Page 29

Peace.

I smile as I made my way towards the ballroom. My hands were itching to play the piano since morning. It's weird isn't it? How even though you hope things go your way yet still it's a surprise when they do. Walking up the staircase I let my thoughts wander back to last night's events.

--------------------------------Flashback-------------------------------------

"Oh god!" Sophie stood up all of a sudden, her eyes wide and look of utter shock displayed on her face. My heart picked up speed as well.

" Sophie? What's wrong dear?" Amara got up as well and moved towards her. Damon pulled her closer and rubbed her arms in soothing manner.

"Alex and the army–" A loud sound of sad howl coming from outside stopped her in mid sentence and we all stilled. Dread filled my whole body and I clench my eyes shut.

No, no, no.

"Alexander and the army, they're... coming back."

My eyebrows furrowed, slowly opening my eyes I looked at Sophie. She was smiling, all signs of stress gone from her face.

"Seriously? You just HAD to give me a heart attack?" Placing my right hand on top of chest I breathed deeply. Damon and Amara both had straight faces before shaking their heads at Sophie.

"Come on guys! It was a good joke."

-------------------------End of Flashback-----------------------------------------

It was not a good joke.

Sophie said they'll arrive sometime in the evening. I smiled as my eyes made contact with one of the helpers, nodding my head at her greeting. Pulling my hair in a bun as move ascend the stairs, I felt Lia getting uneasy. I really needed to go on a run.

The amount of stress all this queen work gave me is tiring in so many ways. Stretching the sleeves of my black turtle neck, I put my hands in my black jeans pocket. Winter was almost upon us.

Opening the ballroom doors, I stepped in awe of the place. No matter how many times I come here, it manages to stun me every time. The sound of my footsteps echoed throughout the ballroom. Sitting down on the piano seat, I slowly let my fingers wander over the keys. Soft sounds filled the whole room. Closing my eyes, I started to play. Though this time I don't sing.(A/N Play the video now.)

Slowly, my fingers play the tune which was inside my head for a long time. I find myself getting lost in the music. Memories of my mate flash through my closed eyes, and I feel my eyes getting watery. I sway to the music lightly.

I don't stop.

"And I've heard of a love that comes once in a lifetime,

And I'm pretty sure that you are that love of mine."

I don't stop when an aura surrounds me.

"And I see forever in your eyes,

I feel okay when I see you smile, smile."

I don't stop when the familiar scent engulfs me.

"Cause it gets so hard to breathe

When you're looking at me, I've never felt so alive and free

When you're looking at me, I've never felt so happy."

I don't stop at the sound of footsteps.

"Dandelion, into the wind you go

Won't you let my darling know?"

And I definitely don't stop when a strong pair of arms come around me, the sparks coming to life after so long.

"Praying to God that one day you'll be mine

Wishing on dandelions all of the time, all of the time."

As the last note ended, I inhaled deeply, still not opening my eyes. I was afraid the feeling would go away. Tears cascading down my face, I felt a soft kiss on my neck and my eyes flew open. Alexander was hugging me from the back, his face in the crook of my neck. I tightly grab his arms in my hands as the sound of my soft sobs filled the same room which was echoing with the sound of music just a few moments before.

We stayed like that I don't know for how long before I composed myself. Alexander stood straight now behind me, wiping my tears, I slowly stood up and turned around. There he was, my mate, standing right in front of me with a look of awe, longing and love.

He loved me.

I loved him.

A smile made it's way to my face, and his eyes visibly lit up. Opening his arms, I launched my self at him. My legs wrapped around his waist, arms around his neck, my face the crook of his neck. I held onto him as my life depended on it. And his hold was no way any less tight.

"Hey, beautiful." He whispered in my ear and my hold on him tightened.

"Hey, caveman." The sound of his soft laughter filled the room. Pulling my head up, I looked him. My hands found their way towards his face. My eyes dropped to his lips, then back to his eyes. His arms around my waist tightened as he leaned in. It felt like I was breathed to life again as his lips met mine. All the longing, suffering and days of missing each other, all portrayed by the one kiss. Soft yet passionate. Our lips moved in perfect sync with each other. I never wanted to let him go. It's strange how distance between people makes you realize how much they mean to you, and all your feelings simply sort themselves, to make one powerful emotion.

Love.

Pulling away breathing heavily, our foreheads touching I realized I can never live a life without Alexander. He brings me to life with every touch, every smile, every look, every comment of his.

"So, does this mean you missed me love?" I laugh at this and pull away. Standing few steps away from him I smile at him.

"Missed you? Nope. I was just too busy to even notice you were gone. Was it for a long time? -" I looked at my nails then at him.

"-Oh wait, the army. Is everyone okay? We didn't lose anyone did we? I wanted to welcome you all, but Sophie-" . Shaking his head at me smiling, he stepped forward. His hand cupped my face while he placed a soft lingering kiss on my forehead. My eyes closed on their own account. Then he kissed my cheek, then my other cheek, before whispering in my ear,

"We're an army of lycans, my queen. Everyone is fine. Rouges are no match for us. We all ran to the person we missed the most just as we entered the pack boundary. We'll gather everyone tomorrow, for now let them be with their loved ones. And as for the missing part, But I my love? I missed you like an idiot misses a point. I longed for you like a lover longs for his love. From your smile to your anger. Your playful hitting to your hugs. I missed you like crazy." My cheeks burned bright red from the heat of his words. Unable to stop my smile I pushed him away lightly before placing my hands on both sides of my cheek.

"Okay, okay. I get it. I- umm... I still didn't miss you though," I shrieked as he tried to pull me to him again. Running away from him, out of the ballroom with him chasing me, I laughed. Running down the stairs, towards the living room I looked back to see my mate had stopped running after me, shaking his head. I blew him a kiss and went inside the living room.

Narrowing my eyes at Sophie, who told me they would all arrive later this evening. I smiled at Edgar and Jack. Damon, Amara, Sophie, jack and Edgar were all in the living room. Amara hugging Edgar. Damon talking to Jackson. And Sophie giving me a sheepish smile. I moved towards jack and hugged him.

"Hey jackie, you okay?" I asked him as he pull away from me. A mischievous smile made it's way to his face. Looking behind me for a second, he turned his attention back to me.

"Perfect, now that you're-" Alec's voice stopped him mid sentence.

"Say it. I dare you." I turned around to see Alec, with his arms crossed on his chest, glaring at Jack. Jackson raised his arms in surrender before winking at me.

"Jackson. Behave." Alec warned coming towards us. Rolling my eyes at both of them, I turned towards Edgar and smiled.

"Hey dad, you good?" Pulling him for a hug, he smiled at me.

"I'll never get used to you calling me dad. Warms my heart every time. We're all okay, my dear."

As I stepped away from Edgar, a pair of arms pulled me towards a strong chest. I looked up to see Alec talking with Damon, with a smile on his face.

My eyes wandered to the people in front of me. All of them talking over each other. Soon, the living room was filled with sounds of laughter.

Finally, my family was once again complete.