The One

The Randale Trio meet The Ethelwulf

 The day flowed smoothly as both families mingled, the chatter eventually leading to an evening barbecue at the Ethelwulf mansion—the one right next door, lined up with an invitation made through a simple phone call.

By six o'clock, the Randale and Salvatore families made their way to the Ethelwulf mansion for dinner. William, already dressed and eager to go, found himself growing impatient as he waited at the top of the staircase. "Ladies, let's move it!" he called, checking his watch.

Both Anna and Sharon hurried out of their rooms, only to find the youngest member of the family was missing. Concerned, William headed to Karol's room, only to find it engulfed in darkness.

"Karol, sweetheart, are you all right? Don't you want to come?" he asked gently, peeking inside.

In a curled-up position, Karol looked up at him. "Nope, Daddy. I've got a terrible headache," she replied, hugging herself in an effort to ease her discomfort.

At that moment, Anna and Sharon switched on the light and entered the room. "Oh, baby girl, what's wrong?" Anna asked, concern lacing her tone.

"I'm alright, just a bad headache that's making my stomach ache a bit."

"Do you want me to stay? Do you need any medicine? Porridge?" her mother asked, rushing to offer comfort.

"No, Mum, I'm fine," Karol assured her, attempting to reassure them with a small smile.

"Have you taken any medicine?" Anna pressed.

"Yes, I had the medicine after the porridge that Sharon brought for me," she said, gesturing to her empty bowl on the table.

Sharon picked up Karol's phone from the makeup table and placed it beside her. "Okay, sis, get plenty of rest. If you need anything, just call us. We'll be back in a flash," she promised with a warm smile.

"No worries, I'll be resting, so just take your time. I plan on sleeping soundly through the night without waking up to any noise from you lot, so don't come back too early," Karol teased, cocooning herself back under the covers.

The trio quietly switched off the lights and exited, making their way towards the Ethelwulf mansion, where they reunited with the Salvatore family at the front door.

Upon entering, the Randale family was greeted warmly by the Ethelwulf clan. "It's lovely to finally meet you, the Randale family. I'm Accalia," she said, extending a hand to William, Anna, and Sharon.

"Likewise," they replied, shaking hands.

"Welcome to the Ethelwulf mansion! I'm Beo, Accalia's husband," Beo introduced himself with a friendly smile, joining his wife as they welcomed their guests.

Meanwhile, Jason, standing close to Sharon, interjected, "Uncle, Aunty, where's Christian?"

"I'm here, you dufus!" Christian called out, striding towards them with a broad grin, eager to find his mate after hearing word that his best friend's family had arrived.

Jason, ever the animated one, pulled Christian by the shoulder, spinning him around to face everyone. "My man, let me introduce you to the crowd! This is my stupid best friend, my brother from another family."

Christian smiled warmly, shaking hands with the group, his gaze darting around as he sought out his mate, while Jason merely shrugged, completely unapologetic.

Beo, glancing at Christian's troubled expression, quickly turned to the others. "Are we waiting for someone?" he asked, a hint of worry in his voice.

William smiled at Beo, answering a question that had not been posed aloud. "No, I don't think so. Oh, my daughter sends her regards to you two; she couldn't make it this evening because she's struggling with a terrible headache."

The news hit Christian like a punch to the gut. He looked like a kicked puppy, and his concern swelled as he mind-linked with his parents. 'Dad, Mum. She's sick.'

'Who, son?' Beo replied through their mental connection, maintaining a casual facade as he spoke to the others.

'My mate, Dad. She's not here with her family, the Randales,' Christian replied, causing disbelief to flash across both parents' faces.

"What!" Accalia exclaimed, her voice louder than intended, drawing puzzled looks from everyone at the table.

Nervously smiling, she quickly added, "Sorry, I just realised I forgot to put my chocolate chips inside my chocolate chip cupcake. If you'll excuse me for a moment, would you come with me?" With that, she turned, pinching Christian's arm and pulling him towards the kitchen.

Once inside, Accalia crossed her arms, her tone a blend of concern and frustration. "You didn't tell us anything! Why?"

"Sorry, Mum," Christian replied, sheepishly rubbing the back of his neck. "I've been preoccupied with leaving my scent around her while managing the pack and business. It slipped my mind."

Just then, Beo entered the kitchen, sensing the tension. "Honey, don't be too hard on him. He's just smitten and a bit possessive of his mate, that's all. Let's discuss this when the guests aren't around," he said, giving Accalia a gentle shoulder massage.

"We'll talk about this later. For now, go and get acquainted with your mate's family," she instructed.

The Ethelwulf family made their way to the backyard, where the BBQ party was underway, laughter and delicious aromas filling the air. The gathering buzzed with good food and conversations, everyone getting to know each other. Yet, amidst the festivities, Karol and Christian had a different plan brewing for the night.

After her family departed, Karol slipped out of bed, swiftly changing from her nightwear into a fitted black outfit, ready for action. She locked her door with a semi-automatic mechanism and attached a tracker from her parents' watch to her own, ensuring they wouldn't catch her sneaking out.

With determined steps, she sprinted through the open field towards the jungle at the back of her rented house. As she ventured deeper into the thicket, a sense of nostalgia enveloped her; the paths felt familiar, tugging at her heartstrings as memories flickered like shadows.

Suddenly, she froze, her breath catching in her throat as she recalled a vivid dream of chasing a werewolf, only to watch it transform into a handsome man. As realisation washed over her; this was no mere dream.

Moving cautiously, she descended near the jungle entrance and deftly climbed a tree, using her gear to assist her ascent. After a few moments of respite, observing the mansion where the party still thrummed with life, a rustling noise below disrupted her thoughts.

Peering down, she spotted a pair of copper-brown wolves, sniffing the air and circling her hiding spot with low growls. Holding her breath, she shrank into the tree's branches, tension coiling in her chest. Then, one wolf turned and bolted into the jungle, while the other shifted into human form just a few trees away, donning a t-shirt and shorts before sprinting towards the mansion.

Karol stood in stunned silence, the reality of her suspicions confirmed in an unexpected encounter. Hours later, she descended from her perch, skirting back to her rental house through the kitchen door, her heart racing with exhilaration.

Once inside, she shed her gear, made a beeline for the bathroom, and took a quick shower, longing to slip back into her dreamland.

Meanwhile, Christian was preoccupied with his own dilemma, shovelling food into his mouth as he planned his escape. He needed to see his mate, convinced that with everyone distracted, he could sneak into her room unnoticed.

But luck was not on his side; Karol had closed and locked her window and tightly drawn her curtains, intent on not opening them again that night.

Feeling defeated, he trudged back to the mansion, the weight of disappointment settling heavily upon him, earning a round of laughter from his parents as he mind-linked them to share his woes.