Chapter 42

Blake's POV

At night, I couldn't sleep. I kept tossing and turning, but sleep evaded me. Moreover, I had a nagging feeling that something was troubling Brielle. I could feel it. I saw it throughout the day. She kept getting lost in her own world. I could see that, but I couldn't break through her walls. She didn't want to tell me what was bothering her, and it bothered me as well.

I couldn't take it anymore, so I called her. It was later in the night, but I somehow had a feeling that she was awake. I reached out to my bedside table and grabbed my phone. I called her, and it rang for a little while before it was answered. I was glad to hear her voice. I could hear the stress in her voice as she spoke. She told me she had a bad dream. I wish she was right next to me and I could embrace her in my arms and chase away her bad dreams.

I offered to talk with her over the phone until she could go to sleep. I wanted to take her mind off whatever dream she had so she could get a peaceful sleep. Everything in my body was screaming for me to go to her, but I restrained myself. Even Ryker wanted to go see his mate, but I managed to keep him at bay as well. My wolf and I have yet to form a bond as well. He mostly keeps to himself, so we hardly talk. But since he got to spend the day with Brielle, he's been happy. I never let him take control because Brille is not ready for him.

I don't want Ryker to scare her. Although she knows about my true identity, she has yet to experience anything. Step by step, she will get used to it. I told Brielle about my mother's wish to see her. My mother wants me to introduce Brielle officially to the pack as my mate. I am waiting for her to be ready to come into my world and that will happen when she accepts me as her mate and seals our bond. I feel that day is not far off.

We talked for a while, and we became closer to each other. She opened up to me about her parents. I didn't want to pity her because I didn't want her to be sad, and I didn't want to turn her mood sour. Time went by, and it was in the wee hours of the morning. I was listening to her light snores through the phone. She had fallen asleep. Listening to her sleep was bliss.

Thank God that her phone didn't cut the call. After half an hour, I succumbed to sleep as well. I woke up with the sun violently shining in my eyes. I used my arms to shield my eyes. I groaned. I was tired. I remembered that I was talking to Brielle. My phone was right beside me. I picked it up and tried to turn it on. It was out of power. I sighed and plugged it into the charger. I got out of bed and stretched my limbs with an audible yawn.

To be honest, I was still sleepy. But I'll overcome it once I freshen up. I went into the bathroom and looked in the mirror. Oh dear, my reflection looks horrific. My hair was all over the place and I had dark circles under my eyes. My eyes were a bit red from the lack of sleep. I sighed and splashed some water on my face to get rid of sleep. I went on with my morning routine and took a long shower.

Once I was done, I was feeling fresh and ready to face the day. I put on my clothes and applied my favorite cologne. It's good to make an impression. Once I was done getting ready, I walked out of my room. At that moment, I bumped into Mia. I haven't seen her in a while. Things have never been the same between us after that incident with Ria. Not seeing her around, I figured that she was dulling somewhere. There is a family cabin near the northern border of the pack perimeter. It can be used by anyone. All of us used to frequent that place as kids to get away for some time.

That's where I think she was.

" Oh, Mia. I didn't see you there," I said.

" Hello, Blake. I didn't see you either." Her tone was cold, and her expression was blank. Because of being twins, I could hardly figure her out. I couldn't understand her. We walked downstairs together.

" It's nice to see you, Mia. I wonder where you have been all this while without letting anyone know." I glanced at her through the corner of my eye, but she didn't even react. She maintained her posture and expression without being fazed at all by my words. I was trying to probe at what she was up to. With the way she is acting, I can't help but suspect that something is up with her. Although I have no idea what that might be. Something told me it was not good.

I can't believe things ended this way because of Rea. Had I known that everything would end up this way, I would have preferred to stay single until I found my true mate. It's just... I was so sure that Ria was my mate. Looking back at it now, I don't know what made me so confident about her. Did I like her so much that I somehow envisioned a future with her? I really don't know what had come over me.

But when I met Brielle and found out that she was my mate, there was an unstable pull towards her. I couldn't gather the courage to reject her. I could never reject her. It was like love at first sight. Everything in me had no desire to rebel against my fate. I just couldn't.

" Not that I think you care, Blake, but I've been around. I just didn't want to be seen or talk to anyone. With everything going on with Ria, I just need time for myself."

As she said that, I could finally catch a hint of emotion as she mentioned Ria. She must love her.

" Ria? What's been going on with her?" I asked. Her eyes darkened briefly before she said," I don't want to talk about it."

I sighed and decided not to push it. I was just glad that she was back home, safe and sound.

I got distracted by the smell of pancakes. Surely my mother's doing. Despite having all the help around, my mother loved being a homemaker. She said she wanted to be the one to feed her family. It's her duty as a mother and a wife. I had no objections to it. I would die for a meal prepared by my mother.

She can stop anything except coking. Mia and I headed to the table, and she chose the seat furthest from me. I sighed and didn't put any meaning to it. But in truth, I don't like what our relationship has become.

We just sat there with nothing to say. It was so awkward. When my mother walked in, I was so glad that mother walked in with breakfast. The tension here was too much. I almost suffocated.

" Mia! There you are. I thought you left again," said my mother.

Mia didn't say anything to her. My mother was not discouraged by her lack of response. Right then, my father walked into the living room and took a seat at the head of the table.

" Everyone is here, I see," he said, acknowledging Mia. Mom started serving us the food and none of us said anything. It seemed everyone was afraid of something so they didn't upset Mia. I thanked my mother for the food and so did my father. Mia was barely eating. She just kept picking at the food.

After breakfast, Mia went back to her room without a word. No one attempted to stop her. I guess we can't blame her for her behavior. Loss or rejection of a mate can be really hard to deal with. Other werewolves go insane over it. I wonder if that is truly the case for Mia. Did Ria officially reject her? She won't talk to anyone, so none of us can help and be with her. It's truly a pity.

I helped my mother clear up the table. I decided to take the chance to ask her about Mia's situation.

She seemed to be lost in thought. My mother was sad.

I touched her shoulder, gaining her attention.

" What's on your mind, mother?"

She drew in a breath and said," What else? I'm worried about your sister."

" When did she come back?" I asked.

" Sometime last night. She was a mess. You should have seen her."

Mom welled up with tears as she tried to hold herself from crying. I pulled her into my arms.

" I am sorry, mom. I know it's all my fault," I admitted.

She pulled away from me and shook her head.

" Don't say that, Blake. It's not at all your fault. The situation was just out of everyone's control," my mom says, placing her hand on my cheek lovingly. I took comfort in that.

" Do you think she'll be alright?" She asked me. I sighed. I didn't know what to say to her. Do I think that Mia will be fine? I can't say. I just hope she will be able to get over Rea and include herself to get a second chance mate. I hope she will find the happiness she needs.

"Don't worry mother. I am sure she will figure things out and come out fine. After all, she is your daughter," I told her and gave her a side hug reassuringly.

That is what I hope for.