Chapter 40

She walks towards me, pulling me into a hug. She sniffs in my scent before pulling back.

"You look just like your mother," she says, grinning widely.

"Y-you know my mother?" I stutter, bewildered.

"Yes, dear. She was my best friend," she says smugly. "You were just a few hours old the last time I saw you."

She pulls me into a hug before walking towards Ma, pulling her into a hug.

"It has been so long, Alex," she pulls back with a smirk. "Still looking so young," she says, winking.

"Why are you here?" Ma asks, confused.

"I'm back because it's time to get ready," she says, giving Ma an understanding look.

"Okay, then. I will show you to the royals," Ma says before giving me a look to follow. I trail after them like a lost puppy.

We walk into Lawrence's office to find everyone going through the arrangement. Lawrence is in his office chair, and Mathias is on one of the chairs opposite Lawrence while Lillian, Grace, and Levi sit on the couch, looking through files. Thomas and Elisa sit opposite everyone, talking with Lawrence and Mathias.

This is the reason I left, and they are still here. Oh, Moon Goddess, I need your help.

I'm snapped out of my thoughts by what Ma says. "Your highness, this is Melanie, Kate's aunt."

"What? My aunt? I don't even know her or what's going on here," I whisper so only Ma can hear.

"We will discuss this later, but for now, play along," she says through the mind link.

"It's a pleasure to meet you," she says, bowing her head with respect.

"You are welcome, but what's your reason for being here?" Lawrence asks.

Ma is about to reply, but Aunt Melanie beats her to it. She walks towards Lawrence, taking a seat opposite Lawrence.

"I am here to make sure the legend is being fulfilled," she says calmly, looking at everyone's confused faces.

"What legend?" Elisa asks with a frown.

Aunt Melanie glances at Ma before glancing at Elder Mathias. "Can everyone leave except Alex, Mathias, Kate, and Lawrence," she demands with her eyes turning from her natural gray to blue.

Elder Mathias gives the nod for them to leave.

I look at her, bewildered. "Who are you?" I ask, frustrated.

"Calm down, Kate. Always impatient," she says with a shake of her head. "Come here, Kate."

I walk cautiously towards her. "Listen to everything I tell you," she says while I nod in reply. "You know about how your mother died, right?" she asks warily, studying my face.

"Yes," I say, looking down at my feet, not finding the courage to look at her. Maybe she is going to blame me for her best friend's death.

She tells me how she left me with Ma and became a rogue for three years, discovering herself while keeping an eye on everything I did.

"I spent time going through legends to understand why everything happened, " she says sternly before taking my hands in hers.

I wipe my tears away before glancing at Lawrence. He gives me a nod and a small smile.

I glance at Ma, asking for assurance. She gives me a weak smile.

"Tiara, what do you think?" I ask.

"I think we should give her a chance because we promised Lawrence we had forgiven everyone that hurt us," she suggests.

I contemplate it before making a decision. "I will give you a chance," I say smugly. A wide smile appears on her face. "But I have questions for you."

"You can ask anything," she replies, grinning widely.

"What legend are you talking about," I ask, frowning slightly.

I feel my leg getting numb from standing for so long. Lawrence stands up before pulling me into his lap. I sigh.

"I am called the keeper while Alex here is Kate's guardian, and Mathias is Lawrence's guardian," she explains.

I look at her, confused. "What do you mean?" I ask, voicing my thoughts.

"A keeper can read the outcomes and stand by the chosen, and a guardian is a protector," she explains.

"So why is Ma my guardian when I am not even the chosen one?" I ask, confused.

"You are," she replies before taking out a large book with a brown cover and a title in bold letters of "Legend of the White Lycan."

She explains how I am a white lycan and not a werewolf and how everything I went through was all written down in the legend about me going through pain, heartbreak, and betrayal for strength. She also explains how Lawrence and I are special and the most powerful so that we can save everyone.

"So, are you trying to say my life has been planned?" I ask cautiously.

This is just too much to take in one day.

"Why are ain't you surprised?" I ask Lawrence.

"I...er..." he stutters, not finding the right word.

I turn around to study his face.

"What are you even saying?" I ask with a raised eyebrow, waiting for a reply.

"You see, Kate, the thing is..." he says nervously before I cut him off.

"Wait a minute. You know about all this," I gasp in shock.

"It's not what you think, Kate," he says, but I cut him off once again.

"So you knew about this all along," I growl, jumping off his lap. "I am the only one who didn't know about this, and none of you felt the need to tell me anything?" I yell.

"Ma, you were with me my whole life, but you couldn't tell me? It feels like my life was a lie. It feels like I am the biggest fool here," I yell more, my fangs and claws coming out as anger envelops me.

"Kate, calm down," Ma says, walking towards me.

"Calm down," I say, laughing bitterly. "You all lied to me, and you of all people should know how much I despise lies."

"I always knew the Moon Goddess hated me, but this..." I say, mumbling the last part to myself. "This all too overwhelming. My life has been a joke. My life has already been planned, and I have no say on what I want," I say quietly to myself.

I fall to my knees and bring my hand to my face, seeing my claws out.

"Anger issues, Kate. Control your anger, or you might do something stupid," I mutter to myself.

Someone hugs me. I look up to see Lawrence. "Mi Vida, I am here for you," he says, looking into my eyes. "Your Ma was doing what was best for you. She never wanted to hurt you."

"I..." I try explaining, but he cuts me off.

"You trust me, right?" he asks, staring into my eyes intensely.

I frown. "Of course, I trust you." He laughs before kissing my forehead.

I look up to Elder Mathias, Aunty Melanie, and Ma looking at us with dreaming eyes.

"I am sorry for my outburst. I have a hard time controlling my anger," I say, apologizing.

"No problem, dear. So, are you ready?" Aunty Melanie asks while Lawrence pulls me up on my feet.

"I think I am ready for this," I say while contemplating my options.

Oh, moon goddess, help me.