Don't forget our Love
|13|

Today is my high school graduation. The last four years have led up to this moment. I can't help but be excited. Not because I'm done with high school but because after two long weeks, I'll get to see my mate, Kai.

The last two weeks apart have been filled with endless phone calls and messages. We video chat every night before bed and even had phone sex a few times. I can't wait to see him.

My parents still don't know that I found my mate. I've been keeping it a secret. My dad will freak out if he hears I found my mate. I figure if he sees Kai and how much he cares about me then he will accept it without a fight.

My dad always loved Kai when we were kids, he treated him like the son he never had. We had family dinners together and even went on family vacations together before we moved. The only problem is he's an alpha which means I'll be moving away. Still, I hope dinner tonight will go perfectly.

My phone rings our favorite song telling me it's Kai calling. I hurry and answer eager to hear his voice. Soon it will be in person and not over the phone.

"Kai!" I squeal excitedly into the phone.

"Avery my little mate. I can't wait to see you," he says and I can hear his smile through the phone.

"I can't wait to see you. Did you leave yet?"

He sighs. "About to leave now darling you know my friends are super slow. Lance changed his clothes more than me."

I can't help but laugh. "And how many times did you change trying to impress me?"

"Like seven times," he answers and I laugh.

"Kai you know you don't have to dress up for me. I'll love whatever you're wearing. Heck, I'll be even more excited if you come naked."

He laughs. "You're a tease, Avery. I'll see you soon I love you, my little mate."

"I love you my big alpha." I tease him more and hang up.

I shove my cell phone into my purse and stand up. Today is going to be perfect I know it.

Today has not gone well at all. My brown hair is all frizzy, the black dress I'm wearing under my gown has a stain from champagne spilling on it and the worst part is the ceremony is almost over and Kai isn't here yet.

I start to bite on my freshly manicured nails when Bea's hand swats mine away. "Stop it! you're making me nervous now," she complains.

"I can't help it where is he? He should have been here by now."

"Maybe he got stuck in traffic." Bea shrugs.

"Traffic? in the air? That makes no sense!" I growl frustrated into my hands. "Kayla, have you heard from Lance?" I whisper to her and she shakes her head.

"Sorry. I called him a few times but he never picked up. I have no idea where they are." She answers and I swallow hard trying to keep my tears at bay. Kai hasn't answered my calls or messages either like he's ignoring me.

"Do you guys think he's still mad at me? maybe he didn't want to come and this is some sort of punishment?"

"Kai wouldn't do that. You've spoken several times since then and he told you all was forgiven." Bea tries to assure me but it doesn't work.

"He loves you. he will be here." Kayla smiles at me and I just nod in return hoping she's right.

I was a fool to think being separated from my mate for two weeks would be fine. As soon as I got into the airport to head home I called Kai and I apologized. I missed him so much and it had only been a few hours. The mate bond was practically screaming at me to turn around and head to Blackwater Pack where Kai was.

My heart yearns for him constantly

The principal finally calls my name pulling me from my thoughts and I stand up and drag myself towards the stage. As principal Huggins grabs my hand and shakes it I fake a smile and look towards the crowd.

There are many cheers and clapping but when I look at the audience and see three empty seats besides my parents I want to cry. The one person I thought would always support me isn't here.

I hurry off the stage and to my seat to listen to the rest of the names being called. The rest of the ceremony passes in a blur while I keep questioning what went wrong. I thought Kai had forgiven me for not going back with him. I apologized a million times and he assured me he was over it and wanted nothing but my happiness.

But I'm not happy. I'm holding back tears as I walk toward my smiling parents. My dad is in a new blue suit and my mom is wearing a white dress covered in jewels. They're so happy to see me yet I couldn't care less about their presence because it's not his.

"Sweetheart I'm so proud of you. First high school then college. next, you'll be making partner at my law firm." Dad says hugging me.

My mom approaches me next with her arms stretched out. "Congratulations sweetie. If only you applied yourself more then you could have been valedictorian," she says in her usual condescending tone.

"I'm sorry Mom."

Dad scoffs. "No need for any bickering today its a wonderful day seeing my favorite daughter graduate."

I roll my eyes at Dad's overcompensating for Mom's rudeness towards me. "I'm your only daughter Dad."

"Should we go to dinner now? We have reservations." Mom interrupts.

"Let's go." Dad agrees and after a few pictures with friends and teachers, we head to dinner.

I can't think of a more awkward dinner than the one I'm at now. Dad won't stop talking about college and all the things I should try. My mom just keeps interrupting him with her own frivolous ideas while I just silently nod and agree.

Dinner wasn't supposed to be like this. This was supposed to be a happy time. Not spent with my parents bickering over my future they try so hard to control. Kai was supposed to be here. I was going to introduce him as my mate and let my parents know I was moving out sooner than expected. Now I'm not sure what I'm doing.

"Avery are you crying?" my dad asks concerned and I wipe the stray tears that I didn't know had fallen.

"I'm fine." I lie and fake a smile.

Dad narrows his eyes suspiciously. "No something is wrong. Is it college? I know Vermont Law is full of humans but I went there and it's very nice."

I sniffle trying not to cry more. "It's not about college Dad. I'm just sad. My mate he-"

"You don't need a mate Avery! How many times do I have to tell you a mate will do nothing but distract you from your studies." he sucks in a sharp breath and continues. "You're too precious for some alpha to ruin." he rambles and I can't help but ponder over his choice of words.

"I never said my mate was an alpha dad?"

He takes a drink of his water before nervously meeting my eye. "Did I say alpha? I meant wolf. We have no way of knowing who or what your mate is. It could be a beta or a warrior maybe." he shrugs but I'm still suspicious.

I glance at my mom who's sipping her wine quietly. Normally she has a lot to say so her silence is odd.

"Mom, do you think my mate is an alpha?" I ask and she stiffens up.

"Hmm? What? oh, don't be silly sweetie. Your mate could be anyone. Your dad just had too much to drink right honey?" she asks him and Dad nervously fidgets with his tie before he stands up.

"I'm going to the restroom I'll be back." he fakes a smile and leaves me to deal with my awkward mom who keeps avoiding eye contact with me.

Why are they acting so strange? Do they know about Kai? No, that makes no sense. I didn't even know we were mates until we saw each other at camp. My parents haven't seen or heard from Kai and his family since we moved when I was ten, right?

My dad finally reappears except now he has a slice of chocolate cake with him. He sits it in front of me before sitting. "For the graduate, enjoy." he smiles and I take a bite.

I frown. "It tastes weird."

"They just used a new frosting. Make sure you eat it all," he adds and I hesitantly take another bite. It would be rude of me to waste it.

The whole drive home from the restaurant my stomach aches. Raven is whining in my head but since I can't shift in the car I have no idea what she's trying to tell me. She's very anxious and upset though.

"Dad I don't feel so good and Raven is trying to get my attention," I whine and lie down in the back seat. I'm starting to feel dizzy now.

"Don't worry sweetheart we'll be home soon," he says right before my eyes flutter closed and I succumb to the darkness.

When I wake up it's cold and damp. I sit up and see I'm on the basement floor. There's a chain strapped to my ankle. I pull on it but it burns my hand, wolfsbane poisoning. My heart strikes with fear.

Who would do this?

The last thing I remember I was in the car headed home. I start to panic more. Were we attacked? Are my parents okay?

"Dad! Mom! help!" I scream over and over.

The basement door quickly opens and heavy footsteps come down the stairs. I stand up hoping it's not an intruder when my dad's frowning face walks around the corner.

I sigh in relief. "Thank the moon goddess your okay Dad. What's going on? Why am I chained up?"

He steps further into the room but not close enough for me to reach him. "I'm sorry Avery but this is for the best. You have your wolf now so it's going to be more difficult than the last time."

I'm so confused. "Last time? What are you talking about Dad? Take off this chain now! I don't understand." I start to cry.

He sighs. "This wasn't supposed to happen. Alpha Cylus assured me he would be taking a choice mate. You weren't supposed to see each other again." he shakes his head. "But you disobeyed me and went to that stupid camp. Now I have to punish you," he says and starts walking away leaving me alone.

"Dad! No! come back! What's going on? I don't understand! Is Kai okay? Where is he?" I frantically scream.

My dad turns to face me as he approaches the steps leading out of the basement. "Kai is being taken care of. When it's done I'll let you go. Until then try to rest, the wolfsbane will wear off in a few hours." he says and walks the rest of the way up the stairs.

A sharp pain hits my chest and I fall to my knees. The pain is over quickly but something is wrong I can feel it.

"Kai," I whisper before my eyes flutter closed for the second time today.