Fated To The Lycan Brothers
Chapter 114

Suri Nightingale

me.

It was the day before Christmas and the castle was brimming with decorations everywhere. Apparently, this was always a big celebration here. My mom and I never had a chance to celebrate Christmas because of our circumstances thus seeing all of these was new to "Hey, sis, are you free?" Soren asked as he popped up in the hallway where I was staring at a life size reindeer inflatable. "What's up?" I responded as I walked towards my younger brother.

Which is, clearly, still a very crazy thing for me to even think about like, come on, me? The girl who was always an only child now has a sixteen year old brother who had almost the same hair color as me, and we almost did look alike except he got his mother's green eyes? Yeah, wild.

But surprisingly, it was also pretty fun because Soren himself was a charming and charismatic boy who was nothing but kind to me.

He once told me that he's always wanted a sibling and though he wished for a baby sister, an older one will do, too.

"You look younger than me, anyway," he joked before, and he was right, but only because this boy had some serious growth spurt as he's six foot one.

I swear he's going to exceed the boys' heights and I have a feeling their Lycan strengths, too, but I will take that secret to my grave.

Soren placed his arm around my shoulder as we walked out of the hallway. "We're putting up the star on the tree. It's one of the most important traditions we have and we get a turn each year. This year, it's-" "Me?!" I blurted out in surprise as I stared at Soren in shock.

"No, the reindeer," he deadpanned before he added with a smile, "of course you!"

I couldn't believe it and I was all giggly until we got to the Christmas room-yes it's a room for Christmas, I don't even know-and everybody was already waiting for me.

The boys were messing around with each other and Aragorn was helping his wife with something.

I almost yelped when I saw Keith had arrived too, and maybe I did yelp but I didn't care because I hadn't seen him in a month since he had to leave for work from time to time.

"I missed you, too, Princess," he commented as we hugged each other and I couldn't help but look at Aragorn who was right behind Keith when I was hugging him.

Sometimes I think that he would feel jealous I was somewhat 'closer' to Keith as a dad, but honestly? I never felt or sensed anything like that around him.

He was always so supportive and I did love all the times we would bond together, and by bond I mean him bringing me all around the castle land and we would talk about my mom all the time.

It wasn't hard to see why my mom completely loved him, and I know wherever she is, she's got a huge smile on her face.

“Come over here, Suri. You can pick the star you want to put up." Queen Ariesa gestured to me and I walked over to the giant Christmas tree.

Not only is it enormous, but it's also a beauty on its own with various colorful decorations hung on it.

"I can pick anything?" I confirmed with Queen Ariesa and she gave me a nod.

"Anything that speaks to your heart," she explained, pointing to my chest and making me blush.

I was fortunate that Aragorn's wife was very open to me. I had thought meeting another woman who was a stranger to me would have some negative connotation, but it turns out she had known about my existence all along. At least, as much as what everyone in the castle knew, which was back when I was nine years old, the King's first army general-only a messenger back then-General Kael chanced upon me in the middle of the woods. He had caught my scent while he was doing a task around the area, but when he tried to replace me again, I was already gone.

I remembered it was because my mom was in a rush to leave. Aragorn explained that Stella must have known who I really was, and she wanted to keep me safe, to hide me from those who would take advantage of me.

By being with those filthy ex boyfriends of hers, my mom was protecting me.

She truly was something else.

God, I miss her.

My eyes widened when I saw a star that was decorated with yellow flowers painted in the middle. I instantly grabbed it, staring at it in awe as I turned it around and around checking if it was really real.

"Oh, I forgot we had that. I painted on it a long time ago. Is it what you want?" Queen Ariesa asked and I turned to her, nodding my head vehemently.

"Yes, yes. I want this. I... I love it. Yellow flowers, they... they were my mom's favorite." I explained to her and she looked at me with a surprised expression at first but her eyes softened before she took my hand and walked me over to the stairs. All the boys in the room stared at me wide-eyed, worry in their eyes as I got up, up, up, and finally, I was by the tree.

I took a deep breath, and felt tears pricking the back of my eyes as I placed the beautiful star on the top of the tree.

"This one's for you, mom." I whispered quietly, and as soon as I placed the star, the whole tree lit up and oh my god, it was the most beautiful sight.

Lights flickered and decorations glowed, but the one that shined the most was the star.

My mom.

I had my first proper Christmas celebration with both of my families and I couldn't ask for a better gift.

Though they did still spoil me with a bunch of things.

We ate, we laughed, we exchanged stories and talked about things, but overall, we all made memories that will forever be embedded in our hearts.

A few days later, all our bags were packed and we... were going back to Los Altos.

Aragorn embraced me tightly, almost as if he never wanted to let go, and it was likely the case, but I've made my decision.

I wanted to go back and graduate at the academy, just as I promised Keith I would that time.

And though I know I will be back here in this castle again in the future, my home right now is where my boys are and we still have so many things to experience together.

I'm sure the road may get rough from time to time, but no matter how rough it gets, the ride will always be worth it.

I gripped onto Aragorn a little tighter, just before we pulled away.

"I'll be back... dad," I told him and he looked positively ecstatic that I finally called him that, and it was definitely heartwarming.

We waved goodbye to everybody, including the Queen and Soren, and as I watched the castle slowly disappear from the car window, my boys held onto me, and it was all the reassurance that I needed. "We're going home..." I whispered softly, mostly to myself but all three of them heard it.

Atlas was seated across me, smiling at me and his gray eyes staring lovingly at me.

"Yes we are, baby." He said before planting a soft kiss on my forehead.

"God, royal beds are cool and all, but man I've missed my bed. I cannot wait." Wes commented beside me before turning and giving me a devious smirk.

"I also missed your bed," he whispered so that Keith wouldn't hear us and sweet baby Jesus, my cheeks flushed crimson red.

And as if Dev knew what Wes had said and him being competitive, his hand came up to my chin just before he tilted me to face him.

Dev's eyes looked at me dangerously sexy, and I could have sworn I was melting right in front of him.

And then he leaned forward and whispered...

"In case you've forgotten, you owe each of us a mark. We can't wait to remind you when we get home." My whole face turned tomato-red.

Jesus, I'm going to need you to take the wheel again.