Finding your soulmate in a werewolf community is the greatest thing that could happen to you. But not to Chase.
Chase, the soon-to-be Alpha of the Blue Moon pack, finds his mate. His preference? Someone with a high rank. Yet he's stuck with Ava, an...
"How come no one uttered a word until now?" I breathe out, my eyes not straying from the picture in my hand.
"That can be for a handful of reasons. The main one would be that not many people have seen them."
"How come?" My eyes dart up to meet his.
"They were always private people, but it intensified when they lost their daughter. They lost their infant daughter and haven't seen her since. One day, the Kingdom was celebrating the birth of their new leader and the next, they were mourning her loss. Most people didn't expect they would even have more children after the last fiasco. After that day, they withdrew back, only appearing where and when they had to."
"And how do you have this picture?"
"They're my godparents," he responds.
The silence that follows is excruciating for me. I don't know how to cover it, and my mind can't think straight with eyes on me. I need time to process and judge the information in the comfort of myself.
"Can I have some time to myself? I need to think things through."
"Take your time," he assures me.
I pick myself up from the chair, and my eyes find Zoey's. Her eyes hold sympathy and understanding.
I doubt she can understand how I truly feel, but I appreciate the effort.
"Can I borrow this? I'll bring it back in one piece," I promise, holding up the picture.
He nods. "If you want, I can arrange a meeting for you to meet them yourself."
I should weigh the pros and cons, but the answer is already in my mind. "I would love that."
"I'll arrange it immediately, and I'll inform you. Take your time with things. I'm here if you have any more questions I can answer."
I send him a thankful smile and retreat to my room, locking myself in for the rest of the night.
The morning light filters into the room, and I haven't slept a wink. There are too many questions that are still unanswered, and the picture in front of me only serves to intensify my confusion. I can't shake the feeling of vulnerability that's been gnawing at me since I first learned the truth.
Suddenly, there is a soft knock on the door, and I hear Zoey's voice calling for me.
"Come in," I reply, without taking my eyes off the photo.
Zoey enters the room with a tray, and I feel a sense of comfort wash over me. My stomach growls at the sight of the toast, and my throat craves the warmth of the chamomile tea.
"Thank you so much for this." I chew on the toast and sip the hot tea, allowing myself to forget for one minute. I take a deep breath and allow myself to forget, even if it's just for a moment.
"Don't mention it," she waves me off.
Zoey patiently waits until I have finished eating. Then she asks, "How do you feel?"
It's a simple question, but I can't seem to answer it.
"I don't know," I say, my voice barely above a whisper. "My mind is blank, and my heart is numb."
Zoey presses, "Are you sad that your 'parents' lied to you? Are you happy you may have healthy parents out there longing for you? What is it that you feel?"
"Both, I guess," I reply. "But mostly, I'm angry. If it's true, then I've spent my entire life in pain, believing that I deserved it. And all the while, there were people out there who were devastated by my loss."
Zoey takes a deep breath and leans forward. "It's not your fault," she says. "You had nothing to do with it. You didn't ask to be hurt. It's not like you were a masochist, feeding off the pain they were causing. You didn't want to be in pain. You were just a child, trying to survive. You need to stop blaming yourself and apport responsibility where it's due."
"I know," I say. "But it's easier said than done."
Zoey sits up straight and looks at me. "Here's an idea. Let's wait and see what happens. Xavier must have already arranged for you to meet the Royals. You can talk to them, find out the truth, and then decide how you feel. It's better than torturing yourself with what-ifs."
I consider her words for a moment, and then I nod. "You're right," I say. "Wait for me. I'll go freshen up and then we can find Alpha Xavier."
I jog to the closet to fetch a new set of clothes and cruise to the bathroom.
"It's Xavier to you." She hollers back, and I can't help but smile.
