Chapter 19 Awake and Alive I

Serenity's POV

We were in my room, playing board games and talking- well, that was for Siam and Anna’s case who had been cuddling and whispering since morning- while Liam and I were in argument with Aaron and Jake about the rules of the game.

“Urgh, seriously guys…” Jake says flicking the Luke Skywalker marker of the Star Wars Monopoly game we were playing toward Siam and Anna; to his disappointment Siam conveniently caught it and threw it back.

“Hey, he’s named walker for a reason, he doesn’t fly” Aaron snapped catching his marker, “throw your robot around.”

“Whatever.” Jake says, “Anyways, back to the love birds,” Liam and I exchanged smiles, “not because Serenity agreed to this means you are allowed to make us gag every minute of the day.” He turns to me, “Tell them, princess.”

I shook my head, “Sorry Jake, I can’t, you’ll understand when you find your own mate.”

He scrunched up his nose, “That’s exactly why I don’t want to find her yet, I mean, I’m still having fun.”

“And you can’t have fun with your own mate?” Anna asked.

“I didn’t say that,” Jake points out as he roll the dice, “what I mean is as of now, I’m in no hurry. She’ll come when she does, for now I’ll enjoy multiple partners, no commitment.”

“Urgh.” Anna and I said in unison.

“Shut up, Jake.” Liam says.

“What? It’s true.” Jake says.

Then Liam gave me a look, “This is all Jake, sissy, Aaron and I are stepping out of the line of fire.”

I chuckled and nodded, “I’ll take note of that.”

“I can’t wait to see you mate, Jake.” Siam teases, pulling Anna closer to him. “Then I’ll let you eat everything you said.”

“And I’m sure I’ll be,” Jake says, “but for now, I’m sticking with it.” Then he lands in go to jail making him groan.

“And that’s where you’ll end up if you aren’t careful on what you stick in where.” Aaron says making us laugh.

Then there was a knock on the door.

“Come in.” I said and Cam peeked inside.

“Oh, hi Cam.” Anna smiled, “Come in, join us.”

She steps inside, looking shy. “Thank you.”

“Where have you been?” I asked as she sat between Aaron and Liam. “I haven’t seen you since breakfast.”

“School.” She said. “My mom is a bit strict about it.”

“Hm, I don’t think I’ve seen or met your mother.” Siam says.

“Oh…” she looks down her hand, fiddling her hands. “Uhm, she’s gone.”

“Gone?” I exchanged looks with the others who returned my questioned look to me. “Well, she’ll be home by dinner, right?”

“That’s right,” Anna says leaning on Siam, “we can meet her then.”

“It’s not that.” Cam shook her head roughly, that I wouldn’t be surprised if it popped out of her shoulder. “Our mom’s is dead…”

“Oh…” we all said in surprise.

“Uhm I’m sorry… we didn’t… I mean you and Eric…” I said not really knowing what to say.

She grins and shook her head again, “It was something stupid Eric came up with when we were kids and I wouldn’t stop crying after she died.” She stifled a laugh, “He acted as if she isn’t dead, I know it isn’t healthy, but it turned out to be really good. We would never do something mom wouldn’t like or father would reprimand us in front of her.”

“What do you mean in front of her?” Aaron asks, a brow raised.

“Her ashes,” she pointed out, “we have one each in our rooms and one in father’s office and mostly at the main hall where the other pack members can pay respect to her.”

“Oh…” Anna says, breaking the silence, I was pretty sure we all have the same thing in mind, a dead woman’s remains all over the house, “That’s sweet of you guys.”

She chuckled, “I think you mean mom had Eric and I whipped good.”

We laughed, “That too.” Anna nodded.

“Your mom must have been a great woman.” I said, a new feeling came over me now. A realization of I had a big shoes to fill in the Crescent Pack.

“You’ll be fine Serenity.” Cam says, “We are already honoured having you here, much more you choosing my brother as your mate.”

“I didn’t choose him, the fates did.” I reminded her.

“And they couldn’t have chosen a better man.” Siam says. “You are lucky to have Eric as your brother and future alpha.”

“We are very proud of him, even before the news of him being her highness’ mate.” Cam says, “But father continued to push him to be better, he’s practically great.”

“Yeah, great…” I sighed and glanced at the window, “greatly lost.”

“Serenity…” I heard Anna say.

I forced a smile at them, fighting away the incoming tears that were practically rebelling to get out.

“Sorry.” I forced a smile and turned to Jake, “You, go to jail. And you-“ I pointed at Cam, “Pick a character and play with us.”

“Yeah, baby girl.” Jake says, “Play with us.”

Anna and I rolled our eyes.

“I’d love to,” Cam says, Jake gives a smug smile. “I’d have to warn you though, I’m the champion millionaire here.” she says, Jake frowned. Cam turns to me, “I know I said it’s Eric who can handle money well, but not when its games. He just throws it around cause it’s just a game.”

“I’m guessing you take it seriously?” Siam asks, amused.

Her eyes gleams with mischief. “Hell yeah.”

Jake just stared at her, probably in amazement.

“Alright! My kind of girl!” Aaron says. “I’ll be cheering for you to beat his ass, ok sweet cakes?”

“Oh, I’ll be beating all of you.” she says setting her mark on the go block.

“Even your alpha?” Siam raised a brow.

“And your queen?” Anna says.

“Your beta?” Liam points out.

They turned to me, I shook my head not knowing what to say. “Uhm, your princess? Deity?”

“You mean my future sister in law?” Cam teased. I chuckled and let my hair fall to hid the incoming blush. “Aw, you are just too cute Serenity.” Cam says. “But yes, I don’t care, monopoly is a whole different business. I mean no disrespect, but I’m pretty sure I’ll kick your ass without trying.”

And she did.

She left all of us bankrupt and ruled the universe literally. The first to go? Anna then me, followed by Aaron- who did cheer on Cam like he said- then Siam, now it was just Jake vs. Cam.

It was her turn to roll and she studied the board holding her dice tight in her hands.

“You scared baby girl?” Jake teases her, trying to break her concentration.

I don’t know how much concentration you need in rolling a dice as it is left to chance once you let go of it. But then again, who was I to question her, seeing she did kick my ass on the damn game.

“You wish player.” She grinned, “How much do you want to bet that I’ll be landing on Go and then you’ll get a nine on your roll and land on my pod which is three times worth the money you have no other choice but sell your remaining assets to the bank?”

Jake laughs smugly. “Not gonna happen baby girl.” He says, “Unless you’re also psychic like Serenity.”

Cams snorted, “Maybe I should just save your ass now and let you sell me your assets so at least you have money to count to see who won?”

I raised a brow, was she flirting back? And I might say quite well too cause Jake just grinned.

“Aren’t we supposed to be doing that now, anyway?” Anna says.

“Nah, I promised to kick ass and I will not stop until I own the whole universe and have your butts as my slave.” Cam says.

“Wow, evil much?” Aaron teased.

“A girl can dream.” She says. “So what you say, player? Up for the bet?”

Jake looks at her, reconsidering her offer. “What do I get if I win?”

“Anything you want.” She says.

“Anything?” Jake raised a brow.

“Ooh, get out of it while you still can, sweetheart.” Aaron says.

“Nah, I’m not one to back out on bets, Aaron.” She says not taking away her eyes from Jake’s to prove she’s serious.

Jake chuckled, “Your loss baby girl.”

“Funny I was about to say the same thing to you.” she says, smugly.

I hear Liam stifle a laugh beside me, “Someone seemed to have met his match.”

“You think she’s his mate?” I asked.

“No way.” Jake and Cam says in unison.

“Why not?” Anna says, “You bicker like a couple already.”

“Yeah, like how you and your prince charming here use to do?” Jake snaps making Anna blush. “I don’t think so.”

“For someone with such a sure answer you are very defensive.” I said with a grin.

“Well, that happens when you strongly disagree.” Jake says, “So can we go back to more serious matter? Like you rolling and me beating you so I can get my anything.”

Cam grinned and did as told. And like she predicted she did landed on go, smugly took her money from the banker, Aaron, and snapped it at Jake’s face.

Jake snorted and picked up the dice and rolled, we all leaned forward waiting for it to stop.

It was amusing with everyone holding their breaths as if it was a life changing result, and when it finally stopped, Jake groaned and Cam cheered and jumping on her butt with her hands in the air.

“Damn,” Aaron says looking at Cam with amazement, “you nailed that one.”

Jake shrugged and threw his remaining money at the middle of the board, obviously he loss already.

“So what do you get from me?” he asks.

Cam stops and put on, what seems to be, her thinking face. Then she shook her head, “Nothing.”

“Nothing?” Jake raised a brow, “Seriously?”

“Well, not technically nothing.” She says with a smile as she starts fixing up the cards and money.

“Care to clarify that?” Jake asks, getting irritated.

Cam smiles his way, “Bragging rights.” She announces. “Like what you have pointed out earlier, you guys are the Alpha king, the soon to be queen, the princess-slash-deity-slash-future sister in law, the beta, the third and fourth in rank among all the shifters. So yeah, bragging rights sounds really good.”

I chuckled and shook my head.

“Well, I should admit I didn’t see that one coming.” Siam says.

“The Alpha King blinded by a little girl.” Liam teased, “Yeah, bragging rights I would definitely fight for.”

“And something I’d prefer we keep to ourselves to avoid doubts over our kind?” Siam gave Cam a look, “If it isn’t too much?”

“Hm, a possibility of blackmail, very tempting.” She says.

“Does your brother know about this evil side of yours Cam?” Anna teased.

“He has been the target of it for years.” She says proudly.

“Well, I guess there’s something good about Eric being adopted.” Aaron looks my way, “Assurance of no evil blood on your kids.”

“Yeah, thanks for that Aaron.” I rolled my eyes, a bit amused. The thought of Eric reminded me of what was going on and made me look up in the clock.

3pm.

It has been six hours since they have left and there had been no news yet.

“Serenity.” I turned to Siam who gave me one of his big brother’s look.

“I’m ok.” I said. “Just thinking… is there any news?”

He shook his head. “None yet, but dad promised.”

“I know.” I sighed. “Anyway, what do we do next?” I glanced at Cams, “Something that won’t give you any more advantage over us.”

We ended up in the kitchen playing cook and the boys eating whatever we cooked.

“Wow, I didn’t know you ladies had it in you.” Jake says as he picks up another muffin.

“What are you talking about now?” Anna asked as she pulled out the new set of brownies from the oven.

He clears his throat before answering. “To bake.”

“Ok, that’s enough for you.” Cam grabbed the muffin he was about to eat.

“Hey, I was enjoying that!” Jake says snatching it back, but Cam pulled it away from him.

“Was being the point.” Cam says, wiggled her brows and took a bite of the muffin.

Jake sighed and ran his hand over his nape, “Are you even a girl?”

We all laughed as I finish off the strawberry short cake I was making.

“That looks nice.” Liam says.

“Thanks.” I said, agreeing.

“Do you have any plans eating it?” Aaron asks holding up a spoon.

“Where would you be putting it?” I laughed, “You boys had been eating none stop, finished off two dozen of muffins, six pieces of bread each, the first three batch of Anna’s brownie-“

“Well, it’s that good.” Siam says smiling at Anna.

“And we’re hungry.” Jake adds.

“Oh yeah, early diabetes is common now you know?” Cam says.

We laughed as I watched them fool around. Somehow, enjoying the moment, it was just like how we were before all the mess began. Easy going and just chilling. Laughing and fighting about the silliest and stupidest things.

But then again, missing moments like this for a while is worth it. I found my mate and I was willing to go through hell and back if it meant to be with him. Heck, I’d probably let his sister beat me at every game that we play just so I can see him be happy to see his sister feel the same.

I’ll even let Jake’s lame attempts of hooking up Cam as one of his girls just so I can have something laugh about when he miserably fails.

“Hey, what are you kids up to?” we looked toward the door and saw mother and mama Ellena, looking around.

“We’re baking Aunt Claire.” Anna says. “The boys are stuffing themselves.”

“But we saved a few for you.” Cam says gesturing at the plate of pastries on the table behind us.

My mom picked up one of Anna’s brownie and took a bite, she smiled and nodded, “This is really good.” She glanced at Siam, “You, young man, are lucky. But I will not have you leave her in the kitchen at all times, do you hear me?”

“Couldn’t agree with you more mother.” He winked at Anna who shook her head.

I rolled my eyes, stopping myself from blushing for Anna. Then Jake clears his throat again, this time making a gagging sound at the end.

“Jacob McGregor, I do not remember teaching you to do that in front of ladies and food.” my mom snaps, yeah, she pretty much has all the boys whip.

“Sorry Aunt C.” he says in a hoarse voice, “Something in my throat.”

I looked him over and notice his neck turning a bit red.

“You’ve been eating the muffin young master Jake?” Mama Ellena asks.

“Yep, non stop and still on it.” Jake says as he reaches out for one but mama Ellena moved it away. “Not you too Mama Ellena, I’m a growing boy-“

“Who is allergic to nuts.” She reminded him, “And Cam’s muffins has crush nuts in it.”

“What?” Jake stood up.

“Shit, I’ll get your meds.” Aaron ran out of the room.

Jake was the youngest among the three man circle of my older brother, Aaron is his cousin and best friend, practically glued on the hip.

“I’m so sorry Jake, I didn’t-“

“It’s cool.” Jake brushed her off. “I actually find it funny sometimes, you know, a shifter is almost invincible with our healing ability and all, yet we still have allergies.”

“Would you want sugar to calm it down?” mom asks.

He shook his head, “I’ll be fine, Aunt C, Aaron is probably on his way back.” He clears his throat again, his face getting redder by the second.

In a few seconds Aaron came back with the meds, he hands it to Jake and quickly moves toward Siam and whispered something to him I could barely hear.

Again, it sucks not being able to shift yet.

“Are you sure?” Siam asked.

“Yeah…” Aaron says, turning his back at us.

Siam nods and straightened up, “I just need to fix something.” He gave Anna a kiss on the cheek, who just nodded and went on with cutting her brownies.

“What’s going on Siam?” I asked.

“Just have to look into something.” He said, kissing my mom on the cheek and walks toward me.

“Is it about the search party?” I asked.

He gave me a smile, one that was masking what he wanted to say. “Just alpha business, baby sis.”

“Oh…” I frowned, “Ok.”

“We’ll be quick.” He says, “You ladies stay in the house, ok?”

The others gave a nod and a yes as I watch them step out of the kitchen. Liam walks pass behind me and I reached for his hand, he turned to me.

“You will tell me if there’s news, won’t you Liam?”

This time, I received a comforting smile, “Yes.” He nods toward the table with my cake, “Now go finish your cake and remember to leave me a piece.”

I nodded, still not feeling any calmer or even relaxed.