“I’m afraid I’m right, Hannah. You are not their daughter. I don’t know why they claimed Alice was the adopted one, but the truth is, you are the one who was adopted,” Alex says solemnly after I finish recounting my dream.
I can’t find the words to respond, my throat constricting as the truth sinks in. He’s right. It wasn’t just a dream, but a suppressed childhood memory that has suddenly resurfaced with startling clarity. I run shaky hands through my disheveled hair, exhaling a ragged sigh as turmoil swirls within me.
Alex moves closer, kneeling before me and taking my trembling hands in his. His thumbs trace soothing circles over my knuckles as he tries to calm the storm raging inside me. “You know, it also explains a lot of things now. Why they were so hell-bent on you being my wife and not Alice, even though she’s their real daughter.” His eyes are full of empathy and concern.
The realization hits me like a lightning bolt. “The powers I could possess,” I murmur, the puzzle pieces finally clicking into place. Of course, that must be why they were so fixated on controlling my future.
“Yes,” Alex affirms gently, “but those powers were blocked by something, which could also explain why they treated you so cruelly. Because if you could truly use your abilities, I don’t think they would have mistreated you the way they did.”
I squeeze my eyes shut, feeling the weight of this revelation crush me. “Hmm… this explains a lot, but it’s also so much to bear,” I admit, my voice thick with anguish. To know that the only reason I mattered to my adopted parents was because of some latent power they hoped to exploit… it’s almost too much.
“I know, my love,” Alex soothes, rising and enveloping me in his strong embrace. “And I’m here for you, always.”
“We are, too.” The familiar voices reach us from the doorway, and I lift my gaze to see Mila and Bea standing there, concern etched on their faces.
“After we spoke yesterday, I asked them to come over this morning,” Alex explains, taking a step back. “I felt you might need more than just me in this moment.”
“Thank you,” I whisper, a grateful smile tugging at my lips despite the storm within. He simply nods in response.
Without a word, Mila and Bea approach me, wrapping their arms around me in a comforting embrace. The dam breaks, and I let the tears flow freely, sobs wracking my body as the truth sinks in. I know this discovery explains everything – the way I was treated, the plans they had for my future – but it also hurts so deeply to realize that the only reason I even mattered to my parents, or rather my adopted parents, was because of some power they believed I possessed. I don’t know the full story but don’t need to. One guess is enough to understand that the sole reason they accepted me into their lives was for their own selfish motives. That realization pierces my heart. And the fact that my birth mother left me with such people for reasons unknown hurts just as much. Why did she think it better to abandon me to them? I cry until I’m utterly spent, but Mila and Bea never leave my side.
When the sobs finally subside to sniffles, Bea speaks up gently. “Why don’t we go out for some ice cream? Get some fresh air?”
The suggestion is a welcome reprieve. “Sounds like a wonderful idea,” I agree, my voice hoarse but grateful for the chance to escape this emotional turmoil, even briefly.
After showering and changing into a flowy sundress, we head to the nearest ice cream parlor. I savor each cool, minty bite, letting the familiar flavor soothe my battered soul. But the momentary peace is shattered when someone enters the shop, and I can’t help but notice the way his gaze immediately lands on Mila and me.
“Mila, why is Cameron walking towards our table?” I ask, confused.
“Ugh, when will he give up?” she exclaims, rolling her eyes in exasperation. I raise an inquisitive brow, silently prompting her for an explanation, but before she can respond, Cameron interjects.
“Mila, can I see you for a minute?” he asks, his voice tinged with a pleading undertone.
“No,” she rebuffs him curtly, refusing to even spare him a glance. I study Cameron’s expression, noting the remorse and longing etched into his features. Something significant must have transpired between them.
“I really need to speak with you, Mila,” he persists, his tone growing more urgent.
I get the sense they might need some privacy to sort through their issues. I turn to Bea and give her a meaningful look. Her eyes meet mine, and she understands immediately, giving a subtle nod of acknowledgment.
“Bea, I need to go to the bathroom. Could you come with me?” I start to rise, but Mila’s stern voice stops me in my tracks.
“Sit your ass back down. You don’t need to go to the bathroom.” She’s caught on to our ploy. Chagrined, I sink back into my seat, biting my lip.
She turns her gaze towards Cameron, her expression hardening. “I have nothing to say to Cameron, so leave.”
Cameron parts his lips, seemingly intent on arguing his case, but I shake my head subtly, silently advising him against it. Whatever transpired between them, now is clearly not the right time to press the issue.
With a resigned sigh, he concedes, “I’ll leave, but please unblock me at least.”
“I’ll leave, but please unblock me, at least,” he concedes, his voice laced with a hint of desperation.
“I’ll think about it,” Mila responds coolly, her tone leaving little room for negotiation.
Cameron nods, accepting her terms for the moment. “Bye, see you back at the pack house,” he says before turning and walking away, his shoulders slumped in defeat.
I pivot towards Mila, curiosity burning within me. “We’re listening,” I say, prompting her for an explanation. I’m eager for the distraction this perplexing situation between them could provide from the unexpected things happening in my life.
She takes a deep breath. “He’s… my mate.”
My jaw drops, and I can’t help but exclaim, “He’s your what?” I exclaim, my voice carrying loudly enough to draw concerned looks from nearby patrons. I quickly offer an apologetic glance before refocusing on Mila. “How? When? Explain,” I demand, the questions tumbling out in rapid succession.
“The night Alex freed himself from Alice’s spell, he also freed Cameron the next day, and Cameron rejected Alice that same day.”
“And you ended up being his second chance mate,” Bea finishes for her, prompting a solemn nod from Mila.
“Oh, goddess! I can’t believe it,” I exclaim, my mind reeling from the implications of this revelation. The fact that Cameron rejected Alice is astonishing enough, but the added twist of Mila becoming his mate is almost too much to process.
“I know,” Mila agrees bitterly. “The moon goddess couldn’t be crueler.”
I study her carefully. “Cruel? Don’t you still love Cameron?” She may have never voiced it, but her lingering feelings for him were palpable when she returned.
Mila shakes her head. “I won’t go as far as saying love, but yes, I still have feelings for him. But it doesn’t change the fact that he hurt me.” The pain in her eyes is unmistakable.
“But he was under Alice’s spell,” I remind her gently. Surely, that has to account for something.
“I’m talking about way before that,” she counters, mouth set in a grim line.
I nod in understanding, acknowledging the validity of her concerns. “You’re right, he did hurt you before that, but he must have apologized, right?”
A weary sigh escapes Mila’s lips. “Of course, he assured me,” she says, a hint of resignation in her voice. “But I still have my worries. I can’t be with someone whose ex is Alice. I’ve caught just a glimpse of the chaos that causes, and I don’t want a front-row seat to witness more.”
The memories of Alice’s torment send a shudder through me. “I can understand,” I concede. “But Alice isn’t obsessed with Cameron, so I think you have nothing to worry about on that front.”
Mila’s expression darkens. “She wasn’t, but who’s to say she isn’t on some stupid quest to get both of them back now? I doubt she’s taking losing both men well.”
Her words chill me to the bone because I know she’s right. Alice’s vindictiveness knows no bounds. “True,” I acknowledge carefully. “But I still feel it shouldn’t be a reason for you to choose not to be with Cameron. If you can forgive him for what he did, then be with him. Choosing not to is letting her win, in my opinion.”
Mila considers this for a long moment before nodding slowly. “You’re right. I’ll think about it.”
“Good,” I say with a small smile, though my mind is already spinning with worry about how Alice will react to these seismic shifts. I know without a doubt she won’t take it well, and I can only hope I’ll be ready for the fallout.
We finish our ice cream and make our way back to the apartment. As we step inside, I’m greeted by the sight of two strangers seated on the couch in the living room. The man catches my eye first, his dirty blond hair and grey eyes striking a chord of familiarity I can’t quite place. His gaze lights up the moment he sees me, and my brow furrows in confusion. Why is he looking at me like he knows me?
But then the woman calls out a single word that shatters my world anew. “Aura.”
I turn towards the sound of her voice, and my heart slams against my ribcage as I take in her appearance. It’s her – the same woman from my dream, from my memory of that fateful night so long ago. Her face is identical to mine, her doe-brown eyes piercing straight through to my soul.
Suddenly, it’s hard to breathe. My chest constricts as panic claws at my throat. The room starts to spin violently around me as panicked voices call out my name. But their words are drowned out by the roaring in my ears as the world tilts precariously.
Then everything goes black, and I succumb to the swirling vortex of oblivion.