Cast Aside Without a Mate

Chapter 18: I got a Secret to tell

Chapter 18 Dante's POV

*Flashback: One year ago*

"We are in the closet now. Hurry up and tell me the secret before someone comes looking for us." Desmond's voice was barely audible inside the secret closet. We were so close that our noses were brushing against each other. I could feel Desmond's excitement about my secret. I smiled at him slyly and chucked in a low, gruff voice as I grabbed his shoulders and leaned into his ear. "I already have my Menyaka. What do you think if I pretend I did not get him tonight?" my brother seemed giddy about hiding this information. "W-When? How long have you had your Menyaka? Why didn't you tell me?" Desmond threw so many questions out at once, and I knew he was hurt that I was keeping secrets.

My face was soft as I watched my brother practically lose his temper at me keeping my first secret. I knew we were supposed to tell each other everything, but the first time I met my Menyaka, he had told me to keep quiet about him and to leave him alone until he spoke to me first. Knowing if I could, I would not hesitate to tell my brother anything, and today Kumu spoke to me and told me his name. Today, I can tell my brother about my Menyaka and that I will keep him a secret. I wanted to keep him a secret. Kumu scared me, and I did not want anyone to know about him.

I shrugged my shoulders. I would not tell him that I have had my Menyaka since I was ten, so I fibbed a little. "Just since last year. Don't worry; you are not missing out on anything. He has never spoken to me, even since we met." I spoke slowly and calmly about the matter as I did not want to upset my brother; I was trying to make it seem like a game. I wiggled my eyebrows at Desmond in an attempt to ease up the conversation. "Don't worry, Des, if I pretend I do not have a Menyaka tonight, no one will even bat an eyelash at me, and we could get away with much more fun. Instead of training, they may not even send us, and we can practice secretly." I bounced up and down excitedly, thinking we could hide our powers until we wanted to reveal them.

Desmond's brows furrowed in thought when he spoke, "I guess it is worth a try because there is no guarantee that I will get my Menyaka tonight either. I do not want to be mistreated for being a late bloomer." Desmond's face fell, and sadness was evident in his eyes. I felt sorry that he did not have his Menyaka yet, so I patted him on the head and announced, "Then I will pretend not to have a Menyaka. No one can find out what I do, or we could get in trouble. I do not want to know what people will think of my beast." I shivered and wrapped my arms around myself. I did not want to think about what our people would do if they ever met my Menyaka. However, they would not openly accept him as their king.

I was only openly telling Desmond about my Menyaka because I was going crazy trying to keep this secret. Still, when I was trying to practice spells and other magical strengthening techniques, people seemed to be approaching or interrupting me, and I couldn't find anywhere good enough to practice in peace. The best thing I can do is tell Desmond and know that my secret will be safe with him. If I could inform Desmond, he could even help me practice after today using his powers. I could tell that what I said affected Des because the next thing I knew, he was tackling me to the floor in a bear hug, his excitement noticeable. "Of course, we can become stronger together. We can rule the kingdom as the strongest Alphas alive!" Des started bouncing around the room. Some day, everyone will know who the real kings of Xudford were.

A huge weight lifted off my shoulders as my brother now knew my secret. "You can never tell anyone about my secret. My Menyaka is my secret, and I do not want anyone to find out other than if I tell them myself." I finished clarifying myself with Desmond, so he knew I wanted this to stay between us. "Not even Mama and Papa? But why?" Desmond looked confused as he stared at me. "Because I want to see if they love me or if it only matters if we are powerful and if they love us," I said matter-of-factly, like it was apparent your parents should love you either way. Des did not agree or argue, so I guessed he understood my point. I smiled at Des. Sometimes, I wondered if he was too innocent. "Alright, I will not tell a soul," Desmond said, puffing up his chest to show his pride.

I chuckled as I patted him on the back. We left the closet and attended the banquet that night. Just as I had planned, everything fell into place. I showed my brother some of my powers and kept others to myself. Some of my powers were best to keep quiet about. I always wondered if I should have told him more than I did. Should I have been more open with Desmond, or was I correct to be hesitant about what I shared, even with my twin? I regret that I was not completely open with him. After all, my powers can sometimes scare me, especially when the searing hot power runs along my chest and burns my insides. It feels endless when I use some of the magic I can access. I was told that this is the principle to paying the price for using magic we were blessed with. I knew as long as I could become stronger and harness this power, I would no longer have to fear it. We all wore our respective ceremonial outfits that I requested us to wear that night, and it all worked in my favor. May the light forever be in my favor, repeated in my head as I lay on my bed and constantly reminded myself of it. Now, I was not alone in my secrets.

*Flashback end*

*Present Day*

Desmond and I were seated in the garden at our designated table, casually talking about how we had only three more years left for our coming-of-age ceremony to end, when both our parents approached our table looking somber and quiet. They hardly greeted us as they walked to their assigned seats and seated themselves. Soon, everyone else began to pour into the garden around us. "Kumu, since we have some free time now, we can talk about what happened earlier if you feel up to it." I reached out to my Menyaka, only to be met with silence. I tried to brush it off and figured I would try again later. As everyone finished getting seated at the tables, a few other people were setting up the stage for the speeches for the lunch.

I watched as many people began bringing out dishes and serving food to our parents. I saw that many people were beginning to mingle with each other, which meant it was only a matter of time before others would come try to converse with one of us as well. I practically held my breath when I saw Alice walking in our direction. I got a sour taste in my mouth as she sashayed her way over, looking regal with every step. I nearly had to remind myself she was getting married because I felt like pouncing on the poor woman right there. My heart was speeding up the closer she approached as I sat up straighter and smoothed out my outfit.