"Hi, um it's super nice to meet you, I, uh, my name is Rina..." My black-haired best friend announces nervously, sticking her hand out to Emily as an offering.

"So you're Rina, huh?" Emily eyes her up and down. I can see the nervousness boiling in Rina's body. She clearly wants to make a good impression with Leo's sister. After a long, drawn-out moment, Emily smiles, "hand shakes are too formal, bring it in!"

Emily flings her arms out and wraps Rina in a large embrace. Leo laughs loudly, and Rina's shocked face makes me giggle as well. She doesn't even reciprocate the hug, due to being paralyzed from shock.

It's just the four of us. Sienna was glad to see that Emily and I were getting along so well after the appointment. She's happy I'm doing well and wanted to give me some time alone with my new friend. I haven't told Sienna about me having twins yet, mostly because that's something Greyson should hear first. After we left the office Sienna ushered Emily and me off while she went to go find her husband. So, now we're gathered in the kitchen, Leo and Rina are planning on making a small lunch for all four of us. No one else is in here with us, which is kind of refreshing. Now I don't have people staring at me, which is always a plus.

Rina and Emily unlatch from their awkward hug. Emily is brimming with excitement and Rina's still nervous.

"I've been dying to meet you," Emily admits to Rina honestly. A small blush crosses her cheeks, and for the first time, I think she's embarrassed. "I've been wanting to see the girl who could finally love my brother."

"Hey!" Leo complains loudly, clearly not expecting to be verbally backhanded by his sister. Emily and I laugh.

Rina ignores the comment against Leo by adding, "same here! Leo has told me so much about you. I've been wanting to meet you for so long. I'm glad it's finally able to happen."

"Me too," Emily seems really excited. She must really care about Leo's happiness, it's nice to see. Family is clearly very important to them.

"So," Leo intercedes, "how do you two know each other?"

He motions between Emily and me. We look at each other and instantaneously start giggling.

"Okay," Leo admits, "it's a little creepy to see this. Are you hiding something?'

Rina cocks her head to the side, "they laugh the same." She comments quietly to herself.

Emily shrugs it off, "it's pretty cool. We have so many similarities, but to answer your question Leo, we met at the rogue pack, during the invasion."

"Really?" He asks her.

I nod my head answering his question, "yeah, she tried to eat me."

"Did not!" She quickly defends herself. Her fast reaction makes her look guilty so we all start laughing.

A moment later the kitchen door opens. I hear a few footsteps, but am too enthralled in our laughter to look up. Instead, the first thing I get is the sound of their voices.

"What's all the laughing about?" A deep and strangely familiar voice asks.

"What's going on in here?" this one is feminine and I recognize the angelic tone as Faith's voice

All our laughter slows. Leo turns around. "Hey Mom, hey Dad, were just introducing Rina and Emily."

I wipe the tears in my eyes, from laughing so hard. I glance up at the large man who entered the room. So that's the Beta, huh? I mean I saw him from a far yesterday and was briefly introduced to him, but I was so caught up in the excitement of everything I didn't think about the fact that he is Leo's father. And Emily's father too, I suppose.

"Mom?" Emily asks. I can't understand the tone of her voice, is it concerned?

All eyes lock onto Faith's. My heart stops as I realize she's looking right at me. Her eyes glance between me and Emily for a moment, but land back onto me. Her hand shakily reaches up to her heart.

"I wasn't sure before..." she mumbles under her breath, "but seeing you together... I'm certain!"

"Mom? What are you talking about?" Leo asks, concern lacing his voice.

Faith dashes over to me. The shock holds me in place. Her hands land on either one of my shoulders. She stares directly in my eyes, tearing through to my soul. I can feel the strength of her fingers digging into my skin.

"Arlina," the name runs off her lips in a smooth whisper,  "it's you isn't it?"

Pain. As the name hits my ears pain stabs straight through my head. Where have I heard it from? It's so familiar... I ignore everything in my body, the pain, the familiarity, and simply focus on what I know - which to be honest, is nothing.

"I'm sorry," My words are gentle and almost apologetic. The positivity in her eyes, the excitement I can sense deep inside her. I really don't want to let this woman down, but I also can't lie to her. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"No," she states, very certain of her words, "I know it's you, it has to be you."

Emily cuts in, someone finally bringing me back into realization that Faith and I are surrounded by a bunch of people. "Oh my god. I'm so sorry Lucia,"

Emily frantically jumps to the rescue. She places her hands on Faith's arms. She pries and tears, trying to pull Faith off of me. Yet, she can't. Faith is locked onto me, holding on for dear life. Her eyes have not left my face once. It's a bit frightening, but I can't help but feel sorry for this woman. Faith's husband jumps in, grabbing his wife by her shoulders, also trying to pull her from me, but her locked gaze is just as strong as her grip. She won't let go.

"I know it's you, you've finally come home after all this time." She whispers to me. Her fingers lock tighter on my shoulders. I flinch as I feel her nails sinking into my skin.

My mind reacts instantly. I try to tell my body to step back from the crazy woman but I just can't escape, not due to my lack of strength but more from lack of nerve. My heart pounds erratically and I can feel my body sweating nervously. Why won't my body pull away? I don't understand. My brain knows this woman is crazy but my body feels some sort of comfort, some sort of déjà vu.

Finally her husband is able to rip her off of me as Leo jumps in to help. Leo and him use all their strength to push the screeching woman out of the room.

My heart is pounding. Rina is staring at the empty doorway in shock. Emily appears before me, her eyes glazed over, almost as if she's about to cry.

Immediately, Emily apologizes. "I'm so sorry..." Her words are frantic. "I really have no explanation... I mean I do... but I'm just so sorry Lucia. You see... my older sister went missing years ago, so long ago I barely even remember her. And well, you see, my Mom has this crazy and absolutely insane idea that someday she'll come back. It's crazy, she's crazy. I wish that I could tell you something that will make you forget this experience but I really can't. I'm so sorry Lucia. She's a crazy woman but I've never seen her so irrational like this... I'm really truly sorry."

I stand there, still dazed. "I... well.. uh..." My brain is fried. An awkward silence floats in the room for a while. I take an small breath in, and slowly let it out. My heart starts its normal rhythmic beat, and I finally lock eyes with Emily. "It's really okay Emily... I mean, don't get me wrong, that was a little shocking... Almost terrifying, but I never really sensed her as a threat. I don't think she meant wrong, she definitely thought I was someone else."

"She's never reacted this strongly to someone before... Honestly she's never reacted to anyone like this before. It has to be the resemblance between you and me. It must have triggered something in her brain... but it's no excuse. I will make sure she apologizes when she's gotten her shit together..."

"Thank you Emily, but that's not necessary. I'm not mad at her or anything-"

The kitchen door slams open. All eyes turn to find Greyson quickly strutting into the room. I can't help my heart skip as Greyson's eyes lock onto mine. He surveys my whole being. He races over to my side, and as he gets to me, his hands gently land on my arms.

"Greyson?" I question, looking up at my handsome mate.

As our skin rests on one another, I feel his stressed and tense muscles immediately relax. He sighs in relief. "Oh thank god. I was on my way over here when I crossed paths with Leo, Faith, and the Beta. Faith was freaking out and all Leo could say to me was to go make sure you were alright. I ran here after that. Are you okay?"

As much as I hate to admit it, my body is seriously relaxed now that Greyson's here. I know I can handle things on my own, but his presence merely being around me just makes me feel at ease. I gently grab his hands from my arms and hold them tenderly. I give him a gentle and reassuring smile.

"I'm fine, Greyson."

"Are you sure? What even happened?" Worry is clearly still in his eyes.

"There was just a small break down, but everything fine now-" I try to explain before being cut off by Emily.

"Don't sugar coat it Lucia." Greyson turns to Emily. "Grey, Mom flipped. She thinks..." She takes a small breath and continues, "she thinks Lucia is Arlina. It was insane, she had Lucia in her clutches and held onto her. She wouldn't let go, like her life depended on it." She shakes her head. "It was terrifying honestly."

"Faith did that?" Greyson doesn't seem to want to believe it.

"Yes... I mean I know she's done crazy things but this by far takes the cake... Lucia I truly am sorry about my Mom." Emily turns to me.

"Guys, really, it's fine. I'm not hurt. There was no harm done."

"But-"

"No buts." I cut Emily off. "It's honestly fine. I'm fine. I swear." Their eyes tell me they don't trust me. "You know, I was thinking of getting settled in and unpacking in my new room." I turn to Greyson, "how does that sound?"

I can tell he's still weary, he most likely doesn't believe that I'm fine... to be fair, I'm not, I just want people to stop worrying about me. He decides to give up on trying to push me for the truth, instead he turns to sarcasm, "me liking the sound of my mate unpacking her stuff in our room? No way, not it a million years."

I roll my eyes at him, but thankful he let go of the situation so fast. That can only mean one thing, he's going to bring it up later and in private, but that's fine. I don't want Emily worrying more than necessary. "Well on that sarcastic note I think I'll be taking off."

"Why don't I come with you? I have your backpack in my room anyways, you need to come get it."

Before I can answer Greyson says, "I like that plan."

I roll my eyes at him but smile at Rina. "I was actually just going to ask you about that, since everything I need to unpack is in my backpack anyway." I turn to Greyson, "I'll see you later?"

"Definitely"

He leans down, steals a kiss from my lips and I melt immediately. My eyes close and my hands are about to reach up to his face when he suddenly pulls away. I frown internally, but act as if I don't care.

I cough, embarrassed for a moment, realizing we're being watch.

"I... uh... bye..." I turn from him and lace my arm through Rina's and pull her towards the kitchen door.

"Love you!" He calls loudly.

My cheeks blaze red. I cough lightly and call back softly, "love you too..."