After a tiring three days journey, Aurora and her family finally stopped at a beautiful wooden house. It was surrounded by lush vegetation and a bed of lilies spread all over. White lilies and a few red roses.
Even though no one had stayed in the house for years, it looked well maintained and in a good condition. The houses around are a bit far from each other separated by thick bushes.
If not for the fact that they were werewolves, a normal human being would find it creepy. Aurora turned to look at her mother whose face looked emotional. It looked like this house holds a special meaning to her.
"Your father and I got married and stayed in this house till the day you were born, Aurora. He left here when he saw I was finding it hard to adapt to his community. He tried to limit my encounters with members of the pack so I don't feel different", her mother, Sarah said.
"Mother, it is all in the past now. Thank God we are here, safe and sound", Aurora said.
A sharp voice shouted from behind them as footsteps were heard rushing down. They turned to look as a chubby woman ran towards Aurora's mother and jumped on her. They both collapsed on the ground.
Aurora tried to hold back her laughter as the two women fell to the ground with a thud.
"Oh Sarah! You finally came back! I miss you so much!", The chubby woman said as she held Sarah tightly.
"Clara, this your welcome is really unique. Do you wish to suffocate me first?", Sarah said amidst laughter", I miss you too, Clara but please lest I die, try and stand up first".
"Oh…sorry. I was too excited ", Clara said suddenly looking embarrassed.
She tried to get up but she was just too heavy. Aurora held out her hands and helped them up. They all went into the house.
"Clara, thank you so much. You did a great job. Thank you once again", Sarah said gratefully.
"Nah, you don't have to thank me. You are my friend and I will gladly do it again. At Least, this place kept me from missing you much", Clara replied.
Aurora watched the interaction between the two women. They seem really close but she can't remember her mother saying anything about a friend here. Aurora's mother is just like her. They hardly keep friends and the only friend around her mother was Mrs. Avery. Could she be her father's relative?
"Sweetheart, meet my best friend. Her name is Mrs. Clara Scott. She also happens to be your aunt. She had been taking care of this house while we were gone", Sarah drew Aurora's attention.
Aurora thought as much, she's indeed her aunt.
"Oh! So this is Aurora? Wow she had grown into a beautiful woman. You are so adorable", She said, giving Aurora a bear hug. She nearly squashed Aurora's body. The woman was surely big...and strong.
Clara darted her eyes around and she saw Maya hiding behind her sister. The girl melted her heart. She looks so much like her late brother. Slowly a teardrop from the corner of her eyes but she quickly wiped them off.
"And this must be Maya, right? Such a cute girl. Awwww, Sarah you sure won a jackpot with these cuties. They will surely set this pack on fire till they meet their mate", Mrs Scott pinched Maya's chubby cheek as she went back to her chatty self.
"Sweetheart, could you please take these luggages upstairs? Your rooms are there. It is painted with your favorite color. We will repaint one of the rooms to suit Maya's taste", Sarah said as she shooed them upstairs.
Aurora obediently lifted the suitcases and beckoned on Maya to follow her. After they left, Sarah led Clara to the couch in the sitting room.
"Tell me what had been going on since I left the pack", Sarah said as she looked at her friend.
"So many things changed though. We have a new Alpha now. He took over from his father. His name is Jax. He is a very handsome man but one of the most ruthless Alpha ever. Since his father's death, he has expanded our territory. Even though he looks ruthless to others, our pack has known peace and prosperity since his reign", Clara said.
"Good. What about the women's wing? I mean Luna?", Sarah asked.
"Tsk tsk, that is his only flaw. He does not have a mate yet. It seems the moon goddess refused to give him one. But I heard his uncle ordered him to make any woman his Luna so he can produce heirs", Clara explained.
"It has been so long. I really missed it here. If not for my insecurities back then, maybe my husband might still be alive. We would have been happy here and my daughter would not have hated herself. I blame myself each day", Sarah said as she held back her tears.
"You do not have to be hard on yourself. Everything would be alright. At least, now you are back. I would not let you suffer", Clara said.
Then she added"My brother dropped something for me. A package to be given to you if anything ever happened to him. I should only give you if you return back to the pack".
Sarah was so emotional she burst into tears.
"Oh Sarah! It is not your fault. You were brought into a group of people you knew nothing about. You had to go through stigmatization. No one wishes to be treated differently. I really do understand your plight, my brother also does. That's why he left", Clara said softly.
"Thank you Clara", Sarah said gratefully.
"No need for that, dear. In three days time, my son will be having his birthday party which happens to be his Acceptance ceremony", Clara said with pride.
"Acceptance ceremony?He is so big now? He was just a baby when we left", Sarah said.
"Yes and now he will be performing the ceremony of acceptance. Alpha Jax would be present to accept him. There will be an after party when the ceremony finishes. I want you all to come. I want my family by my side. You guys are coming, right?", Clara asked with pleading eyes.
Sarah could not refuse her friend. She sighed and nodded her head. She does not know what to say to Aurora so she would go with her. That girl is very stubborn.
"Okay, I should be on my way now. I know you have so many things to do. I will check up on you tomorrow", Clara said as she stood up.
"Clara, thank you so much for being here for me. I don't know what I would have without you", Sarah said as she bade her friend goodbye. Clara embraced her before leaving.
Sarah climbed up to see her daughters. Aurora had arranged her stuff and also cleaned the room. She must be waiting for her so they could arrange Maya's stuff too.
"Sweetheart, come and sit down. I want us to have a chat", Sarah said with a smile.
"Yes, mother", Aurora said as she sat down on the bed.
"Thank you for coming with us. I know I should not have forced you but I had no choice. Our family is different. You and your sister are not part of the human world like me. There would come a time when they would hunt you down just to feed their curiosity", Aurora's mother said. She held Aurora's hand and continued.
"I don't want my children to be treated as experimental subjects. I don't want to risk your life or the existence of your race. Aurora, please let's try and live our lives here. They are very nice people. I was insecure back then that's why I forced your dad to leave", she said with tears.
"Mother, it's not your fault. It was never your fault. The decision not to come here has nothing to do with you. I was just angry to be different from my friends in school. I wanted to deny who I am. But, I guess you can never change who you are", Aurora said as she wiped her mother's tears.
"I promise you mother, I will try to accept whatever it is that I am. I don't want my sister to grow up with a misunderstanding of them", she continued.
"Really? I am so happy. Thank you, Aurora", her mother said in joy.
Sarah got up to leave but remembered Clara's invitation. She turned to look at Aurora with hesitation.
"Mother, do you want to say something?", Aurora asked.
"Errr, yes but I really want you to consider it", Sarah said still hesitating.
"Mother, tell me"
"You know your aunt has a son and in three days time, he will be clocking eighteen. He will be celebrating it and your aunt wants us to be there. Also, it is his acceptance ceremony", Sarah said.
"Okay mother, we will go together as a family", Aurora said.
"Uh? Are you sure? Are you really going?", Her mother asked in shock.
"Mother, I have told you I am going to accept who I am. So don't worry, I will definitely go", Aurora said.
Sarah was so happy that she hugged her daughter.
Finally, Aurora had accepted who she is. If only Aurora could find her mate, then it would be perfect.
Who would be her daughter's mate? She pondered.