ARIA
"Dimitri! No, you can't play with those," I laughed.
Dimitri folded his arms and pouted. He dropped the hot-comb down. "But Mom, you use it every time."
I took it and returned it to Ivy's study. "I use it on my hair, baby and…" I carried him up. "Damn, you're a big boy. Mommy doesn't want you hurting yourself. Okay?"
He didn't buy it. "I'll heal before it hurts me."
Since he figured he healed faster than any wolf I've ever seen, he believes he can never get hurt.
"You know what, honey. Let's go shopping." With the little money you have with you, my wolf hunted me. I dropped Dimitri who had instantly jollied up and gone back to his room to change.
"Mum and son issues?" Ivy walked in with laughter.
"Right!" I plopped on the couch. "He was gonna use your hot-iron to try and draw something on his body."
"That boy is smart. He knows what he is doing. I need to go to work soon, can you help me with Dimitri please?"
Ivy had kicked her heels off and started taking off her jewellery.
"That won't be necessary, Aria. I forgot to tell you this on the phone. We are going back, Aria."
I raised my brows and sat up. A cracked laugh escaped my mouth. "Sorry, what? What do you mean we are going back? Back where? Back who?"
She tossed me an envelope. "Read it."
I opened it and the letter was from my foster parents…they needed me to sign some documents to show that I was really not their daughter anymore." I threw the paper on the floor.
"This is ridiculous. There is no way I am setting foot in ShadowCrest ever again. Ivy, it's been five years since I left. They are in the past and I don't want anything tying me there anymore. I don't."
Ivy came to sit beside me. "I understand you, Aria. I really do. But think about it, I know this letter is just the purpose of documentation. They all think you are dead." She sighed heavily and scratched the base of her chin. "We need to leave Silverfang. We don't belong here and my aunt, and I told you. We have overstayed our welcome in this Pack. I may not necessarily be tied to ShadowCrest but you are and you know how much that affects you. You still have nightmares, you are still scared of all these people you think you left behind. Dimitri is all grown now, no one is gonna do shit. You need this, Aria. You need your life back!"
She hugged me, her usual way of compelling me to do something I don't want to do. If she were a vampire, I'd have been just as nice as Ivy is.
"I'm ready," Dimitri appeared.
"Come here, baby." I hugged him and kissed his forehead. "We are going on a long trip. You see more things to play with."
As we all piled our stuff to catch our flight that evening, Ivy had planned everything and it was going according to plan so far but it haunts me, that I would be going back to that shithole.
But Ivy was right, I need to face everything I have always feared and find a life for myself. We boarded the flight, straight to New York and back to the grounds of ShadowCrest.
My wolf purred with excitement. We are finally home again. The air, the sand, everything was welcoming it. At least for now. Everyone must have forgotten me and my existence so, I pray, that no one bothers me.
We settled in a hotel for the night while Ivy seemed to get us an apartment to move into.
Every day, I feel guilty for making Ivy do most of the basic things I need in my life. She never complained and I still don't know the source of her wealth. There is no way her job could have made her his rich.
She was my best friend, and I wouldn't want to make her think I suspect her of anything bad.
I stood outside in the sunrise and felt the sun touch my skin. It was magnificent.
"I love it too," Dimitri said beside me. "It feels like home."
Looking at him reminded me of the night my whole life got destroyed, it was the same night that brought me my handsome angel. Although I never got to know his father, I always bless him for giving my son good features.
The next morning, we officially moved into an apartment in Silvergrove near Lycanridge. It was the most peaceful area before we left and the farthest from anyone I know.
I started my life afresh and started to send applications around the areas for jobs so I'll be able to sustain myself and my child. Being in SilverCrest again reminds me of how scared I was when Ivy and I decided to flee after I found out I was pregnant. It was the worst situation any woman could ever be in, especially after being ejected.
If they do all their calculations, they would conclude that the child belongs to Daniek and I would automatically become his mistress. That was much worse than the normal death penalty given to pregnant women without mates. It's considered treason.
After applications to several places, I waited patiently for calls, any call from the places I applied to. They weren't companies or big deals. Just bars and restaurants…coffee shops…things that wouldn't get me into trouble.
I finally got a call days later from a local restaurant where I was called to work as a waiter. Happily, I accepted and prepared myself for their interview.
The next day, I dressed corporately and headed down to MainCrest restaurant. It was like the biggest restaurant at the time. It must have been a new restaurant because back then, I never heard of it.
I arrived at the restaurant and took a seat, alongside three more people who waited for the interview.
I was scrolling through my phone when I heard someone call my name.
"Aria?"
I turned and by god, I wish I hadn't.
Standing there was Damien with Selena in his arms just like the old days.
"Aria, is that really?"
Crap. Not here.