Chapter 29 - Reflection

**Lily**

"So, let me get this straight." Jesse begins. "Lily, over there, has a twin." He points a finger at me. I roll my eyes, resisting the urge to bite his finger off. "And the twin, has been looking for over a month, for her?" Jesse pauses, "And she has the same exact red highlights on her hair as well?" Jesse's eyes widen, eyes looking from side to side. I kow he thinks it's crazy.

I know it is.

Bright Blue Eyes nods from his spot on the floor, his left hand holding his chin.

"This is crazy!" Joanne mutters, laughing.

Bright Blue Eyes glares at her. Joanne's mouth turns into a straight line and she hides behind Chase. That shut her down... for now.

"But how does she know now?" I bite my lip. "Why didn't she search for me earlier?"

His back straightens. "Her parents told her a month ago. She didn't tell me much. She just... left." His eyes are back at the ground. His aura dampens and to be honest, it's kind of sad. I wish I could say something helpful but I don't think anyone can help but this Keely girl.

"Come here, baby." Megan extends her arms, a flirty smile on her face.

"Megan!" Chase, Jeremy, Jesse, and I scold her.

"It's fine." He grins as he gets up and dusts off the sand on his pants. "I'm used to it." He winks. Did I just see... a sparkle under his eye?

"And magic's gone." Megan snarls.

"That too." He clears his throat. He grabs his gun from the floor and places it inside his boots. He tilts his head, smirking again. "I think we're done."

We've been at this for about an hour. It's been a confusing time especially since he can't explain things well. Wait a second. "Can you at least tell me your name?" In case, he's lying. I'll get him back even if it takes me months to find him.

He looks away. "You look so alike, it's confusing me but - " The corner of his lips tilt up. " - Exel Roman."

"I'm back!" Megan waves in a flirtatious manner.

"You're going to hell." Debra mutters.

Megan doesn't spare her a glance. "You too, whore."

Friends, am I right?

"Has "Keely" contacted you?" Jeremy makes quotation marks with his hands.

He shakes his head. "She blocked me out. She left without a goodbye..." He trails off.

He's probably thinking about the last time he talked to her. Their last interaction. Even now, I still think about my last interaction with Chase. Of course, I also think about Jeremy. But usually, my wolf interrupts me and pinches my insides until I stop. It's pretty painful but I think Jeremy's worth it. I don't know if I'm worth to Jeremy though.

"I have been trying to communicate with her through mind-link. She doesn't answer me at all. So, I decided to look for her with some guards but along the way, we had a few... problems." His eyes go from mine to the ground.

"Like, when I saw you at the lake." I point out.

"So you're not crazy?" Jesse asks, eyes wide again in disbelief. I glare at him.

"Yeah, like the lake." He confirms. "The ones you saw me with were attacked by the alligators. I sent them home and stayed because I figured you'd end up here eventually." He smirks.

And we did. I'd like to thank we wouldn't have if I could be able to control my anger. It's getting worse and I still haven't found a way to fix it. I've never had this problem.

"Are you expecting a thank you?" Jeremy asks while crossing his arms. As a future alpha, his aura is also setting in. Though, it's not as powerful as Exel's.

"Possibly. Your friend would be crocodile food if it weren't for me."

"We had it handled." Jeremy's eyes shoot him daggers. I grab his forearm and squeeze it. Jeremy sighs and grabs my hand, squeezing it in return. At least he's not mad anymore.

"I thank you." Debra holds out her finger, a grateful smile on her face. He nods in response. Argh, he reminds me of Chase but stronger.

"Did you tell one of your guards to attack us?" Victor asks, angry. "I killed one!"

"What?" Exel's eyes squint into bullets. "You did what?!" He takes a step forward. His biceps flexing in anger.

"Who Are You Really?" Victor takes a step forward but I grab his arm and pull him back.

"Chill." I get in between. "He tried to kill me! We didn't have a choice!" My hands shake in fear. I would have been better not knowing. I still can't stop searching with my eyes for the Red Blood Pack. I mean, they tried to kill one of us with a bow and arrow.

He runs a hand through his hair. "I didn't know." He shakes his head. "I gotta go talk to the King and Queen!"

"There's a king and queen?!" Brandon and Victor ask at the same time with astonished expressions.

"And a Princess." Exel's voice turns humorous. It's really not our fault we don't know these things. These people are harder to find than Carmen Santiago.

"I still love him." Megan sighs, dreamily.

"I'm gonna go." Exel mutters, eyes staring at Megan warily. I would too. Royal or not, nobody can get rid of Megan James. "But, I'd love to get to know you better." Exel directs the question to me. He casually stuffs his hands inside his front pockets, eyes focused on my face.

"Really?" I raise an eyebrow.

"Really?" Megan scoffs with a jealous undertone.

Chase and Jeremy glare at the back of my head.

"You're my future sister-in-law. If you don't like me, I have a feeling Keely will kill me." He chuckles fondly. "She's scary when she's angry." His eyes look afar as if remembering the last time she killed him. "Anyway, I died a couple times." He shudders. I don't know if he's trying to be funny.

Jesse, still spooked, adds. "Lily's scary when she's angry."

And I'm scared again.

"I can see that." Exel nods, eyes softening. "So, how's this guy treating you?" He asks. He juts his chin towards the direction of Jeremy and Chase.

Oh no. "Who?" I shoudn't have asked that question. I should know better by now.

"Your mate."

I bite my lip. I don't have an answer to that. How do you explain to a complete stranger that you were rejected by your mate and are now dating someone else? It's embarrassing. I feel my face grow hot, from my neck to my ears.

"It's complicated. And none of your business." Megan sasses. She flips a side of her hair behind her head. "But I have no mate. I'd love to have one though." Desperate. "*Anyone*." Have some dignity woman!

He takes a step back but continues speaking. "It's only complicated if he rejected you." He snickers. We stay silent, the mood bringing down the sunny day. As if sensing our mood changes, he stops. His eyes look from mine to Chase and than to Jeremy. "Whose the jerk?" He cracks his knuckles.

Ew, did I just shiver?

"It was me." Chase admits, back rigid. Argh, I hate it when people bring up the past. I want it done and over. My cheeks are back to burning hot and I begin to fan myself. An action that causes Exel's eyes to narrow towards the direction of the culprit. Chase's eyes are burning my neck, prompting me to look back at him. However, I stay mute.

"Huh." Exel runs his tongue over his teeth. "Are you... having an identity crisis?" He's amused now, clearly trying to get a reaction out of Chase.

"Identity what?" Chase eyes slowly darken.

"Gay, man." Exel grins. He's clearly trying to taunt him. My wolf pinches my side, urging me to intervene and protect our mate. But, I stay mute.

Chase eyes up Exel, probably trying to figure out if he could take him. Exel gasps and brings his hands up to his chest, trying to cover it. The corner of his lips tilt up and his eyes *twinkle*. "Naughty boy." Exel winks.

Oh boy.

Chase growls, charging forward. Jeremy, Jesse, and Brandon grab his arms and shoulders, holding him back. Chase's eyes don't leave Exel's teasing ones. Joanne, Debra, and Victor snicker.

"I want him under me." Megan states, eyes dark and pinned on Exel.

Exel shudders. "I'm scared of her." His voice is serious. The teasing twinkle is gone from his eyes and his lips are back in a stright line. "And I'm a Royal." The last statement seems to be meant for himself.

That's Megan.

"Show me." Megan walks a couple steps closer to Exel, eyes dark. Chase pulls away from the guys, eyes nodding in eagerly. He probably thinks Megan's going to attack.

Exel takes a step back, eyes shaking. "W - what?" His hand interwine professionally. Chase takes out his tongue, doing fist pumps in the air behind Megan's back. Her head quickly turns to glare at Chase, which causes him to stop, and Exel to jump.

"Tattoo." Megan's face turns sinister.

"I might need help after this." He places a hand against his forehead before rolling up the sleeves of his left arm. A golden tattoo of a crown is on his upper arm, shining brightly.

"I love it." Megan licks her lips.

"I can't help her." Debra tsks, disappointed at Megan's forward nature. I think we all are.

"But still, shiny." Joanne blushes. Alexis nods, mouth agape. His arm arm is just so... beefy. Like, this guy might live at the gym. His muscles flex after every movement. I wonder if he can lift me with one arm. Debra fans herself, nudging my shoulder. The guys clear their throats, not amused. We look away, ashamed and embarressed. Megan... she thinks he a piece of meat.

"Mine's are bigger." Victor shrugs. Brandon lifts up his bicep, flexing it. When he sees it doesn't compare, he brings it back down with a disappointed sigh. Jeremy and Jesse snicker.

"As a *Royal*," He emphasizes the word "Royal", "We naturally grow a bigger mass of muscle." Another arrogant smirk appears on his face. "Where are you from?" He doesn't seem to care. He just wants to gloat.

"The Dark Moon Pack." Jeremy states, big arms crossing over his chest. His aura is back to it's natural confidence. Which I am thankful for, saves me a lecture. Not that Jeremy lectures me. Does he? Exel's eyes are only wide for a second.

"And The Red Dawn Pack." Chase adds, an arrogant smirk on his face as well. Which is kind of funny seeing as how they had to call in another pack for help. It's an ultimate shame for Alpha's but necessary for safety of the pack members. The Red Dawn Pack used to be grand but it became a luxury pack very quickly. Once they won at war, their pack took over a land with good natural resources that were sold for money. Put them on the map but also shifted focus from training to luxury and ranks.

"Oh, okay." Exel seems disinterested now. Chase and Brandon's eyes turn into a daggers. "Dark Moon Pack, must say, surprised." He opens his mouth to say something but stops, his bright blue eyes grow gold specks.

"Awesome." Megan's infatuated now.

"Times up." His back turns to us, his feet walking toward the darkest part of the forest. Megan makes a move to follow him but Jeremy and Jesse grab her forearms. She growls, body trying to break free.

"You're not going to help us look for Keely?" I ask, upset. You can't just sprang important information over to someone and not help. I'm starting to think he's not an honest person. It must be his eyes. Those darn eyes.

"Can't. It's prohibited for a Royal member to bring in intruders." He stops to grin, his back still towards us. "But a Princess can." His smile is teasing again.

"Are you serious?" I bellow angrily. The Royals just keep on sounding more ridiculous the more I find out. They can't leave, can't bring in people, can't be seen. Who would want to live there?

"I am. She'll find you." He walks ahead again.

"Keely?!" I yell angrily. "The one person you can't find?!" I want to stomp my feet.

With a peace sign on his left hand and what I assume is an arrogant smirk on his face he calls out. "Toodles!" And he disappears in the dark forest.

"Do we believe him?" Joanne awkwardly asks when none of us say anything after a couple seconds.

"I do. He saved me." Debra blushes through her far away voice.

Megan sighs. "I don't. It's always the hot ones we have to watch for." She looks bumbed. Should have known Megan wouldn't be of help. "But if we see him again, y'all better talk me up." She warns.

"He Has A Mate!" Jeremy, Jesse, and Chase shout. Megan waves them off.

"He looked..." Alexis bites her lip, grinning. "Honest. Hot. Everything nice."

"I know right! And his eyes! So beautiful!"

"So true!" Soon enough us, the girls are gushing about how handsome and hot he was. The guys aren't pleased so I decide not to join in.

In all seriousness, I trust him. I don't want to but he seemed very concerned over "Keely". And as a Royal, he has a choice in Werewolf laws. Not that he might *not* be corrupt or trying to kill me, I just belive he's good.

"What does that have to do with believing him?" Jesse scowls, his arm flexing in anger. I don't bother to stare at the muscle, even though I want to.

"We were just saying," Joanne's voice is light and sheepish.

"Whatever."

It didn't take long for the sun to set and for us to set camp in the middle of the woods where the trees didn't cover up the sun. I insisted on leaving (I want to live) but they others were tired of the earlier events. The night was cold and most of use shifted and slept in wolf form but it was uneventful. The guys took shifts as look out after we had hunted for food. I took naps here and there but I spent most of the time searching the trees for threats.

*Grrr!*

Even though the others are sleeping, I still feel my cheeks heat up at the loud sound my stomach just made. With a sigh, I stand up and dust the leaves and sand off of me. I should find some food or something for us to eat. They deserve at least that for enduring this journey with me.

*Crunch*.

All I can hear is the sound my feet are making and my tired breaths. I stop, my wolf sensing someone near me. I slowly turn my heart, trying to find the culprit. My heart beats in anticipation.

*Groan*.

That wasn't me. My eyes slowly make their way up a tree but only find leaves and a small squirrel.

Just walk, Lily.

"What the hell!"

Not me.

A branch begins to shake aggressively above me. I move out the way when a figure seems to come closer to me from above. It was falling. My heart thumps faster inside my chest and my hands grab a branch and hide behind a tree. I'm too scared to use my body right now.

"Who's there?" I ask, trying to sound demanding. There is some shuffling in front of the tree. I take a deep breath and slowly peek my head out behind the tree to come face to face with... my reflection? I blink and well, it blinks back.

I frown, a little weirded out that there is a mirror in the middle of the forest. A mirror? I take a step out and it does the same. I furrow my eyebrows and lean closer... my reflection follows. But I didn't remember wearing some eyeliner. Shouldn't it have been gone by now anyway?

I run a finger on top of my eyelid, my reflection does the same. I take another step back and can't help but let my eyes widen at my outfit. I don't remember wearing skinny jeans and a gray tee. I thought I was wearing short jean shorts and a small tanktop with a sweater on top.

I look down and feel my heart stop. Only, I'm not wearing skinny jeans and a gray tee. I'm wearing short jean shorts and a tank top with a sweater on top. Faulty mirror? I look back up, trying to contain the panick that's about to explode out my mouth. Only, my reflection is still looking down at *it's* outfit.

My reflection is a *little* late.

I stop breathing and *it* slowly looks up at me. A strangled scream errupts out my mouth, which my reflection follows. I back away, only to trip on a branch. *It* does the same and falls on the floor as well. My eyes lock with *it*. Whaaa - ?

"Lily!" I don't look up as my friends near me. They halt a few feet away from me.

"Two Lily's?" A shocked voice whispers behind me but I don't move, scared. Staring at *it* - or whatever it is! I blink and *it* follows. My breathing begins to come out in short puffs. I think I'm about to pass out.

"Keely?"

*It* reluctantly tears it's eyes away from me and faces my friends, panic visible on *its* features. "Yes?" *It* responds with wide eyes.

And I do what I was sure I was going to do when I first thought it was just a reflection.

I faint.

***^*^***

I'm Back! Are you spooked? I am!

Who do you think Keely is? Aside from a twin?

Thank you so much for reading!

- KiKi