Her Eclipse

Chapter4

Riri and I are at the mall. I had originally planned to have some sleep after school today, but here I am at the mall with my friend.

Riri seems to know everyone here well. She greeted everybody by their names, and they adore her.

On our way here we saw some boys running towards the dense forest in a group of 5. Kev and the other two we saw earlier were among them.

They ran in their shorts alone. No shirts .

Did I stare?

Absolutely, but I was subtle.

Riri seems to be doing the looking into space thing a lot. Is something wrong with her eyes? I will ask her on our way back.

Everyone who spoke to Riri on our way here looked at me in some type of way. Maybe it is because I'm new here, but some sniffed.

It is becoming concerning. I will ask mom and Kenny when I talk to them later. I'm sure I didn't stink back in Canada, and I can swear even that I don't even now, but people's reaction is really putting me on edge.

Some of the people we've spoken so far looked at me with pity, some looked hostile, or displeased. Maybe I am overthinking. But I swear most of their expressions changed when Riri told them I'm grandpa James' granddaughter, and some seem to remember mom well.

Riri is a people's person. I could never.

For a place I think is small, there are plenty of people here. I don't see many houses, or maybe there's a part that is more populated.

I met Riri’s parents. They are nice and strong. Her mother couldn't pass for a teenager.

“Oh dear! I would love to lay my eyes on you again.” She said, getting emotional when she saw me.

She hugged me tightly, and I could feel how genuine she was.

“You look so much like your mother when we were younger.” She says, and I blush.

She seems to miss my mother. Was my mom cruel for moving countries, and cutting communication just like that?

“Come in. I will prepare something to eat.” She adds, leading me into the house.

The house is a beautiful bungalow that doesn't look too modern. It is not a story building, but has tall walls. We go inside, and it looks spacious.

The walls are painted a very dark shade of green on the inside. The dining area is closely connected to the living room.

Riri directs me to a passage leading to her room. Inside, her room looks exactly like what you'd expect a typical Riri room to look like.

Very detailed.

Her vanity has a little skincare set compared to mine. The make-up is intact as expected, but I don't see any deodorant.

“You don't use any deodorant?” I blurt.

“No. Never. They smell too harsh.” She states

Wow.

“You must be really sensitive to smell,” I comment.

“ Yes. And it bothers my mate. There was a time I used a shampoo with a strong smell, and he kept complaining it was mixing with scent.”

“You must all be sensitive to smell them, because I don't perceive any scent on you,” I say.

“I actually do have a scent. Everyone does. It is stronger for my mate anyway.” She says, stripping out of her clothes.

She has no problem with nudity, I note.

“Sounds like he's really connected to you, like the soulmate everyone looks out for.” I say, sitting on her bed.

“He is my soulmate. That is the full meaning of mate.”

Oh.

I didn't even think of that.

I don't tell her not to be too invested in the guy. You know how heartbreak can be. Plus she's still young.

But I believe she knows better.

Her bed is so soft, and a little bit smaller than mine.

She throws a pair of blue jeans on, and a black T-shirt, then puts her hair up in a ponytail.

I look at her window, and it is unlocked.

“Why do you leave your window open?” I ask.

“I don't lock it.” She simply says, picking her purse.

I look at her suspiciously, and she catches my eyes so she starts blushing.

“Oh shut up.” She says, laughing.

“Naughty girl.” I comment, joining her in laughter.

It feels like I have known her for eternity. There's something about her that makes me feel at ease, and lets my guard down.

It is quite unusual for me, and I'm not complaining.

“Let's get going.” She says.

“Wait.” I suddenly say, rushing to the door that looks like her bathroom.

She looks puzzled, and come to the bathroom door.

“What is the problem?” She queries.

“Nothing. I just wanted to see your bathroom.” I say, walking out .

She shakes her head.

The bathroom looks clean, and there's no particular reason I wanted to see it.

I don't touch her wardrobe. I leave it for another time.

We go out to the living room.

“Mom, we're going to the mall.” Riri informs her mother.

“But food is almost ready.” Her mother, Rose, complains.

“Rey has come to stay, you will feed her as many times as you will,” Riri assures her.

“Don't keep her out for too long.” Rose instructs.

“I'm strong enough to look out for both of us.” Riri states.

They keep discussing me like I'm not here.

“I can take care of myself. It's not like a wolf will come out of nowhere to attack me.” I try to reason.

Rose looks like a deer caught in headlights, while Riri begins to cough.

What is wrong with them?

“Did I say something wrong?” I ask.

“No. Not at all.” Rose says.

“Let's get going.” Riri says, and drags me out.

On a normal day, I will not step a foot out of my house after I come back from school, but Riri is a force to reckon with.

She is so relentless.

“I should have used the truck,” I say.

“You need to exercise more.” She states.

“Are you saying I'm fat?” I ask, faking offense.

“You just need to train and be ready in order not to be caught unaware by the enemy.” She adds.

“Yes, soldier.” I fake salute. " What kind of books have you been reading?”

“I'm serious.” She whines, and I start laughing.

“Ok. But who is your enemy? Your three wise women in school?” I tease again.

“A real enemy, that brings battle to your doorstep. Our community experienced that 3 years back.” She tries to make me believe.

“Okay, okay.” I say, surrendering.

She will prevail as a writer. Her imagination is quite wild.

Now we are at the mall, and I still can't figure out what she wants to buy.

Kenny's call just came in and I step to the side to answer it.

“Hey” I say, suddenly feeling nervous.

‘Hi. What is this I'm hearing?’ he questions.

I feel bad. From his voice I know he is trying to control himself.

“I'm sorry Kenny, it was an emergency, and I couldn't reach you on the phone.”

‘you could have waited to see me’ he complains.

“It was not in my place to decide.” I explain.

‘ok. You turn 18 in less than 40 days. I will bring you back ‘ he promise.

I feel warm in my heart. He is counting down to my birthday.

Awwww

“ You have been counting down the days to my birthday?” I ask, wanting to hear it again.

‘yes, but the point now is you're far away,” he says.

“I'm not staying here for a lifetime. I plan to come back in a few months when I'm of legal age and done with high school.” I try to assure him.

‘How are you? Really. Is the weather favorable? Do you like the food?’ He asks so many questions.

I understand he's just worried in the normal Kenny way.

“I am fine. The weather is almost the same over here. And the food is nice, grandma is a good cook.” I say.

‘Care for FaceTime?’ he asks.

“ I'm at the mall now. I will FaceTime you when I get home.” I tell him.

‘okay. Take care of yourself.’ he says.

“I will. You take care too.” I reply.

‘bye.’ he says.

“Bye bye.” I say.

The call ends, and just as I'm about to return to Riri, I hear two girls talking.

“The Alpha still hasn't found his mate” one of them says.

Mate again. Isn't the king or president of this place called Alpha?

Oh so he doesn't have a girlfriend yet, but the girls are fussing over his brother Ray?

Is this Alpha guy ugly?

“It has been 5 years already, and the council is thinking of revoking his throne.” The second girl say.

That council sounds harsh.

Well, hasn't he heard of the word contract marriage? If he can't seem to fall in love, he should get a contracted bride.

It's a common thing with billionaires nowadays.

“Maybe the moon goddess is punishing by not mating him,” the first girl says again.

Who is the moon goddess?

This tea they're spilling contains gibberish too. Haha.

“You could be right. Come to think of it, he is so bloodthirsty. I'd call him a demon if he was not our Alpha.” the second girl agrees.

Alpha sounds like a Mafia boss. Only they are bloodthirsty in this century.

“Every fight Alpha has fought and won is to protect us. We would have been wiped away 3 years ago if not for him”, the first girl says.

I see Jenny notice me, and walk towards me with a pack of sanitarium pads in hand.

I didn't mean to eavesdrop. I just happened to be there.

Did I get caught?

Jenny stands in front of me and do the thing where she looks into space.

The girls on the other side walk away. Maybe they heard her footsteps.

She picks a bottle of yogurt on our way out, and pays for it then hands it to me.

“Thank you,” I say.

“You're welcome.” She nods.

She looks into space again.

“Ella is looking for me. I told her we were on our way home. She will meet us halfway.” She informs me.

I ignore the fact that she didn't carry her phone along. Maybe she called using the mall phone when I was not looking.

Maybe.

There is nothing fishy at all.

Hopefully.

“Don't you have siblings?” I ask, randomly remembering I didn't see a sign of another child in her house.

“Oh, I forgot to tell you. I thought you already know I'm an only child. I keep forgetting that you don't remember anything about me.” She says, laughing lightly.

“How does it feel being an only child?” I question.

“You tell me.” She retorts, and we both laugh.

“Well, mine is different. I was raised by my mom alone, so our relationship is more of best friends. I don't know how it feels to be raised by a father.” I say honestly.

I didn't mean to dampen the mood.

My respect for Riri doubles when I don't see a look of pity on her face, but that of understanding.

“It is not too different from yours. My parents had me 6 years after they mated. And I am closer to my father because we train together. The difference is a man gets to boss you around adding to the constant nagging of the woman.” She says laughing at the end.

“I will tell Rose you called her a nag.” I threaten.

“Then she would nag more, and you will see that I speak no lies.” She states.

She continues “you know the thing you said earlier, about wolves attacking you.”

I nod.

“Wolves don't just attack humans. They're friendly beings,” she adds.

“I don't know anything about wolves, but they're wild, and hardly tamable” I say.

Seriously, I don't even know why we are talking about wolves and not cats.

A cat is the best pet, I promise.

“They are tamable especially when in love, and not too wild. They have rules guilding them too.” She explains.

Try cats.

“What are you? A vet?” I question, laughing at him passionately. She defended the animals.

She bids me to come closer, and I oblige, so she whispers in my ears. “A wolf.”

“Hope Michaelson, ma'am.” I mock address her as the Wolf Tribrid in the Originals series.

“Ella is close by.” She suddenly say, at the same time Ella emerge from the forest by our right.

What a weird girl.

What happened to using the cleared road?

“Cynthia wants to meet with you and all the new girls under your training at the pack house by 6pm.” Ella says.

“Hi Ella.” I greet.

“Hi Reyna.” She replies.

“I need to drop Rey at home first.” Riri says.

I don't even try to understand what they are talking about.

Is Riri a dancer? They said she has girls under her training.

New girls.I'm a new girl too, so why are they not training me?

Well, even if she does, I will not know how to. I'm bad at routines.

The walk home is a little awkward since Ella is not very talkative. She also looks into space unfocused occasionally.

Maybe if I stay here for some time I will start staring into space too.