     Ammu drifted her eyes full with shock around, her feet moved slowly, touching every possessive in the room, "It's very beautiful. Thank you so much, Kim, Ladia," She used our shorts names, which our parents and friends used, making eye contact with us. 

     I gestured at the three feet mirror on the wall and the chair in front of it.