You Rejected Me. Remember?

Astrea

The havoc seemed to have died down. However, I knew better than to believe that Calvin would lay low. He would definitely return. But now we knew more than we used to.

A sample of Arnold’s b***d sample was taken before his parents took him away, to learn more about the new poison Calvin had developed. The healers were working hard to cultivate a suitable antidote to it and over the weeks, they had made tremendous progress.

We were told that they were just a few steps away from formulating the perfect antidote to the poison. It was great news, because even if Calvin and his followers used it against us, we would be ready for it.

The security of the kingdom was strengthened. Nonetheless, our leaders seemed to keep an eye on everyone. Undoubtedly, there was a missing piece of the puzzle. A missing link that was linking us and the rogues. A mole among us. I was certain that I wasn’t one of them and although Xander was on duty on the night Natasha escaped, I was sure that he too was innocent.

There was no reason for him to betray his own parents. I couldn’t understand what he would get if he deceived his own people. At the same time, we all had to believe that a traitor was working close to us.

The days of the truce were serene. There wasn’t even a hint of the brewing storm. The people of the kingdom went back to their normal lives. Slowly, the tension among the commoners was relieved and the laughter among the young ones returned.

When I heard that uncle Cade’s family was going to pay us a visit, I was overjoyed. A lot of time had passed since I saw them. Especially his cheeky little one, Ace.

I threw myself into his arms as soon as he stepped out of the car.

“Whoa. Yeah I know I’m handsome. Calm down,” uncle Cade chuckled, taking me into his embrace.

“Hey, Astrea. It’s nice to see you! It has been such a long time,” his mate, Monica, flashed a broad smile at me.

“I missed you all so much,” I exclaimed, hugging her. Little Ace was staring at me with his wide eyes, beaming at me.

“Ace, oh,” I gasped as I crouched to his level and wrapped my arms around his little body. He giggled.

“I’m Ace Jones. Not Ace Oh. Have you forgotten my full name?”

His hilarious statement made me look at him, as my lips stretched into a broad smile. His parents snickered. Leo too chuckled.

“Well, no. I haven’t forgotten anything about you, little mister,” I ruffled his hair.

“I’m not little now. I’m growing up!” he protested.

Laughing, Leo ruffled his hair.

“Of course. You’re a big boy. We missed you,” he told him.

“It is nice to finally have you here, Cade and Monica. I believe this is your first visit to the lycan kingdom, right?” the Queen spoke, shaking their hands.

“Yes, your highness,” uncle Cade replied.

“I hope you find your stay enjoyable,” she gestured to one of the workers to carry their luggage to the room appointed for them.

“Please come inside,” the Queen and her husband motioned for us to follow them in. I knew that they were going to lead us towards the buffet that was prepared for uncle Cade’s family.

As we obeyed them, uncle Cade moved near Leo who was still holding Ace in his arms.

“Ace, did you know that Leo is now a part of our family?” he said.

My lips stretched into a bashful smile while Leo smirked. Monica squeezed my hand while she beamed at me.

Tilting his head, “family?” Ace asked, scrunching his nose.

Nodding his head, “yes. Leo is part of our family now,” my uncle told his son.

“Okay,” Ace replied.

I chuckled at his pure innocence, my heart swelling with joy. I was so glad that I got to see them after a long time.

The buffet was filled with joyous laughter. Despite the danger still lurking over us like a shadow, we managed to loosen up a bit and have a moment of enjoyment.

After the scrumptious meal, uncle’s family went to the room to rest for sometime. However, Ace wasn’t in the mood to rest. He wanted to go for a ride when he found out that Leo could drive.

“I’m not tired!” he insisted.

“Well, he slept in the car,” Monica shrugged her shoulders. “We weren’t so lucky,” she added chuckling.

“It’s okay. I can take him for a ride. We don’t have much to do today, anyway,” Leo assured them.

“Yeah,” I nodded. “A short ride will be fine.”

“A long ride!”

I pulled my lips together, widening my eyes when I realised my mistake.

“I want a loooooong….. ride,” Ace stretched his arms the furthest he could.

Sighing, “yes. A long ride,” I had to agree with him.

“I’ll get my purse,” grinning, I winked at Leo.

The ride was fun. I had forgotten how entertaining life was with Ace in it. Having him visit was the best thing I could have asked for to relieve some stress before chaos broke again.

We went to have some ice cream, not expecting to run into Danisha there.

“Hey,” she stretched her lips and glanced at Ace before shifting her gaze at us.

I smiled back at her since I didn’t want to be rude.

“Who is this little guy,” she sounded nice. I couldn’t decide if she was being really sweet or it was just a facade. Either way, I didn’t see why I shouldn’t be civil.

“This is my cousin,” I told her, offering a polite smile. Ace was on his best behaviour, watching silently as we conversed.

“He is cute,” her eyes darted towards my neck. Her lips parted and eyes twinkled with excitement.

“Hey, you are marked!”

Her excitement was a bit surprising to me. She never was my fan. She was more like my frenemy.

“Yeah,” I glanced at Leo. “We are.”

Her eyes lit up as her smile widened.

“That is so awesome. So you guys are now chosen mates!”

I looked at Leo who smirked at me

“No. We are mates, for real,” he proudly replied, making me smile.

She sighed, still looking pleased with what she learnt.

“I’m so happy for you. You guys are perfect for each other,” she said. “I have to go. I’ve been out for a long time. I think mom will be sending search parties to look for me now,” she laughed as she added while she moved to leave the ice cream parlour.

I watched her leave. It was nice to see her being friendly. It was more like a breath of fresh air. Being a real friend to Xander’s girlfriend would be nice rather than having her as a frenemy.

“That was nice,” I admitted as we took a seat at an empty table.

“Yeah. Maybe after Natasha revealed her true colours she is changing,” Leo shrugged it off. I nodded, but decided that it was time to change the topic. Ace seemed to be listening to every word we said and speaking about Natasha wasn’t convenient.

“So, which flavour of ice cream would you like?”

***

After a ‘long’ ride, we went back to the palace.

“Your mom and dad must be waiting for you in the room now. We should take you there,” I told him, as we entered the Palace.

Ace looked up at me and then at Leo. From the way he glanced at us, I knew he was doubtful about something.

“Are you thinking about something?” I asked.

“Uh…” he paused. “Leo is your mate?” He wrinkled his little forehead as he inquired.

Smiling, I nodded. He must have been thinking about it ever since running into Danisha.

“He is my mate,” I confirmed. My parents never shied away from explaining what mates meant to us and I was confident that I would be able to explain appropriately if Ace questioned me about soulmates.

“Mommy and Daddy are mates,” he stated.

“Yes,” I replied, glad that he seemed to understand. “and you are their little pup. You will be strong and kind like them.”

We walked towards the room his parents were staying in.

“When I grow up, will I find a mate too?” he questioned as we approached the room.

Smiling, I knelt in front of him and held him at arms’ length.

“Yes. You will find your other half. The one who would complete you,” I told him and kissed his forehead.

I noticed that he was looking funny.

“But…” he trailed off.

“But what?” I asked, knitting my eyebrows together.

“But I don’t want to,” he pouted.

Laughing, “why?” I asked.

“Because they always k**s and I don’t want to k**s another girl! Girls are gross and I don’t want to get cooties!” he stuck his tongue out and I had to hold back my urge to laugh out loud.

“But I want to wrestle,” he suddenly stated, confusing me.

“Wrestle?”

“Yeah! Mommy and daddy like to wrestle sometimes. I thought they were fighting, but daddy just pins her down and he will win!”

I took a few seconds to process what he might be talking about. Frowning, I tried to read his little face, but all I could see was innocence.

“Uh… Rea?” Leo sounded like he was trying to warn me but Ace continued with his narration.

“And sometimes they will hide under the blanket. Daddy will be shirtless and mommy won’t be wearing any pants. Maybe mommy and daddy like to play hide and seek too,” Ace narrated.

I sucked in a breath.

“Oh God! I did not need to know that!” Ash exclaimed in my head and I couldn’t agree with her more.

“Uh… yeah….Ace…. that’s enough,” I was stuttering, stunned and a little disturbed.

“Maybe we should knock?” Leo suggested, scratching the back of his neck.

Ace was already reaching to turn the knob, which I thankfully managed to stop before it was too late.

“Wait… we will knock,” I told him.

I could have sworn that I was blushing when my uncle opened the door and let him in. As we walked away from the room, I nudged Leo on the side.

“Kids are scary,” I commented.

He chuckled.

“Are you sure you want one?” I joked. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to have kids. I loved them. However taking care of them is hard work and at times risky. Especially when they reach the age of speaking full sentences while they know all your secrets.

“No. I don’t want one,” Leo solemnly mumbled, making me freeze on my step.

I was joking, but he sounded so serious. I tried to detect any hint of lies or pranks on his face, but he was dead serious. My heart sank.

He… didn’t want pups?

“You don’t want pups?” I whispered.

“Who said I don’t want pups? I said I don’t want one. I want at least twelve!”

My mouth hung open.

“What? Twelve? Leo!”

Shrugging his shoulders, “what? You asked me if I wanted one. No. I want a lot. A whole litter of pups!” he flashed his signature lopsided grin.

Playfully smacking his chest, “what? I’m not a pup vending machine!” I laughed.

“Yeah. You aren’t. That’s why we will stick with two or three,” he winked. “That doesn’t change the fact that I want to ram into you all the time and keep you pregnant with my pups.”

I snickered. “You are so silly and horny,” I said, glancing at him, as we entered our room, “all the time?”

“Yeah. It feels good,” he said, grabbing me and squeezing our bodies together.

“You feel good, mate,” he searched my eyes. “Tell me if I don’t feel good to you.”

His husky whisper made my core tingle. Cupping his cheeks, “I’ll never say that,” I vowed.

***

Narrator.

Meanwhile Calvin’s spies had brought him news from the lycan kingdom. One of his rogues bent down to whisper into his ears.

“What?”

His powerful roar shook the building with it’s force.

The nerves in his neck bulged as he clenched his fists. The rogue hurriedly scurried away, fearing for his life. He had been the bearer of the bad news. Despite being a risky job, he had to do it. It was an obligation.

Calvin grabbed the glass bottle of water on the desk and downed it, seemingly trying to tame his fury. He put the bottle on the desk and glared at it. His knuckles were going white with the force he grasped his fingers around it.

“She found her mate,” he hissed under his breath, just as the glass bottle shattered, tiny glass shards veering in all the directions.