Chapter-6

“What did you say honey?” Mom asked, still distracted with her favourite show,‘Miss Glasshorn of the year’.

“I need to talk about something, with you and Dad.” I murmured looking down at my feet. Riley was busy scrolling through her phone but at my low voice, she looked up and raised her left brow at me in question. Even Mom got the hang of the situation and muted the television. But before Mom could ask me anything, Dad entered the house with his apron still tied around his waist.

“I swear, this piece is taking ages to complete, that Jims is going to have my head if I am not on time.” Dad was still busy with untying his apron and cleaning his work shoes as he told us about his latest sculpture. Jims is his dealer and he is always very strict with his deadlines, although I don’t say it but I know it’s good for Dad because without Jims strictness he is always slacking off.

Finally noticing the tense silence, he looks toward us and frowns at me.“Thia? Why do you look so pale?”

“I need to tell you and Mom something.” I repeated.

Dad looked worriedly at Mom but Mom just nodded at him reassuringly and asked Riley to go upstairs.

“What is it Baby?” Mom asks me as she caresses my hair lovingly, making me close my eyes in shame.

“Yes, Sweety! You know you can always tell us anything right? We are here for you.” Dad assures me with his soft voice which he reserves only for us girls, Me, Mom and Riley. I feel like running right now. all this love, adoration and care will surely vanish as soon as I tell them how selfish I was being since all this time. But I know now, I am doing the right thing. My mate actually saved me from making even a bigger mistake. I could never imagine what would have happened if I had kept this secret hidden any longer. Aaron was right, I was being stupid but not anymore.

“Is this your school? Is anyone troubling you over your delay in shift? I am right? Aren’t I? I will punch those pimply assholes, just tell me the names Thia. Dad growls as he paces the floor.

“Seth! Calm down and don’t curse in front of the kids ever again.” Mom chides Dad while covering my ear. For a second, I forget my mistake and laugh at their bickering and Dad’s threat.

“See, that wasn’t tough, was it? I always want my girls to smile, so please baby tell us what’s wrong so we can fix it together.” Dad and Mom hug me as I realise it was their effort to comfort me.

Closing my eyes in defeat, I take their hands and make them sit on the large leather sofa set in our living room. Dad and Mom again do their silent talk while staring at each other.

“I lied to you guys.” I finally confess.

“What?” Dad asks as Mom frowns at me. This is it, say it Cynthia.

“I have been lying to you guys all this time because I was afraid and I really thought what I was doing was for the good.” I explain to my parents as they sit confused in front of me.

“What are you talking about Cynthia?” My Dad asks with a voice so serious that I couldn’t help but confess the whole truth.

“I- I can shift Dad, I could shift since I was 12, I didn’t-’’

“You could do what?” Dad bit out as he stood up with pale face and frown lines which I have never seen on his face before, not this big. Mom stood up with him and tried to pacify him but Dad was not having it, he dodged her comforting hand and put both his hands on his waist.

“I want you to repeat that honey, because I just heard you could shift.” Dad asked as tears start leaving my eyes. I have never seen him like that. He was always my sweet and calm Dad.

“Seth, calm down now! you are scaring her, let’s sit down.” Mom pleaded and rubbed his back.

“I didn’t tell you because my- my colour is not natural, it’s freakish white, I-I thought if I meet my mate or turn 18 it will turn to blonde like mom’s became dark brown after you guys mated. I didn’t think this through I know but I swear I had no idea you guys were this worried over my shifting.” I sob and look at my parents, who are looking at me with so much disappointment and anger that it breaks my heart in a million pieces. I pray to my moon-goddess for another chance, I wish I could go back in time and change this but nothing would happen. I did this and now I will pay.

Dad growls and stands up and does something I never thought he would do, never in a million years. Not the Seth Michaels I know, he shouts at Mom.

“This is all your fault Tessa, you have both of them so spoiled that they would even kill their parents for what they want. She has been hiding this all along while I was searching ways to protect her. This is what happens when you give this much freedom to fucking teenagers.” My Dad, the man who worships the path my mom walks on, shouts at his mate because of me, even insulted her, because of me. I am too stunned to even react but not Mom.

She stands up and rubs her nose as she looks at my Dad, she opens her mouth to counter back but then she just shakes her head. She looks at me and orders just two words.

“Upstairs. NOW!'' She hisses and I run my way upstairs to find Riley standing at the top, she opens her arms for me and I crash in them, due to height difference it's more like I am hugging her but right now, I will take anything.

We don’t tear apart until we hear Mom shouting back at Dad.

“What is wrong with you Seth, have you lost your mind? This is how you will deal with them, deal with us?”

“I don’t care for this manners and parenting bullshit right now, I want to fucking tear apart this house. She has been lying to us. Do you have any idea what I had planned for us?’’ Dad shouts back, breaking my heart.

“I don’t care even if you had planned a murder, this is us, your family, it was no big deal if you had to make some sacrifices for us.” Mom counter back.

“Do you hear yourself Tessa? Do you? Because I don’t think you do. I have been dying here trying to support you and your expensive tastes and you are telling me whatever I do and was about to do is no big deal?’’ Dad asks with clear hatred in his voice.

What have you done Cynthia, this is all because of you. Your family, the family you love so much is in so much pain just because you were insecure about your color. With shame in my eyes I look down at my sister who has fear on her face. I shake my head at myself and force comforting words out for my little sibling. “It's okay Riley, you know them, they are just bickering.”

Aaron .K. Langston 

Age- Immortal

Aaron.K.Langston, the king of the Glasshorn Island and the royal alpha of the Wolf’s valley was going back to his Royal Villa in his beast form. After finding out what little Cynthia has been upto, for some reason he has been feeling not at rest. His beast was also pacing hard, making him frown.

Aaron was not used to this feeling so it bothered him that much more. After living in deep forests of Dark-Howl for over a decade to train his mind and emotions according to his requirements, it is very rare Aaron and his beast lose their control. He was not acting like a bloody King when he bit Cynthia’s wolf. Nope! that was reckless of him.

He still remembers how his blood heated and heart raced when he first spotted that unusual wolf. He remembers feeling like he needed to be near that wolf to breathe again and then feeling disappointment  when he found out that wolf was none other than Seth’s little Cynthia.

Aaron knew he has been past the time he gets mated but for some reason whenever he thinks about mating with any other she-wolf, his wolf growls and encourages him to wait for his one true fated mate that Moon-Goddess has chosen for him. Like his wolf knows who his mate is but it’s only Aaron who is unaware. But whatever his beast says, now Aaron can’t wait anymore. His Mother Sylvia Langston, Queen dowager of Galsshorn island, has been on this subject for quite some time now and Maya’s frequent visits are also a clear indication that soon things will be out of his hands.

He tried to look for his mate, even travelled to other clan’s islands but when nothing came out of that , he stopped. Maybe his beast is just used to the life of a bachelor or whatever his hang up is, Aaron can’t hold it anymore, being a King Aaron has some responsibilities and that include portraying a conventional family life and for that he needs to have a queen by his side and two little pups in his lap. He scoffed at that thought. Only if he wasn’t bound by these responsibilities. He was near the High-Gates of the Villa when he shifted back. His muscles were all tighten up after that long run so to loosen them, he was stretching when his phone rang. Seeing it was Seth, Aaron groaned. Looks like little Cynthia has finally opened up. 

“Hey! Bud.” he said as he rolled his left shoulder to loseen up his muscles. 

“Aaron! Cy-Cynthia, we can’t find her.” his long time friend cried on the phone.

“What do you mean? I saw her this afternoon, didn't she come back?” Aaron questioned while feeling stupid for not making sure Cynthia has gone home or not. 

“She did but it’s a long story just come here and help us, she ran on us and it’s all my fault. I was angry and Tessa- it’s all my fault Aaron. I did this to my family.” Seth sobbed and pleaded.

“Calm down Michaels, i will bring her back.it’s my Island and there’s no place she can hide from me” Aaron said reassuringly and shifted back after disconnecting the call.