Chapter-12

Cynthia

I was back at the ground where we were waiting for the winner. After Cole was taken to the clinic, Aaron told me to come back here to my family as Cole will be at the clinic. He also told me his family has been informed. He actually ordered me to come here and enjoy the event which was the right thing to do. I need to be here for mom. She basically organized the whole thing and I need to witness her glory.

As soon as the projector showed how Nash has managed to hunt a wild boar the whole ground went up in cheers and shouts. He was making his way back.

“I didn’t think Nash would win, to be honest. Did you think it was a set-up?’’ Eva asked when Daisy cheered up for Nash.

“Hey! That’s my friend you are talking shit about.” Daisy said defending Nash. I suspect she has a little crush on him or maybe-maybe just like me she knows he’s her mate. To be honest I hope not. For us mortals, immortal mates are just like a curse.

“I mean he’s family to the royals.” Eva continued winking at Riley.

“And please Daisy, he’s your brother’s friend, not yours,” Riley added with a smirk.

They continued to tease Daisy who was blushing mad. I love my sister but she can be quite annoying and right now Daisy was her poor target. Taking pitying on the poor girl I decided to chime in.

“If it was really fixed then Chase would have won the last match as well,” I said as the event started to reach its conclusion. Nash has joined Aaron on the make-shift stage.

“But we all know he’s a step-royal.” Riley shrugged. Hearing her words filled with an urge to defend Aaron and his family but I knew if I opened my mouth right now, I will become their next target.

“My friend Sammy was telling me how they even keep him locked to keep him out of their business,” Eva whispered while looking here and there to make sure no one hears her words.

Nope! I have to intervene. I can’t hear all this bullshit about my mate anymore but before I could defend him, I heard gasps all around me. Frowning at my sisters and her friends, I looked at the front.

Aaron was still standing on the stage but this time he didn’t have Nash with him, instead, it was his mother, Queen Dowager, and a woman. A hot one too. The woman nope she’s definitely a lady, all class and chic. Her model-like figure in that neon orange dress is a sight to behold. I was still in awe of her aura when I realized, I know her! That’s-’’

“Maya Hart” the girls beside me gasped in wonder.

Yup, the trendy bitch. The most entitled royal out of them all. She puts the S in the snob yet everyone here on the island adores her, looks upon her, and follows her every move. The word was around that she was going to marry into the royals but when Aaron told Dad that he will wait for his mate, I didn’t care for her but now seeing her there on the stage with my mate raises my heckles.

“Oh my god! Are they a couple now? is that it?” Riley hissed.

“They sure are! Otherwise, non-royals aren’t allowed on that stage.” Daisy added.

“OMG! They will be our dream couple. I just hope they thrown a ball.” Eva gushed.

“Naah, I don’t like her. She seems to mean.” Riley concluded. Yes! Go! Riles, I know my sister is an intelligent girl and she won’t fall for that fox’s charm. Hearing their talk puts me on edge though. Right now Queen Dowager was making her motivational speech but her quick glances at Aaron were making me nervous. She was up to something. As she concluded her speech, Queen Dowager extended her hand for Aaron and Maya. Aaron frowned but went to her.

“My pack! My people! Today has been a very good day for us not just as a pack but also as a family. On one hand, my nephew proved his blood’s worth by winning the hunt, and on another hand our king! My son will prove his duty to this pack, to this Kingdom by starting his own family. By giving us our next heir. Please welcome and accept Maya Hart as our family, my son Aaron’s fiancé, his queen to be.”

The whole ground went up in cheers. The chants, whistles, and claps were making me numb by the seconds as they passed. I didn’t even hear the rest of Queen Dowager’s speech. Aaron was still standing like a statue and Maya was smiling confidently by his side. By my mate’s side. My fated mate. A mate which has been chosen by Moon-Goddess for me. I knew wolves can have relations besides their mate but it was rare very rare. Who wants to go out when they can have their very soul mate at home, right? But a small voice in my mind whispered that Aaron’s father did. He cheated on Queen Dowager. But they are baseless rumors. He met chase’s mother before Queen dowager. But that small voice was making me question everything. Everyone was still cheering when a royal servant entered the stage with two ring boxes. Seeing the rings Maya giggled in glee and hugged Aaron’s left arm. At that sight, I knew! I was done. I stood up and ran out and when Riley tried to stop me, I sited loo as a reason and came out.

At the exit, I dropped my parents and Riley a text about how I have a headache and I need to go back home. My vision was still tinged with red and the sight of Maya’s hand on my mate was just fuelling the fire. I was about to leave the premises when suddenly Riley was there with me.

“You are not leaving!” her words were strong but still vulnerable making me frown.

“Riles! I have a headache and I need to go, please.” I knew I was taking the cowards' way out but I really needed to go. I can’t stop this engagement now but that doesn’t mean I am going to see my mate with someone else. I knew I have to talk to Aaron, again! He will probably laugh at me, again! but this time I will tell him that if he goes ahead with this engagement then I am not waiting for him, period.

“No, you don’t have a headache.” She insisted.

“Yes! I do Riley. Are you nuts? I am telling you I am in pain and you are arguing with me over this?” as I said, I love my sister but sometimes she can be a pain in my ass.

“Cynthia Michaels, I know you don’t have a headache and I want you to be honest with me now. I know something’s up and it has something to do with King Aaron, so cut this bullshit and be honest with me now or I am going to Mom.” She was panting after her little rant. My little sister, she really knows me the best. Seeing her concern made me tear up and finally releasing a sob I hugged her.

“Riley! I am so alone. What am I going to do now.” I sobbed on her shoulder as she hugged me back.

.-.-.-.-.-

After I cried my heart out on Riley’s shoulder, she took me toward the rides section. This side of the event was empty only some of the pups were running around now. Riley knew I love rides so this was probably her attempt to cheer me up.

“You need water?” my little sister asks in a small voice. Her eyes were big in concern for me.

I shook my head. I shouldn’t have cried like that but being able to pour my heart out in front of someone close to me felt heavenly. But I knew now, I have to come clean to Riley.

I took her hand and made her sit on the bench with me. “Riley, I am going to tell you everything but you have to promise me, you won’t tell anything to Mom and Dad. You literally have to swear on my life. Okay?”

She nodded and gulped her nerves down.

“Aaron! King Aaron is my mate.” I blurted them out. The words. The truth of my life, my fate. Still hearing them out chills me down my core. How come my reality is so strange. So unreal.

I turn toward her and flinch, my sister, my blood is laughing at me. Mocking my reality. I sigh and shake my head.

“WOW! That was a good one. Nice try sissy. You really take me for a dumb bat, don’t you?” she asks while catching her breath.

“Riley!” I sigh and look at her with my best “I am serious” look.

“Shit! You are serious? King Aaron, the King Aaron, our dad’s best friend is your mate?” she whispers in awe.

I nod at her. I know this is hard to digest but even I don’t know why this card has been dealt with me by fate. This is truly cruel. Aaron is immortal and I am, I am just a mere mortal. A girl with a deadline to her life. It’s equally cruel to Aaron too.

“This is insane. How? Are you serious? I mean are you sure? Like 100% sure?” Riley asks and hugs me with one hand, showing her support no matter what.

“It was on the day we jumped in the sea and he rescued us. The moment I touched him I knew. I probably had my guards down and mind blank so my guess is my beast caught his frequency and managed to recognized her mate on the spot. It was like a current ran through my system and all I could hear was mine! My beast went almost crazy but just like you even he didn’t believe me.”

“You already told him?” she asked with a frown.

“I tried, but then I was just 14 years old. Maybe he thought I was kidding just like you.” I replied with a shrug.

Riley raised her brows at me mischievously and teased, “And now you are just 16, not a big difference sister.”

I shook my head and groaned in frustration, “I know that’s why I was waiting for myself to turn 18 before I approach him again but I guess he didn’t wait for his mate.”

“Honestly Cynthia, he looked as shocked as us out there. My guess is even he was jumped out of nowhere with this news. We all know how the whole pact is obsessed with his life and have been waiting for him to get mated for ages. You know this too, maybe his mother is even forcing him.”

I nodded and hugged my sister in appreciation. Riley might be my younger sister but seriously sometimes she’s the only one who acts like a grown up in our family. “You are too smart for your age Riles but believe me he is a grown up and King on top of that. If he really wants to wait for his Mate then he will find a way.”

Riley wanted to argue but I hold her hand and she understood I was at the end of my rope. She simply nodded then and hugged me. For some reason, I felt my heart somewhat loosen its tightness, like it was letting me breathe finally now. talking with Riley really helped me. I have things from a new standpoint now. my soul was no longer shivering in longing and it felt amazing.