02. Coming Back To Him

ALERIX

(Five Years Later)

If anyone had told me that I would be coming back to this place, this pack, I would tell the person that he or she was lying because I never saw myself returning here. This place carried so many memories I wanted to relieve and what again, the man who hurt me the most was here, alive and breathing.

I let out a deep exhale, staring out of the window at the pack gate. Ever since Alec became the Alpha everything seemed to have changed. He had remodeled the pack and even built an orphanage in the pack name. I was so happy when he told me. It was great to do something like that, especially when I could relate.

A sad expression etched on my face as Micheal cleared his throat, drawing my attention to him. “We are here.” He told me like I didn't know. Like I was not the Alpha’s sister.

I tried to pull my lips in a sweet smile but I failed. He pursed his lips, pulling my hands into his. “I understand. You will do just fine. Trust me And besides, I am here with you.” He assured me.

I finally smiled up at him. Micheal was the best friend I never knew I could have. After we met at the cafeteria where I was hung up on a particular man, I didn't know we would click again. Then he expressed his feelings to me but after he saw what I had gone through, he backed away. That was the reason I liked him.

I let out a deep exhale, biting my power lip. You will be fine. I muttered under my breath. We clicked the seat belt off and we both stepped out. I inhaled the air and tucked my hair behind my ears as it breezed past me.

Micheal came to stand beside me, offering me his arm. I took it and followed him in. On our way to the entrance, Michael told me jokes to ease my tensed muscles. I chuckled and responded and didn't even know we had reached the entrance. Micheal looked down at me to knock. I blinked, pulling my lower lip in and knocking on it.

The door was pulled open by Elristeya whose eyes widened for some seconds. She shrieked and pulled me into a hug, her small bump creating space between us.

“Alerix,” She cried as the hug tightened. Elristeya and I didn't have that much of a close relationship and to add, I had been envious of her love relationship with my brother, Alec.

“Elris, I told you to be careful because of the child. And besides, who is it that—” The next words died in Alec’s throat as his eyes drew to me. His gaze froze in place as he blinked once to check if he was still seeing right.

“Alerix?” He called my name in a question as if he wanted to confirm that I was standing before him. He was obviously shocked. He should be. After he had been trying to persuade me to return home and the way I had adamantly refused to come back, I knew it would catch him off guard when he saw me now.

“Alerix.” He grinned as he moved into two long strides, pulling me into a tight hug. I pulled him in, holding him tight. I missed my brother too. I missed his protective side too.

“Alerix.” He called again, tightening his hold. I began to choke.

“You might actually choke her to death if you continue holding her like that,” Micheal told him, falling into my side as Alec pulled back, his eyes cast on Micheal who offered him a tight-lipped smile.

His eyes narrowed on him. I had only told them about having a best friend who was helping me. They didn't know his name or his gender.

“Who is he?” Alec asked, directing a pointed and knowing look at me. I gulped hard, hating the fact that I was back here and the truth still remained the same.

I was rejected by my mate.

“Oh, this is Micheal, my best friend and the one who had been helping me. I told you about... Him.” I grimaced at the last part.

“You did?” He asked, tilting his head to the side as he assessed me.

I didn't know if the mind link was still working. I tried it anyway.

‘It is not what you are thinking. Micheal is just my best friend so stop glaring at him like that and make him feel at home.’

I lifted my gaze to meet my brother’s. He let out an exhale before ushering us in. I held Micheal’s hand as we went further into the living room. Taking our seats, the maids came to serve us chilled water in cups. I reached for it and gulped it. I needed the chillness since I would be facing someone I did not want to in some minute's time.

“So how was your journey? When did you arrive?” Alec asked, taking a seat with Elristeya rubbing her bump.

“Last night. I see you are planning for baby number…” I trailed off.

“Number one,” Alec added, staring down at her bump with so much love. I understood the reason they waited for so long. After the way, my father had been strict with Alec, he had found it hard to want kids, afraid that he might be the same as my father which I also feared for him. I guessed he had healed. Good for him.

“What is your name again? Mikel?”

“Micheal,” Mike answered. Alec nodded, watching him with scrutiny.

“Stop it.” I reprimanded him and he glanced at me before scoffing.

Just as Elristeya opened her mouth to speak, the wave of someone’s presence rippled through the air. The hairs on my body stood at attention and I sat up straight. I knew it was him before he appeared in my vision.

“Alec, I have done what you said and I would like to —” He stopped talking when he noticed me. Our eyes clashed and the past flashed across my vision. From the moment he kept rejecting me to the last time I saw him.

Joseph Larsen was standing before me, looking shocked as ever.