Alpha Alec's Redemption - Chapter 127: Chapter 127

Sadie.
We were in the living room of our castle. The light cast a warm glow while the fire from the fireplace gave this tranquil atmosphere. It was calm and relaxed. I loved it. It brought peace and quiet, something that I appreciate a lot.
I was on my belly drawing; Mother was curled up on the sofa reading one of those books she called Romance and my sister was busy practicing with her swords.
I looked at her. For a moment, I was distracted by how effortlessly she swung them. It was so easy for her, unlike me, who struggled every time to even lift it up.
I continued staring at her, wondering how she focuses on her studies and training. I try, but I am always distracted, unlike Xena. It’s not the first time I’ve wondered why. I mean, there are so many things to do. She doesn’t have to focus on those two all the time… But that was Xena. That’s how she is. She doesn’t like playing or being silly (like she calls it). She does nothing except train and study. I doubt she even knows how to have fun.
I was about to go back to my studies when I remembered something I heard today. I’d pushed it to the back of my mind, planning to ask mother about it later on.
“Mother,” I called her, making her pull her head from her book and focus on me.
She smiled. “Yes, my love?”
“I heard something today. I didn’t understand it, so I wanted to ask you.”
At my words, even Xena stopped doing what she was doing and focused on our conversation.
“Go on,” Mother pushed, with a gentle smile on her face while completely putting her book down.
“I heard one of the servants saying she had found her mate. She was so happy, and they were gushing about it with her friends.” I sat up and crossed my legs, facing her completely. “What is a mate?”
Mother looks taken aback for a moment. She probably didn’t expect me to ask that given I always ask what Xena classifies as silly questions.
Within seconds, Mother schools her features, completely hiding her shock.
“I didn’t know I was going to have this conversation with you two this soon, but since you have already heard of it, this is as good a time as any.”
I just nodded my head and drew near her feet. I still preferred to sit on the soft carpeted floor. Xena, on the other hand, abandons her swords and sits down next to Mother.
“A mate is someone special,” Mother begins.
“But isn’t everyone special in their own way? You taught us that” I mumbled, frowning. Trying to understand where she was going with this.
She chuckles and then continues. “Like I said, mates are special. They are a special person designed by the Fates for each and every wolf. They are the other half of your soul or what humans call soulmates. You are simply different sides of the same coin.”
My frown deepens as I become more confused.
“But aren’t Nyx and I different sides of the same coin?” this time Xena asks, the same curiosity and confusion as min in her voice. “We are twins, and she’s the other half of me. Shouldn’t she be my soulmate?”
“Yes, but mates are different.” She answers. “You know how humans get married?”
“Yes,” we chorused the answer.
“Well, wolves mate. Wolves don’t choose who to spend the rest of their lives with because the fates have already predestined someone for them. They chose someone long before they are born, when they are writing their fates. Their fates become intertwined once that happens. When they do finally get their wolves and meet, a strong bond forms between them, and they mate for life.”
“So they don’t have control over it?” Xena asked.
“In a way, yes.”
“But that’s stupid,” Xena mutters, rolling her eyes. “Who came up with such a stupid rule?”
Mother pulls her into her arms and kisses her cheek but doesn’t answer the question.
“Do you have a mate, Mother?” I inquired slowly, finally putting my curiosity to rest.
I mean, I’ve never seen our father and Mother doesn’t talk about it. But if we are here, then doesn’t that mean she has a mate? For a baby to exist, there has to be a mother and father.
“No, my sweetheart, I don’t have a mate,” she answered after a few minutes of silence.
I wanted to ask more questions, but I could see the sadness in her eyes. I didn’t want to hurt her more. After all, I hate it when she or Xena keep asking me questions when I am sad and don’t want to talk about what's bothering me.
Instead of asking what I really wanted, I switched it up. “Will I get a mate?”
“Yes, both you and Xena will get your mates when the time is right,” she gushed, as if she was excited about that day to come. “Now, it’s time for you two to go to sleep.”
We both jump to our feet and Mother leads us upstairs. That night, I fell asleep dreaming of the day I’d finally meet my mate.
I was in my room. Despite us being twins, we each had our own rooms. Our mother had everything and a bit more than she needed, so there wasn’t a need for us to share a room when the palace was being enough.
I was on my princess bed playing with my dolls. The man and woman were happily married and, in my head, they were planning to have a baby.
“Honey, you forgot to give me a kiss,” I imitated the woman’s voice as I imagined her pouting at her husband.
“I’m sorry. I was so distracted.” I made my voice deeper as I switched roles.
Holding the male doll firmly, I make it lean towards the female doll to give it a kiss.
I smiled as the fantasy in my head took root. I easily imagined that it was me.
Mother had explained to us what mates were, and I couldn’t wait to meet mine. I know I was still young and shouldn’t be dreaming of mates right now, but I couldn’t help it.
It was something I dreamed of. I could picture it. I would be in a princess dress when we met and he, my prince charming would be in a nice suit.
My sister would make fun of me though. She thought that it was stupid.
The knob turned, and before I'd had time to hide my doll, Xena walked in with an air of superiority.
“Aren’t you too old to play with dolls?” she asks with a mocking grin.
“Mind your own business, Xena, and leave me alone”
She scoffs and looks at my room in disdain. We were polar opposites, and it was clear in the way we preferred things. My room was full of colors, the main theme being light pink paint. I wanted something bright. In contrast, Xena’s room was dark and dull. I hated it because it gave me chills and made me feel like I was in a morgue. Not that I have ever been to one, but I assume dead people are kept in dark and cold places.
Xena’s room was exactly that. Dead and cold. It lacked any form of warmth. She hated my room and I hated hers.
“What are you doing here anyway?” I asked, putting my dolls away.
She paused a little bit before coming to sit on my bed. “Nothing, I just wanted to hang out with you.”
“Why?” I narrowed my eyes, trying to figure out what her end game was. I was honestly surprised and suspicious at the same time.
A frown covers her face as she stares down at me. “What do you mean 'why?”
“Yes, why?”
“Can’t I hang out with my twin? Has that become a crime?”
I stayed quiet before responding. “We don’t have anything in common anymore.”
It was true. Our likes and dislikes differed in so many ways. We clashed most of the time, argued, fought and had different interests. That’s why it was weird that she wanted to hang out.
“I know,” she sighed before putting her legs up on my bed and laying her head on my lap. “But that doesn’t mean I don’t love you. You are my sister, Nyx, and that’s never going to change. Neither will my love for you.”
My heavy heart lightens and I melt as emotions take over me.
“You promise,” I raised my pinky finger to her while running my other hand through her dark curls.
“Pinky swear,” she intertwines our pinkies.