Chapter-9

After Leaving Willa at the Royal Villa, Aaron is taking us to my home in his old Jeep. No matter how high and rich his status is but he is very down to earth with his lifestyle choices. I have never seen him flaunting his status and money, which I admire. There is a reason he is so respected and admired as a King. according to my history classes, he is the youngest King Glasshorn has ever seen yet no one questions his authority. I am surely, very blessed to have him as my mate but i still don't know if we are right for each other. 

“How is school, Little Cynthia?” Aaron asks breaking the awkward silence between us. for a second I think about ignoring him altogether but then think otherwise and reply. 

“Stop calling me little,” I murmur and look outside the moving jeep.

“Cynthia, look at me.” He growls at me as we take a turn toward the dark forest's hidden path.

I sigh but oblige. As I turn and meet his deep blue eyes, my breath hitch for a minute. Though he doesn’t stare at me for long and look back on the road.

“Look, Cynthia, I know you are upset with me since that night. I know, I was harsh with you but at that time I thought that was the right approach. If it makes any difference, I regret it.” He admits and shifts the gear.

“It’s fine. I get it. You were looking out for your friend.” I murmur and close my eyes as his scent penetrates my senses and control. The woodsy manly scent mixed with wafts of leather is such a treat for my senses that I almost sigh with content.

“No! look, I know I was really rude that day but it was not for Seth. I care for you too and I thought you were ignoring the delicacy of the situation and later you will just regret it.” He admits and finally stops in front of my house. We then both face each other and waiting for my response Aaron starts at me with hope for understanding.

“Look I get it and I am not upset with you,” I reply tersely still uncomfortable with the fact that he still doesn’t recognize me as his mate.

Getting down from the Jeep, I smile a fake smile at him and move toward my home. And no matter how cheesy it sounds but I wait for him to stop me. To try to make amends with me by putting in more effort but he doesn’t call and all I hear is his Jeep leaving instead of his voice calling me like I was expecting. 

After I enter the house, I close my eyes in exhaustion.

“Hey, Sissy!” Riley calls from the dining table. She has one slice of pizza in her hand.

“Pizza? really Riles?” I groan and pick one from the box in front of her.

“Hey! Don’t eat it then. You keep complaining and eat it anyway.” She teases me while still buzy with scrolling through her phone.

“I just hope, you would wait for me to cook for us,” I say and take out a jar of orange juice. Pouring us both a glass each, I drink mine as Riley finishes her slice of pizza.

“How was mother nature out there?’’ Riley asks as she cleans the table.

“Same old, why don’t you join me next time?” my words were light but I was not. I know Riley doesn’t like Willa and probably feels a little jealous of her but bringing them both together has been a task. Riley hates that Willa hides our friendship from her mother. Though Willa has no problem with Riley but sensing Riley's dislike, even she stays on edge.

“No ways, I have no idea how you tolerate that high maintenance bitch but don’t expect me to do the same.” She scoffs.

“Hey! She’s my friend, no name-callings. You know better Riley!” I scold her and pin her with my no-nonsense stare.

“Fine! I didn’t mean that sorry.” Riley finally apologizes and comes at me for a guilty hug.

“Look, Cynthia, I admit. I miss our time but please let’s spend some time alone.” Riley pleads to me with her puppy eyes, making me laugh and hug her back.

“What about the Annual Hunt Race? Why don’t you come with me and my friends? That Willa won’t really go there with you anyway, right?” my sister suggests. Riley is right, Willa doesn’t do public with me and Our Annual Hunt Race is the most public event out there. Everyone from Royal Family will be there, in fact, almost the whole of Wolf’s Valley will be there. So, Willa will definitely avoid me which will hurt me but I understand her reasons.

Her mother is the biggest snob and looks down on the green eye mortals. So, seeing Willa with a green-eyed mortal that too an outcast will surely send her in a shock of her life. Even at the party when I met Willa her mother was not present otherwise, we would have not become friends in the first place.

“Okay,” I finally nod and smile at Riley.

The next day Riley and I wake up really early to get ready for the Hunt. She seems excited and I catch her excitement too as I pin my platinum blond hair in a fancy updo. It is a beautiful day as well with birds chirping and spring wind breezing.

“Are you ready Cynthia?” Dad asks from the door; he has little Johnny in his arms who is looking at me with a curious face and big green eyes. Always curious, our little pup.

“Daddy, I am sixteen, I can not only wake up on my own but get ready too,” I say as I take little John in my arms. He giggles making my heart smile. I love this kid, always smiling.

“Sweetheart for me you will always be that little girl who believes in magic and doesn’t sleep without her teddy,” Daddy says as he caresses mine and John’s head.

I groan at his reply but then ask “Where’s Mom?”

“She’s already at the ground. Your mother has some big responsibilities today. She couldn’t even sleep.” Hearing Dad sound guilty breaks my heart. He still feels guilty and thinks Mom is working because she doesn’t believe in him anymore. Mom and I have told him thousand times that it’s not because of him but he still doesn’t stop.

“I will try to help her too,” I reassure him and he smiles at me with relief.