Chapter 30 - it's not a mirror

**Lily**

"Ow." I scratch the itch at the back of my head. There is a throbbing pain at the back of my head.

"You okay?"

"No." I rub my face and sit up slowly, cautiously looking around. I'm still a little foggy. I remember... I remember... a mirror in the forest. And... and.. something magical. This headache is killing me!

"I would have you some water... but my hands are tied."

"Shut up." I grumble. It's no time for jokes. I blink a couple times and look around, immediately my eyes catch the pile of leaves around me and on the trees. It smells piney and a little wet but still, it's a relaxing smell. I dust off the leaves and gruble curses. I bet it was Victor's dumb idea! Now I'm wet and cold and wet!

"How are you feeling now?"

Wait, so that *wasn't* my head?

I freeze. This time it's because I know *this* voice. It's just... like mine. Taking a deep breath, I slowly open my eyes.

I am staring at myself with, well, a blank expression.

Keely.

I clear my throat awkwardly and let my eyes trail over her features. I would be lying if i said I wasn't scared. She has the same red highlights and the same style as me. The girl is wearing clothes I would normally wear. It's like if she *stalked* my whole life and then copied my every move, acting and dressing just like... me. She even looks as scared as I do.

"I'm tied to a tree," She begins. "It's interesting." She bites her bottom lip.

"Who... put you there?" Argh, my voice sounds so plain now.

"The orange guy."

Victor.

"He's... interesting." She chuckles. "He said he was Asian like five times." The way she laughs is different from mine. Her whole face scrunches up and her mouth opens all the way.

Classic Victor. "He is. Korean, I think." Victor's never specified. He might not know what he is now that I think about it. I think he asked me once...

"He also pulled out like five buckets of popcorn." She chuckles again.

She's not like how I pictured. I mean she looks like me which is what is expected of a twin but everything else is just scary. Should I hug her now? Demand to know why I was given away? Ignore her? Wait, I can't ignore her. She's the key to finding the Royals.

"Oh. And sorry about making you scream." She closes her eyes and breathes out. "And faint as well. If it makes you feel any better, I fainted right after you."

See? It's like if she copied my actions. Like if she just *made* herself faint.

"So are you going to untie me or stare at me? It's getting pretty uncomfortable here." She wiggles around, trying to loosen the ropes around her thighs, waist, and shoulders.

My legs slowly make their way towards her until our eyes are staring into each others. They are lighter, I think. And I can see the little gold specks that Exel had. She mumbles a small "thanks" and begins to stretch. Her eyes avoid mine now.

"It's surreal. I mean, I didn't think you'd look like me."

I nod in agreement, keeping my distance. "So." I clear my throat. "Why are you in the foest?" I let out an awkward laugh. She bites her lip and motions for me to sit beside her on the grass. I reluctantly walk up to her and sit down, leaving a great distance between us.

I know I'm not being nice at the moment but I can't believe this is happening. I don't even want to be near her. I don't think I can handle this right now. I need *someone* beside me. I need someone...

She clears her throat. "I wanted to find you." Her voice is quiet, guilty, and even shy. I nod slowly, acting as if I didn't know that. But Exel was clear and honest. So of course I would believe the guy with his bright blue eyes.

"Why?" My low voice startles her.

Her eyes stare at my facial features, trying to read what I'm thinking. "I wanted to find my sister. The sister I have *always* wanted to have." She says it like it's common sense. Like anyone would go on an adventure to find their long, lost sister.

"That's brave, I guess?" I didn't mean for it come out as a question. The atmosphere feels thick and the fog around us looks that way as well. I can barely see the leaves on the trees.

"You guess?" She looks hurt. "What would you do if your parents hid a secret from you? My parents hid you from me, they could have told me, but they didn't." After her outburst, her cheeks tint pink. "I mean, I always felt ike something was missing. And it wasn't my mate."

How couldn't he be? He's a snack. Right? Right... ?

Focus, Lily. Focus.

"I always felt like that but it wasn't because of you. I mean, my parents hid a lot of secrets from me." Saying it allowed still hurts. It hurts less though, that's something.

She nods, swallowing slowly. The corners of her lips lift up, humorlessly. "Well, I did what my heart told me to do. Wait no - " She scratches her chin. "What my wolf told me to do. She wanted to bring others but I blocked her and everyone out." Her eyes stare at the pile of leafs in front of us, where I was laying earlier.

"Even Exel."

"What?" Her eyes grow wide and I feel mines grow as well. I thought I had said that in my head. She gapes at me, "How do you know about him? Wait," She leans closer to sniff me. "Why do you smell like him?" She leans away. The same gold specks Exel had appearing on her eyes. She stands up, a look I recognize as betrayal. Her hand moves towards her face to wipe the tear that escapes.

Why is she crying? She's the one that left him!

"How do you know him?" She shakes her head, another tear slips out and lands on her shirt. "He seduced you, didn't you?" She's delusional at this point. I search our surroundings, trying to find water or a bag. I sigh and grab her by the shoulders, sitting her back down on the grass. I squeeze her shoulder again but it just makes her let out a sob.

"No, Keely." Wierd name. "He saved my friend from an Alligator and left back to the Royal's land." My hand falls off her shoulder. She nods, the back of her hands wiping at her eyes. "Where I'm trying to go." I emphasize the last words but Keely just nods again.

"Sorry. He's my mate but he was a little whore back than. I mean, when we felt the pull, he was making out with another girl." Her hands tighten into fists.

"Oof." I feel my lips turn into a distasteful scowl. A playboy. Should have figured.

"Guess he told you other things too." She sniffled and picks up a leaf.

I nod and my eyes make their way to the sky above. It's so blue and beautiful.

"Oh. Do you... " She hesitates. "Do you know why we were separated at birth?"

"Because your parents didn't want me. Simple as that." I declare thoughtlessly. Exel didn't say that but after everything that has happened, I expect nothing less than that. I don't even know what I will say when I meet them. If I meet them. I'm having second thoughts but I've been too scared to admit it. The others and I came from a far away place, I think they would be angry if I didn't complete my mission.

"He said that?" Keely's lips turn into a straight line. "Some rouges robbed you away! And left me behind thinking, thinking our parents wouldn't mind since we look so much alike."

I flinch at the word 'our'. It doesn't go with 'our parents'. It's so foreign.

"If you come back, I can prove it! They can too!" Her body turns towards me, eagerly waiting for a response.

"I don't know."

Come on! This is what you came for Lily!

"Dude. That's dark." Victor.

I turn around and spot the others trying to hide behind a bush. I lightly laugh and motion my head towards Victor, who isn't crouching like the others but munching on his famous popcorn. Keely smiles back and shakes her head. Victor narrows his eyes suspiciously, hand reaching down for a pile of popcorn.

"Have you bonded and stuff?" Megan asks, plopping herself down in between my legs. I roll my eyes but I'm not surprised. Megan has always been possessive of me. I know it sounds wierd but Megan used to grab my hand and pull me away from groups of girls.

Keely raises an eyebrow, amused. "Right. Well, if you come with, I think you'll find the answers you're looking for. I can promise you that." Her eyes shine with hope.

"She's creeping you guys too? Right?" Brandon asks, whispering unsuccessfully.

"We're coming too." Megan interjects, fake smiling. She leans her back towards me and begins to stroke my leg. Jeremy, Brandon, and Jesse raise an eyebrow, suddenly paying attention to Megan's hand motions. Chase doesn't look amused, he looks jealous. My wolf happily jumps inside me.

"I understand. It's not a problem." Keely smiles tightly, almost forcing it. Her legs straighten up and she dusts herself off, her eyes not leaving Megan's teasing ones.

I roll my eyes and push Megan away, just enough so I can stand up as well. Jeremy grabs my hand and dusts off my front, eyes looking into mine and asking if I'm okay. I blush at the action and nod in response.

"He must be your mate." Keely mutters with a longing look in her eyes. I know she's thinking about her mate, Exel. My eyes find Chase, who is now avoiding any eyes and looking at the ground. His eyes slowly go from pink to red.

"No. I was rejected." I'm not embaressed this time. It's bad if you're used to it right? Should I be concerned for my mental being?

Keely's eyes grow gold specks and her mouth opens to exclaim, "What?!" An aura, similar to Exel's, rolls off of her in waves. "Why would he do that? Who *is* he? Where does he live? What's His Age? He Married?" Her mouth is full on rambling curses now.

"It was me." I feel Chase's eyes on me. He continues speaking, "I'm learnign my lesson." His eyes burn holes into Jeremy's arm that is around my waist.

Jeremy's arm tightens around me, his chest rumbling lowly. I bite my lip and pat his back. But still, my eyes look for Chase to make sure he is fine.

Keely responds darkly, "You better be."

"Oh I'm making sure he is." Megan sasses, her head doing those wierd Megan moves.

"Okay." Megan shakes her head, confused this time. "I think our parents have waited long enough." Megan takes a deep breath, hand at her heart. "Plus, being with me will help you. It'll save you from spending a few days in the dungeon."

"So other werewolves have found it?" Jesse questions.

Keely shakes her hand. "No. That's the point of an invisible gate." She pulls her hands forward and cracks her knuckles.

"I thought it would be placed as betrayal?" I question, remembering Exel's words.

She laughs, a whole heart filled laugh. "I'm the Princess, they can't do anything to me." With that, she motions us around her.

I stay rooted in my spot, thinking over her words. If she's a Princess, then I'm a Princess? Actually no, I didn't grow up inside those walls. My heart arches but I try my best to ignored it. I have a family, friends, and a pack that cares for me. Everything will be fine. I will get my answers and leave.

Yes, I'll do that.

"Okay, get in a circle people." She instructs, clapping her hands enthusiastically.

"Why?" Megan crosses her arms. "Are we gonna play ring around the rosy?"

We chuckle in response. Megan must be really jealous right now.

Keely grins, unaffected. "Nope. We are going to the castle." She rubs her hands together.

"And this helps how?" Megan reluctantly connects her hands with Jesse's and Joanne's.

"You'll see. Now, hold hands."

We all hold hands with Jeremy at my right and Debra to my left. Debra gives my hand a reassuring squeeze and I squeeze back. Debra has been awesome through this, I think I really needed her to be.

"Hold tight and close your eyes."

"I'm dizzy." Victor mutters.

It's silent for a couple seconds, just our breathing and a few birds are heard. The first thing I feel is wind. Wind that makes my hair blow freely behind me. A nice soothing temperature hits my face, relaxing me. Than the wind is rough, pulling me towards three separate directions. And than, it's back to blowing my hair behind me.

"Open your eyes."

My eyes snap open. A rush of adrenaline courses through me and I feel like running. We aren't in a dirty, dangerous forest anymore.

But in front of a Golden Mansion.

The others gasp beside me. Keely proudly crosses her arms, her hair still blowing behind her. The mansion is massive, fit for a Queen, King, and a Princess. The grass around it looks green and healthy. There are trees everywhere, nothing dirty about it. And to my surprise, there is no one in sight.

Victor pulls away from the circle and grabs his trusty, plastic fork. He motions it toward's Keely's direction, for protection. "Stand behind me everyone!" Victor's eyes quiver in fear.

I hit his arm but Victor doesn't bulge.

"I have a fork. Don't make me hurt you." Victor takes another step away from her.

Keely looks unimpressed. "I'm not going to hurt you. I don't have that kind of power." Keely rolls her eyes and makes her way towards the large white doors with golden doorknobs. "I transported us to the castle. My home."

My heart stops for a minute and I forget how to breathe until a small wind has me relaxing. But the nerves still dance around inside my stomach. Every step towards the doors is a step closer to meeting my birth parents. Help me.

"White werewolf's have a power. We aren't allowed to use them much, unless you're a Princess." Keely pulls her hair behind her shoulder, almost arrogantly.

"We do." Jesse clears his throat. "Not the same as experiencing it." He mutters, hands fists inside his pockets.

Keely bites her lip and nods, "Let's talk to our parents."

I flinch again but stay silent. Should I go in? Run away? The possabilities are endless, mostly because I don't see gates or walls anywhere. What if... they don't recognize me?

Idiot, you look exactly like Keely.

"Let's go." Keely grabs the golden doorknob, nodding at the guards who seem to have appeared out of thin air. The guards eyes peer at all of us, their eyes not surprised even when they go from Keely to mine.

The inside of the mansion is beautiful. They have grass sculptures and a giant water fountain in the middle of two big staircases. My heart hammers against my chest as my eyes follow all the expensive decorations. I could have lived here...

We follow Keely past the staircase and into a long narrow hallway. The walls are white with golden, shiny stripes. There a couple paintings on the walls but most of them are just about nature.

"Keely?!" A masculine voice echoes behind the door we stopped at.

*Ba Dump*.

Two figures open the door with full force. My breathing stops when the two figures run towards Keely, hugging her tightly and murmuring words to her. Keely's eyes fill with tears as she hugs them just as tightly.

*Ba Dump*.

"Where Have You Been?!" The women with a crown on the top of her head exclaims.

Keely opens her mouth but nothing comes out. Her eyes go from mine to her *mothers*.

Do I alert them of my presence and act friendly? Or do I lash out and demand answers? What do I do?

*Ba Dump*.

"We Were So Worried." The man tightens his arms around Keely. He has an even bigger crown on his head.

"Lily." Keely squeaks, tears leaking out her eyes.

They freeze this time, their figures turning rigid and straight. Their arms slowly pull away from Keely.

*Ba Dump*.

"We wanted to tell you about her but it pains us to say the name."

Ouch. I'm not sure what is is. It just hurts.

"No." Keely shakes her head and points her finger at my face. "Lily. There." And then it happens.

My whole body tenses up completely, nerves bubbling up inside me. I see them stiffen before they make a quick turn to the direction Keely's pointing at. The atmosphere turns thick and my insides, I think they match the outside atmosphere.

*Ba Dump*.

My face turns void of emotion.

*Ba Dump*.

"Lily?" It's the man's voice, the man with a crown.

"Oh My God." A strangled sob escapes past the woman's lips. The woman with the crown.

*BA DUMP*.