3 - A Bomb?

Aya’s POV

“Aya!” 

I woke up hearing this yet another familiar shriek. But even though this shriek sounds so sharp, it still feels like home..

“I said stop shouting! You’ll wake her up, you dummy.” Another familiar voice emerged.

My head still feels really groggy but I forced myself to open my eyes. And there they were..

The heir and heiress of the South. Johanis Martin, and his little sister, Liliana Martin.

“J-joha..” The moment I whispered his nickname, he froze and looked away. I just sighed and looked at his little sister. “L-lily”

“You shall not speak yet, Aya!” She pouted. “I swear to the Moon Goddess you and this stupid brother of mine are just the same! No rest and more headaches for us! Do you know that we keep on looking for you guys all this ti—”

“Lily..” Johanis said in this warning tone of his. But Lily just rolled her eyes and ignored him. “Anyway! Are you fine now?”

“N-no.. what happened? How about those three who were there?”

“What do you mean three?” Lily pondered for a moment and then.. “Oh! You meant those who abducted you? Why they are already dead, of course. Beaten like a pulp before they heaved their last breath!”

She said it like it was nothing.. Should I be alarmed? She used to be this sweet munchkin of ours when we were young.

Does everything truly change?

“W-what?”

“Well, do you expect my brother would just let them live? After what they did to y—”

“Shut up, Lily. It isn't for her but for your safety and the whole pack.”

“Lalala! So denial, geez!” She bumped herself into Joha's arm but the man didn’t even budge. He looked at me for a moment and we locked our gaze for three seconds before he looked away.. only because Lily’s teasing stare is too loud.

He was about to leave but I spoke. “C-can we talk?”

“No.”

“I am about to leave again. I’m only here to visit..” I tried to plead but.. He stopped in his tracks and looked at me sideways. With a cold expression in his eyes.. “Leaving again, huh? Seems to be your talent. Then, all the more reason that we shouldn't talk anymore.”

And with that he left..

The moment the door closes, Lily makes a face towards his direction before she sits beside me. “Don't mind that one. He is just too bitter to forgive you guys, yet.”

“Huh?”

“Hmm?” Lily tilted her head. “Is there a problem, Aya?”

“What do you mean by that?”

“I simply meant it as it is. No need to be guilty around me.”

“No. I mean, y-yes, I still feel guilty even around you but.. ‘guys’? You meant me and my father, right?” I hesitatingly asked because I’m really confused.

And then she dropped this bomb. “No. I meant the three of you. You, Sari and B-brinn.” She looked away when she spoke of the last name. Even had this yearning gaze written all over her face.

I know it too well. Because that is my very face when I look at myself in the mirror thinking of my life here. Thinking of what could’ve happened if me and my father hadn't left.

Thinking of him all the time…

Only.. Lily also had this other emotion in her face that I cannot pinpoint what exactly.. Anger? Worry? Hesitance? Vengeance?

I merely sighed and let her be. Because I also don't wanna be asked way back at Cladbridge about my face when I think of him either..

But that was all in the past and I’m here now. That is what's important, right?

But wait…

“Sari and Brinn left too? When!?” I sat up in shock and because of that, my vision’s getting all blurry again.

“Hey.. easy peasyy. You haven't fully recovered yet.” Lily worryingly said as she guided me back to lie down.

“When?” I looked her straight in the eyes. I feel like if I didn't, she wouldn't tell me.

Lily sighed and combed her hair with her fingers. A trait she and her brother had. She bit her lower lip before speaking, “That very same night you were also gone..”

I don't know why but it feels like I was dumped with cold ice water. “W-what?”

She exhaled a huge breath again. “We really thought you guys were dead and we mourned for a year or two until someone said they saw you fleeing that night. That was when we started this search way back then until now..”

“So that was why Johanis looks really mad.” I forced myself to stop these stupid tears from falling.

“Yeah. He always asks me that if you guys were alive, why wouldn't you come back? Or even write a simple letter? Sometimes I agree with him and sometimes I’d be the bigger person and make him understand..” She had this melancholic expression on her face that made my heart ache so damn much.

“I’m sorry.. I tried everything, but father said it's too dangerous for me to even send a letter..”

She nodded. “I understand now.. I really do.. Uhm…” She gulped and hesitated but I just smiled at her and said, “So.. were you shocked that I don't have a wolf?”

“Yes.” She honestly said, biting her lip again. “And Johanis should understand how dangerous it is for you too! Seriously, I'll skin him alive the next time I see him!”

I merely chuckled and got comfy in bed. “Nah. No need to. As I said, I’m leaving the moment the pack doctor or nurse gives a go signal.”

She squirms and fiddles with her hands. That could only mean one thing..

“Liliana.. What on earth did you do now?” I suspiciously looked at her as she cheekingly giggled. “Uhh. I forgot to say the part where you were unconscious for five days already..”

“What?”

“And uhmm.. healer Mira already said you can actually go once you open your eyes and deem that you can stand up.”

I sighed. “Okay, then I’m going now.”

“Only that you can't!” She stopped me before I could even attempt to sit.

I glared at her. “What else are you hiding?”

Liliana Martin has always been so cheeky. I couldn't say that she’s spoiled because Alpha Hans and Luna Jhoanna, her parents and the leaders of Midnight Pack, always scold and punish her as they deem fit. But still Lily will always be Lily, and I inwardly smile that even after so many years, some things never changed..

Nevertheless.. this is different and I have a really bad feeling about this.

“So, uhm.. it is to be expected that your father looked for you and the first thing he does is mind link mom and dad.. It was chaos but anyway to cut things short, I kinda lied to my parents that Joha and I picked you up on our way towards finding you guys..”

“What the—”

“They were also on their way on a mission at that time. So I just said to mom that I already enrolled you here at Woodhill University..”

“LILY!”

She flinched but still continued. “Your father was rather furious and he is expected to arrive by next week I think..”

“Oh my Goddess, Liliana!”

She was about to say something again but I could feel these ominous pheromones marching to where we were. Two of them.

She gulped. “Shit. They have arrived and found out already!?”

“What do you me—”

And I didn't get to finish my sentence as one furious Alpha and Luna barge inside the infirmary tent.

“LILIANA MARTIN! HOW DARE YOU LIE TO ME!?”

She quickly bumped her cheeks to mine and fled. “See you later, Aya!”

But she hadn't even taken five steps when her father caught her. “You really think you can outrun us, little wolf?”