I feel nostalgia hit me when I land in the Golden Stone pack, my father's pack. I left this place when I was sixteen years old but still came to visit on every holiday. I took off my sunglasses as I descended the plane stairs, and the first one I saw in my line of vision was my mom, Caliana Meyes Chasia. She looked breathtaking. 

" My baby!" she exclaimed in happiness, waving at me, and I rushed towards her, throwing my arms around her. 

" Mom,"

I pulled away from her, and she took off my sunglasses. 

" I missed you, baby," she said, smiling at me, and I kissed her forehead. 

" Mom, we spent last summer together," I chuckled. This woman was never satisfied with spending an entire summer with me. She wanted me by her side always. 

" I thought you'd be here with Dad," I said, noticing she came alone. 

" Your father is working, you know him," she linked our arms as we entered the car.  

Caliana is not my biological mother. She is my father's mate, but she has treated me like her own since the day she came into our pack when I was four years old. We've had a strong bond, and I appreciate and love her very much. 

" So, any gossip for me. I feel like we don't talk as much as we used to," I told her. 

" That's all because you never answer my Facetime or calls," she complained. 

" It was twice, and I was busy!" I knew she wouldn't let it go. 

" Now, dish," I say. 

" Well, your uncle Marcus and Selena are having a fourth baby, another boy," she giggled. It is no secret that they wanted a girl. I'll tease them about it. " You should have seen their faces on the gender reveal, they couldn't even musk their disappointment," she said, showing me pictures of the baby's gender reveal. We laughed about it.

" I think they'll keep trying until a girl comes," I said. 

" Yes, oh, and Marcos and Elaine moved back to the main city from the district," she informed me.

" Why?" 

" I don't know, they just go there for work these days," 

 My mom and I didn't go home immediately. We went to a restaurant by the coast to have lunch. I was forcing myself to forget what happened, but it was futile, especially now that Ellis was calling every minute, so I blocked his number. 

My mother must have seen something in my eyes because she held my hand gently and looked at me as she did when she wanted me to confess something to her. I felt bare under her warm gaze, and I tapped my thigh with my hand. I do that when I'm anxious. 

" Oh, sweetheart," I felt my face get wet. I closed my eyes, and I could hear the sound of water around us. 

" Ellis found his mate," I said softly,

" Oh, baby," Mom whispered, squeezing my hand. I opened my eyes to face her.

" I'm sorry, Love, I'm so sorry," she said, warmly hugging me. 

...

We headed to the manor, and my mom was holding me the entire time. I appreciated that she respected my decision not to talk about the issue. I forced a smile on my lips once we hopped out of the car. My mom warned me that most of my family was there to surprise me. 

" Do I look fine?" I asked her, and she smiled sadly, fixing my collar. Opening the door, everyone screamed welcome home, and I smiled at them. My three aunties, siblings, and cousins were there. 

" Athena!" I exclaimed, spreading my arms to my now almost teenage sister. She hugged me. 

" Where's Aerys?" Aerys is my sixteen-year-old brother, 

"Alpha Camp," she answered in a sweet voice. I kissed her, I couldn't believe how big she was now. 

They celebrated my return, as always. Spending a few days at home brought me some comfort. It was easier during the day, but at night, I cried a lot. 

I often think of the summers Ellis spent here with me, and no matter how much I tried to kick the memories out of my mind, they lingered. 

I was turning and tossing in bed when I felt the urge to go outside for some fresh air. I walked around the manor until I found myself in the lonely streets of the night. 

" Love!" A deep voice jolts me out of my thoughts, and I turn around to see; Luis. He was an old friend of mine. 

" Hey, you!" I smiled at him, and he pulled me into an embrace. I hugged him back before pulling away. Luis grew up to be good-looking with soft curls, mesmerizing eyes, sharp features, and just the right height, no wonder the pack fawned over him.

" I heard from your mother that you were home," 

" And why haven't you been to see me," I slapped his shoulder. He scratched the back of his head, not knowing what to say. 

" I have no excuse," he confessed, and I nodded. 

" Where are you going?" 

" Just taking a walk, I couldn't sleep," 

" Should I join you?" he asked. We walked around the pack. My pack was not only the largest in this region but one of the wealthiest. We had modern technology and skyscrapers. 

" Love, is everything alright with you? You're sad," 

" Yes," 

Luis doesn't look convinced. He took my hand and led me to sit on a bench. 

" Love, how are you?" he asked, and I smiled, looking him in the eyes. 

" Luis, I'm alright," 

Luis repeated the question, and I frowned. What does he want me to say? 

' Us against the fucking mate bond,' Ellis's words rang in my head, 

" Ellis and I broke up," I told him. He looks shocked but collects himself. 

" I'm sorry. I bet it's hard for you," he said, 

" He found his mate and just couldn't resist," 

Luis looks pained. " Am I in the wrong for hurting this much? He's not mine," 

I feel guilty for crying and hating him because I shouldn't. It wasn't his fault. 

' But he slept with her before we could talk,' Vee said sadly. 

" No, not at all. It's alright to be hurt. You loved him," Luis took my hand in his. " Heck, you left home, and your family to be with him," he growled, now sounding angry. 

I took my hand back from him and ran it through my hair. 

" I'm so jealous of his mate," I confessed with a forced laugh. I didn't want to earlier. 

" Ellis is such a wonderful man. He was good to me, and now, he'll be good to her," I forced a smile on my lips, but my muscles protested against it.  

" You'll be okay, I know it," he said with the kindest of smiles on his lips. I sighed, resting my head on his arm. I wished I could be numb and wake up the next day without any pain.

 Luis took me back home and hugged me before he left. I was on my way inside when I saw my parents on the veranda, they liked passing time together. A smile made its way to my lips as I watched them dance. They are so in love with each other, and for a moment, I saw a glimpse of Ellis and me in them, but my mom's giggle jolted me as my father carried her in the air and twirled around before he sat down with her in his arms. 

Their journey to happiness wasn't easy. Dad was the biggest asshole to Mom, they parted for months, but still found themselves back to each.

I approached them and cleared my throat, only did they notice me. 

" Hi, My lovely girl," Dad smiled, and I bent down to kiss his forehead. 

" Where did you go?" 

" I just wanted some air," They exchanged a glance, and Mom got off Dad's lap. No, no. I've been avoiding speaking about this with my dad. 

" Your mom told me what happened with Ellis. Should I kill him?" he asked casually, typical alpha Edward Chasia. 

" No, Dad, but thank you," 

" Then tell me what to do?" his look was serious. 

I sat on the chair's armrest, wrapping one hand around him. 

" Nothing, just let me heal my way. Don't threaten, kill, or disassociate from the Grey Lycan Pack," I told him. The two packs had a great relationship and even had businesses together. 

I tell them my plans to go to New York, and they agree. My father opposed my decision to be alone, but my Mom convinced him it was for the best, and she always wins in this relationship. Go, girlpower.