Awakening Fate

Chapter 17: The Summer Festival Pt. 2

Emmeline’s POV

              I hesitate as I stand in front of my bedroom door with my hand grasping the handle with sweaty palms. Taking deep breathes I finally talk myself in taking a chance and joining my friends and family at the pack picnic. Slowly I open my door to the empty corridor and take a step out. It feels like such a huge accomplishment as this is the first time, I have left my room since leaving the pack hospital.

              I make my way down to the back entrance of the pack house leading to the courtyard. The area is full of pack members. Everyone laughing and conversing with one another. I easily blend in, not drawing any attention to myself.

        As I settle towards the side of the tent, I notice my family walking up onto a platform. I clutch my chest as I see my family including my brother. He is larger than I remember. I notice him looking lovingly towards a small female next to him. His mate! She appears perfect for him. I feel my chest swell with pride as I watch my brother not only be in love but step up as the future Beta of our pack. I’m so immersed with my own thoughts of how proud I am of my family that I don’t even hear the Alpha making a speech.

        I almost jump from shock as the pack in unison respond to something the Alpha has said by raising their glasses. The pack starts to converse again as food starts being grilled and brought out to a large buffet table. I start to make my way towards the platform so I can surprise my family. I shudder a bit as cool breeze whips through the night. It’s awfully chilly for a summer night.

        I hear a gasp as I reach the platform and see my mother holding her hands up to her face trying to contain her excitement. Her enthusiasm makes me smile as I make my way to my mother and father hugging them both deeply.

        “I’m so happy you are here.” My mother says while my father nods and kisses me on the top of the head. I notice that they both are almost holding me as if to shield me from others.

        “Marcus, it is so nice to see your family back together.” The Alpha says walking over and shaking my father’s hand before turning his attention to me.

        “It is nice to have you back Emmeline.” He states giving me a warm smile.

        “Thank you, sir.” I wanted to say more but I am cut off by a teary-eyed Luna.

        “Emmeline!” She cries as she pulls me into a crushing hug. “I’m so sorry. I tried everything to get to you girls, but I failed.”

        My heart ached to hear my Luna blaming herself for my abduction. There was nothing she could have done to change the outcome without putting herself and Lily in greater risk. I hug her back hoping to ease the pain she must have felt while I was missing.

        “Please stop blaming yourself. The most important thing was that you and Lily were safe.” I state trying to reassure her. She pulls back and gives me a strange look. She is about to say more but is cut off by a choking sound from behind me.

        “Emmeline.” Matt says choking on his drink while his mate tries to pat his back. I smile as I watch my large tough brother unravel in front of me. He almost looks close to being on the verge of tears as he quickly walks towards me pulling me into a deep hug. I can hear him fighting his own sobs from escaping. He continued to hold me as if I was going to disappear before his very eyes. I give him a few minutes before trying to get his attention.

        “Matt, I hear you finally grew up.” I whisper with a small smirk. I feel Matt start to chuckle before pulling away from me. He looks at me and gives me a goofy smile.

        “It wasn’t easy.”

        I can’t help but laugh at him and his honesty. Suddenly, the small female who was standing beside him earlier moves towards us with a wide smile. “Hello, I’m Elena.” She says holding out her hand.

        “Emmeline.” I state returning her handshake. “But, most just call me Emmy.”

        “I’m so happy to finally meet you. Your brother has told me nothing but wonderful things about you. Honestly, I feel a little intimidated to be near the female who had such an impact on how he treats females.” She chuckles a bit while watching my brother blush slightly.

        “Stop it.” Matt mutters looking flustered. Making me laugh at his discomfort.

        “Truly I look forward to getting to know you better.” She says with a warm smile. All I can do is nod as my eyes find the shocked face of my best friend.

        I was shocked to see how Lily looked. Her wide eyes did not move away from my form. Every inch of her face was covered in dark painted make-up. Her black hair pulled into a high ponytail while she has on a small white crop top and a dark washed jean mini skirt.

        “Emmy?” She whispered in a choked voice. Our parents have soft smiles as they watch us standing here taking each other in. I nod softly staring back at my best friend. Lily charges forward and pulling me into a hug. She breaks down into sobs as she holds me.

        “Lily it’s okay.” I state trying to soothe her.

        “What do you mean it’s okay? You were gone! We couldn’t find you!” She cries into my shoulder. I start to worry about how she will look once she moves away from me. All that make up is probably running down her face now. I give our parents pleading looks to give us some space. Pulling Lily towards the platform I take a seat and wait for her to collect herself.

        “You did look for me?” I ask as she starts to wipe away the mess from her face.

        “Of course, we did. Many within the pack spent time looking for you. For many months trackers were out in and around the pack lands looking for you.” My heart swells a bit knowing that the pack cared about finding me. Lily can interpret my facial expression and lets out a long sigh.

        “Contrary to what you may believe there are actually many within the pack who do like you.” She says softly. I laugh softy as she gives me a knowing look.

        “Seems like nothing has changed when it comes to you, the all-knowing Lily.” I chuckle feeling at ease with having my best friend back. Lily just throws me a bright smile.

        “You know it!”

        The two of us engage in discussing our friends and all the things that have changed since I was gone. I learn that many of my friends have met their mates and have started taking on roles within the pack. Lily tells me that she has been taking courses at a local college in hopes of taking on a role as a lawyer in our pack. She shares that Lewis has been stepping up and is almost head warrior. I am really happy for my friends, but I realize I have no idea what I could contribute to our pack. I’m at a loss when I start to hear about how my brother, Parker and Clark have stepped up and are almost ready to fully take over the pack.

        “Wow so much has changed.” I mumble looking around at all the pack members who look at home while I find myself feeling like a stranger.

        “It has but only for the better.” Lily says giving a small shrug she looks like she wants to say more but stops immediately and gives me a horrified look.

       “Lily can you tell me why your brother is being such a jerk today?” A shrill voice asks from behind me.

        I turn slowly to see two females standing behind me. It takes me a few minutes to notice that it’s Hayden and Kenzie. They both don’t seem to realize me sitting here, which I’m grateful for. It appears that time hasn’t been so kind to these two. Kenzie doesn’t seem too flustered as she stands next to her best friend. She appears to have put on some weight but other than that she just looks stressed. Hayden on the other hand looks livid and is dressed in tiny amounts of fabric. The stress these two are experiencing has caused them to look almost haggard and have some bouts of acne.

        “I don’t know what you’re talking about. He was fine with us.”  Lily states trying to give a reassuring smile so that they don’t keep hanging around, but clearly Hayden has different plans. Kenzie is texting away on her phone oblivious to the scene now.

        “Well, I think he needs to stop avoiding me and we need to talk.” Hayden says crossing her arms over her chest looking annoyed.

        “You two have always been hot and cold.” Lily says giving another small shrug. “I’m sure it will all work out.”

        “Yeah, well he better get his act together. The pack can’t wait for us forever.”

      “Wait, are you the future Luna?” I ask looking between Hayden and Lily.

        Hayden raises an eyebrow and seems to finally notice me sitting there. Lily tenses next to me and looks at me shocked. However, the one who steps forward slowly making my blood run cold is Kenzie.

        “So, the rumors are true.” She says slowly while looking me up and down. “The pack runt has come home.”

        I wince at her statement and the tone she is using. Hayden looks at me shocked. “Emmeline!” She states looking at Kenzie who just nods while glaring at me. “You’re the reason we started having issues to begin with.” Hayden announces through gritted teeth.

        “Stop it Hayden, she has no idea what you are talking about.” Lily says quickly hoping to stop these two from unleashing their fury on me.

        “Oh yes she does.” Kenzie sneers while clenching her fists. “She is the one who told her brother and the Alpha about us trying to toughen her up.”

        I can’t help but gasp as I realize that somehow others were made aware of the years Kenzie, Hayden and their friends bullied me. I never told anyone other than Lily about them, which means Lily must of spilled the beans. Heat rushes to my cheeks knowing that some pack members were aware that I was never able to defend myself against these two.

        “I didn’t say anything.” I state defensively, but this only makes Kenzie and Hayden more furious.

        “Really, so your brother just found out on his own. Learned about stuff from years ago just randomly.” Kenzie shrieks looking like she is about to slap me.

        “She didn’t say anything, I did.” Lily says while holding her head high. “Someone needed to know so that you two would stop.”

        Kenzie looks as if she is at a loss of words as she looks at Lily. “I thought you would be my little sister. How could you do this to me?” Hayden asks looking at Lily in disbelief.

        “You can’t treat other the way you do.” Lily explains holding her hands up in defense. “With the way you were acting we were never going to be sisters.”

           Hayden and Kenzie both look like they are going to pounce on us. Anger radiates from them as they come to understand what occurred to make them lose their boyfriends and status within their friend group. I feel my heart rate increase as panic set in. These two are going to try and kill me for destroying their dreams. Hayden steps towards me with a face full of fury when suddenly a loud growl fills the air stopping her mid step.

The Alpha is now here.