Chapter 3-Forged in Fire
767 Words
"That's great, Alex! Who is your mate?" my dad asked over the phone. "It's Mason. But he's also my sister's mate. I need to know more about our connection," I replied. "I see. I'll be there first thing in the morning, and we'll do a DNA test to confirm if you and she are related. I hope you understand. I'll bring your mother along," Dad said before hanging up. As I put down the phone, a mix of relief, anxiety, and hope washed over me. I took a deep breath, knowing answers were within reach and that my family would face the truth together. 10 AM The next morning, Riley and I walked to the school lab and had our blood drawn. Mason came too since we are both his mates. "Good morning, Darl—Alex?" Dad asked, surprised when he saw Riley and me looking identical. "Right here, Dad," I said, handing him the test results. He opened the results and gasped. "You are twins. So, Alex—" "Riley, sir," she interrupted. "So, Riley, you’re a foster?" "Yes, sir." "Riley, call me David. Would you be okay with us adopting you and enrolling you here to be with your kind and closer to your sister, Alex? What do you think?" Dad asked. Riley's eyes widened, and she glanced at me with hope and uncertainty. "I think... I think I'd like that very much, David," she whispered. Dad smiled warmly and patted her shoulder. "Welcome to the family, Riley. We'll make sure you're taken care of and never feel alone again." "I would love that. I’ve never had a real family," she responded, making me realize how lucky I am to have my adoptive family. A few hours later, the courthouse approved Riley's adoption. She was enrolled in my school and became my roommate.
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5 PM
"How does pizza sound?" I asked Mason and Alex. "Mmhmm. Hawaiian?" Alex asked. "That's my favorite!" I replied and placed the order. Once it arrived, we all sat in the room talking and enjoying the pizza. I felt the pull towards Mason but knew my sister did too. I wanted my mate but didn’t want to hurt the sister I just found. As we laughed and shared stories, the tension simmered beneath the surface. I looked at Mason, catching his eye, and for a moment, the world narrowed to just us. But then I glanced at Alex, her eyes reflecting the same longing and confusion I felt. How could I navigate this without causing pain to my sister? "I think I’m going to the library, Riley," Alex said, walking out.
POV Alex
I walked to the library but realized I forgot my bag for the books. When I returned, I found Mason and Riley making out. Hurt, I grabbed my bag and ran out, feeling the pull for Mason but not wanting to share my mate, even with my sister. I sat in the library, reading "The Way of Mates," trying to understand. After a while, my anger grew, and unshed tears started falling. Why must we share a mate?!? "It’s because you and our sister are special," my wolf finally spoke up. "What makes us so special? So special we have to share a mate?" I asked, tears flowing. "Our sister and we are powerful. We need a powerful mate, and he is the only one. This is the Moon Goddess' doing, Alex. Do not question her." Conflicted and hurt, I tried to make sense of what my wolf said. The idea that Mason was our only mate, chosen by the Moon Goddess, felt like a heavy weight. Despite my anger, I understood there might be more to this bond than I could grasp. "I will question her all I want! I want someone to love me that I don’t have to share!" I shouted, frustration boiling over. "The Moon Goddess can’t be questioned. Things will turn out worse if you keep asking her," my wolf responded. Upset, I yelled at the moon shining through the library skylight. "Why? Can you tell me that?! If my sister and I are so special, why are we orphaned? What happened to our parents?" I screamed, tears running down my face. I ran towards the exit, slamming the door behind me. Outside, overwhelmed by emotions, I experienced my first werewolf transition. When I returned to myself, I saw the library engulfed in flames. "Did I do that?" I wondered before collapsing, unconscious. The chaos within me had manifested in a destructive release, leaving me frightened of the power I now possessed.
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