Disha
Today, Edward and Ace joined us for our morning run. Ace presents brought cheerfully morning for Halona and me. I was ecstatic the moment I saw him since the time we spend last night wasn't sufficient for me.
This also gave others the chance to know Ace. Haniya and Yasmin were the ones who talked the most with Ace whereas Edward was minding his business which was staring at Haniya or her wolf Zarita.
Asha was observing me mostly and told me that it is the first time to see me joyous as now, also wish me the best.
" Asha, how will you deal with Rohan is around. This mate bond is strong, I can not stay away from Ace for a bit. I know it can be seen as weird as I have known him less than a day but it is what it is. How is Astra dealing with this ?", I mind-linked Asha during our run.
" I am scared that Astra will mark him at first sight, as Edward did. To be honest, I don't know what to do as I was trying to be over him and now that I know he is my soulmate. This doesn't mean that I forgave him for what he did to me and I will never put him first which makes Astra furious. She keeps stating he is our mate and he won't be the same", Asha shared her feeling with me.
" I hope whatever you decide will be good for you in the end and I just hope the best for you," I said back.
" By the way, do you know what is the issue between Edward and Ace as they are acting so formal, also isn't trying to know each other," Asha change the topic which grabs my attention completely.
" Actually, I didn't notice it at all. Ace had my full attention man," I told Asha who chuckled.
" Now to think about it, Edward have a stony expression towards Ace and it feels like he has worn a mask, " I continue to speak, Asha also agrees with this point and she guessed,
" Maybe, he is an introverted person".
" That must be it," I conclude our discussion.
After our run, Andrew informed us of the change made in our schedule until Luv, Khush and Roshan leave. We will be having one class per day which delighted me, looks like it's my lucky day.
Ace then took me to the cafe and it turns out he works part-time there. He serves the best pastry, coffee that the cafe offers. To be honest, it wasn't as yummy as it was told to me as the pastry wasn't cooked properly and the coffee was bitter that soured my taste buds. When Ace asked about the meal, I was honest with him and promised to make delicious pastries for him. Ace was hurt by my review but after promising the pastries he became happy or was it a mask he put on for me which I doubt.
" I have some work to do for the council. I will meet your cousins later in the afternoon, mate. Is there any heads up to know about them?" Ace spoke after we step out of the cafe.
" Well, they are the coolest and just be who you are because they like honestly and I am sure they will like you," I told him.
" What if they don't like my true self?" Ace raised a question.
" Well, I like who you are then they will too," I retorted.
This made him laugh as I told the funniest joke and he counters attacked by muttering," We met each other yesterday, how come you are sure you know the real Ace". This made me speechless for a while, it is true what he said but he is my mate...soulmate we are made for each other and that gives me to answer to reply, " I trust you like I never did. Not because you are my mate but you have been hurt as much as I have. From our talk last night, it arose to me that we are the same...we had our struggle which only made us strong and together we can have our solitude".
This made Ace to be astounded and he pulled me at once to kiss. This kiss bring an eruption of sparkle, and it kept rising as Ace plays with my lips. He was sucking at first then biting my lower lips and suddenly he grab my ass which made me gasp. Which provide him with the opportunity to invade his tongue this made my knees weaken. I had to hold his arms for support later riding towards his neck, making him shiver from my touches. To which I internally smirked, then took hold of his hair which was smooth and soft under my hand. We didn't stop until we were breathless from the kiss, I never kissed anyone this deeply before.
" I want him now" Halona demanded.
" What do you mean by that?" I was shell-shock by her level of power from her demand.
" You know what I mean! He is our mate and I can't stay away from him anymore," Halona spoke in complete determination.
" I am not ready for that," I claimed.
Halona was about to say something back but Ace interrupted the conversation to which I was glad.
" Mate is it okay for you to go to your place alone as I have to be on time..."
I interrupted him mid-sentence by saying," It's okay and I hope you will like my chai when you will come back".
Ace nodded, gave a quick peck and jogged away from me. I was again watching him disappear among the coward as I did the last night.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I made double chocolate cookies, red velvet brownies with the help of Yasmin and Nina. Haniya made cold mocha coffee for Luv, Khush and Rohan.
While we were cooking, we all got a mind-link from Roshini saying,
" Luv, Khush and Rohan started to question me back and front non-stop. Asha couldn't help me since she was controlling Astra who was fighting for control to bite my stupid brother. I had to go on details man and that was so headache to even think".
"Lol, I should have gone instead as I could have cooked up a nice story," Nina spoke
" So what are the details you made up?" Yasmin asked.
" One of the attackers tore Nina's t-shirt she was wearing,"
" Well, that's a good reason for my episode. You didn't disappoint me as I expected you could," Nina spoke the last sentence in a dramatic voice to which Roshini replied,
"I delighted to hear that your Highness"
" Nina, you have to convince Luv, Khush with your post-episode..." Nina interrupted Asha by saying,
" Don't worry about that, it's not the first time I am faking a post-episode,"
" What do you mean!" all of us question Nina.
" I used to fake some episode to fulfil my wishes".
This shocked us to our core, I always thought Nina can't lie or act. Now I can't believe what is Nina's true face, the one I am used to or the one I am getting to know.
Now that I think of it, Nina can see the future since she was a child. Then did she ever act or lied about something so the prediction she saw happens or prevent it from happening.
I try to see a fault in Nina's acting when Luv, Khush and Rohan arrived. To my surprise, I can't find none. Nina is acting perfectly as she is fragile, dangerous to herself. The way she is stammered... or keep on looking down instead of making eye contact, it's amazing how naturally she is doing it.
" Maybe, it's her kitsune side that is fooling everyone," Halona commented.
" Kitsune can pretend well since they are tricksters. But from what I read about them is that their performance or appearance of another being cannot be hundred per cent perfect. Yet, Nina is acting effortlessly," I noted.
" There have to be a mistake...or thing that can prove she is lying," Halona said.
I closely observed Nina when she is talking about the 'incident'. She is using her hands a lot but that's because she is intensely narrating the story, her breathing isn't at a normal rate rather it's beating fast. That is it, her breathing... that's the fault in her acting.
I was thrilled with my accomplishment that I mind-link everyone expects Nina since I don't want her acting to be affected. I told everyone what Halona and I discussed, then my discovery.
Asha said, " Actually, it's her hand's movement and look at her eyes. The way she keeps on rubbing her neck after a while and glancing sideways repetitively shows she is nervous, uncertain about what to say. But these details happen to be an indication of her post-episode which is our advantage now,"
" Woah... Asha, you can be a good detective," Yasmin remarks in Asha's sharp sight.
" Dude, that's my sister. We grew up together, that's the only reason that helps me to tell her behaviour's or action's purpose," Asha tries to be modest but to me, she fails. Asha is always been attentive since she was a child, not only that she has a photogenic memory as well.
" Nina, that was one bad incident, don't let it ruin your stay in America," Rohan tries to calm Nina but who says that. From what I know about Rohan is that he is bad at words, he doesn't know what is appropriate to say just like Yasmin and Nina.
" Seriously, that's what you say to someone who is going through a mental breakdown? " Asha question him and her cheeks were slightly red.
Rohan gave a 'what to do' expression to her.
" How are you coping?" I mind-link Asha,
" I don't want to talk about it," Asha said.
" Acha, Nina let bygones be bygones," Khush said while giving her Oreo flavour chocolate to her. This made Nina look at the chocolate greedily and she nodded while taking the chocolate.
Khush gave an unknown expression to Luv, making Luv control his laugh.
THEY KNOW!!!!
I quickly inform everyone about it, they were as shocked as I was.
" Thank god, they aren't as stupid as I thought they were. As a sister, I could see through her act so would Luv and Khush. But why aren't they confronting her?" Asha spoke,
" Because this isn't the first time they know about my act. They always know when I am acting and I never gave a shit as they never stop me doing it," Nina muttered.
" That's why you called Rohan instead of your brothers," Roshini shout as she solved the big mystery.
" Yeah, what else you thought?" Nina asked a rhetorical question.
" Do you girls have something for us to eat or not?" Luv said and I was able to hear the growl of his stomach.
" Of course, I made double chocolate cookies and red velvet brownies," I announced while going towards the kitchen.
" I love you, Disha" Luv declared,
This made Nina say " I help her " and instantly Luv asked, " Disha tell me, please she didn't do the majority of work or important aspect of baking those things"
" Don't worry Luv, she did minor help" I assured.
Luv released a relief sigh after my statement. Those three eat up all the cookies and brownies in minutes and still have a place in their stomach to have ice mocha right away.
Later in the afternoon Haniya and I introduced Edward and Ace as the guys we are dating. The surprise could be an understatement to describe Luv's and Khush's expressions as their eyes widen, and they took a few seconds to compose themselves.
Luv and Khush question Edward and Ace back and front showing the protective brothers' trail. After the inquiry was finished Edward offered the rest of us to show around some nice local famous places.
As I was getting ready, I got a call from Mom and then from Dad but I choose to ignore both times. Because I don't want their toxicity in my life anymore.
I wore a light blue coloured boho dress, Asha wore a lacy crop top similar to Nina's top and both of them wore jeans with it. Haniya wore a tight green colour shirt with loose straight jeans, Yasmin wore my green t-shirt and Roshini wore boho loose pants with a white crop top.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We visited an art gallery that was sponsored by Edward. The paintings were done by physically challenged children, and it was amazing as there were 3D paintings such as wolves, forests, some of the paintings were vibrant while others were pale yet beautifully.
Roshini, Nina and Yasmin were on seven heavens, they were non-stop talking about the colouring, techniques, the type of paintings, etc.
" I don't understand why do these disableds even brother do painting rather than doing really important stuff?" Ace murmured.
" Art is a form of media that communicate a story through people, this also helps PHYSICAL CHALLENGE PEOPLE to spread their story to others making awareness of their existence important. They make a difference just picking up a brush or pencil," Edward corrected Ace by stating the 'physical challenge people' word when he was speaking and his aura was dominating during that time. This made Ace move backwards and I heard a low whimpering from him whereas I wasn't affected by Edward's aura at all.
Moving on, we visit the house of a collector who possesses historic artefacts. Edward acted as our guide who had all the knowledge about the artefacts and when or how it was used.
While we were gazing around, Ace pull me to the door and locked it right away. As usual, he kissed me but this was more intense than before,
" Ace, are you okay?" I asked,
" I can't tolerate that royal mutt at all. He is arrogant, and find others below him disgusting," Ace confessed.
" Ace, you are saying this because you don't know Edward. Give him a chance..." Ace interrupted me by chuckling humorlessly and just left me alone.
WHAT JUST HAPPEN?
" Halona?" I tried to call Halona but I wasn't able to get her until I call a few times.
" What happen!!" Halona said in an irritating tone.
" What happened to you?" I question her.
" I cannot reach Ron," Halona announced and block me again.
What the hell is happening... I thought today will be my lucky day but it doesn't look like it anymore.
" Disha, where are you?" Asha mind-linked me,
" Coming" I could only answer it in one word as my mood is completely ruined by Ace's and Halona's actions. For the rest of the tour, Ace wasn't talking to me and had a stony expression which scared the hell out of me. I swear my spin went chilled when I saw his expression which I found a sincere expression rather than a mask.
At last, for the dinner, we went to Charles's restaurant where we found Charlotte and Elizabeth dressed up like top models.
Both of them were wearing silk dresses, Elizabeth's dress was long and the colour was red whereas Charlotte's was light gold and it ends in her mid-thighs.
Both of them had straightened their curly hairs and applied glossy nude make-up.
I was observing Luv and Khush while we were going towards the table where their mates were. Their heartbeats started to beat fast and for a second I was their expression of shock but they quickly covered it.
When Edward introduce Luv and Khush to their mates, they both were smirking at their respectable mates. Charlotte and Elizabeth elegantly shook their hands, later speaking to their mates confidently. This reminds me of how stupid I act toward Ace.
I looked at Ace, he still had that scary expression and I don't know what to say to him when he has that expression. I couldn't even muster the courage to even hold his hand. If Halona didn't block me, she could have helped and resolved the issue by now.
Charles arrives with waiters carrying our dinner, " Hello Everyone, You must be Luv and Khush. I am Charles, Elizabeth's and Charlotte's brother," Charles shake hands with Luv, Khush and in the end Rohan.
" For the dinner, I personally cooked for everyone here. Disha, for your sweet tooth I made a stuffed baked sweet potato and then the waiter placed my dinner in front of me.
" It looks divine," I commented,
" It even tastes like it," Charles replies and wink at me. This action causes a low growl from Ace, why is he acting so weird today. He was just fine in the morning and was looking forward to meeting Luv, Khush and Rohan. Maybe his work with the council didn't go well but is it acceptable for him to vein out on me?.
" Asha, for you I especially cook this Thai noodle using the traditional method that we talked about last time," Charles announced.
I took a bite of my dinner, it had the perfect blend of savoury and sweetness.
" Nina as you are a seafood lover so I cooked this seafood platter for you," Charles continued.
A plate of various seafood like prawns, crabs, cuttlefish, etc.
" You always amaze me with your cooking, Charles" Nina spoke after taking a bite.
"It is my pleasure," Charles said looking at Nina and turning his attention towards Haniya,
" Haniya, you will have my infamous beef streak with sour and sweet dippings,"
To which Haniya replied, " Thank you, Charles "
" Yasmin, I remember your wish to have garlic butter chicken and potatoes skillet,"
" Thank you for remembering my wish," Yasmin muttered when she was about to eat her dinner.
" Roshini, you have inspired me to cook this Coq Au Vin. This is a French dish of chicken braised with wine, lardons, mushrooms, and garlic,"
" Thank you, " Roshini said giving a small smile.
" For my sisters and cousin the usual they ordered," Then simultaneously their meals were placed in front of them.
" For Rohan, Luv, Khush and Ace I thought of making my specialities. For Rohan, it's creamy chicken and gnocchi. Khush, you have creamy cajun chicken pasta. Luv, you have smoked sausage and rice. And lastly, I have cooked creamy herb chicken with rice for you, Ace," Charles is finally done talking.
In reply, everyone said thank you except Ace who muttered, " The chicken is uncooked,"
" Well, the chicken isn't uncooked. I cooked it in medium rare, that's why you feel it uncooked," Charles defended.
" Looks like someone can't take anything against his cooking skills as a little girl," Ace whispered in my ear but the werewolves presented on the table heard it. This made everyone uncomfortable except the royals whose expressions remained unaffected.
" So Elizabeth what do you do?" Luv asked his mate.
" I am in the final year of my degree in child psychology. What about you?" Elizabeth muttered.
" I started a programming business with Khush and Rohan. Most probably Hani may join us in the future until she gains experience from other companies," Luv replied.
I then turn my attention to Khush and Charlotte who were busy talking to each other.
" So do you have plans to travel in the future?" Charlotte asked
" We were supposed to go for a road trip as an annual trip. But thanks to Nina, we had to change our plans at the last moment," Khush said and as 'we' he meant Luv, Rohan and him who always take a break from work like Nina, Asha and Roshini do.
Rohan, Charles and Asha were talking among themselves about cars. Whereas Edward and Haniya were having small talks.
" Disha, I want to take a bite," Yasmin muttered and I nodded.
She took a huge piece of potato and the fillings. I also did the same with her garlic butter chicken and potatoes skillet.
After our dinner, we order dessert. I had Tiramisu, Haniya and Yasmin choose chocolate lava cake. Asha ordered Apple cinnamon custard cake, Rohan ordered Apple and butterscotch pie. Charlotte and Khush ordered Roasted strawberry crumble, it was Charlotte who insisted Khush try her favourite dessert. Elizabeth and Luv shared their dessert which was called warm lemon pudding cake. How come you share a dessert with someone you just met?. Ace ordered the strawberry pavlova and by the look of his expression he loved but he quickly composed. Nina had a Russian honey cake, which is one of her favourites. Edward and Charles didn't order any dessert.
Charlotte and Elizabeth offered Luv, Khush and Rohan to drop them at the hotel nearby our apartment. Luv and Khush instantly accept their offer, then gave unknown look to Rohan. Rohan understood what that look meant as he declined the offer, stating he need to make sure Roshini reaches the apartment. Well, that's a stupid excuse as Rohan isn't that protective and Roshini also gave a shocked expression to him.
" Well, it going to be a fun ride," Nina remarks after hearing Rohan.
Ace took me aside and made a distance enough from others so they can't what we will talk about.
"Mate...I am sorry if I was a jerk but a lot happen today...," I interrupted Ace angrily saying, " That doesn't give an excuse to behave like that in the art gallery, or mock Charles's cooking skills. You have no idea how I felt the entire time..."
Ace kissed me, it wasn't romantic but forceful as if he wants me to shut up. I thought of pushing him off so I touch his shoulder.
I felt like a bandage underneath his shirt and he back off immediately in pain.
" Ace, what happened? and you have to be honest with me," I demand his answer
" I got whipped by the council for disrespecting Prince Edward during our run," He whispered.
" What... how... This is an inhuman act and what disrespect? you guys weren't talking much," I spoke and I felt Halona's presence which was fuming with rage.
" First of all, werewolves' laws are different from humans' laws. As an omega, I have to be respectful which means not allowing others to talk unnecessarily. They whipped me with a low-quantity of wolfbane and use silver material for the whip. This causes me to lose connection with Ron. To be honest, I am shocked, you didn't ask about Ron as Halona could have a sense and told you about it," Ace muttered the last sentence in accusation.
" Halona blocks me the whole day," I poorly defend myself as I am in shock.
" How did the council decide that you disrespect..." Ace interrupted me as he knew what I was going to question, " Prince Edward told them. That's what I got to know when I was getting whipped. Didn't you notice his or his cousin's behaviour towards me, it was cold, harsh"
I just shook my head like a doll. Then Ace kiss me again but this was a slow, gentle one and I reciprocate shortly.
" Bye, mate" Ace spoke in sadness but why? didn't we resolve our issue?
" THEY HURT MATE, THEY MADE HIM SAD AND I WILL AVENGE FOR OUR MATE.." Halona was screaming in rage.
" Halona, we can't do anything. The council is helping us..." I was trying to explain Halona but she interrupted me,
" WE ARE WOLF QUEEN FOR STAKE.." I block Halona as I wasn't in the mood to listen to her. Once she cools down, then I will talk to her.
On the way, I couldn't stop thinking about Ace. Didn't he already face enough problems, hardship? According to the books on werewolves, it was stated a pack is a family that protects each other and Ace's lost his family when he was small. Then he has been to the orphanage, the life he lived as an orphan couldn't have been easy. Especially, when there are consequences such as whipping for insignificant, unimportant things. The council was supposed to be sensible, unbiased, then why did they just obey Edward's words. Edward, I tried to be nice and unjudgemental towards him but he doesn't deserve it at all.
The sound of my phone interrupted my thoughts, it was Mom. I decline it.
Why is she calling, shouldn't she be happy that I am away from her. She used to say ' You three are burdens to me',
' I can't live my life due to you three'. This wasn't enough to vent out her anger so she could beat us, one time I fainted as Mom slapped me hard for correcting her mistake of mispronouncing a word.
Again, she was calling me. What is her problem? Can't she just leave me alone?. I answered the call,
" Disha, why weren't you answering?" Mom's sound of anger was the last straw for my outburst.
" BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO TALK TO YOU OR YOUR UNFAITHFUL HUSBAND. I DON'T WANT YOUR TOXICITY IN MY LIFE ANYMORE, YOU BOTH ALREADY RUIN MY CHILDHOOD. AND I WILL NOT ALLOW YOU TWO TO RUIN MY LIFE ANYMORE!!" I right away cut her call without listening to her.
I look up and saw everyone was looking shocked, "What?" I asked. They divert their attention elsewhere but the atmosphere was still tense.
Today's lesson was hunting class conducted by Cole and Sky. I didn't give much attention to what they were teaching.
" Disha, are you okay?" Sky asked,
" No, I am not. I want to rest and I will learn from others what you taught," I concluded and ran without giving anyone a chance to talk.