“What was so special about him?” I ask. This Alpha must have seriously impressed my father by the sounds of things.
“He wasn’t the Alpha of the pack when your father first met him, he was still young and the pack was run by his father who was a terrible leader and an even worse father. Johnny found Caspian on our land, running away from his father and in doing so running away from his future position as Alpha. The night guards brought Caspian in thinking he was a rogue, but your father could feel the power he held. He was meant to be an Alpha and he came from a higher rank than usual rogues. Your father spent time with him, talking to him and eventually he opened up, telling your father all the gruesome details of his own fathers reign as Alpha. Johnny convinced him to go back to his pack, assuring Caspian he would help him overtake his fathers leadership and that’s how the bond between the two of them formed.” She smiles as she glances my way, patting my leg before looking back at the road.
“What happened next?” I need to know how he became Alpha, I need details… this story intrigues me.
She laughs. “I think that’s the part your father should tell you.” She shrugs one shoulder giving me a small grin. “He knows the rest of the story better than I do anyway.”
****
Walking along the sidewalk, Alex and I take our time stopping at the various shops looking for the perfect dress.
As we walk I feel eyes on me, I’ve felt them all day. “So what happened between you and Drake? You said you two were no longer together?” She rests her arms over my shoulders as we’re walking. I freeze up under her touch and I know she feels it when she squeezes my other shoulder a little.
Think about the waterfall, think about the waterfall, I repeat in my head; making sure all my memories are locked up tight from others.
“He found his mate,” I say nonchalantly.
“Aww, I’m sorry, honey,” she says, tilting her head against mine and holding me a little closer.
“It’s okay, Mom. I knew it wasn’t meant to be, they were clearly meant for each other.” I give her a reassuring smile.
“Well think of it this way, maybe the Fates thought that you were meant for someone better. They’re probably saving you for someone so much more spectacular than he was.” She winks, and I can’t help but give her my biggest, brightest… fakest smile.
Little does she know what’s really going on.
It’s on the tip of my tongue, I want to tell her everything.
“Listen, Mom. There’s-”
“Oooh! Look here! This is where I wanted to take you for lunch, they have thee best croissants!” She squeals excitedly, pulling me into a little café on the corner of the street.
Guess this isn’t the right time after all.
After having a late lunch we head to the little Boutique over the road.
Mom takes charge and immediately starts searching the racks down the aisles. I look out of the window of the little store and watch as people blatantly stare at me; the look on their faces is pure confusion, some even look frightened.
As if my thoughts can be heard, I hear a quiet voice to my left. “Your scent is very strong. Power radiates from you.” I turn to see a girl who looks as if she’s a little younger than me. She’s skinny and a little shorter too, with blonde hair and freckles on her nose and upper cheeks. She wears black framed glasses that look way to big for her petite face and has a heart print sweater on with a long pink skirt.
She pushes her glasses up her nose and continues, “I think they’re just confused because you seem awfully young to have all that power.”
Pure innocence exudes from her and I can’t help but smile.
I whisper, “Can you read my mind?”
She giggles. Her cheeks redden, even her ears a little, she looks away patting her cheeks clearly aware of the flush creeping up. “No way! I couldn’t even if I tried. I can feel how shut off and locked up your thoughts are, but I’m too weak of a wolf to ever try to listen to others thoughts.” She ends off with a sad smile as if her own thoughts trouble her.
“I’m sure you could do it if you tried.” I give her a gentle smile, but feel her flinch and move a little away from me.
“No,” she shakes her head vehemently. “I’m a weak wolf… I couldn’t,” she says sounding unsure.
“I think you’re pretty brave. See all those people out there looking at me and staring?” She looks out the window at the few people that still stand around the sidewalk looking at us and looks up at me and nods.
“Well, you say I radiate power, but not one of those people could bear to even wave a hello. You however, walked right up to me and answered all my thoughts.” Hope lights up her face as she gives me a big toothy grin.