Chapter-8

After reaching the safe territory I release Finn, who doesn't waste any time and runs toward the forest in the opposite direction. Watching him enter there safely I also shift back. After a minute Willa catches up with me and shifts back. Looking at each other we both hug in relief.

“That was close” Willa sighs and lays down on the soft green grass at the open ground behind the Royal Villa. This is the only place any rogue would think twice before coming so this should be safe.

“Very close, I could even smell their evilness.” I exaggerate and Willa laughs.

“Seriously Cyn! I love the thrill and all but we got to be careful, especially with your beast.” Willa with a deep frown on her face, warns me and I agree with her. People now know I can shift but not everyone has seen me. The reason I am finally an outcast because everyone has their own theory about my beast. Some believe I hide because it’s hideous and some think I am lying. Thankfully my parents and Aaron have helped me hide my beast but I am not sure how long that would last.

“I know, I just sometimes wish things were not that hard.” My voice breaks as I join Willa down on the grass and look up at the clear blue sky to control my tears. I don’t even know what I have is whether a blessing or not?

“Things will get better Cyn, I just know it.” Willa proclaims before getting on her elbows and chucking my chin to make me laugh. We were still busy teasing each other when Cole came.

“Ladies!” my best friend greets and joins us down on the ground. His tall frame covers my left side and Willa lays down again on my right side.

“What is a Royalty doing with us mere peasants?” Cole smirks as Willa scowls at him. Oh! Did I mention that Willa has blue eyes? Yup! She is an immortal and I met her because of my Mom.

As Mom started her new job at the Royal Villa, she had to attend all the royal events, and one day I had joined her. It was a tea-party kind of thing which was organized in the honor of Queen dowager of Glass horn Island with only women present. Our Queen dowager is a scary lady but Mom was scarier when she told me I will be joining her hence I ended up there all sad and solemn but thankfully that party gave me Willa and since then we have been meeting at odd places on the island.

“Shut up Cole-Pole!” Willa counters back.

“You told her that name.” Cole narrows his green eyes at me in accusation and leans near me in accusation.

“Calm down you both! Willa, ignore him, he’s just kidding and Cole seriously, your height is a blessing and every girl dying for you at our school should be enough clue so just get over it and own it.” I proclaim while placing both of my hands at each of their shoulders in an attempt to group hug but instead of leaning at me, they start tickling me, making me curl like a ball to avoid their fingers.

I laugh as they keep coming at me while I beg them to stop.

“Stop!” I laugh at them only to see Cole tickling me, Willa has sat aside but she is still smiling at us.

“You were saying something.” Cole teases and I hold his hand.

“Fine, just stop. how did you even know we were here!” I laugh and before he could reply, this time I feel him, my mate.

My eyes find his presence as he marches toward us. His shoulders are rigid and his face, little tense. His eyes are currently focused on my hands, my hands which are holding Cole’s wrists.

After he is upon us, Willa gasps and stands straight in attention while Cole and I are still on the ground, frozen in our previous position.

“Cynthia, Willa, and Mr. Murray.” He greets us with his eyes still on my hands. I finally unfreeze and release Cole’s hand from my grip.

“King Aaron” Cole and I greet back and nod at him.

“I wasn’t aware this place has become a playground for kids,” Aaron asks looking at Cole who looks confused standing there.

“And Willa, is your Mom aware you are here?” Aaron frowns at Willa who is not even meeting his eyes.

“And Cynthia-

“We understand King Aaron, we will leave and won’t come back,” I say before he could interrogate me like Willa and Cole. Since that night Aaron and I no longer have that easy relationship. We don’t even talk much. I don’t know what will happen when he realizes that I am his mate but for now, things are not good.

Aaron looks put out but nods. “Woods are not safe and I would appreciate it if you kids don’t wander alone like this.”

“We are not kids! But we get it, we are leaving.” I counter back and start walking toward the main street. Cole joins me and Willa just waves me off as she lives in the Royal Villa, she will just follow Aaron back but before we could leave, Aaron calls us back.

“You are not going alone, follow me to the villa. I will drop you guys.”

“It’s fine King Aaron, I got my bike, I will drop Thia home,” Cole suggests as he knows I am a little uncomfortable with Aaron but he still doesn’t know the reason.

“You will not do any such thing, Mr. Murray. I will be taking Cynthia home; you can go alone on that bike of yours.” Aaron orders and motions for me to follow him.

At his no-nonsense voice, Cole shrugs at me and hugs me bye. I shake my head at Aaron’s back and make faces to make Willa smile who is still not meeting my eyes as Willa and I both follow him back.