The War Goddess with Her Triplet Mates

Chapter 4 Happy Memories

Soraya’s POV

8 YEARS AGO

I stood in front of the floor length mirror, twirling around in the new ball-gown I had received from Luna Vivienne as a birthday gift. It was a very beautiful silver dress with glitters and when she handed it to me, she said it would really match my pure skin. My big sea-green eyes glinted excitedly as I stared at my reflection. I looked really pretty.

My father always told me that I was a replica of my mother's genes. I had inherited everything from her, down to her voice and it always irritated him to have me around him. He always detested looking me in the eye because they reminded him of my mother. He rarely spoke about her to me, only letting me know that she died of exhaustion after giving birth to me.

After her death, he had taken down all her pictures so I never really knew what she actually looked like. I could only imagine her to look like an older version of me. My father ignored and purposely neglected me and one day, when I was five, I collapsed as a result of a fever and Luna Vivienne happened to be around. She took me to their mansion and nursed me back to health.

I remembered crying in her arms when she asked of my parents and I told her my mother was dead and my father hated my existence. It broke her heart to see me wail and proposed an adoption. She had asked if I would love to be her daughter and I wholeheartedly agreed because she showed me kindness no other person in my life had.

Since then I had lived with her, and she never relented in showering me with so much love and affection. And that I had a comfortable life now was all because of her and I cherished her for it. It did break my heart that my father never came to see me even for once, nor did he ask of me. I had expected to hear from him today, considering that it was my birthday but who was I kidding?

"Some looks adorable."

I turned to find Luna Vivienne standing by the door, watching me in amusement. I smiled at her and ran to hug her. She lowered herself to my level and kissed my forehead.

"How's my little princess? Do you like the dress?" She asked.

"Like it? I love it. Look what the dress does when I twirl." I squealed, detaching myself from her to spin for her. "See?"

"Oh yes and you look absolutely stunning, my princess." She pulled me to her and kissed my cheeks.

She stood up and gently took my hand, leading me to the bed. She pulled me into her laps and began stroking my hair, "baby, I know you don't like your father much but I think you should visit him today."

My body grew cold as I listened to her then I turned to her, "why can't he visit me? It's my birthday today after all."

She cuddled me closer, "I know, sweetheart but sometimes we have to be the bigger person. I know you want to see him today…"

I recalled all the harsh words I could remember my father saying to me, the neglect, the glares and my body trembled. I wondered what he'd say to me this time if I were to see him.

"But he hates me." I said in-between tears.

Vivienne turned me to face her, then she wiped my tears, "no… no baby, your father doesn't hate you. He's just distraught over the death of his mate. You remember what I taught you about a true mate?"

I nodded, "a true mate is your better half that completes your soul and losing your true mate can break you entirely while bonding with your true mate can make you stronger."

She kissed my forehead, "excellent. So you need to show your father more love so he doesn't give up on himself, okay?"

I peered at her through my lashes, fiddling with my fingers, "do you really mean it?"

She pulled me into her arms, nuzzling my neck, making me laugh, "would I ever lie to you?"

I contemplated her words and decided to trust her. He was still my father after all.

"Okay."

She peppered kisses all over my face, "that's my good girl. Now let's go see your dad. I'm sure he'll love to see you looking like a princess."

The thought of my father welcoming me with open hands had me bubbling with happiness. It would be the best birthday gift ever and I wondered if he'd actually look at me differently if I dressed beautifully for him like Luna had suggested.

"C'mon, let's go."

I jumped down from my bed, grabbed my teddy bear, and ran along to catch up with Vivienne who was standing by my door, her thick brown hair falling over shoulders in straight locks. She had the prettiest set of light brown eyes and her skin was white as snow. She was the most beautiful women in the pack.

The drive to the little white house that used to be my home was short and all the while we drove, I tried to think up what to say to him. I tried to visualize his reaction but rather all I got was a mild anxiety attack.

The car halted in front of the white Picket fence and I looked out of the window. The compound was overgrown by weeds and gra*s es, wild flowers thriving. I saw the old swing that I used to play on, looking overthrown by rust and sighed. He really hadn't been taking care of this place.

Luna Vivienne asked me to go inside alone. I gently climbed out of the car, walking through the fence, padding my feet over the shabby looking environment till I got to the big white door and knocked.

When I got no answer, I turned to find Luna Vivienne standing outside by the car, signaling to me to try turning the door knob. I obeyed and the door opened.

Gulping, I gently poked my head inside to peek, blinking at the darkness that enveloped the house. I stepped into the house and found my father sitting in the living with bottles of liquor lined up before him. His hair was in disarray. In fact, everything about him, down to his clothing, looked disheveled.

His eyes raised and he pinned me with a questioning stare, eyeing me down. He clicked his tongue dryly and went back to drinking, "nice dress, huh?"

He hadn't seen me for a while and that was all he was concerned about? I stumbled back instinctively, afraid he'd spit out angry words as always. I wondered what he'd say if I told him it was a gift from the Luna. He'd probably yell at me again, telling me how I was turning him into a beggar in front of the royal family. It wouldn't be the first time nor would it be the last.

He sniffled, "it really suits you."

I blinked at him, taken aback a little. Did he just compliment me?

"Come here, Soraya." He motioned me over with a slight movement of his hand.

I contemplated obeying him but decided to take the chance. I carefully drew closer to him, clutching the teddy bear tightly in my arms. Once I stood in front of him, I swallowed.

He turned to me and raised his hands and I moved away a little, believing that he was going to hurt me. My next thought was to run and hide from him but then he surprised me by pulling me into his embrace.

I stilled unable to understand what was going on. It came as a shock to me and my body grew rigid in his arms. I couldn't remember the last time my father had hugged me, probably because he had never hugged me before.

The Luna's words rang in my head. Be the bigger person… show him more love so he doesn't give up on himself… they echoed in my head and I gently returned the hug, enjoying how warm and wholesome his hug felt. I saw him freeze in shock, he obviously never expected my reaction and I could have sworn I heard him sniffle.

He pulled away from me, a sophisticated look swimming in his eyes as he looked at me. I couldn't understand the meaning behind the look he was giving me, the dull room only enabling me to see only a part of his face. I mustered the courage to smile at him because he had just made me happy beyond my imagination.

I saw him blink and just like that, the cold and unfeeling look was back and his aura had become chilly. He looked away from me muttering something about moving away from him.

I sighed because the father I knew was back and I began wondering if what had happened earlier had been real or a figment of my imagination.

He moved to resume his drinking, plopping himself down on the chair, where he was previously seated, "your mother's death anniversary is in three days and I do not need to remind you how I do not want to see your face at all, do I?"

From my hurt expression he got my answer and nodded with a hum, "good. Now get out of my sight."

Filled with renewed hatred and crushed hope, I ran out of the house. I was a fool to think he'd ever look at me like a father should. I should have seen it coming that whatever had happened earlier was just a sick façade, put on to play with my emotions.

Immediately I dashed out of the house, my forehead collided against something and I lost my balance but I felt hands reach out to hold me.

"Where were you running off to in such a haste, Raya?"

I recognised that voice, it belonged to Ryder, Luna's son. He rolled his eyes at me, squinting at me as his soft hands rubbed the aching spot on my forehead, "you could have hurt yourself." He said to me, carefully tucking my hair behind my ears.

Ryder was two years older than me and looked just like Alpha Michaelson, only inheriting the Luna's hair. He was addicted to mischief and had become my best-friend in the past few years.

He noticed my tears and frowned, "are you okay?"

I nodded at him, quickly wiping away the tears that stained my face. He sighed, knowing that I didn't want to talk about it. He always had a way of reading my moods and knowing when not to probe for answers.

"What are you doing here?" I squeaked.

He scratched his head, shrugging, "mum had something urgent to do so she asked me to come get you. I actually didn't mind because I was actually looking for you."

I managed to smile because despite his carefree persona, I knew he really cared about me and I could always count on him to be there for me. The countless times he's said it to me, drove it in.

He gently closed the distance between us, leaning down to kiss my bruised forehead, "better?" He asked and I nodded.

He pulled me into a deep hug, shaking me slightly, "you know I'll always be here for you right?"

I snuggled into his chest, enjoying the warmth his company brought. I nodded in his arms, "Promise?" I felt the need to hear the rea*s urance.

He laughed, stroking my hair, "I promise, Raya. Now enough with the blues. It's your twelfth birthday and mum and I made this delicious Chocolate cake. Add to that, an amazing sauce researched and prepared by yours truly. You're going to love the decorations and candles I put on the cake, trust me." He said, dragging the "T" in trust.

I laughed at how confident he was being, knowing that he was a horrible cook. But I was going to let him keep his confidence for today.

He walked me home, both of us cracking knock knock jokes that weren't funny but the fact that they weren't funny was the fun of it all, his hands interlocked in mine as we laughed at our tomfoolery.

We got home and he dragged me to the kitchen where Luna Vivienne and some staff were, shouting surprise, the moment I walked into the kitchen. I laughed, enjoying their efforts, acting surprised even though Ryder had already ore-informed me of their plan.

Ryder brought out the cake from the fridge and my heart swelled. He lit the glittery candle and came to stand behind me, "make a wish, little Raya."

I nodded and closed my eyes. My father might not want me but I was glad I got accepted into a family that loved me and treated me like one of their own. What more could I have asked for? I loved them so much.

"I wish we all get to stay like this forever and ever."

I blew out the candle, gleefully clapping.

"Always and forever." I heard Ryder whisper into my ear, kissing the side of my face before walking away.