449: THIRTEEN YEARS OLD (13)

THIRTEEN YEARS OLD (13)

The moment Kace opened the bedroom door, complete darkness greeted his eyes, yet he let it be, as he could see his mate just fine even in this kind of condition.  1

Hope's small body could be seen crouched down under the blanket that covered her whole figure, with pillows scattered around her. If it wasn't for her uneven breathing, she was perfectly hid on her own bed. 

Kace walked inside the room and sat down on the edge of her bed after shoving away a few pillows, so he could take a closer look at the bundle beside him. 

Extending his hand, Kace gave a few pats on Hope's head but didn't say anything. 

They kept quiet for a long time with only her occasional sobs and Kace's breathing, filling the silence in the dark bedroom.

It continued until the little girl decided to come out of her hiding place and regarded Kace with her teary eyes. 

Hope thought Kace wouldn't be able to see her in this darkness, but Kace could see her regardless, even the faint stains of streaming tears on her cheeks or her wet lashes. He could see it all.

"Serefina erased my friends' memories about me." Hope's voice came out hoarser than she thought, but it didn't stop her from complaining to Kace. "She didn't need to do that, right? Is this the way she is punishing me?"

Kace couldn't help it but scoop Hope's body before placing her on his lap. He then cradled her in his arms and patted her back to soothe her dejection. 

It worked well when Hope stopped sobbing and nuzzled her face on his chest, looking for another form of comfort. 

"Serefina did not punish you, it is her way of keeping you safe." Kace said in a soft voice. He could hear Hope scoffing against the fabric of his shirt front and this made him laugh. "I agree with you that her method seems very cruel, but she meant good, yet don't know how to show that side of her emotions."

Kace knew what he was saying right now was true. He had known her for centuries now and even when they were still in their realm, before the great war happened, it was always him who was able to get along well with her during her stay in the castle.

If he thought about it, he should be proud of himself because not many people could stand her sharp tongue and quirky remarks. 

"She is so mean!" The little angel in Kace's arms bit back, not liking it when he defended the witch and he could only grimace upon hearing Hope's sharp voice. 

"I know. I know…" Kace patted her head to appease her anger. 

"They will not remember me." Hope was sobbing again and kept rumbling about the memories that she had created with her other friends for hours, venting out her frustrations while Kace could only let out a hum or two here and there to acknowledge her complains. 

"I tried to attract his attention and we are getting close now, but he will not remember me again after this…" Hope's rumbling reached the point where she talked about a boy in her class that she had a crush on. 

"Wait. What?" The hand that was patting Hope's back stopped as his body stiffened. Kace found himself gritting his teeth. "What boy?"

As if she was just awaken from her long reverie, Hope was startled, she didn't know why she felt very comfortable and blurted out that story about Ian. 

It was only Alyssa and Rena who knew that she had a crush on him and also helped to create opportunities for Hope to talk to him during their breaks. Ian was a senior, he was only two years older than them. 

"My senior…" Hope said timidly, biting her lower lip. She didn't know why she suddenly felt nervous to let Kace know about this. 

It was only normal for a girl around her age to have a crush on a boy, right? 

Hope was unsure if Kace would agree with that logic based on his reaction right now. 

"And you what? You like him?" Kace asked incredulously. Oh, Selene…

You did not only give me a drooling baby as my mate, but now as she grew up, she actually likes a teenage boy? It is too hard for him…

How could the lycan compete with a boy that barely reached the age of fifteen? Fifteen years were nothing in his world. That amount of time would fly by in the blink of an eye. 

The worst part was because Kace couldn't tell Hope that she was his, his mate, for the only person that he would dedicate every single breath and every single beat of his heart…

What a cruel reality that Kace had to face…

And now he was forced to hear his mate complaining about another guy without him being unable to do anything! 

Where was the mate- bond that all of the shifters would feel? Couldn't she feel it too? Was it only him that could feel the pull?

Oh, right! Serefina had mentioned it. It would be only him who would feel it and the mate- bond would only work on him, but not on both sides. 

In other words, Hope could fall in love with other men as her heart pleased. And as for him? Kace would be doomed… 

At this moment, Kace was glad and had the sudden urge to thank Serefina for what she had done.

Well, the sympathy and sadness that he felt for Hope had evaporated into thin air since Hope mentioned her senior, Ian.

"Hm. I wish Serefina did not only erase his memories, but also his existence." Kace grumbled when he heard Hope continue rumbling about that boy.

Hope raised her head, "What?" She was not sure about what she heard from Kace. 

"Nothing." Kace shook his head, trying to get rid his jealousy that started to take root in his chest. "Happy birthday my angel." 

"Oh, right! Today is my birthday!" Hope spoke excitedly and Kace leaned over to kiss her forehead. 

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