-:Cecelia's PoV:-

1 year later
(Cecelia - 12 y/o)

"Are you sure you don't want to go, Cecelia?" My grandmother asked, stroking my hair.

"Yes, grandma," I sighed, snuggling into her side.

"Why? They miss you," she persisted gently, trying to persuade me.

"I really don't want to go," I told her. "I like it here."

"But-"

"If they want, they can come and meet me here, don't you think?" I asked her. She sighed in defeat.

"Fine, it's up to you," she gave in.

"Thank you, grandma," I grinned at her, getting up.

"Where are you off to?" she asked, knowing well enough of the 'where'.

"Training," I humored her nonetheless. She smiled at me and I smiled back.

Last year, the very mention of training would've sent me into a fit of tears. Actually, any mention of physical activity would do that. Although dad was strict, he could never bring himself to force me into a lot of things. I was his princess, after all. 

He had no problem sending you here though.

Shut up. I like it here.

Keep telling yourself that.

*************************

2 years later
(Cecelia - 13 y/o)

"Catch me if you can, slowpoke," I teased as I sprinted across the field. He was hot on my tail, close yet too far. He lunged at me, but I was prepared for it and I pushed myself harder. He missed me.

"Damn it, Lia!" He groaned, falling on the ground. I screeched to a halt, laughing when I saw him flat on the ground.

"You missed me again, you tortoise," I chaffed, walking back to him. He sat upon his haunches.

"Come here," he suddenly jumped at me. I was not anticipating it, so he ended up tackling me to the ground. He fell on top of me, rolling off almost immediately.

"You were saying?" He taunted, picking at the grass.

"That was cheating," I accused, hugging my legs to my chest.

"Whatever," he rolled his eyes.

"Don't you miss them?" He asked after a moment of silence. I knew exactly who he was talking about.

"Every day, Julian. Everyday."

*****************************

Three years later
(Cecelia - 14 y/o)

"Why not?" My mother demanded.

"Mom, calm down," I sighed.

"No, Cecelia, I want a reason! I haven't seen you in a year!" She protested.

"We video chat every day," I deadpanned.

"Don't talk back to your mother, young lady!" She scolded.

Wow, she's changed a lot.

"Mom, now's just not a good time," I told her.

"Whenever I suggest you come over, you're busy with school. When we say we'll come and visit, you say it's not a good time," she said pointedly. "What's going on?"

"Nothing," I pursed my lips.

"I talked to mom," she said, referring to grandma. "You are ready to be back, honey. Come back home."

"Mom, I ca- I like it here," I corrected myself.

"She says you're borderline miserable, Cece," she sighed. "I wish you'd talk to me."

"I am," I replied stupidly. "talking to you, I mean."

"You and me both know that's not what I meant," she said. I fingered at my quilt, trying not to break down.

"Mom-" a knock sounded at my door. "I gotta go, bye, love ya!" I cut the call, glad to have an excuse to hang up. I pocketed my phone and opened my door. I smelled him before I saw him.

I quickly ushered him in.

"Julian!" I engulfed him in a hug, kicking the door shut.

"Lia," he breathed, hugging me back.

"How was the trip?" I asked, pulling back.

"Great, but I missed ya," he grinned.

"Aww, I missed you too!" I said. 

"What's up?" He observed my expression. I smiled wider. "I'm not falling for that."

"Mom called." I dropped it.

"You have to go back someday," he said, not beating around the bush. I scowled, falling back on the bed.

"No," I stated. "We've talked about this."

He sighed.

"What if we're not mates, Lia? What then?" He asked gently, sitting in front of my legs and holding my hands.

"We've been over this, okay? I will go back," I told him.

It's wasn't that I felt romantically about him. He was my friend. My best friend. When I shifted back to Crescent Moon, I didn't want to lose him. Hence I hoped we'd be mates. My wolf, Serafine, wasn't too thrilled about it. She could sort of feel he wasn't our mate when we touched, although we weren't of age. Perks of being Alpha blood.

"You're taking a huge risk," he sighed.

Not really. I am almost sure.

"I didn't see you opposed to the idea when I suggested it," I snapped instead.

"You sprung it on me out of nowhere when I was drunk!" He protested.

"Serves you right for underage drinking," I retorted.

"I'm a werewolf, for Christ's sake!" He cried, exasperated.

"And fifteen, too," I added.

"Cecelia," he said flatly.

"I don't want to go back to be bullied again, okay?" I finally cracked.

"You won't be," his eyes softened.

"You don't know that, Julian."

"They're idiots if they think that they can still bully you. I've seen you come out of your shell, leave your comfort zone and grow into this wonderful girl you are today, Lia. Trust me when I say, you're the most confident and tough girl I know."

"So tough I'm scared by the mere thought of being back," I said drily.

"That's okay," he coaxed.

"No, it's not!" I exploded. "Do you have any idea how bad it hurts when they make fun of you like that? When they gang up on you? When they tell you you're a nobody?"

He fell quiet.

"That's what I thought." I shook my head. "Look, you know I don't see you that way, and you know I don't want a mate. But I trust you, Julian, so if I'm going to have a mate, I want it to be you."

"I know," he said quietly. "I have no problem having you as my mate, Lia. In fact, I'd be honored. But the chances are low, and you know it. We've never felt the pull. We basically think of each other as siblings. Our wolves like each other but as friends. Mates don't do that."

I sighed. He was right. 

"We can wait, anyway," I said firmly. Serafine growled in my head but I blocked her out.

"Fine," he caved.

************************

4 years later
(Cecelia - 15 y/o)

"Happy birthday!" I squealed and jumped into his arms. He caught me effortlessly, used to my antics.

"You need to reduce weight," he huffed as he set me back down.

"Excuse me?" I narrowed my eyes at him. "I am the perfect height and weight, thank you very much." 

"Keep telling yourself that, potato," he laughed, pretending to massage his back.

"Hardy har-har." I deadpanned.

"A few years ago, you would've thrown a fit at that comment," he noted.

"Well, evolution," I flipped my hair off my shoulders dramatically. He laughed.

"Anyways," I continued, "As your best friend, it's my duty to tell you that Jane is ready to throw herself at you as soon as you step foot on the garden," I rolled my eyes. "And she is wearing something I wouldn't be caught dead in, so you might want to watch out."

He laughed.

"Damn, okay," he agreed.

"Let's go!" I pulled him behind me, down the stairs. We set up a midnight party for him. He was born at 1:13 am, so the entire pack wanted to be there and wish him. And witness another pair of mates finding each other. Romantic suckers. Lucky bastard. I was born in the evening, 7:58 pm, so no such privileges for me. Sucks.

We went downstairs, and true to my predictions, Jane threw herself at Julian. It was hilarious. He looked like a deer caught in the headlights despite the warning. I laughed shamelessly at his discomfort and didn't stop even after he glared at me. We sang a song, he cut the cake, we played a few games and enjoyed the ambiance of a midnight garden party.

At 1:10 am my alarm rang and I sought Julian, who was looking for me too. We sat down together, fingers crossed, waiting for the clock to strike at 1:13 am. It was an excruciating three minutes of uncertainty and uncontrollable thoughts because despite the signs and obvious facts why we couldn't be mates I was selfishly hoping to spare myself any pain.

The clock struck the said time and we looked at each other in anticipation for a full minute before I looked away.

'Told you so,' Serafine said smugly.

'Shut up,' I snapped.

I clenched my jaw. So I was destined to be with some fuck face who I didn't know, who could very well be the biggest jerk of the world for all I know. 

'Don't say that about mate', Serafine growled, penetrating the mental block I made. I didn't bother replying as I reconstructed a stronger block.

"We're not mates," he sighed. I heard gasps go off nearby. Of course, everyone was eavesdropping. 

"Do you feel your mate nearby?" I asked him, plastering a fake smile on my face and ignoring our audience.

"No," he sighed again, shaking his head. Jane trotted over to us.

"I'll leave you to it," I muttered as I got up.

"Oh, you guys aren't mates?" Jane exclaimed loudly before I could go away, feigning surprise and drawing attention. Julian and I exchanged a look. "We all thought you guys would end up being mates!!"

We knew that bit because we have sensitive ears. But it's weird for the pack to think that because we never even kissed each other. Even in spin the bottle, when we were half-drunk, we were so disgusted at the very thought that we chose to drop out of the game over kissing each other. So, now that I actually think about it, us being mates would've been disastrous. I suddenly found myself thanking Selene that we weren't mates despite me wishing for it before. It wouldn't have been fair on Julian. At least I can reject a fuck face without feeling guilty about it.

"Yeah, that would explain why you flew into his arms as soon as we came, right," I said sarcastically, snapping out of my thoughts. Julian hid his laugh behind a cough and a few in the crowd laughed openly. Jane scowled. "I'm tired. Good night, people." I quickly kissed Julian's cheek, wished him a birthday again, and turned in for the night.

So we weren't mates. But, I have training tomorrow morning before school.

Life goes on.

************************

5 years later
(Cecelia - 16 y/o)

I had turned sixteen a few months ago. Julian and I still hadn't found our mates. Julian was still looking. I had never started.

"Cheer up, Jules," I slapped his back. "You'll find her. Quit moping around!"

"Easy for you to say," he grumbled.

"What? I don't have my mate either. Do you see me being miserable?"

"You don't want a mate, unlike me," he retorted.

"Touché," I grinned. "But seriously. Let's go out tonight. The bar, maybe. Who knows, you might find her there!"

"Noooo," he whined.

"Oh, come on, Julian. You won't find her sitting inside your room like a doofus," I snapped. "Now get your ass moving or I'll do it for you!"

"No!" He pouted.

"Julian," I kicked him off the bed. "Now!"

"You're getting stronger every day," he groaned. "I don't like it."

"It's the training and the Alpha blood, baby!" I said in a high-pitched voice, making us both laugh.

"No, but seriously," I hopped off the bed and went over him to get to the door. "You have fifteen minutes to get ready."

He smiled mischievously.

"Don't even think about taking a ten-minute nap and showing up in your scrubs, or I swear I'll break your bones," I threatened. His smile disappeared.

"Savage woman," he muttered under his breath.

"Heard that."

"You were meant to."

"Fuck off." I shut the door behind me.

He found his mate - Liana - that day. 

You're welcome, you ungrateful brat.

****************************

6 years later
(Cecelia - 17 y/o)

I hadn't gone home for my seventeenth birthday. I'd visited home shortly before during the summer, so I failed the point of another frivolous get-together. We had a small-scale celebration where I cut the cake, opened a few presents and ate good food. Nothing much, really.

"When-"

"Are you really that eager to get rid of me?" I asked solemnly. He paled and instantly started shaking his head.

"No, Lia, I'd nev-" he started explaining hastily but Liana couldn't hold it in and laughed. Seeing no point in keeping up the charade, I laughed with her.

"You guys are evil," Julian frowned when he caught up.

"But you love us still," I teased, pinching his cheeks. He slapped my hands away with a scowl. 

"I do," he huffed. His face was still twisted into an expression of annoyance but his eyes gave away his true feelings. Feelings of warmth, love, and comfort.

"And to answer your unspoken question, I'll leave two days after your eighteenth," I answered.

"That's next week," Liana exclaimed in alarm.

"I know," I gave her a small, sad smile.

"Can't you stay longer?" She asked. I looked at her. I never expected to get along well with Julian's mate. With the kind of close friendship we share, we were expecting at least one lethal attack within the first twenty-four hours. But, luckily for us, Liana is older than Julian by a year, and hence two years older than me,  so she's more mature than us. She was edgy the first few weeks but eventually relaxed as she settled in and saw how brotherly-sisterly our bond was. Now? Liana and I are best friends.

"I've already stayed long enough, Liana. It's time to go," I sighed.

"She's right," Julian agreed.

"I'll miss you guys so much," my lower lip trembled. Oh, why was I such an emotional person at the oddest of times?

"Aww, we're gonna miss you too, Lia," they engulfed me in a hug. Liana cried with me but Julian held it in. His eyes were moist, but he held it in. 

And I was thankful because I was sure I would've cried harder if he didn't hold back.

"Guys, c'mon, I have a week more," I forced out a chuckle.

"Yeah," Julian coaxed his mate. "We'll stay in touch. Right, Lia?" He shot me a sharp look. I rolled my eyes, wiping my cheeks.

I'd love to say things between us didn't change at all after his mate came into the picture, but I'd be lying.

"Of course," I told them.

"See?" Julian patted Liana's back. Hard to believe I was the one leaving, right? I didn't blame Liana, not really. She was naturally emotional and sweet. I didn't blame Julian either, it was his wolf and the mate bond. And his love for her.

To be honest, that change was rather instrumental in my decision of moving back. Back to Aaron, mom, and dad. Back to my family. I was tired of third-wheeling. And I missed home. 

My parents were ecstatic when I told them the news. My grandma was distraught and even my grandfather, who was emotionally closed off was showing signs of sadness. I was already spending as much time as I could with them. I would miss them. I owed them my new and improved self.

I'd miss the place, I'd treasure the memories.

I had no regrets.

****************

A/N:-

First chapter, ah. Hope you liked it. Don't forget to add this book to your library to get regular updates!

QOTD: Favorite color??

Until next time, all my love,
xoxo.