“The lab had exploded along with the house after your aunt and uncle fled the scene with you. They roamed around for a year before they came back here. As to why they turned out as what you saw them when you grew up, your aunt didn’t tell me.”

At this point, Kiya was already in Cain’s embrace. Kiya was in shock throughout the “explanation” but she didn’t ask him to stop. She wanted to know but everytime Cain says aunt or uncle that referred to the people she had known as her parents, a shiver would run through her. They were not her parents and she was brought back to life by her mother. However, Kiya remembered what Cain had said before he started telling her everything.

“What else?” Kiya boldly asked. She was already given enough shock to even remain in a daze. Cain suddenly held her closer and tighter.

“Your father did not have the fund to make his so-called machine so he did the unthinkable, he went ahead and offered himself to rogues. That invention of his wasn’t only capable of turning your father back; it was also capable of killing werewolves and any creatures that belonged to our world, immortals. Your father had played around and modified with your mother’s powers and had ultimately created another thing. The machine had been supposedly destroyed but according to your aunt, it wasn’t the only machine that was created. She didn’t say how they found out about the existence of the other machine.”

Kiya shivered. Rogues were equivalent to terrorists in the human world, always wishing for eternal damnation for everyone.

“You said something happened recently.” Kiya probed.

“I told my father everything Kiya and he told me something. We don’t know if it was connected in any of this but since last year, almost six witches were reportedly said to be missing. Witches don’t usually associate themselves with other creatures but this time they came out to ask around, they passed by our pack last year to look for the missing girls.”

“They’re trying to recreate that thing.” Kiya concluded for him.

“However, the best result that they could have is you because you have what they want. But I will never let that happen.” Cain kissed the top of her head and hugged her. Kiya felt safe but still her mind did not calm down.

Both of them were scared to actually say the final conclusion. The fact that Kiya’s life is on the line and the fate of many lives. The black marble may be the only thing that was keeping Kiya alive, if it’s taken from her, she’ll die again along with hundreds of innocents. Kiya also did not dismiss the truth that everything started with her family, she feels guilty and responsible all of a sudden.

“Kiya, please move in with me and my family.”

“Okay.” Kiya answered immediately and Cain looked at her in surprise.

“That easy? I was actually ready to handle all your rejections. You must really want to live with me badly.” Cain could not help teasing Kiya despite the serious talk earlier.

“I’m cooperating. I won’t be stupid as to think that I’d be fine all alone.”

“That’s my girl.” Cain said as he grabbed her hand and kissed it. A thing he seems to like doing. “I love you.”

“I love you too.” Kiya answered back and Cain leaned in to capture her lips. The dark cloud that covered Kiya’s heart was immediately chased away by the sweetness she felt.

The next day, Cain drove Kiya to his house. Their house or should Kiya say, the manor, was a bit far from town and was surrounded with trees, partly hidden by them. When Cain turned out to be her mate, Kiya had recently found out that his mother is actually a famous fashion designer. Kiya is dense on these things and had only known his mother as the Luna. She didn’t expect that she was actually famous. Cain’s father, on the other hand, is already a renowned businessman which is already known to everyone, even the dense Kiya. She had never thought about it until now, it makes Kiya conscious for some reason.

“You’re really rich.” Kiya said out loud with a sigh. Cain looked at her and laughed.

“You don’t look happy about that.” Kiya did not answer. “You’re the one who’s rich. As for me, my parents are the one who’s rich. I’m yet to do anything.”

Kiya looked at Cain, her thought is that she wants to pat his head. She blushed at the thought but still, she’s actually grateful that Cain is not one of those rich, spoiled kids.

“I’m going to be the next Alpha and my father had been training me since I was young. However, his lessons were not always about the pack. He also wanted me to grow up as a decent person.”

“A decent person?”

“Well my mother is a sweet woman. She spoils me and my little sister too much; you can only try to imagine how I grew up with both my parents contradicting in their teachings. The disadvantage of having a rich parent is that they can give their child all the materialistic things they want, that were the case for my mother. My father loves my mother too much to say no to her, he could only talk to us when my mother was not around. My little sister never really listens though.”

Kiya smiled. She wants to feel jealous of Cain but it seems she’s just happy of talking to him like this. Sam had told her about him and his mate one time, he was talking about a habit he recently found out about his mate even though they’ve been together for almost 15 years; he looked so amused and happy. This must have been what he felt when he found out, the feeling of finding out something about your love and then wanting to know more no matter how trivial it is. Love, as she has recently known, had brought her back to life in the form of her biological mother and now it’s protecting her in the form of Cain. The phrase ‘love makes the world go round’ has been with her since she was just an infant and yet she grew up thinking that she only needs to depend on herself to survive.

Cain had noticed her silence and could not read anything on her face, she looks calm but in some sort of a daze. He began to worry that whatever he said must have upset her. Her aunt and uncle made her grew up in a bad environment for whatever reason and it’s not really appropriate to tell her about his family especially when he just told her about those things yesterday. However, before he could open his mouth to say something, there was a knock on the car window.

“If you’re done doing whatever it is that you are doing, lunch is ready.”

Kiya saw a young woman in a summer dress. She looks a lot like Cain and she remembers seeing her a lot in school. Their group is always on the grounds, always noisy that’s why Kiya always notices them when she walks by. Such a lively girl could only be Cain’s little sister.

“Your little sister is beautiful.”

“You praise that brat but you never praise me.” Kiya smiled at him, finally rubbing his head when she couldn’t hold herself back any longer.

“Cain, I just found out you are really childish.” Cain caught her hand.

“Is that supposed to be an insult? Kiya you’re learning how to tease me now.” He bit her finger before letting go and getting out of the car.

Kiya’s face was burning red when she also got out of the car. Cain couldn’t help but laugh all the way to the house. In the end when it comes to teasing, Cain always has the last laugh, literally. Kiya forgot her embarrassment when she stepped inside the house. The interior looks very ancient with a little touches of modern technology. It feels like a museum. Kiya had gone here once during a pack gathering but it was held outside, she didn’t have the chance or the reason to see the inside until now.

“This house has been remodelled so many times but we try to maintain what is left.” A voice rang out from across the room, startling Kiya awake from the mesmerizing site of the house.

A woman who looks very stylish in a business suit walked towards them. She has a strict look on her face intensified with her angular face and very short hair. Kiya recognized her as the Luna but has she always looked this way? Suddenly, Kiya remembered what Cain told her at the car and looked at the Luna once again, is she really the same person he talked about. Somehow Cain who was beside her could almost see what she was thinking; people really misunderstand his mother all the time. However, Kiya trusts Cain’s word more than what is in front of her now.

“I am Cain’s mother, call me Vivian. You must be Kiya.” Kiya nodded not sure on how to approach her. Vivian looked her up and down then suddenly her whole demeanor changed. “What’s your size, waistline?”

Vivian started touching Kiya’s body, pushing her son away to look her all over like a child who found a new toy. However, Cain knows she really have found a new toy. His mother loves fashion designing as a hobby not as a career that’s why she is a high demand in the fashion industry. She would never design for someone if she can’t see an inspiration with them. Now it seems, after being coped up in the house for a long time, Vivian’s eyes have found Kiya as her new doll.

“I haven’t drawn for so long but seeing my future daughter-in-law is filling my mind with endless ideas.” Vivian loudly said. Kiya didn’t mind the touchiness but she somehow felt a deep foreboding in the future.

Suddenly, Vivian was dragged away from Kiya, now in a deadlock on the arms of a middle aged, handsome man, the Alpha and Cain’s father. Kiya has seen him several times around town but never paid much attention to him, she was satisfied with just knowing him as Alpha Trent.

“Welcome Kiya! Don’t mind this crazy old hag.”

“Who are you calling crazy?!” Vivian shouted however someone shouted more loudly.

“I’m hungry! Will you guys just come?!” The shout echoed around the house. Trent dragged Vivian towards the dining room while continuing their argument.

“I’m sorry but this is my family, just bear with them please.” Cain could not help but apologize, he thought they’d at least behave not normally when Kiya is around but it seems they had already accepted Kiya even before they met her. He didn’t know if he should be happy or be angry with embarrassment.

“I like it.” Kiya looked at the surprised Cain and smiled. “I like them.”