Ioris POV
"We're sorry, Ioris. We can't accompany you on your camping trip this time." Mom's voice sounded regretful, I know. However, I never imagined that this would happen for the umpteenth time.
"Again? You promised me you would accompany my school's family gathering camp, and now—" I couldn't continue my sentence. To be more precise, I was reluctant.
At least one of them took the time to come and enjoy the event, but none made time for me.
"Come on, honey. Don't be so angry. Mom and Dad are very busy. Mom is taking care of the trial outside the pack while your dad, you know what he's been up to since he became Alpha King." Yes, well, I know. Still, was it wrong of me to wish things would be different? "After all, you're an adult. Eighteen years old, remember? Don't you want to be independent like your twin brother?"
"You always compare me to him. He's a man, Mom. Anyway, you guys trust him more, so you sent him to boarding school, not me."
"Ioris, please."
"Never mind. I'll shut myself in the tent, and no need to attend because I don't want to be alone like a fool."
Click!
I ended the call because there was no point in talking to her right now. There had never been anyone who could make her put work aside for a moment except for my twin brother.
Or it could be that I'm the unlucky one who always needs her presence at the wrong time.
After contacting Mom, I did what I told her. Staying in the tent felt much better than gathering around the campfire alone while others held hands with their families.
Was I being too demanding? I just wanted them to take their time for once. It's my inauguration night. Couldn't they understand?
"Ioris? Are you in?" called a familiar voice. One of my most trusted friends. She must have guessed I would be in this place and was reluctant to join them. "Can I come in?"
"Yeah, just come in."
The sound of slow steps approached and sat beside me, who was still lying face down with a pillow.
"What happened? Is your mom not coming?" she asked. I shook my head without a word. "What about your father?"
I sighed loudly, then got up and leaned over to face her.
"Am I a spoiled brat?" I asked with a serious look, but I'm sure my eyes must have glazed over. My best friend shook her head. "Is it hard for them to just come over for a little while?"
"Ioris, we sometimes don't know how important our parents' jobs are."
"But your mother tried to make time to come, even though she works at a pack hospital. Even your father, a sailor, visited you on the second day. While I—" I sighed again.
"How about you join us? My mom knows you and the rest of the Dawns family very well. I'm sure she'd be happy to represent your parents."
I wiped away tears as I shook my head. "It would still be different."
"I know. I'm sorry." My best friend looked down. "How about you contact your uncle? He'll definitely try to fulfill all your wishes. You are his favorite niece." My best friend's eyes lit up.
She was right. But... I wasn't sure I could deal with Uncle Ray for now.
"Come on, Ioris. He has incredible speed. He should be able to get here before the inauguration night starts."
I nodded hesitantly and reached for the phone, but for a few moments, I just stared at it. There was no choice but to ask Uncle Ray again to stand in for my parents. He would surely be happy to do so even though I knew he must be no less busy than Mom and Dad.
"Yes, puppy? What's wrong?" A deep, baritone voice greeted me from the other side. My heart skipped a beat at the sound of his affectionate call—something that had been happening to me for some time now. "Ioris? Is everything alright? Why aren't you answering my questions?"
"Um, are you busy?"
"Busy? I don't know what is busy if you need me. What's wrong? Say it."
"As usual. Mom and Dad broke their promise again. Tonight is the inauguration night and family gathering at the camp. I just asked her to spare a few hours. After that, she can leave. But—"
"Do you want me to come?" he shot immediately. He always knew what I wanted without needing an explanation. And I had a hard time coming up with an answer. "Okay, I know. I'll be right there. But promise me one thing. Don't be sad, and you must greet me with a smile."
I smiled as I heard his words. Uncle Ray was the only one who never broke a promise. I affectionate him.
Or maybe more than that.
***
All eyes were on the strapping man beside me, still holding my hand. I didn't like their gazes that seemed to strip Uncle Ray naked. My chest burned as even some of the she-wolves continued to stare at him, regardless of my presence beside him.
Of course. I was just a niece while Uncle Ray's big name had spread to all corners of the world. There was even a princess of an alpha king in a foreign land who came to be his Luna.
I didn't know what I was thinking then, but I thwarted her goal with a little sneaky game.
Now, seeing as there are still hundreds, if not thousands, of she-wolves trying to get his attention, I'm not sure I could stop them.
Uncle Ray might not want them, or he might. I didn't know. Either way, his focus was on me alone.
I liked Uncle Ray's smile. Always gentle and warm toward me. Imagining that he would have a Luna and a mate someday made my heart uncertain. I wasn't willing to let a woman have him.
Was my feeling normal?
"Are you happy I'm here?" asked Uncle Ray, leveling our eyes and looking at me affectionately, just like he always did.
I used to like him looking at me like this. Tonight, for some reason, it felt awkward.
"Does it matter if I'm happy or not?" I asked, spluttering. He laughed and rubbed the top of my head, making a mess of my hair. "Uncle Ray! You ruined my hairdo!"
My grumbling made him laugh harder, and then he grabbed me into his arms.
"You can't be sad anymore. Whenever you need me, you can tell me," he said, soothing my heart like an oasis in the middle of the desert. However, I suddenly remembered something that made me pause. "Why again? Did I say wrong?"
I lifted my face, gazing at his amber irises that glistened in the moonlight and campfire light. They were so mesmerizing that I couldn't bear to stare at them for too long. He was too mesmerizing me.
"Don't make promises you can't keep forever," I said, causing his eyebrows to rise.
"What do you mean, Ioris? Is there something bothering you about me?"
"I heard your conversation with Mom and Dad. They're going to set you up with an alpha-born she-wolf from the other side of the country. She'll be your Luna, right? Is there any way you can keep your promise if you already have a luna?"
Uncle Ray's face changed instantly. As if confirming my statement on that matter. Without needing to answer, I could conclude that the sentence I had just uttered was true.
"So, is what I heard true? You accepted the arranged marriage?" I asked a little urgently.
Uncle Ray just opened his mouth wordlessly. I knew it... everyone would break a promise. Unfortunately, I didn't expect Uncle Ray to do the same.
Was it okay to ask him not to find his mate or Luna before I found mine?
Only Uncle Ray understood me best...
He was the only one I could rely on...
Only him. And I suddenly didn't understand my feelings. I didn't want anyone to have him. I want to have him alone. He should only be for me.