Chapter 20: Chapter 20

“I could barely see the ball,” Alexa shook her head.

“At least you saw something,” Conner clicked her tongue.

“And you,” Alexa glared at Regan, “What?” He raised his brows.

“Didn’t you say you’d help me? Didn’t you say I could rely on you? You did nothing to help.” She glared at him.

“You chose the opposite team, you were the one who wanted a match.” He eyed her accusingly.

He realized she was no longer looking at him but behind him, suddenly his face lit up and a playful smile formed on his lips, “Do you hate to have me on the opposite team that much?”

“No, maybe I just hate your entire self,” She walked out in anger as Carla stood beside him.

“At this rate, you’re going to be hated, careful, dear brother,” Lia’s face broke into a smile.

“You instigated it,” He spat hotly.

She stuck her tongue out totally enjoying irritating her elder brother.

After a few minutes, all came back to the ground, “Oh, the Elders are here,” Alexa turned her head in a direction, “Where?” The others followed her gaze, Reagan’s eyes were on her, they waited but no one came, “Where?” Conner asked.

“Indeed they’re here,” Lia nodded sensing their presence, after a moment they were there, everyone bowed down paying the respect.

“Hey, grand folks,” Alexa waved her hands at them. She had become closer to them in the past few days.

“Has anything happened?” Reagan stepped forward with concern, they never stepped out unless it was some urgent matter.

“Oh relax, your majesty,” The eldest of them spoke, “We’re just here to look at the amusing match, it’s not every day you see the queen and the king on the field against each other,” Adira smiled amusingly, Reagan rolled his eyes, obviously, what did he expect?

“Having fun my child?” Adira then looked at her descendant.

“Challenging very, fun well...” Murphy answered in Alexa’s stead.

“I see,” Her eyes twinkled, “Obviously only training and challenges can be frustrating without a reward, won’t it?” she looked at Reagan giving him a knowing smile, “Why don’t we set a reward for the game?”

“Yeah right, that’ll just make it worse,” Alexa complained, they were barely catching up to their pace, a reward, that’ll just make them competitive.

“Sure, why not,” Reagan answered Adira.

Alexa looked at him, ‘You’re serious?’ She narrowed her eyes at him.

“Let’s make it this way, we’ll play at your pace and the number of goals scored by each team won’t matter,” He started.

“Then?” She raised her brows.

“If any three of you manage to score a goal, your team wins and the reward, whatever you want.” He smiled.

“Not a bad idea,” Murphy tapped his chin with his index finger considering the challenge.

Alexa then looked at her friends, they gave her a nod, “Okay, we accept it,” She nodded.

Even though they said they'll consider their pace, the difference was still just... she clicked her tongue, ‘Need a hand?’ She heard his voice inside her head.

‘Didn’t you say you’re on the opposite team?’ Her eyes searched for him but she couldn’t find him.

‘Now I’m not.’ He spoke back.

She then spotted him, he was outside the field.

‘Isn’t that cheating?’ She asked.

‘I’m always on your side, remember? and it’s a part of your training so nothing matters more,’ He reasoned.

‘So should we start?’ He raised his brows.

“Hmm,” She nodded.

‘Keep your eyes focused on the ball’ He instructed.

‘But the speed...

'You’re the queen, remember?'

'But-'

'You sensed the presence of the elders before any of us remember? Trust me and trust yourself more,’ He told her.

'Okay,' She replied as she focused back on the game.

The sound of the whistle brought the game to an end, miraculously she managed to score a goal and with that, they won.

'Miracle?' Reagan frowned at her.

'Okay, not just a miracle, maybe?' She smiled at her victory.

***

“Congratulations, child.” Adira smiled at Alexa.

“Thanks, Adira.” Alexa smiled back at her ancestor.

They were at the dinner table celebrating their victory.

“The kick was amazing. That speed...You’ve improved a lot.” Tyler gave her a thumbs up.

“Thanks, Ty.” Alexa beamed.

“And you guys,” He turned his head to the twins, “you’ve improved a lot too, that pass... way to go,” He praised them.

“You say something too,” Lia looked at her brother who was silently watching them, “or you’re still sulking on your defeat?” She teased him.

“Why would I?” He shrugged, “Just don’t spoil them too much,” He added.

“Oh come on, they deserve it,” Adira said, raising a toast, “Well done!”

Alexa beamed with happiness, “Regardless of your complaints, thank you,” She smiled at Reagan, he winked at her raising his glass.

“Now here’s the main dish,” Kevin opened the lid and presented the dish, “Oh my, my favorite, thank you, Kevin,” Alexa grinned.

“And here’s yours,” He opened another lid and presented the twins’ favorite.

“Love you, Kevin.” They cheered.

“Come on, this is nothing, you guys are the stars today, so enjoy yourselves,” He patted their back and took his seat.

Alexa smiled looking at everyone if only her mom was here, she thought. ‘Mom, where are you? I miss you,’ she sighed, hanging her head, the tears threatened to fall from her eyes, ‘Don’t ruin it, Alex. Everyone’s so happy, don’t ruin it with your tears,’ she swallowed her tears back, she raised her head and forced a smile.

‘You don’t need to force yourself’ A voice spoke inside her head, she snapped at Reagan, “Hey!” She protested.

“Stop getting inside my head every time!" She shouted.

Every head now turned to them, he just shrugged.

“I know I told you that this mind speaking skill of yours is cool but that doesn’t mean you’ll do it every single time! Dude, where’s my privacy?” She yelled at him.

“Alex, you told him, mind speaking is cool? Like seriously?” Lia’s eyes widened at her best friend’s absurd words.

“Yeah.” She replied but that wasn’t important, she glared back at him.

“Girl, you must be the only person who thinks that’s cool. Who likes someone reading you, invading your thoughts every single minute?” Lia made a face.

“No, the time I was you know lost and was being chased around by those Vampires, I found it helpful, it made me less scared,” She shrugged, “And today’s game too, I was grateful-”

‘They weren’t supposed to know that, Alex,’ He cleared his throat.

She bit her tongue, “Oh, I mean...” She tried to correct herself but the cat was out of the bag now.

“Oh, how sweet,” Adira wiggled her brows teasingly.

“Really, brother?” Lia eyed him amusingly, “But who cares, we won right? So, we’ll be waiting for our reward.”

“You’re not getting anything.” He scoffed.

“Why not?” She glared at her brother.

“Those three, only they get the reward.” He smiled, pointing them out.

“Hey! But we’re a team! The whole team should get a reward.” She complained.

“Everyone will, except you,” He chuckled.

“Hey!” She snapped at him.

“Oh stop it both of you, my complaints are more important.” Alexa intervened, “You, stop invading my privacy,” She pointed her index finger at him.

“What do you want for a reward?” He asked.

“Stop trying to change the subject.” She glared at him.

“You don’t want it? Fine, then.” He shrugged.

“Hey! When did I say I don’t want it?” She shouted.

“It’s okay if she doesn’t want it, but we want ours,” Murphy raised his hand, asking for their attention.

“Hey, don’t decide it for me, I want it too.” Alexa raised her voice.

Reagan slowly sipped the drink in his hand and smiled looking at his mate who had now forgotten about her complaints and was engrossed in thinking what she wanted for a reward.