"Sweetheart, they just left you here? Did they tell you when they are coming back?" 
                          
"Umm...I don't know. I usually wait here till it becomes night and then the nice store person drops me back home." Brina says this easily as if it is a natural occurrence. I start to worry about her. What kind of parents did she have? Who leaves their child in a random store to do god knows what.
                          
"Brina, how about you stay with me, Aakil, and Jay for the time being until we figure why your parents leave you like this. Is that ok with you?" I ask nervously, hoping she agrees.  
                          
Brina nods slowly. As she agrees, Aakil and Jay come back inside and I am about to stand up until Brina grabs my wrist. "Wait. What is your name?" She politely asks. 
                          
I smile softly at her. "My name is Kaaya, dear." 
                          
"Oh ok Kaaya. I just wanted to let you know that you are really pretty." She says shyly and I resist the urge to hug her tightly. 
                          
"Yeah, she is." I hear a proud voice come from behind me and I feel him wrap his arms around me. I blush when I hear it coming from his mouth. 
                          
I feel him whisper something against my ear. "Aakil told me about Brina's situation and I am pretty sure you talked to her already right? She will come with us for now until we figure out what's up her parents." I nod slowly, feeling love for my good-hearted mate. 
                          
All four of us head outside the shop and get into the car that Aakil brought. When we already driving back to our little home in our forest,  I realize the worse thing. 
                          
I never got my ice-cream! 
                          
____________________________________
                          
After sullenly thinking about my ice-cream, Aakil cheers me up by saying we have some at home. Brina and Jay are playing around and I realize something more important than the ice-cream. 
                          
I quickly tap Aakil's shoulder and quickly whisper, "Hey, did you take care of Rehan's body?" I swear I am not an accomplice to a murder, he was just unconscious. 
                          
He whispers back to that Brina and Jay don't hear. "Don't worry, beautiful mate of mine. I didn't do anything to Rehan, and he still might be unconscious at the moment. But, I will protect you from him at all costs." He says the last part a little creepily. If I were Rehan, I would be really scared. I shudder involuntarily. 
                          
As I watch Jay get embarrassed when he falls while chasing Brina, I remember something else important...my job!!! I look at Aakil wide-eyed and he looks at me confused, my legs in lap on the couch. I am about to get up to call Liz, the manger of the baked goods shop. As I start to get up, Aakil grabs my legs and positions me so I am straddling his lap. I look at him surprised and he kisses me. 
                          
"Shut up. I don't want to hear it. You're not f*cking going anywhere." Guess Aniket's back. And no one can refuse him if he can help it.  
                          
_________________________________ 
                          
Tara POV 
                          
I sigh as my mate, Tarit, tries persuade me to not take over Aakil and Kaaya's positions as King and Queen of the Woods. 
                          
"Tara, baby. Please listen to me. Why would want their titles when we have each other? Do you know how important it is to keep the ones you love close? They can be taken away from you easily. Tara, look around you. Look at me. What more could you possibly want? Would you care for me if I died right here? How about you just kill me because that is what you are doing now!" With that, he takes my hands and wraps them around his neck, squeezing tight. I burst into tears. What am I doing? Am I killing the person I love just for some selfish desires? At the sight of my tears, Tarit releases my hands and his eyes soften. 
                          
"Sweetheart, don't show me your tears. Darling, it's ok. I am sorry. I didn't mean to make you cry, but I don't want you to poison yourself with such dark thoughts. How about we try being nice and respectful to our future king and queen. Who knows, maybe you and Kaaya could truly bond if you tried.." 
                          
I have been selfish, haven't I? With tears in my eyes, I look at my mate's face. Is it that bad to want everything at young age especially if both of your parents died at an early age. When I was 5 years old, my parents died in an accident, leaving me alone. I had a caregiver until I have old enough to move out, but we never really bonded. This is why I want everything more in life to replace the sad parts of my life.
                          
I met Tarit when I was 7 and we realized that were mates. He was the important part of life in my childhood and now. He helped me a countless number of times and I never really appreciated him. I could have never made it this far with him. We aren't only lovers, but we are also best friends. I always wanted to avenge my parent's death somehow and I thought they getting more power in world may somehow fill the space that my parents' death left. 
                          
 But, I just realized that it is important to appreciate what you have before asking for more. It was all thanks to my mate, Tarit. He was the one the filled up the space and gave me more than I could ever ask for. That is what made me selfish. 
                          
"Tarit, thank you for making me realize what I have. I am sorry for treating you harshly in the past. I understand if you don't want to be my mate anymore. No one deserves someone this selfish." I look down, tears building up in my eyes once again. 
                          
"Dumb girl." I look up at Tarit, shocked. He never said anything negative about me before. At first, I get angry, but then I see the look in his eyes. "Tara, my mate. How could mates just break up? I am literally stuck with you forever. You are not selfish, Tara. You just need someone help guide you to the right path. I love you." He says the last part with so much love his voice that I regret asking for more. I was truly was crazy before for not realizing the beautiful things right in front of me. 
                          
"I love you too, Tarit." His eyes darken and he kisses me gently and respond back. He then gets down one knee. My eyes widen. He's not...
                          
"Tara, my love, my light, my strong, powerful mate. Every obstacle in our way has brought us closer and lead to this moment. I want you to be with every step of my life. Will you marry me?" 
                          
I look at Tarit wide-eyed and nod furiously, unable to produce words.  Is this how it feels to be completely loved by someone. More importantly, is this how it feels insanely in love with someone? 
                          
Tarit grabs my hands and twirls me around and around until we both fall down, giggling. 
                          
"Tarit, my husband-to-be, let's tell our future king and queen the good news!" This was the first time I said king and queen without malice in voice and I loved it! 
                          
Tarit took my hand and we went to the cottage in the woods to find them and spread the good news.