Aunt Diana stares at both Lana and me from across the table with her penetrating light brown eyes. Her straight black hair cascading down her shoulders and back, her high cheekbones prominent, and her thin eyebrows sloped in a frown. The black long-sleeved top she has on clings to her abdomen as she rests her elbows on the table before interlocking her fingers to lean her head on it.
Being a beautician has its advantages. She's always looking pretty and confident with little to no flaws on her skin.
Lana and I look like a couple of teens about to get scolded as we fidgeted under my aunt's gaze. After recounting to her events that led me here, she has only been gazing at us with a blank stare on her face, making it hard for me to know what she's thinking. Of course, I had taken out some parts from the story, like the fact that Reagan is a Prince.
Her mate, Kale, is part of the warriors on patrol tonight, it seems, as he wasn't around when we've arrived. He must have been part of those werewolves who had chased us when we crossed the border. He would have come to welcome me if he had smelled it was me. That spray must be damn strong for it to still be on up till now.
"So let me get this straight." Aunt Diana finally says, wetting her lips and lowering her hands to clasp them together on the table.
"Another werewolf claims you're his mate, then he locks you up in his luxurious penthouse, which you pointed out was fantastic by the way, but allows you freedom to go to school. And then you ran away because you think you deserve a little bit of space. And you followed her because you're her dear friend and roommate." She darts her eyes to Lana, who flashes a smile at her. "Is there anything else I'm missing?"
"Nope." I shake my head, and she slowly nods.
"But you see, there are some loopholes in the story you just told me." She announces, and my eyes dart wide open to stare back up at her. "First of all, I know Brad wouldn't let another werewolf claim you just like that in front of him. He might be mated to another, but you both still share a connection. And aren't your parents aware of this? Couldn't they tell this werewolf to allow you the freedom you so desire? If they couldn't do that and Brad couldn't stop this werewolf also, it only means one thing. This werewolf is in a higher rank than they are. So tell me, Ellie, what is it you're hiding?"
I knew my aunt was very smart, but I never knew she was a genius. Well, I guess I should have seen this coming. There was no way she would have just believed me like that. My plan wasn't fool proof.
"I'm waiting. Is he an Alpha?"
Lana snorts beside me before muttering, "More like a Prince." I nudge her with my elbow, and only then does she realize her mistake.
I look up at aunt Diana to see her eyeing us in confusion, and I knew then that she heard Lana. She looks at me in question, and I knew I couldn't lie anymore. My cover was blown.
I sigh in defeat, "Okay, fine. He's the second Prince of our King."
"He's what?!" She shrieks, abruptly standing up and knocking the chair behind her over. Her eyes are wide open in astonishment, and her hands are palms-down on the table.
I cringe at her voice and lean back in guilt.
"He's a Lycan Prince?" I repeat slowly in a question this time, but her mouth hangs open as she stares between Lana and me.
She slightly composes herself as she looks down at us like guilty culprits.
"You ran away from a Prince?" She asks, still looking astounded at my words. I nod slightly, and that lets her begin to pace around the dining room while muttering something underneath her breath. She finally pauses after a while to come back and glower at us.
"You do realize that you're in big trouble as soon as he finds you, and he will. Every werewolf pack in California will be alerted of your disappearance. There'll be a manhunt for you, and if Alpha Jace comes to find out, he'll have no choice but to turn you in!"
She looks hysterical and not the same badass, confident aunt that I know. I stare stunned at her as she seems like a whole different person. Was she that afraid of Reagan?
I sigh as I stand up and walk up to her, "This is why I did not want to tell you who he is in the first place. And he's not going to quickly find out I'm here as you guys are very isolated. It would take him days before he figures it out, and by then, my mission would be accomplished already."
She tilts her head to stare at me, "And what exactly is your 'mission.'" She uses air quotes before crossing her arms over her chest.
I shrug, "Just to teach him a bit of a lesson to never treat me like a weak defenseless she-wolf, who must do his every bidding. And also, I need this time to breathe and think about all that's going on. Just for these few days."
She stares at me like I have a grown a second head before shaking her head and wraps her hands around both my arms.
"Ellie, you might not know this yet, but Kane and I could be in trouble for harboring you. We would be committing treason for helping to separate the Prince from his mate." Her voice is soft as she tries to reason with me. But she should have known me by now to know I'm different from the she-wolf that had arrived at her doorstep last year, rejected and broken. The new me doesn't give up easily and won't go down without a fight.
"Don't worry, aunt Diana. I would never let anything bad happen to you both. Trust me." I smile softly at her, but she only huffs in defeat before beginning to pace once more. I hear her muttering something about stubborn nieces and her bad luck.
"Does your mum even know you're here?" She asks once more, turning to me.
"No, she doesn't. Reagan is going to be checking on them first for me, and I wouldn't want to put them in that kind of situation." I know my parents. They wouldn't tell him my location even if he tortures them for it. So it's safe like this.
"So, you want space from your mate after spending a day and a half with him?" Aunt Diana mockingly tilts an eyebrow up at me.
"Well, technically, he's not my mate yet. My wolf is a bit confused about the whole thing...I think." She stares at me in confusion before walking up to me once more.
She places her hand on my shoulder before letting out a sigh as she leans down to my height.
"Honey, a she-wolf either rejects a male as being hers instantly, or she accepts him little by little. And I think we both know the phase your wolf is going through right now."
Lana and I made way to the guest bedroom to freshen up before coming back down for dinner. Aunt Diana was about to have hers when we had knocked at her front door, but luckily for us, there was enough for three. It was homemade lasagna with veggie-packed chopped salad.
Lana and aunt Diana instantly clicked because of their shared interest in fashion. Lana explains she dreams of becoming either a fashion designer or a model, and my aunt tells her how she works as a beautician in the pack's salon. They chatted on and on, almost forgetting about me, but I only smiled at them. That's the thing with Lana. Everyone likes her as she's lively, jovial, and good-humored. I sometimes wish I was like her as she always seems so confident and strong, unlike me, who keeps to herself and prefers to be alone.
I recall what she had said earlier about being Alpha Jace's mate. We hadn't said any words after that till we ended up at aunt Diana's front door. I was still in shock about her confession. Jace probably hadn't realized it because she had masked her scent also, and I wonder just what will happen when he eventually finds out. He would be furious she hadn't told him at first.
But I'm also worried about Lana. Red Moon Pack doesn't take the mate bond lightly. If Jace finds out Lana is his true mate, she'll be forced to leave Los Angeles and come live here with him. The mating ceremony will be completed in a matter of days, and Lana won't be able to complete her college education back in Los Angeles. She's right now still chatting away with aunt Diana, but I know her mind was elsewhere. She's only just trying to get her mind off the situation.
Then there's me. I had felt extremely exhausted when leaving Los Angeles, but it wasn't as bad as before now. I no longer feel that heart-wrenching pain that I had felt earlier, but I still feel this dull ache in my chest. I'm not weak anymore, but I'm not up to my full strength either. I still feel like a part of me is missing, an important one.
After dinner, Lana and I offered to clear up the table and do the dishes while aunt Diana goes on to watch her favorite show, 'Keeping Up With The Kardashians.' It was while we were still doing the dishes that I decide to question Lana.
"Why hadn't you let him know who you were back there?"
She goes rigid beside me for a few seconds before shrugging and going back to rinsing and drying the plates.
"I don't get it. You've wanted to know your mate since forever, so why hadn't you grasp the opportunity when it presented itself?" I ask once more.
She pauses to sigh, "I just froze up, okay, and didn't know what to do. I guess you can say I was still in shock." She shrugs nonchalantly, but I knew there was something more to it.
I frown at her, "No, that's not all. Why did you really keep shut? What are you hiding?"
She bites her lip, looking down before staring back up at me. I'm surprised at the emotions swirling in her eyes as they become teary.
"It's because I'm...I'm scared." Her voice sounds shaky, and I stop what I'm doing to fully face her. I want to touch her and comfort her, but my hands are soapy.
"Scared of what exactly, Lana?"
She pauses to look at the wall before replying, "Ever since I found out Brad had rejected you, I guess the idea of finding my mate hadn't been so appealing anymore. Brad was an Alpha, and he thought someone as intelligent, brave, innocent, and wonderful as you weren't good enough for him. Jace is an Alpha too, and I'm not even half as good as you. I...I don't think I can handle being rejected. The thought of it alone makes me want to crawl into my grave. I'm not as strong as you."
I'm left stunned at her words, blinking at her in shock. She thought I was better than her when I idolized her? Who would have thought badass Lana to be this insecure about herself? And to think Brad was the reason for her predicament. That son of a bitch is ruining other werewolves' lives because of his stupid decisions without knowing it.
I shake my head, "Lana, look at me." I softly order as she was still staring at the wall. She hesitantly stares at me as I smile reassuringly at her.
"You're wrong. You're better in your own unique way, and I actually adore you, Lana. I'm not as brave as you think I am. I mean, look at me. I came here in the disguise of wanting to teach Reagan a lesson, but the truth is I'm running away from my problems." I pause, "Any werewolf who rejects his/her mate, just because they don't meet up to their standards, is stupid, selfish, and not deserving of any love. So believe in yourself. Not everyone is like Brad."
She flashes me a soft smile, and I reciprocate it with one of mine.
"Look at you, Lana. You're simply gorgeous, and no male in his right mind can simply resist you."
She abruptly pulls me into a hug, catching me off guard as she holds me tight. She whispers a 'thank you' into my ear before I regain my senses and wrap my arms around her, careful not to get her top wet. For now, I'm safe and happy in this bubble of our own, but I know in a few days, I should be ready for what's to come from a furious Lycan Prince.