Chapter twenty-two

Chapter twenty-two - Air

"Soulmate is the one, who makes life come to life."

[K A T O]


Days go by, one by one, they turn into weeks. Weeks turn into months. The time never stops, whatever happens to us - happens for a reason.
Today is the day, my aunt is about to visit us. Finally.
I always feel odd, whenever I have to introduce her to friends or pack members since she's just a few months older than I am.
"Hey guys, this is my aunt, we're practically the same age, ain't that funny", I remember my choice of words, when I introduced her to my friends, while still being in the kindergarten. I haven't seen her in years. And I miss her so, so bad.

A light knock, sounding from my bedroom door made me turn around faster than a bullet. That's how excited I am. Nearly shaking.

"Are you going to join us?", my dad spoke from the other side of the door. He has been following me for a while now, always trying to make sure that I'm alright, yet managing to give enough of his attention to my brother. He's trying his best, to be a great father.

"I, yeah, I'll be down in a second", I assured him, dad didn't say a word, instead I heard him slowly backing away from the door and soon his footsteps fading away.

I looked down at my diary, I have never been a person, who would write or talk about emotions, yet here I am, writing it all down.
Maybe it will serve me as a reminder, that fate does have its plan for everyone but some of us fail to make the right decisions.

I stood up, hid my diary and threw a simple jacket on my shoulders. After taking a glance at myself in the mirror, I made my way downstairs.

"Kato!", someone yelled in excitement. She's here. She's finally here. A wide grin grew on my lips as I turned my face towards her.

"Camilla!", I yelled joyfully and ran towards her, opening my arms to pull her into a bone-crushing hug.

"I know, I know, you've never been the girly type, but you're kinda killing me here. Need. Some. Air.", She half laughed as she tried to wiggle out of my embrace.

Unwillingly I let her go and sat down, taking my place right next to her. I noticed how everyone left the living room, most likely trying to give us as much privacy as they could.
Who am I kidding? There's no privacy in this house, we're werewolves after all.

"You're so grown", she whispered, looking at me from the bottom of my toes, to the top of my head, taking in all details of my appearance.

"Right back at you, hot stuff", I winked, raising my eyebrows.

"Oh, stop it. I'm being serious", she smacked my shoulder and laughed. We both laughed, soon after falling into a comfortable moment of silence.

"You've changed. A lot. Not only have you grown up, but you seem to be more serious. You're strong and beautiful. Not that I'd expect anything less from you, but still. I bet guys stand in lines, just to talk to you. Have you found your mate yet? Have you? I bet you have, I found mine. His name is Derek, he's amazing", she mumbled under her breath, some of the words barely a whisper.

My facial expression changed. The bright mood I just had, it disappeared. I'm pretty sure that the color just faded from my face, making me look like a living dead. I bit my lower lip and nodded my head, averting my gaze. Has it been held as a secret? Didn't she know? A dull pain erupted my chest, the feeling so familiar, yet so hated. Feeling like this, feeling anything at all makes me weak.

"You did? In so happy for you! Congratulations! Who's the lucky guy, when I'm meeting him? Let me tell you if he will even dare to as much as think about hurting you... I'm not afraid to cut a bitch", she spoke eagerly. At first, there was nothing, but happiness lacing her words, later it turned into her suddenly becoming threatening.

I decided to keep quiet. Not a single cell in my body is willing to go through breakdown again. I'm tired of crying and calling him in my dreams, doesn't matter were they just dreams or nightmares. He's been absent for way too long now, he is not coming back. The thought itself hurts, but trying to accept it as a fact makes me feel like millions of knives are piercing my heart. One by one.

"Oh my, I'm so sorry. I didn't know", she whispered.

"No, it's ok. I'm fine", I smiled at her, trying to convince her that I am. I'm still trying to convince myself each day. But somehow I always find myself not trusting the words I repeat each day. Now wanting to accept them. I want him here. Next to me. I want to be the one, who would proudly stand next to him and call him a soulmate.

"Who is he?", her voice still barely a whisper, but this time it was dangerously low. I could see her trying to keep control over her wolf, her pupils flickering between red and green color.

"Breathe. Take deep breaths, calm down and I'll explain everything. Don't jump into conclusions please, there's more than an eye meets. It's weird, complicated situation overall", I placed my hand in hers and squeezed it gently. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. When she reopened them, there was no sight of her wolf.

We sat on that couch for hours, until I was finally able to explain everything. At the end of the story, I was a sobbing mess. I don't know what was it - my nerves, tiredness or stress, maybe the whole situation or talking about it openly, but it made me feel tired. Not just tired, but as if I was drained out of all the energy and strength I had. My body started shaking and I couldn't stop, I tried to relax, then I tried to keep my muscles tense, but nothing helped.

"I- I... I don't feel good", the words left my lips after a couple of tries. I had to push them trough. Even talking took too much energy. What in the Hell is wrong with me?

"Ren, Az! Come here", she yelled. Her voice sounded demanding, terrified.

"What's wrong?", my dad was first to rush in, as soon as his eyes landed on me, his face drained from any color, he stood in the doorway, eyes wide and face pale. Soon mom stood next to him, looking the same as he did, in a matter of seconds.

"I'm cold", I closed my eyes, not being able to recognize my voice anymore. I sounded distant. Like it wasn't me.

I could hear everyone around me yelling something, but nothing made any sense. The words didn't mold in sentences. I tried to open my eyes, but I couldn't.

A lot of noises, voices all around me.
The main door flew open with a loud bang, I knew it's that door since I tend to open it as dramatically, as the person who decided to join us.
Out of nowhere room was filled with an intoxicating scent. I have felt it before, but I couldn't get my mind on what was that, from where or whom it came. I tried to open my eyes, but my body wouldn't listen. It's like it has a mind of his own.

I felt someone's hands on me. A second later I was on someone's arms, my body willingly leaning into a hard chest.

"My baby", someone whispered, before I lost consciousness.

So much for a nice evening with my aunt. Why must I ruin everything? Why can't I be as strong as they want me to be?