Chapter 81. The Lying Tongue

Chapter 81. The Lying Tongue
The Lying Tongue 
Annabelle's POV

We made our way inside my cozy chambers and I dashed inside our bedroom to get changed into one of my old abandoned clothes. 

While I left, Mira took care of the guard. I'm sure she hurried to make him tea at once while he dried his drained clothes outside.

Dad was asleep because of the cold weather and I didn't intend to wake him. 

I found one of my clothes and I quickly took off the drained clothes, changing into the dry ones.

My teeth clenched, gashing because of the ravishing cold inside me.

I discovered that Mira has changed the design of our bedroom and had moved the bed to a different position. 

She's freaky obsessed with pink. The sheets, curtains and paintings were all of the same color. It looks girlish and beautiful. 

Talking about Mira, she always never did surprise me . It seems she had a sign that I'd be coming that day. 

She talked about me being in danger. How did she figure  that out? 

Brushing the thoughts aside, I quickly hurried to get some hot tea. The cold was killing. 

It hadn't stopped raining.  It wasn't up to 12 pm either. 

I would have gotten the moonleaf herb and left for the Blue moon Pack if not for the harsh weather.

Though, it wasn't easy to find the moonleaf and pluck it. One must jump through many hurdles before getting access to it. The last time I tried to pluck the leaves, I almost got bitten by a poisonous snake and today, I could have been killed by a branch of a tree.

Back in the living room, Mira and the guard sat together when I walked in. He held a mug in his hands, sipping from the hot seaming tea Mira made him.

“Come here, Anna. Come grab tea with us” Her sharp voice echoed. 

I sighed and walked towards her, my feet shaking from the cold inside me.

“Here, have one” She  handed me a cup of tea before I took my seat. 

“Thanks, Mira,” I said, taking the mug from her. 

“You’re welcome” She giggled. 

Drawing a sip from the tea that steamed, it burned my tongue and Mira laughed at me. 

“It’s freaky hot, Kiddie”

“I know. I prefer it this way.” I laughed too and asked. “ You don't seem surprise to see me” 

She put her cup down and smiled warmly at me.

“I wanted to ask why you came. It's not been long you left our pack” She replied very courteously. Makes me wonder if indeed Alpha was right by saying Mira was a shapeshifter. 

“So why did you come?” She asked, her voice crisp.

My eyes shifted to the guard that sat some  distance away. He was engrossed with his tea, never paying attention to what me and Mira were discussing. 

“Well, I came to get a particular leaf for Alpha's body ache.” I stopped there, not willing to reveal the truth to Mira. 

I noticed the way she glanced at me with something flickering in her eyes. 

“ Oh.. hope it isn't that bad?” She asked, masking something that I couldn't figure out.

“Not really bad” I replied and continued with my tea. 

We remained silent,  taking our tea before Mira's voice echoed.

“You know you're just one step closer to victory, Annabelle,” Mira muttered. ”I hope you can handle what the same  victory would throw at you?” 

My brows lifted. 
“ What are you saying?” I asked her.

I've never understood anything Mira says but that day, I was determined to read the meaning in every of her words. 

“Tell me about this victory, Mira. I'm lost here” I continued, trying to force words out of her mouth. 

Our eyes gaze lingered for a while before she tilted her head, tucking her long hair in-between her ears.

“ I can't explain this either, Anna. Just prepare for the sweetness and bitterness coming. I'll just be in the kitchen” She stood up and walked away to the kitchen.

Instantly, I followed her, determined to end this confusion once and for all. 

Mira just dished out a grave and sensitive message. I can't ignore it. 

“ You seem to know hidden things” I said, following her, my tone soft.

“Go away. I said I don't know anything” she replied in an infant voice. 

Dragging my feet towards the cabinet where she stood with a fry pan in her hands, I grabbed her waist, my head resting on her back. 

She sighed and gently put the pan down. 

Without unwrapping me from her body, her voice softened. 

“I see you're on a journey to discover me”

“And it's nothing bad knowing one's sister. Is it?” I nagged, not leaving her waist. 

“Do you really consider me as your sister?” Her spontaneous question almost threw me off balance. I wasn't prepared for it but I just have to be honest with my response. 

I took a deep breath, my voice lowering.  “ I do consider you as my sister.  But honestly, I doubt if you're ever real” 

Mira turned to me, a little smile playing on her lips.

“If I'm not real, then no one else is” She turned to the sink and began to wash the pan she had in her hands.

Then I thought I should clarify what Alpha said to me about Mira visiting the pack house the same day I visited.

“Can I ask you something?” I said. 

“Go ahead” She continued busing herself. 

I tried to rehearse my words with wisdom so I don't offend Mira or create enmity between her and Alpha.

“I was meaning to ask. Where did you disappear to the day I was to leave for the Blue moon Pack? Father and I searched everywhere for you. You were nowhere to be found.” 

I noticed a certain shock in Mira's eyes when I raised the matter. She wanted to dodge the question but couldn't find a way out of it. 
Avoiding my gaze, she continued busing herself, not ready to give me an answer. 
“Mira” I called her attention. “ You aren't saying anything. You left me dad worried that day—”  

“I lost my way. You were already gone before I came back home”

Mira said but I didn't know if I should believe her or not.

“