Chapter 49

'Naomi!" The screams made me turn towards the right and there they were. People I used to call family, my mother, the girls, Aunt Rachel and then Alpha-king Magnus. They all stood looking at me. We were all different and didn't know what to do. It was as if they were all waiting for me to say a word before we could finally move. Anita came forward first, she held her arms out for a hug. 'You're finally back, you're welcome." She gave me a tight hug which I returned knowing that she must have missed me just the way I missed her. 'Mummy, It's Naomi. She's back." Anita turned to confirm to them that it was actually me and not my ghost as they thought I was. 'Naomi." Kiara came forward for her own hug, she smelled so good and I wasn't surprised. She was the beauty queen. 'I'm glad that you're back." She told me. Then Cleo came forward, her hug was quick because she was always trying to be mature. 'You've grown so lean." I smiled as I remembered how she'd act like our mother and kept scolding us. My mother stood there, watching as I got hugged by my family. She didn't say a word, she just walked to me and suddenly pushed me into her arms. I hugged her back, taking in all the warmth which I had missed all in a year. She was truly my mother, a woman I have missed greatly for the past year. I didn't know how long we stayed like that but it was beautiful and I didn't want to let go. 'You won't let me hug her too." Luna Rachel asked. She was behind us, waiting patiently. 'I'm sorry. I'm sorry." My mother finally let me go with tears in her eyes. Luna Rachel gave me a quick hug, touching my cheek. 'I'm glad that our warrior is finally back." I smiled in response to her comment. 'Good evening, Alpha." I bowed in greeting to Alpha-king Magnus 'Welcome." He was sitting on his throne, smiling at the scene playing out in front of him. 'I'm glad you're back." I kept wondering if they actually thought I was back to Ice crest. Chleo led me by the hand so we could sit. I had almost forgotten I came with visitors until I turned and saw Thorne and Laura standing like outcasts. 'These are my friends, Laura and Thorne." I turned to introduce them to the family. 'Hello. My name is Laura." Laura came forward, then Thorne. 'I'm Thorne." 'Wow, Naomi, you've made new friends. That's really exciting." Anita was just too excited to leave me, she grabbed me by the hand as she spoke. 'Your friends are welcome." Alpha-king Magnus replied. 'I believe the first thing to do is to properly welcome our guests by serving them food and drinks so they could relax from their far journey. 'Yes. Please." Laura was about to die of joy. We went to the dining room which still was the same except for the change of our cook who had normally served us. 'I know you might be asking, where chef Debbie is." Anita said. 'Well, she quit." 'Yes. She suddenly decided to quit with no reason whatsoever, so daddy employed our new cook, chef Nancy." 'Her food tastes good too, better than that of Debbie." Cleo added. I know it wasn't true. Debbie's food was the best of it all. I wondered why she suddenly quit with no notice. A lot was going on in this Palace and it was time for secrets to spill. 'Was she asked why she was leaving?" I asked but everyone nodded no. It never occurred to them that it might be some kind of plot. 'You think she left because of a good reason?" 'I thought that she left maybe because she was tired of staying here and wanted to broaden her horizon." Kiara added. 'Well, you can never be sure. After all, I left here because someone was after me, right." I laughed, sarcastically even though everyone knew what I meant. The atmosphere suddenly became silent and uncomfortable because of the comment I had made. 'This food is so good. Do you know the last time I ate something like this?" Laura said, putting so much food in her mouth that we could barely hear her. 'I'm glad you like it. Do you like it too, young man?" Alpha-king Magnus asked. 'Yes. I do. It's really delicious." He responded. Just then, I heard Kiara and Anita giggle where they sat. They sat very close to each other and were whispering things to each other's ear. I knew from their look that they were discussing Thorne, probably admiring how handsome he was or how muscular he looked. 'Which clan did you come from?" Alpha-king Magnus initiated the discussion to help ease the tension in the atmosphere. 'Oh, we are from the Stormclaw clan. The only Clan made of strong Warriors." Laura answered, proudly. 'Ice crest also have strong warriors." Anita chimed in. 'Well, Stormclaw is the clan whose warriors are the strongest." 'You might be right though but Ice crest had the strongest warriors, that's why in so many years, we haven't lost a single war. I bet no one knows Stormclaw exists." Anita retorted. Watching them, I didn't know which of them was actually more childish and knowing the both of them, none of them would voluntarily end this argument. 'Well, we are a very peaceful clan who mind their business. We aren't like Ice crest parks that are always fighting other clans.." 'Our clan.. ' Anita was about to continue when her mother stopped her. 'Anita, that's enough. That's our guest." Her mother scolded her, then turned to Laura. 'I apologize for her behavior." 'No, no." Laura responded. 'I was actually enjoying it. It's been so long since I argued with someone." 'You feel that way too? My sisters are completely boring, no one like to talk and argue with me." Anita answered and gave a smile. I knew these two would make good friends since they talk and like to argue a lot. 'It seems you've finally met your soulmate." Cleo joked and we all laughed. 'Don't come to me for anything." 'Why would I? All you know is marriage and all Kiara cares about is fashion. Such boring stuff." 'Don't you want to get married?" Thorne asked, throwing Anita off balance. 'Of course I would love to but the time will come." Anita answered innocently. She was one person I knew who didn't care about deadlines, she just let the energy flow. 'What of you, handsome one. Are you in a relationship?" Kiara asked.