When We Were Mates (Demetra and Emris) novel Chapter 10

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Demetra.

“So, this would be the stage. You would be in the dark, drawing…. they will only be able to see your figure as you paint for the world to see. Are you ready?” Lolly, my assistant, asks.

I look down at my hands and notice they are shaking badly.

“I’m having the jittery.” I admit.

“It’s fine. You’re going to do well. Just breathe in and breathe out, like you always do when you draw, That’s why we’re going to dim the light on you but put the spotlight on the canvas instead. Only when you give us the signal that you’re done will we put the spotlight on you, and by then you’ll have finished drawing.”

We start walking toward the auditorium. My eyes scan the vast space, and my heart stutters. “Yes, but that doesn’t make it any easier for me.” Rows upon rows of seats are already being set up. Moons.

“We sold all 6,000 tickets.” Lolly says. “People have been messaging us about how that’s too small and we should increase it, but we’re already at the finish line. We can’t make any new changes anymore.”

“Six thousand people.”

I am going to unveil myself to six thousand people. My face will be everywhere. Metra will no longer be a mystery. She will be a woman with a past, a daughter, and a name I’ve tried to outrun.

“Lolly, we need you outside!”

“Got it. I’ll be back.” she tells me, and she hurries off.

When she leaves, I think for a moment, then turn back to look at the stage where I will be standing. I slowly make my way toward it, my steps echoing. I point to the pit where the orchestra will be playing a soft set of violins and cellos.

The reason I love that sound is because they were Emris‘ favorite playlist. It stuck to me, even now when I have nothing to do with him anymore. I remember it playing softly in the background while I lay in his bed. I remember its swell during moments of frantic sex. It’s the soundtrack of my former life.

While I painted my pain years ago, it was that music I used to climb out of the depression. So I will use it today. Not because I miss Emris, but because it resonates with me. It is the sound of my survival.

My phone rings in my coat pocket, and I slip my hand in to pull it out. It’s Amira’s teacher from school. My stomach drops. Why is she-

“Hello?” I answer.

“Yes, Miss Pride. Um, Amira seems to not be… herself as of now. Is it possible that you can come pick her up? She’s withdrawn, not participating in any school activities, and just seems very unhappy.”

“Alright, I’ll come pick her up.” I let out a slow exhale. Of course. I knew it would take time for her to adjust. I was prepared for this already. I leave the auditorium and get into my car to drive back to Amira’s school. When I get there, the staff is already waiting for me to collect her.

I open the car door for her, and she slides in with her face scrunched into a storm cloud, arms folded tight across her chest. I lean in and buckle her seatbelt. I get in the driver’s side but I don’t drive home. Instead, I head to the little ice cream shop with the rainbow–striped awning.

As I park, she sees the colorful signboard.

The storm cloud breaks. “Ice cream! Ice cream! Ice cream!” she chants, her earlier gloom forgotten in a heartbeat.

We go inside the establishment, I buy her a cup and watch her small hands grip the spoon while her little body is wiggling

in a happy dance at the first taste of chocolate and sprinkles. She is pure, simple joy. Then she notices my gaze.

Her hands fold again, but the defiance is softer now.

“Why?” I ask. “What don’t you like about your new school?”

“Everything.”

“List it for me.”

“Milo. And everything.”

“Milo, huh?” I exhale a quiet laugh. Of course.

“I don’t want to be his friend, but he is friends with everyone.”

“Grandpa will be sad that you are not giving your new school a chance just because of one little boy.” I lean forward,

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offering a smile. “Amira, what do I call you?”

“Unstopble?” her little tongue tripping over the word.

“Yes. My daughter is unstoppable. So why would she let one little boy who wants to be her friend make her dislike school?”

“So… I should be his friend?” she pouts, considering it.

“You can decide that after you go to school. If you still don’t like him, then don’t be his friend.” She nods and attacks her ice cream with renewed vigor.

When we’re done, I take her home. As we pull up to the entrance of the Lion Pride pack house, Slade is standing there, looking over some papers. Amira bursts out of the car before I can stop her, shouting the name of her favorite cartoon as she rockets past him into the house.

Slade watches her go, then turns to me. “Is that Amira, or is it my imagination?”

“Guess,” I hold her school bag from the passenger seat.

“Shit.”

“She’ll adjust. She’s mommy’s daughter, after all.” I walk toward him. “What about you? You’ve been up and busy all day?”

We fall into step together, entering the house. “I’m preparing for the Alpha Fest.”

“Alpha Fest? I’m sorry… what?” I ask, confused.

He begins to chuckle just as my cousin, Eden, jogs into the foyer, drawn by our conversation. He’s got that tousled brown hair and an easy grin, and in the short time I’ve been here, I’ve already seen the way the pack girls sigh when he walks by. “It’s the gathering everyone in the entire state looks forward to every year.” Eden explains, drinking a bottle of water.” Started three years ago. It involves all the Alphas coming together to… well, to show why they are Alphas in the first place.” He flashes a knowing smirk. “Really smart, right?”

“No, actually.”

Slade just chuckles at my reaction.

“It’s like football, but make it for Alphas only,” he elaborates, as if that explains the barbarism.

“And how come I’ve not heard about this?”

“Because I didn’t go last year. I was visiting you, remember?” Slade reminds me.

“But you’re gonna go this year, right?” Eden asks.

“Of course. But it’s quite annoying. I’m tired of everyone asking me when I will get a Luna at events.” He looks at me, genuinely frustrated.

“Then I’ll come with you.” The offer leaves my lips before I can think it through. The instinct to shield him, to stand by his side when others question his worth, is automatic. Why should he be bullied for not having found his mate yet?

“Hmmm, you can’t.” Eden shakes his head.

“Why not?”

“Because Emris will be there.” Slade murmurs. “He was there last year, and he beat the other Alphas. It’s why his pack members are even more proud this year, more eager to bully other packs, It’s a stupid tradition, but the weakest Alphas. there are easily targeted.”

My heart stops. Emris. Beating people up. The image forms instantly and it is viciously clear. It sounds exactly like him. He is a strong werewolf…devastatingly, brutally strong and he has always used that strength to its worst advantage. If he’s going to be there… do I still want to go? He would see my face. Any lingering doubt in his mind about who I am would vanish.

“See why I don’t want you to go?” Slade whispers.

“No.” The word comes out on a shaky breath, but then I straighten my spine. “I’ll still go. For moral support. If Emris sees me, he’ll be too busy wondering how I’m your sister to put up a fight with anyone. But for now, I just have to ease my nervous system from my art performance. Then, when it’s time for the Alpha Fest, we will be all ready.” I smile.

Slade nods but I can’t tell if he thinks it’s a bad idea or not. One thing is for sure: I didn’t come back here to hide. I came back to stand in the light.

“And who knows…” I nudge Eden. “Maybe you’ll find your mate at the Alpha Fest.”

Eden pushes his hair back with a blush. I look at him softly, studying his face. And for some reason, I just know. That’s the face of someone who has already found their mate. It’s in the slight, unconscious tension around his mouth, the way his eyes hold a secret warmth even when he’s being flippant.

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If he has, why hasn’t he told us yet? Hmm. It’s definitely fishy.

Also, an Alpha Fest. A gathering of egos and power, with Emris at the very center of it. Demetra, I hope you are prepared.

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