Deraya's POV

I watched Vanessa from afar, talking to her mate, the Gamma. I never thought she'd find her mate so soon. It's rare for wolves to find their mates before the ball, and if they do, they're required to wait until the ball to be together.

"What's taking you guys so long?" Kimberly asked, approaching me from behind. I turned to face her, and she stopped short, staring at Vanessa and the Gamma.

"What's going on?" Kimberly's eyes darted between the couple and me.

"The Gamma is Vanessa's mate," I explained.

Kimberly's eyes widened in surprise. "What?!"

I smiled. "I know, I was surprised too. But I'm happy for her."

Kimberly nodded, and we walked silently to an empty table, occasionally glancing at the pair. I remembered I had to ask Kimberly about the wolf figurine.

"Hey, Kim?" I said, shortening her name. "Can I ask you something?"

She looked at me curiously. "What is it?"

"The glass figurine you gifted me...where did you get it?"

Kimberly's expression turned distant. "Oh, that...I found it in my mom's box after she passed away."

I felt a pang of sympathy. "I'm so sorry, Kim. I didn't realize your mom had passed away."

Kimberly sighed, fidgeting with her charm bracelet. "She died during the last war."

My heart went out to her. "I'm so sorry. I lost my parents in the war too."

Kimberly's eyes met mine, and we shared a moment of understanding.

I felt really bad. So many people died during the war including my own parents. I was too full of grief then to find out how they died in the war. My parents were the only Alpha and Luna that died in the great war which is a bit strange considering other Alpha's and Luna's also fought.

"My mom was the head warrior. "Kimberly said and I immediately felt the tears sting my eyes. "Kate. Kate Timberlake." I knew her so well. I didn't even know she had a child around my age.

"She was killed during the war but she wasn't killed in the war." Kim said.

"What do you mean?" I asked. "She was murdered. Murdered..." Her voice broke and I felt really sorry for her. "Murdered right before my eyes. In the middle of the night she got up from the bed to put more wood in the fireplace and from no where a man strangled her from behind and slit her throat." Kim said in a whisper. 

I felt so sad. During that time, I was mourning my parents,I completely forgot some people were out there suffering worse fate than I was.

Kimberly's gaze drifted away, her eyes clouding over. "It was brutal. I was so young...I didn't understand what was happening."

I reached out, placing a gentle hand on her arm. "You don't have to relive it, Kim. I'm here for you."

She took a deep breath, composing herself. "Thanks, Deraya. It means a lot."

As we sat in silence, Vanessa approached us, a radiant smile on her face. "Hey, guys! What's going on?"

I forced a smile, not wanting to dampen her mood. "Just catching up, Vanessa. Congratulations again on finding your mate!"

Her eyes sparkled. "Thanks, Deraya! I'm beyond happy."

Kimberly and I joined in the celebration, our earlier somberness forgotten for the moment.

Later, back at the guest house, I dialed Naomi's number, eager to catch up with my friend.

"Hey, girl!" Naomi's cheerful voice answered on the first ring.

"Hey, Naomi! How's it going?"

"Everything is going fine." She answered. 

"You all settled?" She asked. "Yeah. In a guest house." I answered. "Over here all the mappers are staying in a massive mansion. Each of us get our own rooms." She said. 

"We are being isolated over here. " I said.  "Oh,too bad. I already made some new friends and they are so cool. Everyone here has their own way of life." Naomi said. "Great." I said simply,contemplating whether to tell her what happened to me in the bus.

"Who are you staying with? " She asked. "You might not know them but their names are Kimberly, Rachel, Tya and Vanessa. "

"I know Rachel, she is Mark's sister." Naomi offered. "Oh really?" Mark was Naomi's cousin's friend. "I never knew." I said.

"Opened your presents yet?" I chuckled. "Yeah. Sheila gifted me cute baby stuffs."

"Really?" She laughed. "Wow. She expects you to have pups soon. You better start working on it as soon as you find your mate." She said and snickered. 

"Naomi!" I exclaimed with widened eyes,my entire face heating up. She laughed. "You have to call her." 

"Oh. I will." I replied. "Anything happened over there so far?"

"Not really. We are surrounded by dense forests over here. It feels claustrophobic. " She said and I laughed.  "You shouldn't be, you're a werewolf. We love the forest." I said.

I know but I just can't hide the feeling that danger is lurking in these dark forests." She said and paused. 

My heart skipped a beat. I knew that feeling all too well.

"I miss you. I wish you where here with me."

"Me too." I said. A knock sounded on her door. "Hold on." She said to me. I heard shuffling of feet and muffled voices. Seconds later she was back on the line.

"Deraya?" She called. "Still here" I answered. "I gotta go. We are being called to assemble." Naomi said. "Alright bye. Be a good girl over there." I said with a smile and my lips.

"I will. Call Sheila alright? Talk to you soon. Bye." With that she ended the call and I immediately dialed Sheila's number.

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