Chapter 23

'Just tell me who it was." I asked Diane, coming back from my recollection. 'I want to know." 'The truth is that I couldn't see the killer's face but people, after the massacre that night, insisted that it was Alpha-king Magnus who attacked the clan and killed your father." Was it truly him? Did Alpha-king Magnus kill my father? Was he the one with the tatto that had shot my father that fateful night? It was indeed a sad day for me so I would always celebrate my father every 4th April. It took me years to finally adjust to Palace life and live with the girls. It seemed my mother wanted to be taken away from her husband's land to a new environment. She kept saying that she was looking out for me when she made that decision but I still had my doubts about it. How could she had forgotten about my father so quickly? I wanted to forget it too because it haunted me when I remembered it but I just couldn't. I felt guilty each time I decided that it was all in my past and should be left there. It was my wolf, it just couldn't let me forget a pack member just like that. I took a quick tour of my father's chambers, even though I couldn't remember much, it felt good because I could feel his presence here with me, encouraging me to keep going. 'I wished it all turned out different." I whispered, hoping Diane didn't hear me. All of a sudden, I am hit by the scent of the ocean. I just wanted to go out and experience it all. I didn't want to keep Mascot and the little boy waiting so we left immediately. It was afternoon already and we were supposed to be home by now. I signaled at Mascot to stand so we could leave. 'I'm grateful for your hospitality." I bowed at Diane when we got back to the table. 'You're leaving already?" 'Yes, we have to go." I said, apologising before hand. 'Thank you for the food, Diane." The little boy's voice came and then an idea struck me. 'What is your name?" I bent, asking him. 'Chad." He announced, proudly. 'Could you please take care of Chad and keep him here till I came back the next time." I pleaded with Diane. 'He is quiet helpful and he doesn't disturb." I added. I was hoping Chad wouldn't counter my decision because it seemed he really wanted to live with humans and not just in trees alone. 'It's okay." I was relieved, hearing that from her. 'Chad, be a good boy." I shook him gently. 'Don't play too much." He smiled at me and ran away but not before thanking me. He was such a sweat boy, I believed. 'Well be going back to our clan so bear with us. I promise to stay and discuss with you longer, the next time I come." I promised her. 'I understand. I just hope you realise that this is also your Clan and you're welcome here, anytime anyday." With smiles, she bade us goodbye. 'She's such a kind woman." I told Mascot as we set for home. 'She's weird too." Mascot replied and I laughed because of the look on his face. 'It's good seeing you smile. I like that." I stared at Mascot for a while and smiled at him. Why was he following me in the first place? Why? Why did he sound suddenly nice? 'Why did you come after me?" I asked him. I knew he would be shocked because the question came out of nowhere. 'I didn't come after you.." I noticed he was trying to find the proper words to use. 'I looked for you but I didn't see you at the festival ground but then I saw you all prepared going into the forest. At first, I thought you were going hunting, so I decided to follow you to help you since you were still new in this." He explained. I still didn't understand why he was looking for me even when the festival was ongoing. I wasn't his girlfriend. I wanted to tell him to stay away from me. He had already found out too much about me and I didn't want him to know more. This was a journey I had to undertake on my own. 'I'm sorry if you're upset with me but please forgive me. I had to make sure you were safe." He responded. 'It was fun though." He tried to be playful. 'Seriously? Fun? How was that fun?" We laughed. 'That boy is also weird." Mascot said and I laughed so much. 'Everything was weird for you?" I asked. 'Not everything though. The food was very okay." He replied. We decided to go through the rest of the route by not talking so we could walk faster before anyone would notice our disappearance at the Clan. We got there in shorter time compared to the journey we made when we were on our way. It was fully afternoon and everyone was about their work. 'You should go and rest. I think you should go to Laura, she'll be so worried about you." I said and I watched the smile on his face and the sparkle in his eyes vanished. 'I'll take you to your room." He grabbed my hands. 'Where have you been, both of you?" Laura asked, from behind us. I was quick enough to release my hands from Mascot's own when we abruptly turned to face Laura. 'Laura dear." I gave her a tight hug which she returned. I guessed she didn't know what was going on so I had to lie. 'We went for hunting." I glanced at Mascot, hoping he would just go with the flow." 'Yes yes. Naomi here wanted to get you meat so we could enjoy." Mascot replied, going over to where Laura was standing. 'Let's go. I have a lot to tell you." Mascot quietly dragged her with him. 'I wanted to speak to Naomi." Laura screamed as she was being taken away. 'You'll do that, later." Mascot replied, still dragging her away. 'No, no." Laura stretched out her hand in a dramatic way. 'Save me, Naomi." We all burst out laughing.