Chapter-2

Cynthia

Age-14

We were back at home and Riley was busy making some animated stories for our dear mother to explain our dripping wet state.

“Mom, I was sweating all over and Thia was not listening to me.” Riley said with a guilty smile.

“So, you just pushed her and yourself in the lake?” Mom asked with a suspicious but kind smile, while painting her nails with neon pink colour.

I love our Mom but honestly, she still hasn’t gotten over her beauty pageant days. Tessa Michaels might be a dedicated housewife now but there was a time when she was the most beautiful girl in the entire wolf’s valley and won each and every beauty pageant held in Glasshorn.

 I know, I always cringe inside whenever she dresses like we are going to be at a  beauty contest but really, I wouldn’t have her another way either, she might be loud and gaudy but she is perfect for our quiet and shy Dad.

I still can’t believe sometimes that they are together, two polar opposites people so much in love that they still don’t eat even a single meal without each other. I love their love story so much that I always dreamed I would find my mate just like they did but all my dreams came crashing down today.

I have my mate but not my love story, heck I didn’t even got acknowledged by him. He went away from me as soon as he could. Maybe I was wrong and it was me being overwhelmed with my crush? But that’s not the truth and my beast growling at that thought is more than the proof I needed. He is my mate and honestly, I don’t even know what to do with that.

“I won’t exactly call it a push.” Riley winked at me, making me roll my eyes at her.

“Enough Riles! Let’s just eat now, I am starving.” I groaned and raided our small fridge. Yes, another reason I need to doubt the reality of King Aaron being my mate. If I am really his mate then boy, did he found the worst one.

Compared to him I am a pauper, okay not exactly that but really, we might be surviving just fine but living on Dad’s sculptor workshop is not exactly a comfortable life. Thankfully Mom bought this house when she was on her winning streak.

Otherwise, I am sure we will still be on rent. Honestly, I am happy Dad is sticking to what he loves and I really have no right to complain either, I can just earn myself if I really want those artificial luxuries when I grow up but finding my mate has really shaken me to my core. I am doubting everything and anything I am coming across. God! Thia, for god’s sake forget it. He didn’t even recognise you. 

“You know Mom, we met King Aaron today!” my little sister exclaimed while unknowingly again pushing me in the same hell I was just pulling myself from.

“Really? What he was doing at the lake” Mom narrowed her eyes at us mockingly, making Riley hiccup. Damn!

“Riley! You little liar, where did you both really were? Tell me!” Mom teased and Riley shrieked in delight when mom started tickling her.

“C’mon baby, tell me where were you?” Mom laughed seeing Riley giggle. Seeing them like this even made me forget my anxiety and worries and finally I joined Mom in tickling Riley and that’s how another Sunday was spent at Michael’s little house near the valley’s darkest forest.