35.

**Emma**

Why is it so bright? It was never so bright in my room. I groaned, opening my eyes to the sunlight. Seeing the decor of the room, I sat up and looked around. The whole room was designed to be fit for a princess. My brows knit in confusion as I tried to piece together how I got here then realization set in.

Leaving Dark Moon.

Ambushed by my 'uncle'.

Getting Aiden.

Michael getting his powers.

Arriving at the palace.

Meeting my parents.

A smile was on my face by the memory of my parents. Seeing them on that helipad it felt like I've only been apart from them for a few days and not years. Holding my father a sense of belonging went through me, my mother's embrace was so comforting and loving that I was calm from that moment.

My mom and dad. It felt so comfortable saying but I haven't forgotten the ones that raised me, the ones that help me ride my first bike or stayed with me on my first day of preschool. Becca and Daniel will always be my parents' blood or not.

A tear rolled down my cheek as I remembered the last time I saw mom-Becca. Her eyes were full of tears as we said goodbye, needless to say, we didn't know it was forever. Her death won't be in vain, that I know.

I turned to my side and saw Michael asleep on his stomach, a scowl was etched on his face while he slept, his hands clutched onto the pillows and his breathing became deeper. He was having a nightmare.

"Michael. Baby get up." I said touching his back, he was still lost in his nightmare. I climbed over his back and stood next to him, "Sweetie. Wake up" I said louder shaking his shoulder.

"You... Can't... Do this... Please don't." he let out in a tortured voice his eyes were still closed but tears still escaped.

What had him in so much pain?

I pressed my lips against his hoping it would calm him but he woke suddenly and pulled away from me. It was like my touch, my kiss was added to his nightmare. Whimpering I sat back on my haunches and looked at him. He sat at the center of the bed, breathing heavily watching me, eyes widen in shock then went to pain and disappointment.

"Michael?!" I called out.

"How could you?" He hoarsely whispered. The pain and venom that coated his words had me flinching physically. Before I can ask what he meant he jumped from my bed and left my room.

What the hell just happened? Michael has never been cold with me nor turns away from my touch. He's probably reacting to his dream.

A knock on the door brought me out of my thoughts. "Come in," I said sitting on the bed.

In walked the queen with a bright smile on her face. She was dressed casually in jeans and a pink flowered blouse matching it with a matching wedged shoes.

"Good morning. Slept well?" She asked sitting next to me. I nodded playing with the engagement ring Michael gave me. She noticed the ring and squealed. "Why didn't I notice this last night? He proposed. How romantic of him," she cooed holding my hand to get a better look at the ring.

He's my world now, I thought.

"I actually came to walk you down to breakfast and tell you that Aiden is awake."

"He is." I squealed. Relief took over my worries of my best friend.

"Can I see him?" I asked excitedly rushing to the bathroom.

"Sure" she called out to me.

I pushed my questions about Michael at the back of my mind and took a quick shower in my luxurious bathroom. It was splendid but I had no time to revel in its beauty. I had to get to Aiden.

Running back out to the room, my mother was seated on the sofa quietly browsing a magazine. Walking in the closet I gaped at the different styles of clothes and shoes along with accessories to match. "Wow" was all I said before I decided on a white sundress along with a royal blue sweater jacket and a blue and white flats. My hair was in a ponytail and I added a pair of diamond earrings I found in the jewelry section of my closet.

"I'm ready," I said walking out. There I found Michael sitting with my mother. They looked up and smiled, my mother's smile was so bright but Michael's was strained.

"You look beautiful, Emma," he said softly. I said nothing and went to him, "Sweetheart what's wrong?" I asked touching his cheek. He leaned into my palm and let out the breath he held in. "Nothing is. It's all good" he said avoiding my eyes. I made an attempt to kiss him but he hesitated and gave me his cheek. My heart sank at that movement. What is with Michael?

"So where are you off to today, my love. I thought that we can go for a run. Your mother suggested the meadows on the eastern side of the palace," He said with a hopeful look on his face.

It sounded great but I wanted to see how Aiden was doing. I'm sure Michael will understand.

"That sounds great but do you mind if I go see Aiden first, I really need to see how he is then we can go for a run later?" I said smiling up at him.

His face was void of any emotion so I took it that he didn't mind.

"Not at all, baby. It's not like I had anything planned. Give your 'friend' all my best." He said flatly. He kissed my head and quickly left.

"Can we go to Aiden now?" I asked.

Mom was looking at the closed door that Michael left with a worried look on her face. "Sure thing sweetie," she said leading the way out.

As she led me to the southern wing, we walked in silence. "After you visit your friend and eaten, your father and I will like to meet with you in his office," she said.

"Sure!"

"Emma?!" She said a bit of uncertainty.

"Yes, mom?" I asked.

" I can never get over hearing that. Anyway, the question I'm about to ask you is none of disrespect or prying. Just a bit of clarification " she said.

I nodded for her to continue.

Silence followed as we neared the doors of the mini-hospital. "Were you really going to give your life for Aiden?" She asked pausing before opening the doors.

"He's my best friend and I know he would do the same for me," I answered looking at her.

"With the expense of hurting your mate? " she countered.

I haven't thought of that part I was so bent on having Aiden back that Michael wasn't on my mind. My mate is everything to me but my best friend also played a major role in my life.

"I will leave you to your friend." She said kissing my cheek then left.

I do love Aiden but I am in love with Michael. If I lose Aiden it would be a major part of my life missing. Michael does know that he's the one for me right?

'Mate not responding to my calls.' Alia whimpered.

'He's probably busy don't read much into it' I reassured her.

'Emma, we need our mate' she shouted at me.

'We will go see him later. First, we need to see Aiden' I said pushing the door to the room Aiden was in.

When I entered I saw Noah sitting on his bed getting dressed, Aiden seemed to be taking a nap.

"Hi," I said to Noah.

He looked up and rushed to me, he enveloped me in his arms and swaying us from side to side. "I'm sorry for being weak. I didn't know what else to do" I whispered.

"It's okay. He played his best card. He somehow knew about your attachment to Aiden." He said kissing my head, "Next time you will be stronger."

I nodded and looked up at him, "How are you?" I asked.

"Good as new, beauty." He said grinning.

"I know I heard my girl's voice" Aiden's voice interrupted us. I looked over my brother's shoulder to see Aiden propping himself up. Unconsciously I found myself comparing him to Michael, while he was lean built Michael was muscular, his looks were normal to me when Michael was god-like in every way.

I was more attracted to my mate now than Aiden but the familiar love was still there for him.

"I will leave you two to talk," Noah said more to me than him. He left after giving me a look saying, 'tell him now or else'.

Sitting on his bed I smiled at him, touching his hair which I loved. "Thank you for saving me. Didn't think I would have made it," he said holding my hand. I flinched at the slight burning and pulled away from him. He frowned.

"You seem different," he said sniffing the air. The look on his face caused me to stand up and stepped back. Disbelief and pain were what I saw and being close to him he will think otherwise.

"You found your mate," he said coldly. The iciness in his voice made me flinch. I thought he understood that this will happen. Does that mean what Mason said was true?

No words came out, my heart began to race. Why was I so scared to confirm the truth to him?

Because you don't want to lose your best friend.

********************************************

**Michael**

Plans for showing Emma how much I care for her were canceled. I planned a picnic in the meadow for us to spend some time together as mates do after listening to the king's advice. The waiting was hard but I have to trust her to tell me what's going on. I didn't want to lose her, that's why I'm doing this 'waiting' game.

Sighing I found the breakfast room as Queen Arabella called it after telling me to go for breakfast when she found me in my room brooding. She was comforting and understanding just like my mother would be when we were upset and confused.

After leaving Emma's room I went straight there trying to calm myself. I had to leave after she blew me off to go visit Aiden. There she went again, putting him in front of me.

Why am I sounding jealous and petty? I growled out loud.

"Well good morning there, sunshine" I heard a voice greeted me.

It was Jonah's.

"Morning" I grumbled.

He probably sensed my mood and refrained from his teasing which he normally did back at Dark Moon. I noticed we were the only ones there for breakfast but didn't question it.

"How's Noah? Is he awake?" I asked filling a plate with pancakes eggs and sausages.

"Yup. A Bullheaded brother I got, doc says he didn't receive any serious injuries. The hit just caught him off guard." He said with relief in his voice.

The time I've spent with the twins I admired how strong their bond was. Maxwell and I loved each other as siblings but I think Noah and Jonah's bond were stronger because they were twin protectors of Emma. That's my opinion I'm sure others thought differently. The twins were truly inseparable I don't think I've ever seen them apart until now.

"Good morning" I then heard Noah said walking through the doors. I shook my head as I just retract my thought. He filled his plate and took a seat next to his brother.

They both chose the same food and amount. Weird right. Pancakes with fruit on the side drizzled with syrup. Coffee black with no milk.

Jonah nudged his brother who smiled before they both dug into their breakfast. They even ate the same. Looking at them closely they both were dressed a tad bit similar. Both had on jeans and Nike's but Noah had on a navy blue polo while Jonah had on white.

I didn't realize I was watching them in awe until Mason's voice broke through my thoughts.

"It still amazes me also," he said gesturing to the twins' breakfast habits.

They looked at each other and shrugged. I chuckled and began to eat.

"Where's Emma?" He asked.

My hand tightened around the knife and continued to eat. I didn't answer him, few silent seconds after Jonah answered. "She went to check up on Aiden"

"Oh," he replied and distracted himself with his breakfast. We ate in silence before we were joined by the king and queen. We quickly stood and kept our heads bowed in respect.

"Why so formal? Aren't we all family here?" King Landon asked amused.

Did he think of us as a family? Well, I know about the twins because I have heard them called the royals uncle Donnie and auntie Ari. But Mason and I?

"I'm just being respectful uncle Donnie. You could have acknowledged that." Jonah said pouting. Noah smacked him behind his head.

King Landon rolled his eyes as the queen laughed. "Joey put a cork in it," he said. "And Noah no hitting at the table" Queen Arabella followed up.

"Sorry auntie" Noah grumbled and returned to his seat just as we did.

They had genuine affection for the boys as I watched how the queen fussed over Noah while Landon scolded Jonah for laughing at his brother's misery.

No wonder the wolves in their kingdom loved them, they were genuinely caring. Landon looked up at me then, the empty seat beside me, a sad smile came my way then he distracted himself with breakfast.

They both knew where she was and how I felt that's why no question was asked about Emma's location. I didn't want pity, I just wanted my mate. It seems like she's so far away from me since I've proposed to her. Knowing she loves her ex still, I kept on thinking of Aiden and her getting back together, with her leaving after realizing she didn't really love me.

My dream made quite an impact on me, it shocked me to the core that being intimate with her made me feel worthless to her.

Zane was uneasy he wanted out. We truly needed a run to get rid of this pent up tension.

I got up to put my dirty dishes on the awaiting trolley when I felt a sharp pain through my chest. I was halfway when it hit me, dropping the plates, I clutched at my chest wheezing on the floor. I heard my name being called out but it was what Zane said in disgust and anger.

'Unfaithful!'

I let Zane took over as I shifted into my wolf form and bolting out the door.

She chose him.