Chapter 7 - Together Forever

Stormee POV

I can't believe it. My father is okay with a stranger taking me away. I stood up and turned around on my heel, and left his fucking office. Why do they always think I will be this compliant, sweet being who will do as those macho say? I am fucking fed up!

I heard Ralph yell after me, but I couldn't care less. Behind Ralph, at a stumbling distance, Enzo also called out to me. I ran towards the treeline, tears brimming my eyes. I didn't want to hear any reason or explanation disguised as an excuse.

Who would that man be? What about what I want? What about what my dreams are? What about courting me, making me fall in love with him? Being nice? Doing nice things for me? Earning my heart and respect? Being my knight in shining armor? What about romance, passion, love, sex? Oh! Goddess! Will I have to be intimate with a stranger for the first time in my life?

Now I regret waiting. Now I see why Ralph and Enzo went ahead and explored… Maybe they knew something I didn't… and that makes me feel betrayed.

“Hey!” Ralph held my hand, stopping me in my tracks. He turned me to face him, the momentum and adrenaline causing me to crash into his muscular chest. As soon as that happened, he wrapped his arms around me in a protective way while I broke down.

“Why, Ralphie? Did you know about it?” I sobbed, and he sighed,

“No, it is as much a surprise for me as it is for you…” he said, and I nodded, burying my face in his chest.

“It can't be that bad… Storm, our mates are part of ourselves; they are meant to complement us in each way…” he cooed, and I sighed,

“But, what if that man is ugly? A ruthless Alpha, one that doesn't abide by Dad's law? What about my dreams, my career? Everything I had worked for…” I bit my lower lip, and he sighed.

“Why don't you ask Mom about it?” He sighed. I am sure they know who he is, and maybe from there, you can make a decision…” He bit his lower lip and looked at the ground.

“What is it?” I asked him,

“Well, they mentioned my and Enzo's mates as well…” He sighed,

“And?” I lifted my eyebrows. “As the man, she is moving around to accommodate you…” I huffed, and he took a deep breath.

“And I am not sure if I want a mate…” He shrugged his shoulders, and I gasped. This was the first time Ralph had ever said anything about it.

“But you are the future king…” I bit my lower lip and he sighed again,

“I am not sure of wanting that either…” He bit his lower lip, and for the first time, I saw the burden he had been carrying on his shoulders for his entire life.

“I guess royalty is overrated…” I bit my lower lip while he scrunched his face.

“Well, one might think, because we are part of the royal family, we can do whatever we want, but the reality is the opposite. We must sacrifice our lives; that way, others can live happy ones…” I said, and he nodded.

“Yeah, that sums it up…” Ralph sighed, and I leaned into his shoulders when we heard lazy steps coming closer,

“Damn, you run fast!” Enzo slurred, Ralph sighed, and I giggled. I am sure Ralph is fed up with Enzo, his addictions, and his rebellion… I, on the other hand, find it funny.

“Don't encourage him…” Ralph grunted, making me snort in the process of holding my laughter.

“What did I do?” Enzo slurred his words, confused, and I sighed.

“Enz, consider this a tough intervention… We love you to pieces, but frying your brain and drowning whatever it is you are running away from is not working anymore. It is not working for you, and definitely is not working for us… You need help!” I said, and he took a deep breath.

“I am fucked!” He said slowly, and I lifted my eyebrows,

“Explain?” I crossed my arms in front of my chest,

“Yeah, I am fucked, because I can't deny anything to you, Storm… I guess it is time to seek help…” He sighed and embraced Ralph and me in a group hug. After that, we sat in the clearing next to the river.

“If I had known that was all it took for you to hit rock bottom and ask for help. I would have called her a year ago!” Ralph said, making Enzo and me chuckle.

“So, do you know who your mate is?” I asked Ralph, and he shrugged his shoulders.

“Since I am not interested in one, I am not actively seeking her.” He shrugged his shoulders again, and Enzo snorted,

“He will be the first to fall head over heels to the woman. I hope she plays hard to get… you need a lesson…” Enzo chuckled, and Ralph pouted,

“Hey, I have tried to the best of my abilities to be faithful…” Ralph protested, and Enzo laughed,

“I didn't know you were that weak…” Enzo stuck his tongue out, and Ralph blushed. Good Goddess, he has been banging random girls all over…

“What about you, Enz?” I asked, and he froze…

“I don't know… I need to recover before thinking about adding another person's emotions into the equation…” he said, which was the first sane thing I had heard from him in years.

“And you? Is someone in your heart? Someone we should know of?” Enzo elbowed my sides playfully, and I bit my lower lip.

“I knew it!” He said triumphantly, and I sighed,

“It is not what you think, Enz…” I sighed, and he chuckled,

“Then enlighten us…” He said, and I blushed.

“Well, I am not as daring as you guys…” I paused. But the first time we hit a bar, I kissed a stranger…” I said, and they gasped. And every time I kiss someone, I see him…” I tightened my lips together.

“Damn Storm… I am surprised!” Enzo chuckled, “I never thought my pure, smart, and amazing cousin had this whore vein within her…” He finished, and I slapped his head.

“Don't call me a whore…” I pouted, and he chuckled,

“I didn't call you a whore. I just said you had a whorish vein in you….” he said as if that explained whatever the fuck he wanted to say.

“Whatever… He was the reason Trevor and I didn't work…” I sighed, and Ralph nodded.

“He told me that you never committed to the relationship… That you were within reach but far away…” Ralph sighed, and I nodded.

“What if my mate is a mean man? What if he wants to keep me away from you guys? Or what if I find my mystery man, and my mate kills him?” I yelled, and they chuckled.

“I am sure your mystery man will be forgotten when you meet your mate, Hun…” Enzo said, and I bit my lower lip. Somehow I had been used to dealing with him and his incoherences… but hearing him now, without the influence of the shit he pushes into his system, was refreshing, and I had to admit that I missed him.

“What will happen to us?” I sighed after a long pause.

Enzo straightened his back and placed his hand in our three-person circle…

“I swear I will always be there for you guys… You have never given up on me, and I will do the same…” Enzo said, and Ralph placed his hand on his.

“I swear, I will always protect you… and you will always have my support for anything you need.” Ralph said, and I bit my lower lip,

“And I swear, I will always love you until the day I die. I swear to you, pure honesty, and always open arms, ears, and heart so you can dump all your burdens on me…” I said, and we laced our hands together.

“No matter what, we will always have each other… even if we are taken apart…” Enzo said, and I nodded. Tears welled in my eyes because I knew that shortly, we would be separated for good.