The Mark

What a day!

After sitting on the bathroom floor, Miles finally got up. He was facing the mirror, but quickly turned his head away. He couldn’t look at himself right now. He didn’t know if he’ll ever be able to look at himself again.

It was already noon, and party was supposed to start at 8 PM. Some would say that it’s still plenty of time, but right now Miles was panicking or zoning out, so there was no way for him to start preparing. There were so many things in his head right now, but the party wasn’t one of those. What’s the point of this stupid party anyway? He can’t spend the night with the person he needs the most. He doesn’t even have anyone to talk about it. Usually it was Kie, that he shared all his secrets with, but now, SHE was the secret. He was wondering if she felt something too. Part of him wanted that to be true, for her to know that and for that feeling to be mutual. But the second part was frightened to death, that he’s going to scare her, that’ he’s going to lose her. Not only his best friend, but now also his mate. They’ve always been so close, he almost couldn’t believe that they were able to be closer. There is no good way out of this situation. He’s going to lose her anyway, and that thought was breaking his heart piece by piece.

He washed his teeth and then splashed his face with ice cold water, trying to freshen himself up. It didn’t help much with his red, swollen from crying eyelids, but it didn’t matter for him now, he just wanted to focus, and cold water sounded like a good idea. At least the best he could think of. After doing so, he opened the window in his room and sat on the bed. Fresh air was actually helping him think. “Who should I ask about this? Was there any other case like that? Where should I start to look?”. That was a nice change, after his earlier breakdown, to think clear and to actually try to find a solution. Because there must be something what explains all of that.

Knocking on the door distracted him from his planning. He didn’t say anything yet, but the doorknob was already moving, and now a pair of blue eyes surrounded by freckles was staring at him. He stiffened, but didn’t say anything.

“I know you asked me to leave you alone” she started with quiet voice “But I just feel something is off, and I don’t want you to deal with that alone”.

Of course she noticed something is wrong. He acted like a lunatic right now, and she was completely clueless of the reason. He wished he could tell her. Not only because he needed her the most right now, and deep down hoped she feels the same, no matter how crazy that sounds. But also because he felt like it’s not fair. It’s about her life too, and she didn’t know.

“Whatever that is, you can tell me” now she came in to his room not waiting for the invitation.

He snorted hearing that, but didn’t say anything, having a knot in his stomach. He worried that he’ll start crying if he opened his mouth to say something. Or what’s worse that he’s going to say something he’ll regret later. Kiara was coming towards him, and it wasn’t helping.

“Even if you don’t want to talk about it yet, or ever… Just don’t push me away” Kiara was already sitting next to him, wondering what’s happening. He is so tense, stressed out. Not only she sees that, but she can feel it.

Their thighs were sticking, and his mind wasn’t working properly because of that.

“Kiara, I…” he said with cracking voice, not really sure what he’s going to say. It was enough for her eyes to lighten with hope. Those beautiful blue eyes. He could spend the rest of his life looking in those eyes. She waited patiently for him to finish the sentence, but soon she got it that he won’t say anything more.

“You don’t need to tell me now. Maybe I don’t understand that yet, but in a few months I’ll be going through that, and I know I’ll be freaking out. And I’ll need you then. And I think that you need me now.”

If only she knew how true that was. But that also made him think, her birthday is in March, and she’ll get to know her mate then. What then? Is she going to be mad that he knew all this time? What will she do? He started panicking again, and that didn’t escape her notice. Kiara grabbed his hand to comfort him, not knowing that’s a sweet torture to him.

“I do need you. And I promise I’ll be there for you.” he finally said a full sentence, which wasn’t easy while feeling Kiara’s touch. “I don’t quite understand what’s going on with me right now, so I don’t know what else to say.” That was true. He wasn’t really sure what’s going on.

She sighed with relief after that confession.

“Do you know who your mate is?” she couldn’t stop herself, and she regretted it right away. “I’m sorry, don’t answer. You can tell me when you’re ready.”

They sat on his bed holding hands for next few minutes. Miles was relaxed for the first time since this morning, but suddenly he felt something. Kiara’s scent was overwhelming, but there was something else to it. f**k. His head started spinning. That was Tim’s scent, all over her body. How could he overlook that before? He must’ve been so thunderstruck because of this whole shitty situation that he didn’t notice. He couldn’t be mad, he had no right to, but he was f*****g furious now. He got up, took out the first t-shirt that he could find in the wardrobe, and put it on. Kiara jumped on the bed, surprised with this sudden outburst.

“Miles, what happened?”. This whole day was so confusing. Is that going to be like this with her too?

“I need to go Kiara, I need to do something.” It hurt to act like that, she didn’t do anything wrong, and he’s acting like a douchebag, but he couldn’t help it. Dan was his friend, but now he wanted to kill him. Before Kie replied anything, he was already on the stairs, rushing towards the door. He didn’t even know, where he’s going, but he needed to leave, before he does something stupid.

Kiara stayed in his room flabbergasted. He was finally opening up to her, what happened? She laid down on his bed. Where did he go? His scent was more intense than ever and that was the only thing she could focus on, which was frustrating even more because of his weird behaviour. She was deep in her thoughts when someone touched her arm.

“Kiara?” that was Sofia. She looked much better than yesterday, and there was worry in her voice. Young woman didn’t respond. “Kiara, I’m sorry for yesterday. You may not believe me, but I really am.” Her mom apologising? What a day! “I wasn’t my best self…” she really looked remorseful.

“Nevermind” Kiara did believe that her mother was sorry, but it didn’t mean that it’s all okay now.

Sofia guessed that it’s not a good idea to push more.

“Where did Miles go?” she tried to change subject but was actually worried.

“I don’t know. He’s acting crazy today and didn’t tell me why. I just know that it’s mate thing, at least that’s what he said.” Kiara replied. It was early afternoon, but she was already tired.

Sofia looked really worried right now, which surprised her daughter.

“Didn’t you freak out a little on your 20th birthday?” she asked. She was still mad at her mom, but that was the only person next to her right now, and to be honest Kie’s mouth sometimes worked faster than her brain. “And dad…?”

Sofia frowned and sighed. She was silent for a while, and Kiara waited for her reply. She was as quiet as possible; even her breaths were shallow now, as she was scared that any sound would startle her mother.

“I didn’t. To be honest, I was relieved that day, because I knew who my mate is going to be. They say you can never be sure, so we had some doubts. I was more stressed before that. We were.”

What the hell? That was the longest sentence about her and their dad that she’s ever heard. Kiara was so surprised that she got quiet for a while.

“So why do you think he’s acting like that?” she didn’t continue asking about her parents. First because she didn’t want to push too much, little steps were better option, but also because it was about Miles now. And her mother answer didn’t really calm her down.

Sofia sighed, not sure what to say. “I’m sure it’s all fine”.

“So we’re back to square one” thought Kiara. She saw her mother attitude changing, she wasn’t honest with her. Maybe she didn’t know what’s going on, but she definitely knew that it’s not all fine.

“Mhm. Thanks mom.” Kiara mumbled. “I need to start preparing for the party now, so…” she added while getting up from the bed.

“Ah party! Yes of course.” Sofia got up too, and proceeded towards the door. They both left Miles’ room. Sofia went downstairs and Kie walked across the hallway to her room.

Sofia stopped down the stairs. Maybe she should do some more, than just this small conversation with Kie. She could sense that her daughter was worried, but after their argument from the day before, she was simply embarrassed to talk to her, even though she knew that it only makes things worse. And to be honest, she was worried too. Was Miles in trouble? He was always so calm and responsible; it didn’t really add up. There was one thing that could explain this distress, but she couldn’t bear that thought. She sighed and went straight to her bedroom. The room was clean, it actually looked like no one lived there. Right opposite the door was a big window with the view for the front of their house; a driveway, nice lawn and two oaks. King sized bed with nice satin sheets stood between a lamp and bed table. The door to her bathroom was closed, and next to them was standing a big wooden wardrobe. No clothes on the bedframe or the chair, not even a fold on the bed sheets. It looked like a guest room, not used in a while. There was a big chest in front of the bed, and that was the most eye-catching thing in the whole room. It looked really old, with some golden ornaments on the edges, and metal lock. Sofia was still standing in the doorway like she was hesitating if she should go inside. Although it was her room, she was only using her bathroom. She usually fell asleep on the couch or the chair in the living room, which her children weren’t really happy about. Finally she turned around and closed the door behind. Instead to her room, she went to the kitchen to pour herself a glass of translucent liquid. That was the second and probably not the last thing that Kie and Miles weren’t happy about. Oh how much they don’t know. The worst part was that she only had herself to blame. She drank the glass in a gulp and barely stopped herself from pouring another one. She needs to be better than that. Especially now. She didn’t know if that was the drink or the thought that gave her this instant motivation and strength, but now she was going towards her room, with a key in her hands. She was walking fast, scared that she might change her mind.

Meanwhile, Kiara was in her bathroom, taking shower. To be fair, she was just standing in the shower under the running water, but right now that’s what she needed. That’s the first time when mom was talking so calm about their dad. That was one of not many times that she spoke about him at all. Now she couldn’t help but wonder father’s presence would change anything. “What question that is? Of course it would.” she thought to herself. She was still mad at her mom, but after seeing the sadness in her eyes when she was talking about her dead mate, she felt sorry for her. Maybe if she wasn’t pushing them away, things would be different. But it is what it is, and there is no point of thinking “what if” now. She took a bottle of shampoo and squeezed it, waking up from her shower-daydreaming.

“Don’t worry about me Kie, I just needed to do something before the party, see you soon.” Suddenly, Miles’ voice resounded in her head; she almost slipped. What a relief! She smiled to herself and her mood changed, she could finally relax a little. She wasn’t sure if her brother is completely fine now, but his voice sounded better than before, and for now that was enough for her. This day started quite good, and she wanted to keep it that way. Memories from the night spent in Alpha’s house started running through her head, she blushed. When she woke up, Tim was already gone; he and Dan had some things to do, but he left her a note “Thank you for this night, and I’m not only talking about the s*x. I’m looking at you right now, but I already can’t wait to see you tonight”. She still had this note in her shorts’ pocket.

Now when she felt more confident about her brother’s sanity, she could really start preparing for his birthday party. It was planned in a hotel ball room. It sounded really fancy, she was actually surprised that Miles chose this place, but then he told her, that that’s just the official party. He wanted to be prepared in case his mate was there; he wanted it to be special, with nice, elegant outfits, live music. And somehow they could afford it, so why not? She always knew her brother is a romantic type. But he also planned next day after party, which was more casual, just a big bonfire with music and probably with booze.

She finished showering and came out of the bathroom. She only had 3 hours now before the party; the time flew like crazy today. Having no more time to waste, Kiara turned on the music and started preparations.