Chapter 78

• HAERA. He didn't come. Even as I waited, stalled for time, told my newly found family that I was going to bid goodbye to everyone when I knew no one in particular and when there was no one who cared to see me stay or go–he didn't come for me. Not like I expected him to anyway after the intense breakfast we had hours ago but there's always that thing string of hope that one holds on to when one shouldn't. I've held on to it for too long till it seemed like it was reaching the point of insanity for me. I wasn't the only one who was feeling the same way and maybe it's the reason why it weighed down on my entire being so much . Dezra had it worse and she wouldn't stop blaming me for running my mouth, being rude to him and failing to accept him. "He almost killed me!" I had yelled at some point when her voice only got more loud and disruptive in my head. It was killing me. "But he didn't. He let you go Haera, he's an Alpha, it's only normal that he feels provoked and disrespected." Dezra was shameless. That was what I concluded after hearing her blabber a thousand and one times in my head. That was another reason why I wanted to stay far away from him. My throat still burns when I think of how he has his hand clamped tightly around them the night before. But maybe I was being shameless and indecisive too. At breakfast, I was certain I wanted this –away from him, without giving two shits about the consequences of being away from one's mate. I was certain I didn't need him since I have handled myself pretty well without him. Not anymore. I was the one who pushed him away. I was the one who told him bluntly that I didn't want him. It was me who put it plainly that I wanted to go home and not be with him and I meant it. Every single word that came out of my mouth were words I swore to abide by no matter how hard it was. I needed the break, away from here, away from him and even away from everything. Why then do I want him to open the door I was in and barge in on me? Why does my heart ache each time the bell rings and the night draws near? Why do I want him to go crazy one more time and tell me not to leave? "Would you stay even if he does all that?" The question hung in the air, probably going into sync with the evening air and making it colder than it already was or perhaps it went out the window I was standing by, in search of answers to my questions in the chambers of the Alpha that lay beyond. I've been standing there for hours. With no lie to tell anymore and ultimately no excuse to give, I just had to wait for two things; either my mate shows up or my parent's entourage do, to tell me they're ready and it's time to go home. Either one...I wasn't sure what my answer would be. The moon fought with the clouds in an unending battle to escape their darkness but it never gets to leave their grasp before it gets pulled in again making the night dark just as my mood was dark. When a knock came on my door–soft and calculative, I knew it wasn't him and my heart sank in that instant. But slight relief spread through my body when I saw it wasn't my parent's entourage either. The presence of the person instantly warms the room and my heart as a bonus. "The moon is exceptionally dark tonight isn't it?" My mother's soft voice called her footsteps slowing as she walked towards me by the window. "The clouds are jerks." I said watching how the moon made a slight ray that got covered by the clouds again. "I think they're just doing their job as well, it might rain soon. It's only conflicting that they are in the wrong place at the right time. Life is like that too most times, you get confused as to why you keep trying and it doesn't work. Take a step back and rewind ,maybe you're in the wrong place." I said nothing, trying not to make it known that I understood she was talking about me. I felt her eyes on me the moment she turned away from the window to look at me. "Haera dear, I know you've been stalling for time. It's okay if you want to stay here with him...Do you?" She sounded sincere, I could feel it but I could feel her pain as well. A mother who lost out on every moment of her child's life. I knew what she wanted to hear wasn't a yes but she wouldn't push me either. I chose not to answer. "Will I be okay in the right place? Will I fit in?" I asked, turning to look at her. The beautiful Luna just smiled at me, her wrinkles spreading out and almost disappearing because of her wide smile. "As long as you're in the right place, you will be fine." The urge to hug her came from my desperation to let of all go and I did, I embraced her and relished in her warmth. "Common, your father is waiting." She said and led me outside with her. The night was darker outside and would have been worse if not for the fire torches. My father was standing by the carriage that would convey us back to the Moonstone pack with about ten others on horses as my father's entourage that will lead the way in front of us. "You finally got her to come out." He said cheekily when he saw me and brought his arms around my shoulders when I got closer to him, his scent just as relaxing as that of my mother's. "Are you sure it is safe to go home tonight? We can go tomorrow." I said, partly because of the dark night but mainly because of that attack on Alpha Zachary that is still etched somewhere in my brain. "Rest your worries my dear, we're going to be fine. Unless you want to stay here for another day?" My father raised a brow slightly as he said the words. I fought the urge to look towards the chambers of the Alpha, we were right outside it, the fire torches were on in there and it was already minutes past the normal time he eats dinner. He's probably in there, eating. He wouldn't come. He didn't come. With one final resolution within myself, I beamed a smile at my parents, the best I could muster. "No." We were on our way moments after. I sat in the middle of both parents in the carriage as the horses pushed it forward in an unbalanced motion. The journey back home was quiet–comfortable but quiet. There was nothing to say after all. My mind was a mess though as my thoughts of what would happen were endless. I didn't know what to expect, I was eager and nervous at the same time. My body must have given it away because both my parent's hands came to rest on mine on each side. They both squeezed reassuringly. I lost track of time and didn't know we had already left the forest path that led the moonstone pack and now in Werewolf civilization, not until I heard the loud chants of welcome and the beating of drums. I panicked at first, looking from my father to my mother but they merely smiled at me, that reassurance I've grown accustomed to, staining the normal color of their eyes as it twinkled. My father opened the little window of the carriage on his side and my eyes widened on their own accord. It was like a Festival of Lights. I was certain it had to be the entire pack that flocked out this way, so much that I could only make out the fire torches they carried in their hands and not them. Countless fire torches that seemed like huge fireflies came out to play in the fields. "See that? That's your welcome to the right place. The place where you belong and have always belonged." My mother said lovingly. The lights blurred because of the tears that formed in my eyes. All these people, out here to welcome me? "WELCOME THE TRUE BLOOD OF HER FATHER. WELCOME THE TRUE ALPHA PRINCESS.WELCOME PRINCESS HAERA." The cheers were loud. The drums were louder. The chants of welcome were the loudest and the ones that filled me with the most Joy. As we trudged along the pack to the palace, fire torches lined the way till we got to the entrance of the palace. The lights disappeared when we went in but the one they lit in my heart burned brighter than anything. My heart was warm and the cold night felt like nothing but a mere sting. The maids, guards and every other occupant of the palace were lined up in the palace as well, standing dutifully and waiting for our arrival. I was let out of the carriage gently like prin–oh...I really am a princess. Everyone paid their respects to me and my parents the moment we walked out of the carriage, bowing down until it felt awkward to stand there in front of them. I used to be like them. Those were the thoughts that clouded my mind. I guess being in the right place will take some getting used to. "Welcome home once again my dear child." My mother beamed and pulled me into her once again. "I think we've had enough hugs for today Elena, save some for tomorrow will you?" My father turned to one of the maids right after, with the way she was dressed, I assumed she was the new bead maid at the palace. "Have you prepared the room?" "Yes Alpha." The maid nodded and turned to me with a genuine smile on her face. "Come with me princess Haera, I will show you to your room." "Go on, you need to rest. You have a big day ahead of you tomorrow." My father said after planting a soft kiss on my forehead. I followed after the maid to the Alpha chambers where I suppose my room would be. Silly of me to think I would still be taken to the maid quarters. "Right this way, princess Haera." Princess Haera...that would probably need some getting used to as well. And of course, the genuinely nice head that was leading me towards my room would need some getting used to as well. I've grown so accustomed to being yelled at in the face that this new situation irked me. She finally made a stop in front of a room and then reached out to unlock the door. I stopped her before she could turn the knob. Her brows furrowed in confusion. "Is...did this room belong to...you know...her?" I thought I would have to say the name that seemed unwanted on everyone's tongue but the woman guessed right away and smiled, mouthing a soft no and I nodded. Without any more interruptions, she opened the door and ushered me in. The room was perfect. Not in the sense of having a king-sized bed, or a huge canopy covering the bed, or lines of gold at every corner or the luxury of furniture and the extravagance of colours. It was just perfect. The colours were cool and the bed looked so comfortable. It was perfect and it was me. "It's perfect." I had to say it. "The Alpha said you would like something simple and I'm glad you really do." I turned to her with a smile, she was obviously older but not as old as Gennora was. Her smile was gentle and her eyes were bright. "Thank you..." I trailed off so I could learn her name. "Evie. My name is Evie." I nodded. "Thank you Evie." Evie left moments later and I took slow steps into the room before finally stopping at the foot of the bed. I slumped on it, laying on my back. A sigh left my lips. The bed didn't only look comfortable. It felt comfortable. I closed my eyes after counting the lines in the ceiling for a few seconds. Ahh...it was indeed the right place.