Chapter-4

Cynthia

Age-14

“Is everything ok babe?’’ Cole asked.

I glared at him and punched his back, “Shut up and don’t call me that!’’ Today he was in his casual black tee and dark denim jeans. His green eyes were sparkling with sun and deep brown hair were less shabby than usual. Whoa! What am I doing? Recognising my mate has surely made me aware of opposite sex but Cole? No way, I will not notice his looks.

 “Seriously Thia, you have been very quiet today.”  Cole said, worry etched on his face. Cole is my best friend and he definitely cares for me. Can I really tell him my secret and trust him to keep it to himself? Can I honestly pour my heart to him? He might even understand my pain and maybe he can help me too. But no, I can’t, not until Aaron knows, telling him first feels wrong.

“I- I just hate I can’t shift yet.” I lied and avoided his eyes in shame and felt a pang of guilt. No matter how I justify this, I am still lying to my friend.  Cole is my friend and honestly the only real friend.

In fact, I am pretty sure the only reason kids at school still talk to me is because I am his best friend and he is the coolest kid at our school right now and you can’t even fault it, his mother is our headmaster and his father has ties with royal family. Oh, the irony. I am the mate of the king yet no one even spares me a glance.

Putting his hand on my shoulder Cole comforted me, “You will shift, you will be the best god- ‘’ he changed his words at my glare, “I mean just the absolute best shifter, the entire Glass horn will ever see, believe me Babes, mark my words.” I was glad he respects my beliefs and care enough that he is careful around me. Call me whatever you want but I am a believer and I trust in Moon-Goddess with my whole being that’s why I hate it whenever someone disrespects God.

I laughed at his speech but hugged him in appreciation. “You are the best Cole-Pole.”

“Hey! Don’t call me that, I am not the tallest in the class anymore.”

“No but you are still the dumbest.’’ I screamed and ran as Cole chased me to the school. He caught me near the entrance, tickling me non-stop.

“Stop! STOP! I will pee myself.” I shrieked.

“Yes Cole! You should stop troubling a kiddo, kids tend to pee in their pants and we all know, Cynthia is still a kid.’’ Anna Drewson said as she assessed me in Cole’s arm. He had stopped tickling me by now but still had his arms around me.

“Nice, Bro, playing with kids huh?’’ Anna’s friend Vaugh Smiths teased.

“Shut your trap Smiths and you Anna, move on, will you?” Cole said, trying to defend me.

“Chill Cole! I didn’t mean anything by that.” Anna said trying to defuse the situation, Cole being popular and son of the headmaster really makes him a top-dog and if you want to survive in this school’s food chain, everyone knows you don’t upset the top-dog.  Vaughn didn’t bother with an apology and just left us standing there with Anna who also took the hint and finally left.

“It’s fine Cole!’’ I said breaking his hold on me.

“No! its not okay and you will tell me if anyone troubles you again, okay?” Cole asked but I don’t have any reply. How can I tell him every time someone troubles me but I knew being a beta wolf, he is protective by nature and that’s why I just nodded as we finally went to our classes for the day.

The day at school wasn’t really different than usual, I went and attended all the classes on time but no one smiled at me, every interaction I had was initiated by me. The people who used to be my supposed friends now made faces whenever I tried to talk to them more than a minute and teachers, Huh! I guess no matter the fact that we spend our majority of time as a human but really, we all are still just animals and those animals were seeing me as a weakling now. A hurdle for their kind.

I wanted to cry and shift every time those teachers ignored me even when I raise my hand. I wanted to bite those assholes with my sharp teeth whenever they laughed behind my back but I couldn’t do either of it. I was stuck but enough is enough. Even my beast is restless. I need to run and feel the air as my beast and I knew exactly where to go for that. Thankfully Mom will pick up Riley today and Cole still had baseball practice. I am on my own.

Finally! As soon I reached on the top of Moon-blessed Mountain, I shifted and ran on the side of the hidden hill of this proud mountain. I could feel the air and fresh scent of mother nature. Woohoo! I am free. I am finally out in the open.

Cynthia you genius! I completely accidentally stumbled upon this place- my beast growled at tha,t fine! My beast brought me here herself when we first met in this form that night. But even I could tell this place is well hidden in a way that no one else really comes here.

I was running too fast that I didn’t even notice another wolf watching me, smelling my scent. It was only after he bit me on my shoulder that I knew I have been caught. I was too scared and that’s why I don’t bother with anything and just aimlessly tried to throw him away. I didn’t even scent him as all of my senses went in panic mode.

I was bleeding, the feeling of pain could penetrate my panic and finally I knew I have to shift back, to face this asshole I have to shift.

As soon as I managed to free myself, I shifted before he could bite me again and turned back to see Aaron, my mate Aaron in his shifter form, a large werewolf with shining golden mane and piercing blue eyes. He was growling but when he saw me in my human form, he stilled and howled. 

I winced and started crying. What can I do to handle this? Before I could even think of something, Aaron also shifted back.

“Cynthia? that wolf- was that you?” he asked with anger dripping from his every word.

“I-I” I couldn’t reply. I just couldn’t believe this is actually happening to me.

“CYNTHIA! I am asking you something, was that YOU?” this time he growled and shook me by my elbow.

I gulped down my nerves and nodded while looked down at my feet, I couldn’t meet his eyes, what if he hates me now?

“what was that? You could shift?” Aaron asked still holding me by my elbow. His touch while angry was still gentle and I could feel my soul, even in this situation, cherishing it.

 “I-I can but pl-please you can’t tell an-anyone.” I pleaded as fresh tears traced my cheeks.

“What the hell? Cynthia, you could shift all this time and you didn’t even tell your parents? Do you have any idea how worried they were? Seth even made plans to run away with you guys in case you never shifted!”

Hearing those words finally broke me and I finally went on my knees to sob my heart out. “Please, you h-have to understand king Aaron.”

Aaron didn’t even try to comfort me and just growled.

“I never pegged you for a stupid girl Cynthia, I am disappointed in you” each word worked like a dagger in my heart. Had it been just a scolding from my king Alpha I would have taken it better but it was from my mate too. It was hurting like hell.

“Why would you do that? And you better give me a reasonable explanation Cynthia or I swear I am going straight to your father.”

I nodded at him and stood up. “Did you see my fur?” I asked him, hoping I really had a good explanation and it was not my stupidity all along.

Aaron frowned and started to nodded before he froze again.

“You were white, but how is that possible? You are not even an immortal.’”

“Exactly! I have no explanation and if I shifted like that in front of everyone, I would be even a bigger outcast than now. I know Mom and Dad would-would understand but I knew if they know they wouldn’t be able to hold it. And you must understand A-King Aaron, I can’t. you know the myth and rumours.”

Aaron didn’t speak and just glared at me.

“What happened to your scent?’’ Aaron growled.

“wh-what?’’ 

‘’Why are you smelling like a woman to me?’’

Because I am your mate, you stupid man. I wanted to shout but instead I replied. “I- I might be just changing, mom says all pups turn into full she-wolves near this age.’’

His eyes widened and then he growled shocking me and by the looks of it even himself. He rubbed his neck and just nodded.

“You must tell your parents no matter the reasoning, just let them know.” Aaron said and before I could even move, he shifted and went down the hill, leaving me completely lonely.