PROWESS. (COMPLETED)

Chapter 79

Kellen POV;

I search the crowd for Ana as I play with Kara and Tyron. The poor kids were feeling the sadness of their Dad's passing, unsure of how they should be behaving and their concern over not behaving the right way. The latter struck a chord with me. I perfectly understand that anxiety, especially since it had been ingrained in me as I grew up.

I put all my energy into entertaining and distracting them from everything going on, I shield them as best I can from the media scrutiny. In helping them, they help me stay focused. Ana has become very withdrawn, pushing everyone away, including me. I don't know how to best comfort her and from the despondency of our bond, this wasn't something I could fix.

My parents were the ones to suggest giving Ana some space to understand her feelings. To let her come to terms with what is happening and in the meantime, support her the best way I can, which at the present time appears to be protecting her brother and sister. I dislike consulting them; I am old enough to look after my own relationship but Ana's lack of response to me worries me. Is she pulling away from me in preparation to reject me?

Later in the evening, after putting Kara and Tyron to bed in the allocated guest room Rick showed me to, I search out Mrs Wolfe.

I eventually locate her standing by the drinks table, in polite conversation with an Elder whose name escapes me. Both bow as I approach.

"Your Highness."

"Good evening. Please excuse the interruption. Might I have a private word, Mrs Wolfe?"

"Of course," she smiles, excusing herself from her guest. I wonder if Ana got her smile from her Mother. I couldn't remember the last time I saw Ana smile, so I couldn't make a comparison. I certainly don't have any such recent memories of her smiling. The thought makes my heart sink. I should be able to make her smile.

Claire wraps her around mine as walk to the outskirt of the main crowd so we're out of earshot, smiling at the people we pass.

"You're wondering where Ana is." She guesses, releasing my arm and turning to face me with a knowing smile. I smile. "I'm afraid the choices we made for her as a child didn't do you, as her mate, any favours." Her smiles morphs into frown. Her begging eyes meet mine, "You must forgive us. You have no idea how difficult the choice Maine had to make was, how it tortured him so!" she takes me by the upper arms, her fingers digging into my skin as if it would make me understand more.

"If you'd like me to understand, I'll listen but I'm afraid you'll have to start at the beginning."