Chapter 6 Mixed Emotions- Book One

• The next morning after a restless night I took a lingering shower. I just couldn’t get that kiss out of my mind. I dried off and dressed then left the bathroom. Tomorrow was another school day, and I still have homework to do. So, I sat at the table in my room with my books and began to study. I must have been in there for hours when a knock sounded at the door. “Come in,” I said as the door was already opening.
• Kieran peeked around the corner. “Are you going to stay in here all day and not eat?”
• “What time is it?” I asked closing my books that I barely read.
• “Past one in the afternoon. We all were beginning to wonder where you were.”
• “All of you?”
• “Well, all except Galen, he took off before sunrise and had not returned.”
• “I’m sorry I concerned you all. I was doing my studies.” I stood up and followed Kieran out the door.
• “Mom has an excellent lunch warming for you.” I smiled at her and walked into the kitchen.
• “Afternoon, Rayana. You missed breakfast, so I made something special for you.” Luziann said as I came through the door. “It’s a known dish from our homeworld. I thought maybe for the first time you might like a taste of home.”
• I smiled as I looked at the dish. It was bizarre looking. I picked up a fork and took a small bite. I chewed very slowly unsure at first about the texture. As the taste hit my tongue, I was quite surprised. It was quite delicious.
• “Wow, what is this, it is so good?” I asked.
• “It’s your father’s favorite. It is called basseon. It has our home world’s plants, vegetables, spices and the meat of an animal called a caizon.”
• “An animal?” I asked looking at the exotic meat on my fork.
• “Yes, much like that of a cow on earth. Only to me tastier.” She smiled at me.
• I nodded, “Oh I see. It is quite good thank you for making this.”
• “It was my pleasure.” She smiled at me sweetly.
• I finished the meal, then washed off the plate and hugged Luziann before excusing myself. I decided to go for a walk to clear my head. That kiss was still haunting me, and I needed to clear my head. Outside I began to walk through the trees. It felt a little chilly today, so I had worn a jacket and pulled it closer to my body. I still could feel his lips on mine, and it made me weak in the knees thinking of it.
• I closed my eyes taking a deep breath when suddenly I was not where I once was. I looked around puzzled, and that is when I saw it, and it was staring at me. The most beautiful wolf I have ever seen.
• I was completely mesmerized by its beauty and his coat white as snow. It was his eyes that held my attention; they were a piercing gray, almost hypnotic.
• I felt as if he was looking into my soul. I just stood there. He was a little larger than the average wolf, but he is a wolf all the same. Why was I transported here, to this spot with a wolf? Suddenly, the wolf turned and ran away. For some instinctive reason, I reached my hand out as he ran off. I closed my eyes and realized I wanted to see my friend Sara. I was suddenly at the front door of her house.
• “Sara?” I cried as I rang the doorbell.
• “Rayna? What happened?” She asked after opening the door. I ran into my friend’s arms and cried. It was all too much, and I was at a breaking point. I didn’t care if my friend had no idea I was from another world. I would cross that issue when the time came. Right now, I needed someone familiar with my life.
• Sitting in her kitchen drinking a glass of iced tea, I was so tempted just to tell her everything. I knew I couldn’t. For one would she even believe me? I know we grew up together, and since that day my mother told me who I was, so much has changed. Instead of telling her I decided it was safe to ask about the rest of my friends.
• “How is everyone?” I began.
• Sara took a sip before answering me. “To be honest Rayna we all have been wondering where you’ve been. You know we always hung out on weekends. Now your mom seems to have vanished, and her friend has taken over the café. What has happened to you, Rayna? Even your horses are no longer at your home.”
• “You been to my house?” I asked concerned that she could have been in danger, “I’m sorry Sara, It’s just too complicated.”
• I know the dangerous people are still around, so I haven't been back to my house, only that time I accidentally teleported, so I try to be more careful, it's just too dangerous. Seeing the look on her face I know she was hurt that I haven't opened up to her.
• “Look, Sara, I want to tell you what all is happening, but to be honest, I don't know if you would even believe me.” I tried to explain to her.
• She looked at me like I was a stranger. I didn't like that feeling.
• “I thought you knew me better than that Rayna! You are my best friend, more like a sister. How could you think I wouldn't believe you? You have never lied to me before, have you?” She pleaded with me.
• I looked at her and nodded no. “I never have.” Oh, how I wanted to tell her. I really need to tell someone. So, I took a deep breath and began, “Sara, you must keep an open mind to what I am about to say to you, and please, please tell no one! Promise?”
• “Promise.” I looked her in the eye deciding how to begin.
• Then I sighed, “Okay, here it goes.” I took a sip of tea to wet my throat and began, “Sara I am not of this world.” I paused looking for a reaction and only saw her eyes widen a little, and I added, “My mother too. Also, the Weston's.”
• I waited for what I said to sink in, and she finally spoke, “Then where are you from? And how long have you been here? Rayna, you have been in my life just about my whole life! And you are just now telling me this?” She sounded so confused and rightfully so.
• “Sara, I hadn't known myself until recently. My father had been recently killed, I know, I know everyone including me thought my dad was already dead. But he was actually on my home world while my mother and I were here. After my dad was murdered, that is when my mom told me. And there is more; I am of royal blood.” I paused again waiting for things to sink in.
• I saw many emotions cross her face before she spoke, “Royal...like how a queen, princess? What is the name of this place you are from?”
• I took a deep breath and said, “I am Princess Rayana Lynnae Karver of Valaisha. And my life is in danger. That is why my mother brought me here to hide me and keep me safe, but they found us, and now they have my mom, and I have been in hiding with the Weston family.” There I said it, but does she believe me? That is the question.
• Sara jumped up out of her seat and hugged me. “I believe you. I do.” She pulled away from me and added, “I promise not to say a word. I don't want anything happening to you. Just please, no more secrets, okay?”
• I smiled. “Okay, no more secrets. I do have to say it feels great to tell someone finally. I am glad it was you.” I said smiling.
• An hour later I teleported myself back to the Weston's home before they noticed I was gone. Galen stopped me from going inside and grabbed my arm. “Where did you teleport from?” He asked me accusingly. He must have been out here waiting for me.
• “I, I, was at my friend Sara's house.” I tried not to think about those lips of his on mine. “How did you know I teleported?” I asked instead.
• “I saw you in that field. You were there, then disappeared.”
• I gaped at him, “You were there? Did you see that big white wolf?”
• He looked at me quizzically as he said, “What wolf? I only saw you standing there.”
• “But it was there...and it looked at me...” Then I realized something as I looked into Galen's eyes. The eyes of the wolf had the same piercing gray color as his.
• “Looked at you?” He said standing closer to me with eyes that melted my soul.
• “Yeah, liked he knew who I was,” I whispered, feeling caught in a spell. He just kept looking at me as he came closer and then just like last time his lips were on mine. My arms went around his neck drawing him closer yet to help deepen the kiss. It was so beautiful I never wanted it to end.
• He was the one to pull away again and said, “Stop teleporting around while there is danger out there!” Then he walked to his car and left. It was more of an order than a request. I just stood there staring as he drove away, my fingers touching my swollen lips that still tingled with the kiss.
• After dinner that I barely touched, I now lay in bed in deep thought. Why does Galen keep kissing me and why do I keep letting him? And what about the wolf that he claims he had not seen, and how is it I didn't see Galen there? Then the eyes of the wolf came into my mind so much like Galen's eye color. Then before my own eyes, Galen's and the wolf’s eyes morphed together.
• I sat straight up and said out loud... “Of course! That must be it they are one in the same. That has to be Galen's unique gift!” I spoke out loud. “I need to talk to Kieran, she will tell me.” I got up and walked to Kieran's bedroom and knocked on the door.
• She opened the door, “Rayna, come on in.” she ushered me into her room. “You been so quiet lately, are you okay, is something wrong?”
• “Yeah, there is, Kieran I need to know, earlier today I saw a large white wolf and believe me I never seen a wolf that white, or that big....” I paused a moment before adding, “Or with the same gray eyes such as Galen's.”
• I watched for her reaction. Her body language said it all. “So, you figured it out.”
• “Yeah, I did. Why wouldn't you tell me?” I asked sitting on the edge of her bed, and she came and sat next to me.
• “It wasn't my place to say anything, but since you guessed it, I cannot lie to you.”
• I still cannot stop feeling there is more that’s not being said. I can see it in Kieran's eyes. “Why do I feel there are things this family is not telling?” I finally asked hoping she could enlighten me.
• “I am sorry you feel this way, but please it will all come together for you soon. Just be patient.”
• Well it wasn’t much to enlighten me, but I just said, “Thank you for being honest with me. Do you have any idea when your dad will think I am ready to rescue my mother?”
• “That is all up to him, but remember we are here to protect you not put you in danger.”
• I know she is right, but my mother is in jeopardy, and I need to save her. She risked herself for me; now it is my turn.