19 Years old
Octobe

                   
I sat inside the metallic transporter, my foot tapping along the metal as I waited impatiently for the sign that we were home. I was eager. I couldn't wait to touch down and finally see my family.

Even though I had been here a few months ago for Jana's 8th birthday it hadn't felt the same. I had decided to extend my visit with Eliza's mother and her mate for a few more weeks. So my time with the family in Augus had been bitter sweet.

This time was different though. I was back for good and it felt amazing. I was so excited to see them; I didn't even care that it was my birthday. I just desperately wanted to see them and know I wasn't leaving.

Gods I couldn't control the excitement thrumming through my body the moment the announcement was made. We were approaching ground level and I couldn't wait. My face was squished up against the clear panel so I could see our approach. The tall compound walls getting closer as we began our decent. I couldn't sit still, my legs were bouncing erratically.

"Stop that" growled Manal, her eyes closed as she gripped my knee. I smiled sheepishly at her even though I knew she couldn't see me.

Manal had decided she wanted to follow me home, she had been interested in my family. Especially Neema and the sickness that had plagued her not too long ago. She also wanted to make sure I didn't slip back into my old ways.

Those were the main reasons she given to Khan when she made her request but I knew different. She had told me that she just felt that she had to come, something to do with the gods, the moon, constellations and I was lost. All I knew that at 30 years old Manal was a worldly woman who seemed to be extremely sensitive to the gods wishes.

I was in awe of her to be honest but I tried to hide that.

My head knocked forward as the transporter ground to a halt, so much for smooth flying I grumbled under my breath. Clearly not happy with the pilots reckless flying.

I dismissed my annoyance the moment we stepped out of the metal box and the sun beat down on us. It felt so good to be back in this heat. I sucked in a large gasp of air, it smelt like home.

I couldn't contain my excitement. I couldn't even wait for my bags to be carried off or for Manal to gather her bearings, I was off. Squeals leaving my mouth the closer I got to the compound doors.

My fast walk turned into a light jog and then a sprint, I was running full throttle for the large doors. Flying past all the busy people. I didn't stop and wave when I saw familiar faces, I was on a mission.

The doors were wide open and I hoped that they would be waiting for me in the foyer but the moment I stepped over the threshold I was shocked. They weren't here. No one was. There was a ghostly silence to the compound and that was a huge feat.

It was early morning and the place was normally bustling with life, it didn't make sense.

I was shocked, upset. They had forgotten me. It wasn't even that big of a deal but I felt like crying. I had expected that they would be just as excited as me, especially as it was my birthday but they couldn't even be bothered to remember.

I felt hurt, so hurt.

I nearly jumped out of my skin, when I felt hands on my shoulder. My rate calming when I realised who it was.

"Where is everyone" she questioned, moving from behind me and stepping further into the foyer.

"I think they forgot" she tutted under and shook her head, mumbling "I doubt it" under her breath.

"The way you spoke of them, family just doesn't forget these things" her eyes narrowed as she walked around the area, ears perked as she stepped lightly. Her nose wiggling as she took in scents.

"Hiding" she chuckled under her breath before she charged off down the corridor, calling for me to follow her.

I did, legs burning as I chased her up and down the corridors. Gods this place was such a maze; I could never get over it.

Just as she was turning a corridor she stopped abruptly causing me to crash into her, earning me another tut of her teeth. Then she was off again, this time grabbing my arm and pulling me along behind her. I would never get used to her weird behaviour.

My chest was wheezing a struggled to keep up with her fast pace. The efforts that I made to tame my growing hair was blown out of the window by Manal's fast strides. She kept marching until we finally reached a familiar door, it was the dining room and it was closed as it typically was at this time of day.

"Seriously Manal, if you wanted food I would have just taken you to the kitchen" I was panting for breath, clutching my knees as I tried not to die.

"Silly girl, open the door" my eyes rolled heavenwards as I entertained this crazy woman.

She had that glint in her eyes, that I know something you don't look she often got. So I reluctantly- with a sigh on my lips- yanked open the door and nearly jumped out of my skin.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY"

"WELCOME HOME!!" Their words mingling as so many familiar faces cheered for me. Colourful stringy things flying in the air as they all welcomed me.

I was so overwhelmed I was crying, my hand clutching my mouth as I cried in happiness. I thought they had forgotten me but seeing their faces made me feel foolish. They had done so much for me.

Jana squealed as she ran and jumped at me, her long legs wrapping around my waist as she smothered me with kisses. Her long blonde curly hair tickling my face.

"Happy birthday, Van" she laughed squeezing me so tightly with her little bony arms. Big globs of water were in her beautiful brown eyes as she clung to me like the little monkey we called her.

"Vroom vroom," chortled the twins, shoving at each other as they charged at me. Their little arms wrapping around me, they were getting all big. They had just turned 5 and Roark had already lost a tooth. It was crazy.

Their cheeks weren't as chubby as they used to be, their faces maturing as they grew. They looked so much like their father. Wild curly black hair beautiful chocolate coloured skin and the matching hazel eyes. They were beautiful kids and little fat Micah was no different.

His big legs wobbling as he wobbled over, fat dimpled fingers gripping Caillum's hands as he came over.

"Happy birthday, Vanya" he murmured, his soft lips pecking my cheeks. Gods he had grown even more in the past few months.

He was nearly up to my shoulders and he was only 11 years old. His violet eyes were sparkling with maturity and I just couldn't help but kissing him. I gripped his cheeks and smothered him in them, even as he tried to wiggle away from me and Jana groaned in my arms.

"Gods I missed you all" I sighed and then my eyes caught Neema's and I was a wailing mess. Placing Jana on the floor and quickly kissing the kids, I skirted around them and pounced on her. Well more like she pounced on me because she was a tiny little thing and couldn't carry me.

Her feet dangled off the floor as she gripped me so tightly. She was glowing. Her brown skin glistening with joy and love.

"I'm so glad you are home" she murmured in my hair, practically crushing my bones as she held onto me. I could hear the kids moaning as they fought over who got to hug me next. The twins getting violent.

I caught Reina hitting Roark out of the the corner of my eye and nearly spat with laughter when he kicked her back. Her eyes widened in shock as she looked around to see if anyone had caught what he did. I couldn't help but laugh, gods I had missed them.

"What?" She sighed into my neck, just breathing me in.

"The twins" I chuckled, laughing deeper at the look on her face when she finally stopped hugging me.

"Gods, don't mention it. They are hellions. I don't know what I ever did to get them" her words were all bluff. I could tell by that smile she got on her face as she looked at her two wildlings.

Khan's genetics were definitely winning out.

"Vanya, glad to have you back" strong muscled arms wrapped around my shoulder as khan's musky scent invaded my nose.

He gave me a quick pat on the back and a kiss on the forehead. Wished me a happy birthday and mentioned something about a present before he kept it moving. Gripping Reina by the collar of her sparkly dress as she tried to charge at a smug Roark.

Gods these kids were wild.

A smile was on my face cheeks aching as so many faces wished me a happy birthday and welcomed me back. Even Lara and her brood were here.

Khan's sisters who we rarely ever saw because they lived way too far, were even here. They all hugged me tightly and sung my praises and I felt on top of the moon.

Gods there were so many strong females I knew. All these amazing mothers and women, I felt blessed to be in their presence. To be worthy of their love.

"Vee" came a booming voice by the door and I just couldn't contain myself. I screamed like some deranged animal, throwing myself completely at Cobalt. I hadn't seen him in nearly a whole year and it was too much.

He had gone off to Samyuri's parents home to try and talk to him when me and Eliza were away and so he hadn't been here whenever I visited.

"I can't believe you are back" I couldn't stop clinging to him, I had missed that calming feel he had over me. Gods, Cobalt was a friend I just couldn't do without.

"Happy birthday little Lady," my eyes narrowed at the unwelcome sight before me. I wanted to kick him in the shin and rip out his unfeeling heart but instead I composed myself and gritted a smile back at him. My feet touched back down on the ground and I faced the treacherous male before me.

"Samyuri. Thanks." My tone dry as my eyes roved over him. He looked worse for wear and internally smiled at that. Good.

I wasn't usually this mean but he had put my best friend through the works. She had cried constantly because of his selfish choices and she never cried.

"Uhh, is- umm" he looked nervous and scared and my smile only widened. My arms folded over my chest as I took in every fine detail of him. I had to remember everything because of course Eliza would need this whole scenario replayed back to her over a hundred times in all its fine glory.

"Is Eliza with you?" He looked so hopeful and for a minute I felt bad that I would have to stomp all over that little slither of hope but I did it anyway.

"No, she won't be returning."

"For how long?" His hair gripped in his hands.

"A year? 2, maybe never. She hasn't decided. She needs to speak to David about it." I shrugged nonchalantly but I watched him so closely. Eyes unblinking as I waited for his reaction.

"David?" He squeaked, heart in his eyes. I could see the gears turning in his head as he thought the worst. My eyes rolled closed and I breathed heavy. Gods Eliza was going to kill me for this.

"Yeah, David. Her mothers mate."

"Oh" he heaved, hand clutching his heart a she smiled ruefully at me.

"Mmm" I hummed, my arms still folded as I waited for him to speak up.

"Could you perhaps send her a-"

"-No" I interjected, unbending as I glared at him.

"But you haven't even-"

"I said no" shoulders shrugging, "Don't look at Cobalt, he can't help you."

I could see Cobalt's mouth hanging wide open as he watched the way I was handling this male. Yeah, I had changed. I wasn't going to get mad or be rude but I also wasn't going to bend beneath any male.

"But, but- I" his eyes wide as he stammered, grasping at straws as he tried to reply.

"Vanya please, I need to speak to her" he begged, he was desperate I could see it in his eyes and I felt bad. I truly did but I wasn't going to play pass the message along with him. He needed to stop hiding behind people and just be a man.

"You listen and you listen good, Samyuri Nyeiko. If you want to speak to Eliza, then you will grow some balls and go speak to her yourself."

"I will not be a middle man for you. You know where she is. Go get her." And with that I spun on my heels and strutted off to somewhere. Anywhere that wasn't in the sight of his puppy dog expression, I always found it hard to be firm with people but I had to remain true. This was the only way I could help them both without having Eliza killing me in the aftermath.

"That was intense," green eyes glinting as they sparkled in my direction.

"Tell me about it," I huffed my back against the wall as I watched everybody mingling and laughing. Grey eyes caught mine in the crowd of people but I turned away pretending I hadn't caught him.

"Seen something you don't like?" he questioned next to me, still staring at me even though I wasn't looking. I tried not to be unnerved by this male but I was finding it increasingly hard.

I grunted a reply as I wondered who in the gods name this male was. He was leaning across the wall like he belonged but I had never seen him a day in my life and I would have remembered if I had seen a man with his rugged beauty. I would definitely remember. You couldn't forget a face like that. Such sharp angular perfection.

"I'm Veris."

"Vanya" I mumbled arms falling to my side as I watched the kids playing about. They were a little rough with each other but it was that wild family love.

"Ahh, birthday girl," my head twisted back to him as I took in his broad shoulders. My head nodding as my mouth got really dry. This male was fine.

"I came here with- oh shit" he gasped, a laugh caught in his throat as he looked over my shoulder. My head whipped around in time to catch Ryan fall to the floor as Manal stabbed him with what I could only assume was silver.

Her amber eyes met mine as she pulled her knife from him and stepped towards me, the room deathly quiet and tense.

"Manal?" I wheezed, absolutely gob smacked at her actions.

I had completely forgotten about her and now I was being reminded of her presence in the worst way possible.

I was shocked, Manal had just stabbed someone. It went against everything she taught. My eyes had to be deceiving me but here she was, griping bloody Silver in her hands as she stopped in front of me.

"Damn those sneaky gods," she growled under her breath, shooting death looks at the male who was staggering to his feet. Blood dripping from his shoulder and falling to the floor in a puddle.

The hushed tension in the room was snapped by a loud laugh, my eyes widening at the noise. Khan parted his way through the crowd, chuckling loudly to himself Micah dangling from his hips and clapping his hands wildly at his father's laughs.

"It seems our mates are always out to draw blood, brother," he chuckled, gripping Ryan by his unwounded shoulder and helping him to stand properly. The shock filtering out of Ryan's eyes as he stared at Manal.

"Welcome to the family," he called out before ushering everyone back to whatever they were doing. Their chatter loud as they tried to give them some privacy.

Manal was uninterested though because she was halfway across the room and out of the door before Ryan even knew what was happening.

"Mates. Ha. What a way to meet" the green eyed man chuckled at my side and I had to agree.

What a first impression that was.