Chapter 19: Getting one mate back

Amina’s POV

My first week with Roxanne’s family seemed to go by like a blur. Between learning about their true identities and my fate as her brother’s mate, my head was constantly hurting and I spent most days in some sort of daze. As Roxanne and her parents showed me around town, introduced me to countless werewolves and explained life in a pack, reality began to slowly form and sink in. Werewolves exist. They are real and I was best friends with one. Ever since the night we kissed, I had yet to spend some time with Benjamin again. He never came back to his parents’ house, only seeing him around town from time to time. Every time I would lay my eyes on him, I unconsciously hoped he would come talk to me but when he wouldn’t, I found myself relived. All of these polar opposites emotions I felt whenever he was on my mind were driving me crazy. By the time Friday rolled around, I was ecstatic when Grace reminded me of my promise to cook a meal for the family. Cooking was my way of letting go of my emotions. Over the years, it became my number one source of comfort as I would forget everything and let go of my burdens if not forever, for at least two hours or so.

“Mina, sweetie, would you mind if we invited a few more people to dinner tonight? I’ve been raving about your recipes for so long, a lot of our friends really want to taste your cooking.” Grace asked me with the biggest smile.

Carson and her were both wearing workout gears as they were about to leave for training. Roxanne had told me a bit more about the attacks and Benjamin’s plan to have any and all able werewolves to train more often. They filled up their water bottles while I sat over at their kitchen island, drinking coffee. It was a little past noon.

“Sure, no problem. How many people are we talking about?” I replied feeling a little hesitant but not wanting to disappoint my hosts.

“Just a few friends. About ten or so.” Carson answered for his wife, a smile plastered over his face as well.

“Oh! Okay, yeah. No problem. I just hope I live up to your expectations.”

“We don’t doubt it.”

With those words, they disappeared from the kitchen and after a few minutes, I heard their SUV start up and drive away from the house. I sat alone in the kitchen, pondering on what could I possibly make for dinner that would both be good and easy enough to make in large amounts. I was still sitting there, going over all of the recipes I know in my mind when Roxanne walked in. When she realized I wasn’t paying attention to her, she shoved me lightly, thus effectively startling me.

“Dude, you space out a lot, you know that?”

I shrugged in response, taking a sip of my coffee.

“What were you thinking about?”

“Dinner. Your parents just informed me there’s going to be a lot of people. I’m not sure what to make.”

“Oh! Well, whatever you decide on, I’m sure it’ll be delicious. Anyways, I gotta go. Call me if you need anything! Love you!” She said rushing out of the kitchen.

I got up quickly and chased after her through the living room and all the way to the main lobby.

“Wait! Hey! What the hell! You’re leaving me alone? I just told you I have to cook for like twelve people!”

She stopped and turned back towards me with a confused look on her face.

“So? You’ve never wanted me to help you cook before. Actually, you always made it a point to kick me out of the kitchen every time you cooked.”

“Right. But I was only cooking for you and I or maybe a few friends. I was never doing it for a whole damn town.”

“Okay, relax, Mina!” She shot at me sarcastically. “You’ll be okay, besides there’s something important I have to do. Do you really need me here?”

That’s when I noticed the changes in my friend’s appearance from this morning. She had unbraided, washed and blow-dried her long brown hair sometime between breakfast and now. She put on some light makeup, a red lip and a skimpy little black dress that allowed me to notice that her legs were newly shaven. She looked like a model.

“Where are you going?” I asked her while side-eyeing her.

“Nowhere.”

“Bullshit. Where are you going?” I repeated my question with a heavier inquisitive look.

“There’s just something I gotta do.” She shot back placing her hands on her hips.

“Oh yeah? All slutty-ed up like that? In the middle of the day?” I made my point gesturing to her dress and heels.

“I look good, don’t I?” She asked showing her teeth, proud of her looks.

“Actually, yes, you really do! But it doesn’t answer my question.” I crossed my arms on my chest, feeling annoyed that she would not give up the truth.

“Look, it’s just something I have to do and I promise I’ll tell you all about it tonight. Actually, if I’m successful, you’ll see it for yourself tonight.” She said as she turned around and opened the front door.

“Huh?” I was so confused on what was going on.

“Just wish me luck, Mina! I’ll need it. Love you!” She waved and made her way to her car.

I watched her as she climbed in her white sedan and drove off. ‘*Great! Now, what*?’ I thought to myself as I closed back the front door. I had to find something to cook for tonight and the pressure was on. I had to feed and impress Roxanne’s family and their friends. ‘*Benji might be coming too*.’ That thought sent my stomach into knots and I was determined, more than ever, to come up with the perfect dinner.

Roxanne’s POV

I left Mina back home, wondering where I was headed. Like usual, I hated hiding stuff from my best friend but this was something I needed to do and see through on my own before I could talk about it with anyone. Driving down the road, I kept thinking about him and what I would say once I stood in front of him. No words seemed good enough. No apologies could ever undo the pain I’ve placed on him many years ago. I was young and foolish. I thought what I wanted more than anything was a life free of the burdens of a pack. I thought I craved a life of independence, free of the tying mate bond and the demanding responsibilities of being an Alpha's daughter. Seven years ago, I rejected my mate and forced him to reject me as well. I purposely forced him to live a life of misery and loneliness for my own selfish goals.

That night, I found out of much Ryan truly loved me. Ryan always wanted a mate and a family. He was the last wolf on Earth to ever give up on his mate and reject his blessings form the Moon Goddess. But he did, for me. To make me happy, he sacrificed his future, his happiness and his heart. Walking away from him and my town, I knew I was making a mistake. It took all the strength I had to leave. I wanted to run back to him the very same night, tell him I had made a mistake and become his wife but the stubborn part of me wouldn’t let me. Seven years later, I still loved him. He was the reason I didn’t come back often. I couldn’t bear to see him. I knew that I wasn’t strong enough to fight my love for him. Luckily, we have always managed to not see each other. This time though, there was no escaping my mate. I was ready.