The Chance of a Lifetime

Memories

Chapter VI – Memories

Nightstar Pack

7:03

“Take care,” I whisper in his ear, as he wraps his arms around my waist.It’s already been a week since the time when Szari and I mated, and ourhoneymoon phase has been disrupted by his alpha duties. Sure, I am very sad…but I understand that he’s an important person and that his attention won’talways be on me.

He kisses myforehead softly and says, “I’ll be back soon, okay? I’ll call you every day.” Everyword he says sends a shiver down my spine. The way his breath touches my skin,makes me want more. Just saying goodbyealready makes me miss him. Is this even possible? To love him so much… it’scrazy. If you asked me years before, I would laugh and say that being this inlove is too impossible. I’ve longed for a mate, but I never thought it wouldmake such an impact on me. I always thought it was just the kind of love youfeel for your first boyfriend, or something. It’s really different… toodifferent.

I finally let go ofhim, and then he takes a step back unwillingly. “Go,” I fake a smile, as I waveslowly at him. “It’s only going to be one week, love,” I laugh softly.

He then smiles atme and nods. “I love you.” And then he runs towards the car that is alreadyoutside of the gate.

“I love you too,” Iwhisper, watching him get in the car. I smile sadly as the car slowlydisappears from my sight, and before I know, I am left alone in the front porchof the pack house.

I sigh deeply,wiping away the tears that somehow seemed to fall as I watched him leave. Ithen turn my back and walk towards the front door.

“You okay, Scar?”My head snaps to the familiar voice. I smile at the sight of Maura, and so Inod. “All good,” I lie.

“You don’t seemgood,” she says worriedly, walking towards me.

I then let myemotions flow and engulf her in an unexpected hug. “It hurts,” I confess. Iexactly know why I am hurting. It’s stupid, but it’s just because Szari left…even if I know that it’s only going to be a week. It’s weird, but he leavingreminds me of my parents’ death, Raphael’s rejection, and the way I left mysiblings.

I miss them. I think to myself as Iremember the beautiful faces of my siblings. I wonder if they hate me forleaving them like that. I don’t want them to hate me… The fact simply scares meto death.

Maura rubs my back,and makes soothing sounds. “Come on, let’s go inside, and talk about it,alright?” She says smoothly, hoping not to say anything that would get on mynerves.

I nod and pullaway, my tears staining my cheeks. We both enter the pack house and settle downon the nearest couch.

“What’s wrong?” Sheasks.

“I’m just afraid,”I sigh deeply, my heart beating against my chest.

“Afraid of what,Scarlet?”

“Being leftbehind…” The three words hit me like a thousand daggers when I remember thesame words my sister told me when our parents passed.

The dark sky hovered over us, the rainwashing over our grief, but it was not enough. I watch hundreds of our packmembers mourn the death of my parents. I watch my brother’s emotionless face asI hold him on my left side. And I turn my attention to my sister who is cryinga river, as she tightens her grip on our parents’ portrait.

“TheFarkas’ were good people, and we are here to take a moment of silence and prayto the goddess to take them to the afterlife.” The Alpha’s voice booms as hesays the words that make me break down into oblivion. I let go of my siblings,wanting to run away, but someone holds me back.

Iturn around and see Raphael with a forlorn expression. He looks at me sadly andkisses my forehead. “Don’t do it. They need you,” he whispers, wrapping hisstrong arms around my neck, while he kisses my head continuously.

“I…I… can’t… it hurts,” I cry, holding on to him tighter than I have ever done.“What am I going to do? I really… really… can’t do this, Ralph.”

“Shhh,I’ll be here for you, Scarlet… every step of the way,” he promises.

“Butyou’re going to leave me just like anyone else. You’re going to find your mateand you won’t care about me anymore. I don’t want to hurt like this…” I sob,pulling away from him, and punching my chest in repeat.

Hegrabs my hand away from my chest and pulls me back into his embrace. “I willnever leave you, Scarlet. I promise you that, okay? I can never leave you,” heconfesses, shaking.

Inodded furiously and continue hugging him for comfort, but then I remember mysister who is just as heartbroken as I am. My brother hates pity, and I’m notgoing to show him that I feel sorry for what he’s feeling. I know the exactsame feeling too, but for him, the feeling of guilt lives inside of him, sincehe was the last person who was with my parents the day of the crash. He blameshimself for letting them go, and he blames himself for their death.

Ilet go of Raphael and hug my sister from behind. I whisper in her ear,“We’ll be okay… I’m still here for you.”

Shelet go of the portraits, and set them down on the ground slowly, and then shehugs me tightly, not wanting to ever let go. “I’m so afraid…” she cries.

Iran my fingers down her soaked black hair. “Don’t be afraid, Emerald. Jade andI will always be here for you.”

“It’sso scary.”

“Whatis, baby?” I coo.

“Beingleft behind… I don’t want to be left behind.”

Icry harder as she said those words. I hug my sister, rocking her softly backand forth. “You will never be left behind, okay?”

Shenods, pulling away from me, as she wipes her face.

“Promiseme?” She smiles sadly.

Ilet out a soft painful laugh.

“Ipromise.”

“Scarlet, are youthere? Hello?” I snap back to realityas I hear Maura prolonging every syllable of the word hello. I look at her curiously and then my mouth shaped into an‘o’.

“S-sorry, I wasthinking…” I say, my brows furrowed, tears silently running down my cheeks. Ithen wipe it quickly, standing up from the couch I am sitting in. I look atMaura who has a worried expression; I stare back at her with my eyes coated inapology. With that, I leave her, as I run to our room.

I lock the door,and wildly pace around the room as I look for my cell phone. I need to talk tomy siblings… I don’t want them to hate me. I promised them I would never leave,but what was I thinking? Why did I let Raphael get under my skin? I’m not likethis!

Scarlet, I’m sorry… Raven apologizes,her voice sounding sincere.

It’s not your fault. It takes two to tango,Ray. I answer her, but then close off the mind link between my wolf and I.

“Scarlet?” Mauracalls with a high-pitched loud voice. “Talk to me, please!” She begs,continuously banging on the door. I ignore her, as I throw all my clothes onthe bed, still looking for my cell phone.

“Where is thatstupid phone?” I hiss to myself, getting frustrated. My anxiety is growing, andthe more time I can’t find my phone, the more time my siblings will think thatI don’t love them anymore.

The banging getslouder, but I’m too focused on getting my hands on the phone, and hearing mysiblings’ voice. Unconsciously, my tears start to fall down from my eyes,causing my heart to race faster than it has ever had. I hate the feeling ofguilt… it wears me out so much.

Going through myback-pack, I finally find it. I grin hugely as I quickly unlock my phone,dialing my brother’s phone.

“Come on, pick up…pick up…” I mutter silently, while it rings continuously.

On the sixth ring,someone finally picks up. “Hello?” A drowsy voice replies, and I smile widelyat the sound of my brother’s voice.

“Garnet,” I say hisname breathlessly. “Boo, are you there?” I ask happily.

“Scarlet?” My heartbreaks at the sound of his voice. He’smad at me. I cry inwardly. I wipe out all my emotions and try to smileagain.

“Garnet, how areyou?”

“Like you care,” hespits bitterly.

“Boo, let meexplain…” I beg.

“You didn’t evenleave us a note, Scarlet! You broke Emerald’s heart. You broke mine!”

“No… no… I didn’twant to leave, boo. I had to… I had to…” My tears start to flow uncontrollably,as I break down on my knees, tightening my grip on my phone as I sob in pain.

“You didn’t eventake us with you?” He asks incredulously.

“I will come backnext week, Garnet. I’ll take you with me! I’ll explain to you by then… soplease, don’t hate me!” I beg, myvoice cracking from the pressure of the thought. I love my siblings to thepoint where I would die a thousand deaths for them. But I was too selfish tojust think about myself and run away just like that.

I hear Garnet takea sharp intake of breath, and then he finally answers. “If you don’t, Scarlet,then consider us gone from your life. You better have a good explanation forwhy you ran away and not telling us.”

“I promise you,Garnet. I prom-”

“Don’t, Scarlet…Don’t make any promises. Ever since you left, I have never once believed inpromises. Don’t ever promise again, but doit.” Before I can say anything he hangs up the phone and leaves me a littlebit depressed for not having to talk to my sister.

I need to go backto California. If Szari stops me, then to hell with that! I will be going nomatter what he says. He can’t order me around- this is my siblings we aretalking about. But I wish he will understand me. Emerald and Garnet are theonly family I have left. Sure, Szari’s my new family… but it’s very different;and I don’t ever intend to abandon my siblings.

I sit down on theedge of the bed and grab a handful of my hair on my fist, as I groan infrustration. I then take a look at my phone and check the messages – and mostare from Raphael.

Scarlet, where are u? –Ralph

It’sbeen weeks, Scarlet! Come back! – Ralph

Areu really running away? – Ralph

Emeraldis in pieces… Garnet is in pieces… come back, Scarlet. We can make this workwithout being mates! – Ralph

I’vemated with someone else. I know u can feel it… come back. – Ralph

WHODID U MATE WITH?! DID U LEAVE TO FIND SOMEONE ELSE?! HUH?! – Ralph

IfI ever see the person u mated with, I will kill him! I will kill u! – Ralph

Comeback, Scarlet! Please! – Ralph

Scarlet,where are you? I haven’t seen you for weeks. Raphael won’t say anything… yoursiblings don’t know where you are. The alpha is looking for you. How are you?Are you okay? Please reply as soon as you can. I miss you so much. We all missyou. Please come back wherever you are. Have you found your mate? Is that whyyou left? You could’ve told us something, Scarlet. – Ruby

Holly’sdead. – Ruby

thegirl I mated killed herself because of u. Come back, Scarlet. I’m sorry. –Ralph

Ineed u. – Ralph

Hollywas found dead in the clearing. She killed herself because Raphael dumped her.She mated with someone who was not her mate! – Ruby

Everyoneis confused, Scarlet. – Ruby

Lettie,I miss you. – Emerald

My eyes widen at the messages which is not all of it, yet. I rub myeyes, and then put the phone away. I get lost in my thoughts as I startreminiscing the moment where I first fell in love with Raphael.

The bright morning light shines upon us, asI hear the birds chirping to its fullest. The butterflies flying freely inmid-air, the flowers blooming in the clearing, making it look refreshing.Giggles erupt throughout the surroundings- laughter, chuckles, and happinessradiating the whole environment.

“Catchme, catch me!” I taunt Raphael as I hide behind a tree, my eyes glinting inlove and joy to see him smiling at me.

“Iwill catch you alright!” He laughs, charging towards me causing me to screamsoftly as I run towards the small lake near the bushes of red roses.

Ihide behind the bushes, picking out three beautiful roses, and hiding thembehind my back, as I stand up and look for any signs of Raphael.

“Thereyou are!” He beams at me, his eyes looking straight into mine. The sun goesperfectly with his bright personality; so handsome, so beautiful… soextraordinary.

“Happysixteenth birthday, Ralph,” I say, blushing, while handing the three roses tohim. “It means ‘I love you’.”

Hiseyes soften, and then he pulls me into a hug. “I love you too, Scarlet,” hesays nicely, giving me a kiss on my forehead.

Iblush from the contact and giggle like a high school girl, though I’m onlyeleven. It feels so special with Raphael.

Ithink I really am in love with him.

Butdo I know what love is?

Maybeit’s just infatuation. Yes, maybe that’s it. Maybe I just love him like abrother, huh? Well, let’s go with that for now.

“Doyou like it?” I ask, giving him a toothy grin.

Heruffles my hair and nod, “Anything from you, I love.”

“Doyou like Hannah’s gifts more, or mine?” I ask jealously. Lately Hannah has beeneverything Ralph talks about. I haven’t seen her yet, since I’m not allowed togo out of the house often, and meet strangers. I only go to see the Alpha andthe Luna, Raphael, and some people in school.

Hechuckles, and hugs me back again. “Yours,” he says positively, without anydoubt in his voice.

Ithen grin and laugh from what he just answered me. “Good!” I exclaim, as myhands both placed on my hips, showing confidence and pride.

Hejust replies with a smile and with that, we both continue our play of tag.

Butunknowingly for my age, I know that I fell in love with Raphael that exacttime.

I plop down on the bed, hugging Szari’s pillows, smelling his scent,already missing him. I really hate it when I think about Raphael, and goingback through that memories, it wants me to cry so hard. He was so nice to me…and if only I knew when I was eleven that he was my mate, then I would doanything… anything, for him to loveme back as much as I love him.

I wipe the thoughtsaway and think of my siblings. I have to get them soon. I don’t think I canever live another day without them by my side. I hate it when I’m like this…when I do irrational stuff that hurts other people as well. I want to be therewhen my siblings are growing. They’re just too important to be abandoned, and Idon’t ever want them to feel that way. I may have been selfish of not thinkingabout them… but that’s going to change. I promise that I will do everything inmy power to get them back; with or without Szari’s help. I will do it.