The Mermaid's Unexpected Mate

Chapter 24

Alon's POV:

 It's been about a month. To be honest, I'm surprised my people...Or our people...I don't know anymore! haven't attacked yet.

  Raidne and I haven't spoken once....We're just...really awkward and quiet around each other. Harmony and I finally talked about my relationship with her. Let's just say that my relationship with Raidne, is not something I want to relive. Although, just seeing her every day, she looks so different. Like, is that the same Raidne? Is that my sister? Like, she doesn't act the same as she used to. I don't get it. But, if this is her true behavior, I want to be there for her...Make sure she knows she's not alone. I mean, I have felt alone for....almost my whole life. When I held Raidne in my arms that day, I wanted so bad for a little sister that I could be close to....For a sister who'd be my best friend....Should've known better than to think a siren would be my best friend....

 That day when I was a kid and met Harmony, I felt something. Something I'd never felt before in my life. I felt like.....I wasn't alone. Like I had a friend out there. And years later, when I met her again and discovered she was my mate, I found a lot more than a best friend. I found love. I found a family. A true family. 

 I know this isn'y my biological family, but they are so much more of a family to me than my rea family is. And, if I'm being honest, I still want what I wanted that very first day I laid my eyes on her. A sister. Not an enemy. A sister. I've loved her since the moment I found out mother was having a baby! I know she isn't my real sister. But to me, she is and always will be. 

 I sat on the couch in the living room beside Harmony. Jack and Raidne sitting on a chair. Well, Raidne was sitting on Jack's lap, I should say. We were about to watch a few of Harmony's favorites. The Flicka movies. I've only seen the first two, but I'm sure if Harmony likes it, I'll like it. I like the first and second one, so the third can't be that bad, right? 

 "I-I'll b-be right b-b-back. I'll j-just s-s-see if D-Darnell and A-A-Aerwyna have finally d-decided on the p-p-popcorn." Harmony replied, getting up. 

 Aerwyna and Darnell were fighting over which flavor popcorn was best. Butter, plain with just salt, or even butter popcorn with chocolate drizzle. Honestly, I've never had popcorn, so I don't care which flavor. 

 "I'll be right back. Just gonna use the bathroom real quick." Jack said a couple minutes after Harmony left. Raidne and I faked smiles and nodded. We were now alone in the room. Why!? I looked over at her nervously. She looked at me nervously. About five minutes past, and our mates still hadn't come back. Somehow, I knew they had set this up. 

 "M-maybe I should go check on Harmony...." I said shakily, standing up. However, before I could walk out of the room, I heard a sentence that shocked me. 

 "I'm sorry, Alon!" Raidne exclaimed. 

 I stopped dead in my tracks and slowly turned around. "What..?" I asked, making sure I didn't mishear anything. 

 "I'm sorry...I'm sorry for treating you like....like dirt all these years! You're my brother....You've always been kind and loving to me, even when I wasn't to you....You didn't deserve that. You deserve a better sister than me...." I stared at her my eyed wide, my mouth wide open. "All my life, I wanted to make mother and father proud. I was raised a siren. I hurt you for the same reason the other sirens....Including mother and father....did...You were different. You preferred not to harm others. Sometimes I wondered if you really were a siren....Turns out, I'm not even a siren....I'm just a mermaid....The same creature I was taught to hate!" 

 I saw tears in her eyes as she stood there looking at me. I rushed over to her and took her in my arms. "You are not just a mermaid, Raidne....You never were. You are my sister. You always have been. And I love you. Always have, always will. I don't blame you for any of the things you did. I forgive you. Honestly, sometimes I wondered if I was a siren. But I know one thing we've had in common since the beginning when you began training and learning." 

 "What's that..?" 

 "We both wanted to make them proud....Unfortunately, I just couldn't...I never had the will or courage or anything to do it..." I told her. 

 She shook her head. "No, brother. It's not unfortunate. The more time I spend here, the more I grow to understand and love the very creatures we were taught to hate. The ones you never had the heart to destroy. It's a good thing. And it's apart of who you are....I used to think I knew who I was....Now, I don't know who I am..." 

 "I know who you are." she looked at me quizzically. "You're a mermaid. My sister. Jack's mate. And now, I think I know that, I never really knew the real you. But lately, I think I've been seeing her. Raidne, you are quiet, timid, clingy, and careful. You've always been careful, even when we were growing up. You know how to take responsibility. Another thing you did growing up. You're kind and gentle too. And I am glad to have you as my sister.." 

 Raidne looked at me. "You...you really mean all that?" 

 I nodded. "I do." We hugged each other tight. 

 As we hugged, we heard Jack's voice interrupted us. "I am so glad to see you two finally getting along." We released each other and looked at Harmony and Jack as they stood in the doorway. 

 "I-I'm g-g-glad to see y-you both h-h-happy and h-hugging." Harmony replied with a smile, just as Darnell and Aerwyna came in. 

 "We got the popcorn! We just decided to make three bowls. One with butter, one butter with chocolate drizzle, and the last one plain with salt." Darnell declared. 

 "Yea...Honestly it was probably a dumb idea to fight over popcorn..." 

 "Yep." Jack remarked, eyeing them. Ok, so they weren't in on this? Ok, I guess. But anyway, I had a feeling Harmony and Jack planned this! But I'm grateful. I may have finally gotten my sister. And I wouldn't have if it weren't for them.