Alpha's Nala

Chapter 22. Embraced

Legacy

I am not careless.

I was just a bit… distracted.

Yeah, that's it. That's the ultimate reason I could come up with and in fact, it's the most honest one I got.

I could lie if I wanted to save my ass. Though, I won't because this time, there's no one to blame but me.

It was all my fault.

After that phone call from Ms. Dawn — more like demanding me to deal with her mates who will be arriving this Wednesday, at the Hotel, to spend a holiday, I was quick to realize that I'm not holding any VIP invitation.

I do recall setting it on a flat surface, one I do believe was a storage cabinet. However, being preoccupied with the idea of answering the call, I never really paid much attention as to where I had placed the card.

What's worse about the situation — apart from not paying attention to what I was doing and misplacing an important thing, specifically the VIP card — was the idea that I may have laid the envelope on one of those cabinets.

Not that I don't like those fancy-looking entryway storages that hold most of the decorations of the house, it's just that it's also GOLD in color.

That means, I have to have a keen eye to spot the thin — and also gold in color — invitation.

However, before I could even finish inspecting all of the said cabinets — I've only checked four, and it's twenty in total — and thoroughly ransack each of them, evening came and I have to stop entirely since Mum asked for my assistance in cooking dinner for the whole family.

I know I shouldn't quit, and just keep my focus on what I was doing, but this is FAMILY and family do comes first on my list. This is why I allowed myself to be distracted — once again.

The worries about the invitation, at the moment, were temporarily ignored…

In the meantime, my priority is set on the big glass bowl in front of me. Slowly mixing a big batch of chicken salad while standing behind the kitchen island.

Of course, Mum left me with chores that are not too heavy — or should I say, not including the element of fire or the obligation of using a knife.

Overprotection alert, I know. But I was too focused on my task to even complain.

I was about done when a sudden realization dawned on me, slowly reminding me that it's been a while since our last proper meal together as a family.

Two years to be exact.

Our very first was when I was only nineteen. I just joined this welcome gathering at the Hue Kingdom. It was one of those days of the year when newborns are named and given a title. It's more like a christening. Though, instead of using holy water to baptized the child, it was more of tattoos for vampires and burned or carved marks for witches.

As for a human like me?

I was only given a new birth certificate — thought I got worst, huh?

Anyway, after the ceremony and been titled as a ‘Newly Bloom’ — a rank in the mixed-race that represents newborns, there should be a big feast at the Hue Kingdom. However, being so new to the environment and culture, my family decided to celebrate at home which I was thankful for.

Shockingly, when we arrived home, I discovered that it was my family's first dinner together, as a WHOLE. So, I made it my mission to make sure that it was memorable enough to continue in the future.

And boy it did…

That night, we started conversing, sharing stories and when someone tried to tell a joke, a poor one if I may add, we all genuinely laughed. It was fun and that was the first time, ever since I stepped out of the castle, I really felt love and accepted by somebody.

Let alone, a family.

It was something I was not used to, so having to experience it that night, made me believe that I am no different from them.

That I am not just a nobody to this community,

Like, I was born into their world…

After that family dinner, more family dinners arose — like I said and much to my amusement then. Though, sadly, the tradition didn't last long for everybody became busy with work.

Having all of my brothers worked at the palace and totally live there, having my parents work at the palace and be home for a day, and having me work in a different industry from theirs, made things understandably harder to simply stay at home and be around the family.

Every bit of bond that I could think of — things that we normally do before, became a total struggle to us now.

That's why everyone got all excited and enthusiastic when we finally set the date and time for such a reunion.

And that is tonight.

However, acknowledging that tonight will also be the night that Seth promised on announcing the secret, made me worried drastically.

What if something bad happens?

I know I may sound rude at this part, but I don't want anyone to ruin the whole family gathering tonight, regardless of how important or serious Seth's information will be.

I wished to be selfish.

Besides, this will be our FIRST, after two years. There should be no problem.

Well, it depends on who's going to react violently then.

Hopefully, not me...

True that I may be a bit of an over-reactor myself once the issue involves my safety. But my response, it's not like one of those frantic women's reactions that include screaming and be hysterical for a whole minute.

No, I'm not like that...

I'm more on the calmer side, believe it or not. I am the kind of person that assesses her situation before giving out a proper reply.

Though I do admit, I tend to overthink sometimes. Especially, if I felt a bit pressured or anxious at the event unfolding.

Not to mention, I'm also this assuming-of-the-worse type, wherein if you were just referring to the view over the mountains, I'm more focused on the cliffs that would kill me once I step over its edges.

Yeah, that's all of me. Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

Regardless, I know I have perfect control over my emotions. I make sure no negative feelings get the best of me unless it was necessary.

So, why do I get the feeling that maybe I am the possible ‘problem’ to arise from tonight's agenda?

I internally scowled at myself.

“Lily? Can you pass me the pepper, please?” Mum instructed, snapping me out of my reverie.

“Oh, sure Mama,” I stated, quickly grabbing the tube from the spice cabinet that was near me and give it to her.

“Thank you, baby.” She sprinkled a few on the gravy she was planning on pairing with the roasted chicken. Then, with watchful eyes, Mum asked me, “Is it just me or my pretty Lily in pigtails, seem heedless tonight?”

I shot her a candid look, not understanding what she meant at first.

“Pardon, Mama?” I finally questioned.

Mum paused her stirring on the pan, where the gravy was, and curiously eyed me.

“I mean, you look troubled baby. Is there something wrong?”

Oh, she noticed now...

Knowing I can't conceal the overpowering havoc I was feeling, I decided to tell Mum — well, only a little bit of MY issue.

“It's nothing extraordinary Ma, I just...” I paused and offered a sheepish smile at her, “I miss this... The little moments, to be exact. It's not like yesterday anymore, where we get to see each other four to five times a week, even if we were busy. Now, we only get to see each other for a day, or never. So yeah, I'm pretty much thrilled that this is finally happening.” I explained, trying my best to omit the part about Seth.

Mum flashed me her sweet smile; her teeth showing and her eyes were sparkling with joy.

“We all are child, thanks to you... You always brighten up our day, our little bubbly.” She declared with glee.

I beamed after hearing that, appreciating how lucky I am to be part of such a wonderful family.

And with that, I began to zone out…

The fun, the love, and the care that they all gave me were pure unconditional, that it almost hurts.

They know how different I am, how TEMPTING I am to be with from the start. Yet, they carry on to shower me with affection NO normal family ever does to a complete stranger in their household.

Not to mention, their sacrifices for me. Particularly, the SELF CONTROL...

That certain quality presently existing in their lives is not really considered part of their nature. They were born predators, and predators like them don't just suppress their hunger once the prey is present.

They kill at sight; that's how their instinct works.

So, to discipline themselves, to control their carnivorous side for them to not harm a mere human like me is extremely impressive.

I just don't know if I really deserve it though.

Especially when I know, deep down, I was only an adopted child…