Chapter 6 - Your Time is Up

Stormee POV

***Almost three years later***

After I graduated from high school, I went to law school. I loved every aspect of lawmaking. I excelled in my classes, took extra credits, and was lined up to be the fastest-graduating student in the campus's history.

Every year, the day before my birthday, I receive a single MoonPetal Orchid. I still had no idea who my secret admirer was, but the fact that he kept sending me those flowers meant he was deeply committed to me. Why hasn't he revealed himself? Why am I waiting for him?

Yes, I have been waiting for him. A year ago, Trevor asked me out, and after several dates, he asked me to be his girlfriend and future chosen mate. That was when things took a turn, and I got cold feet. Despite liking him, enjoying his company, and even kissing him a couple of times… being with him or committing to him felt wrong. Every time we kissed, the image of the handsome, tall man who stole my first kiss popped into my mind, and my heart beat differently every time I thought about him.

After that, I decided not to date anyone and to focus on my studies. Ralph decided to take a different path; he enrolled in the military. He was pursuing a military career, and I understood why he was doing that. He was the first in line to take the crown, and being trained and having a strategic mind would help him tremendously while ruling. Also, Dad pays particular attention to him, picking up some of his responsibilities as the future king.

Enzo, well… he decided to go a completely different path. He completed a round of military training, also called Alpha camp. Then he decided to tour the realms with his rock band. Yes, that was Enzo. He was all fun and games… but he completely choked when it came to responsibility. I have heard that Uncle Eulisses gave him an ultimatum. He would do whatever he wanted for two years and then take his place as the Alpha of The Golden Pack. He was unhappy, but he agreed… he didn't have a choice.

I will graduate in six months and then go to the council and ask for a job there. As my parents' daughter, I knew my road to getting a seat on the council was paved, but I wanted to earn it, work for it, and put my mind and heart into it.

Mom called me today and asked me to go back home for the Moon Solstice Holidays, which are similar to human Thanksgiving. I sighed and nodded.

My mind kept reeling because my mother sighed and then said, “Excellent, we will see you here… Your father and I have a lot of things to tell you.” With that, she finished the call. Why would she leave me with doubt? Now I won't be able to sleep for a couple of days.

I called Ralphie; he would also come back home. “Hey, Storm.” He greeted me,

“Ralph, did mom tell you they wanted to talk to us this weekend?” I asked him, and he sighed,

“Yeah, and before you ask, I have no fucking idea what it could be about?” He said, then chuckled when he heard me huffing.

“Still the same curious, nosey, little thing…” He laughed, and I rolled my eyes even when he couldn't see me.

“Don't roll your eyes…” He chuckled, and I rolled them even harder. I hated it when he guessed what was going on at my end.

“Fuck it! I need to know. Do you think Enz would know?” I bit my lower lip, and he laughed,

“Good luck trying to reach out to him, and if you get lucky, good luck getting him sober…” He chuckled, and I bit my lower lip.

Enzo, my cousin, I loved him deeply, but that rock band artist life was not good for him. He has been drowning in alcohol, and hopefully only alcohol and not drugs. I am worried about him.

“Alright, I won't call him. Would he be back for the holidays?” I asked Ralph,

“He must, Uncle Eulisses, shorten his leap time if he doesn't…” Ralph sighed,

“Will you make sure he does?” I bit my thumbnail.

“I will, baby girl… “Ralph sighed. If anyone could get through, Enz was Ralph.

“Alright, see you in a few…” I sighed, and he signed, too,

“Love you, sis.” He replied,

“Love you too, big bro…” I giggled. He was born about two minutes before me, making him older than me.

I sat in front of my computer for the next two years, writing a position paper that was due after the Holidays. I saved it and sighed. It was time to pack and head home.

The next day, I headed home and was greeted by my mom and dad. They looked as young as I remembered them. Mom is simply stunning, and my dad is the most handsome man in the world. Well, Daddy and the guy at the bar, Aelfred.

“Sweetie… it is good to have you here…” Mom embraced me, and I made my way to my room to unpack.

I heard loud noises coming from the game room, and I sighed. Indeed, Ralph was giving Enzo an earful. I took a deep breath and decided to sit that one out. Enz could be violent if he were not in his senses, which lately was quite often.

I took a shower and got dressed. We had a family dinner tonight, and we will have the Moon Goddess Solstice Ball tomorrow. I have come a long way from the frumpy, shy girl I used to be in high school. I struggled to escape my shell but flourished into a confident woman. As my father said, I took my time but got there…

“Let's eat…” My father kissed my temple when I walked by him. Ralph and Enz sported bruises as they fought over something, and I have to say, Enz looked way worse than my brother. I hope Ralph punched some sense into his thick skull.

“Kids, after dinner, we need to talk to the three of you,” Dad said, and I squinted my eyebrows. His pep talks usually only included Ralph and me, never Enz. We all ate while having a comfortable conversation, and as soon as dessert was over, Dad asked us to go to his office. It must have been a very serious conversation; otherwise, we would have had it in the dining room.

Mom nodded, and we all stood up and followed Dad. Another sign that his conversation would cause havoc was that Mom was sitting that out, which was unusual for her.

We stepped into my dad's office, and he asked us to sit. “What is it, Daddy?” I asked, and he chuckled. He knew I was curious.

“Kids, I wanted to talk to you because you are about to turn 21…” He sighed, “And it is time for you to know something…” He paused,

“I can't delay things anymore, and so you must know. Before you were born, there was this huge war against darkness that united every realm under one ruling…” He paused, and I nodded. We all knew the story.

“Well, when your mother and I visited every realm searching for help… the only reason the other rulers helped us was because of you…” He paused, and I gasped. Did they offer their pups as a bargaining chip to the other rulers? How dare they?

“Tell me you didn't!” I was exalted and angry. Ralph squinted his eyebrows and quickly felt me through our twin bond.

“Dad?” He pressed while Ez whistled in the background. Seriously, I wanted to fucking punch him.

“No, of course, I wouldn't dare bargain with your future…” My father sighed, “But on our journey, we found your mates,” He revealed, “And on the day you turn 21, they will reveal themselves to you…” My dad sighed, and I took a deep breath… Un-fucking-believable.

“And Sweetie? I am sure you would want to take you straight to his realm…” Dad sighed, and my stomach churned.

Why do I have to get the short end of the stick, like fucking always?