I take a deep breath calming my nerves.
After five years, I am finally coming back to the place that holds my most beautiful memories as well as my sad and painful ones.
" It's all in the past Ilebaye, you are different, we are different."I mumble to myself.
Yes, that is what I tell myself everyday and the statement that finally gave me the balls to face my reality.
Reality that my mate rejected me after we had our hot night together and the fact that he made me a mother at an early age.
And I will never have my happy ending with him since my brother told me he has a luna.
I have been driving for hours now and my son is in the back seat of the car sleeping.
The park is not near the city.
Today is an important day in my brother's life. It's his birthday so I decided to come around." You can't escape forever, Ilebaye.It's about time you return home.
Dad and mom miss you and their grandson."
Those were my brother's exact words when we talked last time.
I know for a fact that my parents miss me and my son.I can still remember the looks of pain and sadness they wore five years ago when I decided to leave the pack.They love me and because of that pure love they have for me, they let me follow my heart." As long as this is what you want,as long as it makes you happy, I will support you."
My father had said to me when I broke the news of leaving the pack.
Leaving the people behind did not make me happy , it made me miserable but I knew that I needed to leave.
Leaving was the only way I could cope up with the pain in my heart back then.I park my car at the entrance of the pack for inspection.
A new face approaches me and I roll down the window mirror to have a word with him.
" I'm Ilebaye,Neo's sister." I will introduce myself.
" The Brook family only has a son. I have never heard about a daughter."
The man replies, his eyes regarding me suspiciously.
He seems to be new in the pack, Maybe that's why he doesn't know me.
After All,it's been five years.
Just when I open my mouth, a cheerful voice filled with disbelief calls" Ilebaye, is that really you?"
I whip my face around and I come face to face with Marcus." Long time huh? You can't recognize me anymore? Does that mean I am no longer your favorite person?"
I joke and Marcus bursts out laughing.
" How is that possible?
You have always been my favorite person in my heart.
" Marcus replies jokingly but I still trace the sincerity in his words.
Life can be fucked up sometimes especially when it happens that whoever you love doesn't love you and who loves you, you don't love him.Marcus has always been in love with me but to me, he's nothing but an elder brother.
He is just another Neo in my heart.
The one I love however…" I'm glad to hear that." I say, smiling back at him.
" You just arrived and you must be tired. Go ahead,Aunt and uncle must be waiting for you."
Marcus says. He is still that caring and loving man from five years ago.
" Let's chat when I'm settled. I want you to fill me with all the details."
Marcus nods and I drive to our house.
Our house is in the opposite direction of the packhouse.
As I close by the white painted Villa, my eyes water.
I am not sure if it's because of sadness or happiness.
Three years have passed and everything seems like it was five years ago.
I have changed over the years.
I am no longer that weakling who knew nothing but weep when faced by a difficulty.
I have learnt the art of concealing my true feelings with a smile and fighting back and I could do that all thanks to my son.
'Yes, smile all through until it passes or kills you.'
Time changes everything, I wonder if the people I left behind changed too.
I guess I will find out soon.
I park my car and take deep breaths to calm myself.
Stepping down, I walk to the other side of the car and wake my little boy up and I see my lovely parents standing at the entrance of the house.
The smiles on my parent's faces bring tears to my eyes.
Unable to stop myself, I rushed to them with my son in my arms, crashing into my father's arms.
" Hush now baby.
You are finally back home. I am happy to see you and my grandson." My father consoles me.
His hands rub my back slowly. And he took my son from my arm and carried him.
" I'm sorry, father." I have been a bad daughter, an unfilial child.
For three years,I stayed away from the people who love me the most.
I was hurting but they must have hurt more knowing that they could not be there when I needed them.
I made that decision rashly, a decision that must have brought immense pain to my parents and the others who loved me.
My mother joined us and we hugged. I could hear her sniffles.
" There is nothing to be sorry about, child.
As long as you are fine,I will never blame you."
My father's soft and loving voice calmed me down.
" Look at you two, crying like children."
My father reprimanded but I did not miss the doting in his voice.
" Who is crying? I'm no child to cry "
My mother retorted, pulling away, making me smile.
" That was supposed to be my line,you know?"
My questions make both my parents laugh. Infected by their laughter, I find myself laughing along with them.
" Seems like there is a family reunion here and I am not invited.
Sometimes, I wonder if I am truly part of this family."
My brother complains, walking to us.
" Neo," I called out, running into his arms.
Neo embraced me warmly just like he always did before I left.
" I missed you so much," I confessed but Neo snickered." Yeah sure. Those words coming from someone who would only talk to me when I call.
I don't know if it's sincere." Neo mocked me outrightly.
He's right though.
Only he would call me for the past years. If he didn't, then we would not talk.
" Leave your sister alone. You are the elder brother,you should be responsible."
My father says in my support, making Neo arch his eyebrows at me.
" See what I was talking about? It's confirmed that I was adopted."Neo jokes lighten the mood.
Wow!
This small grand frere has grown big.
Neo said while taking my son from dad so he could carry him too.
"Lunch is ready, we were waiting for you both."
My mother announces and my stomach chooses that moment to grumble.
" Seems like someone is starving here." My father comments and I hide my face in embarrassment.
It took me seven hours to drive here and to get here on time, I skipped breakfast.
Neo takes my hand, leading me inside the house.
I smell an unfamiliar scent in the house and that's when it clicks, Neo has a mate.
" It's nice to see you again, Ilebaye!"
I stiffen at the familiar voice. A voice that reminded me of my terror filled university days.
Tolani!" I greet her with a smile. Of course, it's a fake one.I hate the woman before me with passion. I don't know what kind of a joke was the moon goddess playing to make her my brother's mate. " You are finally home.I can't wait for us to bond again." Tolani says with a sickly sweet smile which I respond with on my own. " Me too. I'm looking forward to it." I reply, feigning enthusiasm. Wow! I must say your son looks very handsome.She said and I responded with a thank you. I can't have anybody finding out about our past, not even Neo. Looking at him gazing lovingly at her, I know that I have to make a sacrifice for him. Not to mention that Tolani is heavily pregnant." Look at that, darling. I told you that our baby will Love Tolani. Of course, she's such a lovable girl.Who would not love her?" My mother said, nudging my father lovingly. Seeing how happy the family is, I can only smile and mask my pain. I help my mother to serve lunch and we all s
True to her words, Uriel arrived exactly at six.The party will be kicking off at half past seven. Without knocking, Uriel kicked the door open before sauntering with a smile plastered on her face making me scoff." It's hard to get rid of old habits," I comment and she giggles.That's Uriel for you. The girl would rather kick the door open than push it with her hands. The girl who would rather jump over the window than walk out through the door.She has always been someone who does what's not expected of her and gives no damn about it.I used to admire her in the past, but I still do.While growing up, Uriel was the kind of girl who would take no nonsense from anybody? The number of brawls she was involved in before we graduated from high school cannot be counted.On the other hand, I was that shy nerd who would endure anything. I would rather cry by the washrooms silently than confront my troubles.Growing up, I had to depend on Uriel, Neo, and Marcus to defend me.That's just
The moment we step inside the Hall, the sight of men and women dressed to kill greets us.The room is parked with guests, as expected for a top businessman's birthday celebration.My eyes did a quick survey around the room, probably looking for a certain someone.When my eyes landed on him, I could not control the clench in my heart. As expected, he had a woman in his arms. What was I expecting? That he would come here all by himself?Although I already decided to move on, I can't help but feel bitter.' Pathetic, aren't you?' I can hear someone inwardly mocking me.I must be the most pathetic being to ever exist.I force my mind off him, deciding that he isn't worth my tears.My brother has no title in the pack. Although he is of Beta blood and had a high chance of becoming the beta, he chose to follow our father's footsteps and took over the family company.He is the CEO of a multi-billionaire company.He has connections extending to all sides of the country and beyond.He doesn'
" Call me Ilebaye. Don't be so formal or I'll feel awkward." Having him call me Miss Brook feels awkward. I prefer he uses my first name." Sure, you can also call me Cross. Just Cross. Let's forget about titles for tonight and enjoy this dance." Cross proposed and I nodded in agreement.I danced with Cross and although my dancing skills were rusty, I managed to keep up with him. As we continued swaying to the music, I felt a piercing glare directed my way. Turning to look in that direction, I saw nothing. Everybody was busy doing their own thing. Shrugging off the feeling, I decided to concentrate on the man before me.It was easy actually, Just followed his lead and I found myself enjoying it. The man had a great body, I was surprised I hadn't noticed that before. He wasn't a gym rat, but he looked as though he spent a lot of time on his feet. He is a Lycan Prince after all so I did not expect any less." Do you have a mate?" Cross asked, making me tense for a moment.I
" Hello, mate?"A voice so deep and enchanting sounded from behind me.Taking by surprise, I gasped into total shock. As that voice sounds familiar. And I wasn't expecting the owner of the voice to follow me to the bathroom. Not forgotten he even called me Mate.Slowly, I lifted my head and the face I saw reflected in the mirror made my blood turn cold and my heart beat impossibly fast.Longest time.The face I saw that reflected in the mirror said again. Still, awestruck, I turned immediately to see if what I saw in the mirror a while ago was actually accurate.And to my greatest surprise, it was actually him standing in front of me. He hasn't changed at all. Still looking as handsome as ever. With his Grey eyes, Pale smooth skin, and his frizzy hair. The night where I slipped my fingers into his frizzy hair kept coming back to my head like it was something that happened only yesterday.His standing in front of me keeps reminding me that I was rejected by him. He called me a ner
I got up the next morning with a heavy head due to the noise coming from downstairs. Trying to adjust my position on the bed as my head kept aching. Looking around the rooms I discovered I was in my room. How did I get to my room? I was at my brother’s birthday party. So, how come I am in my room?I asked no one but myself that questionThen with a heavy head, I started having flashbacks of what happened yesterday. From the moment I met with Pere at the restroom and how things unfolded with us. And when I went back and drank a lot to the point where I could not stop myself from kissing Cross.Ohh no I can't believe I did that. How will he look at me now? Am sure he is looking at me like a desperate woman. After having a flashback of what happened during my brother's birthday party, I tried getting up from the bed. But was stopped by a voice. “Mom, you will need to have this, it will help you with your hangover. Grandma prepared for you. When I lifted my head to glance at the
Since the dining table was quiet the breakfast went by very fast. After finishing my meal I walked out of the the dining room.Mom! Are you still going to rest? My son asked from the dining table.Yes, son. I don't have anything to do right now but to rest. Illebaye said Dear, you haven't told us about your stay out of the pack all these five years. Mom asked.Yes, my dear. This is the perfect time for us to use the moment to bond. Is been a whole 5 years since we have bonded and because you got back yesterday which was your elder brother's birthday we couldn't bond but right now we can. My dad said Gosh! Moon goddess why did you bless me with such parents who love lists so much? I said to myself Is not our fight so you will need to deal with it. My mom said Oh! No! I forgot again that they could hear me. So, are you gisting us or not? My mom asked Am sorry, M and David, but I need to rest right now. My head still aches from the excess alcohol we drank last night. Maybe next
What else do you want us to discuss? Well, nothing much, apart from the fact that I miss us especially when we used to come over here to clear our minds. Same here too, I do miss this place. But not as much as I miss you. Alright, so how was life in New York? That away from the pack and living with humans? Uriel asked Well, it was good. Especially since most of the people in New York knew about the existence of werewolves. What? Are you serious that some of them knew about our existence? Yeah. You are surprised too right? That is how I was surprised when I found out the first time. But I was happy because it somehow made my stay there with my son easier. Wow! I never knew about that. But I am happy since you both never faced any problems. Thanks, babe, but we can't stay there forever. That is why when Neo invited us for his birthday I thought it wise to bring my son so he could come see his route. Does that mean that you both will be going back to New York? Uriel ask