Chapter 19 he has sweetest smile
Anaya’s P.O.V.
“Mom….. I defeated all of them. I am the fastest. Yay… I am the fastest.”
I watched my younger self jumping up and down in front of my mother, who was also laughing with me while trying to hold my arm.
“Yeah, baby. You are the best. No one can defeat you.” Mom cheered with young Anaya, 5 years old, while young Anaya continued circling around Mom, her hands spread fully on either side as if she weren’t running but flying.
“Yay… I beat Jacob…. Yay.” Young Anaya continued celebrating her victory while my mother continued looking at me helplessly and dotingly.
Her dark brown eyes were now sparkling with life and happiness.
Those were the most beautiful and happiest days of my life.
I didn’t want to grow up.
I want to stay forever like that with my mother.
Suddenly everything went dark, and I panicked.
I heard myself crying for Mom in despair.
“Mom…. It’s so dark here. Where are you?” I heard myself, still young, screaming in the dark.
I was scared too. I wanted to reach my younger self and embrace her.
I wanted to comfort her that everything would be okay.
I could see her huddling in the darkest corner of Mom’s room.
“Mom…. Mom…..Mom.” she continued wailing while taking big hiccups.
I could feel her fear because she was me.
Suddenly she screamed in horror and dashed towards the window while screaming, "Mom."
I floated in her direction, dread filling my heart now.
“Nonononononono. This can’t happen again.” I mumbled in panic, watching my young self of 9 years old hovering over the windowsill."
“Mom….. Mom.” She screamed at the top of her lungs in horror.
I couldn’t breathe.
I wanted to run, but my legs were glued to their spots.
I wanted to scream, but nothing came out of my mouth.
“Moooooooooooommmmmmmmmm.Noooooooooooooooooo.” I watched my 9-year-old self wailing in agony, almost hanging half outside the window.
I know what she was seeing.
I didn’t want to see that again.
I wanted to run away as far as possible…
But I also wanted to go to my 9 self and embraced her…
“Mooooooooooooommmmmmm.” My eyes widened in horror when my younger self suddenly jumped out of the window.
“NOoooooooooooooooooooooo.”
I shot up, opening my eyes widely in horror, breathing heavily, drenched in sweat, but couldn’t breathe.
My chest was on fire, and I felt that my heart would burst out of my chest because of how hard it was beating.
I was now breathing through both nose and mouth while staring at whatever was in front of me in the darkness.
I felt the air inside the room was howling near my ears.
That night was my worst nightmare, but I hadn’t had this dream for ages.
Why now?
I closed my eyes and continued breathing heavily.
I started counting sheep in my mind, keeping all thoughts out of my mind.
I flinched harder and snapped open my eyes when someone touched my hand.
I grabbed a tiny wrist and was about to twist it when I saw his beautiful and innocent green eyes.
“I only wanted to give you this candy. You are scared.” He spoke in a shaky voice filled with fear, but it sounded like the most beautiful sound to my ears.
My heart immediately calmed down, and I smiled.
I looked at my palm and saw a coconut candy there.
I loosened my grip on his wrist a bit and leaned down in his direction as he was standing beside the bed.
“Who are you, pup? How did you come here?” I asked him indulgingly while stroking his face with my other hand.
Although the room was shrouded in darkness, I could see his face clearly.
He was blinking innocently while looking at me with a toothy smile now.
He shouldn’t be older than 5 years old.
I am Evan. I am a good boy.” He replied in a cheerful tone, showing his pearly front teeth.
His smile and those sparks in his eyes were mesmerizing, bringing a smile on my lips.
“Yes, you are a good boy, Evan.” I praised him while stroking his face, still looking dotingly.
“Hurry up. Eat the candy. You will feel good.” He urged me, looking at me expectantly.
I laughed and slowly released his wrist and moved my hand under his armpit so that I could pull him up.
I settled him on my lap and kissed his forehead.
This was the first time after Vincent’s death that I smiled genuinely and felt at peace.
Every time I had this nightmare, I couldn’t sleep for the rest of the night.
The rage never let me stay calm, and I always needed something to vent my anger.
So, I always practiced boxing to vent my rage on the punching bag.
This was the first time that I was calm and smiling.
He took the candy from my hand and unwrapped it. He was doing it so concentratedly as if it were the most important work for him.
A child's world is different from an adult’s world.
Their world is filled with innocence, purity, and dreams. They only know two things – love and hatred in every form.
“Aaaaa.” He opened his mouth while looking at me, signaling me to open my mouth.
His vocabulary is limited. He can be a chatterbox at any time, I can say, and be silent as a mute if he wants.
So, instead of asking me to open my mouth, he gestured for me by opening his own mouth.
I smiled with tears in my eyes while looking at him with indulgence and opened my mouth.
He put that candy in my mouth, and he grinned excitedly.
The candy was sweet, but his smile was the sweetest.
He wrapped his hands around my waist and leaned on my chest.
I held him tightly against my chest and closed my eyes.
Suddenly it clicked for me.
“Evan.” I called him gently but confused.
“Why are you here? Who are your parents?” I asked him while looking at him worriedly.
Alfred will never let a young pup roam in the packhouse this late.
“This is my home. My father is the pack's beta, Theo.” He told me proudly, but I felt as if he poured a bucket full of cold water on me.
“Theo?” I breathed out, my grip tightening on his body unconsciously.
“Yes. Dad and Alpha bro… ught you home today. You were so hot th… that Mom put wet patches on your forehead for so long, you know.” He told me, and my breath hitched.
"I immediately looked around in panic, and my eyes widened in shock when I registered my surroundings.
The room wasn't mine.
I snapped my head in the door's direction when it slowly opened.
My heart was now thudding hard against my ribcage.
Lucifer actually brought me to his pack?
And he did it without my consent?
What the fuK?
The smell that hit my nostrils calmed me, and a she-wolf with the same green eyes as Evan entered the room.
"You are awake."