After reaching the safe territory I release Finn, who doesn't waste any time and runs toward the forest in the opposite direction. Watching him enter there safely I also shift back. After a minute Willa catches up with me and shifts back. Looking at each other we both hug in relief.
“That was close” Willa sighs and lays down on the soft green grass at the open ground behind the Royal Villa. This is the only place any rogue would think twice before coming so this should be safe.
“Very close, I could even smell their evilness.” I exaggerate and Willa laughs.“Seriously Cyn! I love the thrill and all but we got to be careful, especially with your beast.” Willa with a deep frown on her face, warns me and I agree with her. People now know I can shift but not everyone has seen me. The reason I am finally an outcast because everyone has their own theory about my beast. Some believe I hide because it’s hideous and some think I am lying. Thankfully my parents and Aaron have helped me hide my beast but I am not sure how long that would last.“I know, I just sometimes wish things were not that hard.” My voice breaks as I join Willa down on the grass and look up at the clear blue sky to control my tears. I don’t even know what I have is whether a blessing or not?“Things will get better Cyn, I just know it.” Willa proclaims before getting on her elbows and chucking my chin to make me laugh. We were still busy teasing each other when Cole came.“Ladies!” my best friend greets and joins us down on the ground. His tall frame covers my left side and Willa lays down again on my right side.“What is a Royalty doing with us mere peasants?” Cole smirks as Willa scowls at him. Oh! Did I mention that Willa has blue eyes? Yup! She is an immortal and I met her because of my Mom.As Mom started her new job at the Royal Villa, she had to attend all the royal events, and one day I had joined her. It was a tea-party kind of thing which was organized in the honor of Queen dowager of Glass horn Island with only women present. Our Queen dowager is a scary lady but Mom was scarier when she told me I will be joining her hence I ended up there all sad and solemn but thankfully that party gave me Willa and since then we have been meeting at odd places on the island.“Shut up Cole-Pole!” Willa counters back.“You told her that name.” Cole narrows his green eyes at me in accusation and leans near me in accusation.“Calm down you both! Willa, ignore him, he’s just kidding and Cole seriously, your height is a blessing and every girl dying for you at our school should be enough clue so just get over it and own it.” I proclaim while placing both of my hands at each of their shoulders in an attempt to group hug but instead of leaning at me, they start tickling me, making me curl like a ball to avoid their fingers.I laugh as they keep coming at me while I beg them to stop.“Stop!” I laugh at them only to see Cole tickling me, Willa has sat aside but she is still smiling at us.“You were saying something.” Cole teases and I hold his hand.
“Fine, just stop. how did you even know we were here!” I laugh and before he could reply, this time I feel him, my mate.
My eyes find his presence as he marches toward us. His shoulders are rigid and his face, little tense. His eyes are currently focused on my hands, my hands which are holding Cole’s wrists.After he is upon us, Willa gasps and stands straight in attention while Cole and I are still on the ground, frozen in our previous position.“Cynthia, Willa, and Mr. Murray.” He greets us with his eyes still on my hands. I finally unfreeze and release Cole’s hand from my grip.“King Aaron” Cole and I greet back and nod at him.“I wasn’t aware this place has become a playground for kids,” Aaron asks looking at Cole who looks confused standing there.“And Willa, is your Mom aware you are here?” Aaron frowns at Willa who is not even meeting his eyes.“And Cynthia-“We understand King Aaron, we will leave and won’t come back,” I say before he could interrogate me like Willa and Cole. Since that night Aaron and I no longer have that easy relationship. We don’t even talk much. I don’t know what will happen when he realizes that I am his mate but for now, things are not good.Aaron looks put out but nods. “Woods are not safe and I would appreciate it if you kids don’t wander alone like this.”“We are not kids! But we get it, we are leaving.” I counter back and start walking toward the main street. Cole joins me and Willa just waves me off as she lives in the Royal Villa, she will just follow Aaron back but before we could leave, Aaron calls us back.“You are not going alone, follow me to the villa. I will drop you guys.”“It’s fine King Aaron, I got my bike, I will drop Thia home,” Cole suggests as he knows I am a little uncomfortable with Aaron but he still doesn’t know the reason.“You will not do any such thing, Mr. Murray. I will be taking Cynthia home; you can go alone on that bike of yours.” Aaron orders and motions for me to follow him.At his no-nonsense voice, Cole shrugs at me and hugs me bye. I shake my head at Aaron’s back and make faces to make Willa smile who is still not meeting my eyes as Willa and I both follow him back.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 b
After reaching the hunting ground early, Riley and I look for Mom who was knee-deep in the preparations. Mom’s job doesn’t have a particular description but you could say she is the Queen Dowager’s Manager’s assistant. The job might have been not that special but it suited Mom. No matter what Dad thinks, I believe it was the right step for her as well for us as a family. she seems happy after getting this job and I am happy for her.“Riley, your friends are here. You can go with them and I will join you after finishing this.” I say to Riley who is checking the to-do list. I know she won't say it but her frequent glances at the watch is an clear indication of her excitement. I might be an outcast but my sister is a total rockstar and i love seeing her happy and vibrant.“You sure?” she asks with a gu
Chapter-11CynthiaAge-16I was running toward the backside of the event ground. I could still hear the crowd cheering and oohing over the contenders. They were all really excited but no one probably saw that Cole wasn’t there. That stupid guy disappeared from the screen before they even crossed the first level. I was running as Riley followed me. I didn’t want her here but she just won’t listen.“Go back, Riley. I am warning you!! My head is already fucked up because of that stupid dumb guy. I don’t want to worry about you too.”“But I could help you. I am not le
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 royal
Chapter-13Age-16 Cynthia. “Are you feeling better now?” I asked Cole who was sitting on a single ply bed with a plain blue bedsheet dropped on it. Apparently, the royal Healer is a hippy by nature and believes in colors for healing instead of plain white usual of hospitals. Honestly, I agree with her. Pastel colors can be calming and can relax your mind enough to let your body heal itself.“I am, but what are you doing here?” Cole frowned at me and winced when he shifted to sit more comfortably. His hand is in a cast now and his forehead has a little scrap, other than that my friend is all good. Being a shifter his body can handle much more than an average chap. “What do you mean by that? I am here for you. You are my best friend after all.” I flicked his nose teasingly. Yes, I was avoiding his question but what can I even tell him. He doesn’t know about Aaron being my mate and I don’t think now I even want to te
Chapter 14Cynthia AGE-16“I know you are my mate, Princess.” He reveals and sighs.I had imagined thousands of scenarios in my head. Scenarios of hearing the same words but in none of them, I was this numb. I mean this was what I wanted right? Then why do I feel dread, like I am waiting for another shoe to drop? Still focusing on the words I respond in the best way possible.“You know? How? I mean when, how? That’s amazing! Do you have any idea how long I have been waiting for you to find out.” my words are a mess just like my emotions. I can’t believe he knows. My mate finally recognized me. he feels our bond and just like that I could feel my bond healing itself under the care of knowledge that our mate has recognized us. He frowns but nods and starts explaining to me what really happened today. “ I knew you were something to me from the moment you were born Cynthia but the way we are, the situation, your
Chapter-15Cynthia Age 18“We are leaving for the movie, are you joining us Thia?” My Mom asked while combing her hair. She has a very chic blue and yellow dress on her and her skin is still as flawless as ever. Sometimes I have doubts about her mortality status. How come she still looks so young? sometimes I wonder if I will age just like her? Would probably help Aaron to look at me otherwise, he will always look in his twenties while I will be a grandma already. I even imagine him calling me his mate as I cough with a bend back and he is still standing all tall in his forever glory. The thoughts make me wince but I shoo them away. Now’s not the time.“Thia? I am asking you something.” Mom repeated as she pressed her dress to remove the newly made creases. Little John is running outside in the garden, chasing squirrels and Riley is out with her friends. Mom is going to the movies with her colleagues from the palace. She is taking J
Chapter-16Cynthia Age-18“I will have a tea with one cube of sugar and two slices of chocolate cake.” “I want two slices of Pizza but make the crust thin but not too thin. Keep the tomato sauce on the medium and lots of cheese, no mushrooms or olives.”“Just two coffee and whatever snacks you want to recommend us.”“Excuse me! I asked for a coconut sherbet, this is not sherbet, this is an insult on my tongue.”“Excuse me! I need to see the manager here”“Yes! Baby, I want a coke and if you want some too then can I have your number?”“Hey! Where’s my ketchup? that’s rude.” That’s the sum up of my interactions with the different types of customers we regularly see or handle. The café had no tips rule so there are not even any rewards at the end of the day. Like I said the most cheapest café, a customer’s favorit