34: Family
**Jasmine**
There was something surreal about meeting my sister for the first time after so many years, especially after believing she'd died. And to make matters even better, she was mated to Lucien. But despite this... something felt off. Perhaps it was the way she smelled. It was different than the normal scent Alpha wolves usually carried. But there was something more... something behaviour related.
"Are you lost in your head again, baby?" Damon asked, pulling me out of my thoughts. I smiled and nodded. "A little, yeah. I was just... thinking about how crazy it is having Tristan here. And on top of that, she's mated to your brother!"
Damon chuckled, sipped at his water and then took my hand in his. I smiled immediately and sighed.
"I think the Moon Goddess did a great job bringing those two together," Damon said, motioning towards the balcony where Lucien and Tristan were still engaged in a rather intense conversation. I glanced back at them and smiled in agreement. It didn't take a genius to figure out that sitting here with Damon and I , was complete and utter agony for Lucien. But I appreciated the fact that he dragged himself here anyway, and I appreciated the fact that when Tristan was with him, those walls she built, began cracking.
"She really has changed..." I whispered out.
"Time changes people-"
"-not like this." I said, looking back up into Damon's eyes. The moment he saw the concern glistening in mine, his gaze softened. "You're worried about her."
I nodded. "I am. This coldness, this distance... it worries me, Damon. People change, yes, but when they change this much its usually because they have a good reason. Take me, for example. For years I never let anyone in because I was afraid that if I actually let someone in, I'd only end up losing them. It took a lot for me to open up again, and you know this. What if it's a similar situation to what happened with me? What if the reason that she is so cold is because someone hurt her? What if-"
"*Baby*." The moment he said this, the tears began running down my face and before I knew it, I began sobbing. "I know she said she grew up in a good family, but what kind of family teaches a person to become so unfeeling?"
"Mine." Damon whispered. And the moment he said this, I looked up at him and saw the sadness in his eyes too. "Maybe you're right. Maybe the family she ended up with did her more harm than good and she doesn't see it. So let us show her what a real family looks like. Let us teach her to feel again."
I reached up and touched his cheek, once again unable to fathom just how much this man loved me. "You'd do that for me?"
He nodded and placed his hands against my cheek before rubbing my tears away with his thumbs. "You've welcomed my crazy family with open arms, and now it's my turn to return the favour. Like I already said, Tristan is amongst the right people to bring out the best parts of her. And that includes my brother."
I chuckled and agreed. "Yes, you're right. She seems a lot more relaxed around him. Are they like this at work too?"
Damon nodded and then let out a laugh. "I can't tell you how many times I've walked in on them doing something compromising. It is refreshing though."
"What is?" I asked. By now Damon had developed a soft, content look on his face.
"My brother has a big heart, but it's been a while since I've seen him care for someone so deeply. He won't admit it now, but he really goes out of his way to get close to your sister. I just hope that he realises that the love he has been looking for is right there next to him."
I fell silent when I heard that. Damon was right. It was clear that Lucien cared for my sister, but the problem was still me. Lucien was clearly still stuck in his idea of loving me. And now, if he wasn't careful, he'd end up losing the chance to experience real love all because of his obsession with the idea of being in love with me. I once thought that the Moon Goddess was cruel for making Lucien love someone he could never have, but now, as I looked out towards the carefree exchange between Lucien and Tristan, I realised I was wrong. Lucien was never meant to love me; he was meant to love her. Because no one ever made Lucien smile the way she was making him smile on the balcony.
By the time the two had come back inside, the waiter appeared with the bill and a smile on his face. Damon paid the rather large amount without so much as a care and then turned towards me before asking, "Home? Or would you still like to spend some more time with your sister?"
I looked up towards Tristan who gave me a reassuring nod and then said, "Home. Tristan and I will catch up after the Alpha meeting."
"Alpha meeting?" Tristan asked with her brows furrowed.
I nodded enthusiastically. "Every so often the Alphas of the world gather to discuss the runnings of the werewolf community. This time, however, we are discussing the sudden surge in rogue attacks... would you and Lucien like to join. You two aren't Alpha's by title, but we could bring you along. It would be a nice outing."
Tristan stayed silent for a moment. I assumed she was thinking about it, but I couldn't really tell. Her face was always so... emotionless.
"You wouldn't happen to be talking about the Alpha conference, would you?" She asked. My brows arched in surprise, and I nodded again. "It is, yes. I'm surprised you know about it."
"She's been a werewolf for a long time, it makes sense that she'd know," Damon said.
I was about to agree with him when Tristan suddenly stood up from the table, glanced between both Damon and I and then sighed. "No, unfortunately I can't come to the Alpha conference with you. Also, I'm afraid I need to go..." She then hesitated before looking at Damon and saying, "Mr Mi- I mean Damon, I'm afraid I won't be able to attend work tomorrow. There is an urgent matter I need to tend to. If you don't mind, could you-"
"-Is there anything I can do to help?" Damon asked, surprising Tristan. I smirked at her shock.
"Uh... no. I will be alright. But will you be able to get through the day without-"
"- I will take over for the day." And yet another surprising remark, this time from Lucien. Poor Tristan was beyond confused but made no effort to question the offers.
"Okay then, it's settled. Now if you'll excuse me, I'll get going."
"Do you need me to drop you off?" Lucien asked her. And it was then that I saw it clearly, the flash of concern and sincerity. Instinctively, I began to smile. Tristan shook her head curtly and said, "I will be okay."
Lucien protested, but she silenced him with a deadly glare. "I'm perfectly capable of finding my own way home."
"Yup, you two are definitely related," Damon whispered in my ear. I scoffed.
Tristan was just about to turn around and walk off when I stood up and grabbed at her hand before pulling her towards me and wrapping my arms around her. She tensed at first and I could hear her let a startled gasp out. But eventually, she relaxed, lifted her arms and wrapped them around me too. I nuzzled into the crook of her neck. She smelled familiar... like home.
"I've missed you, Tristan." I said softly. She stayed silent for a moment before saying, almost inaudibly, "Me too."
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