Beyond and Wild

5. Unpacking and Personal Discovery

I was abruptly awakened by a knock on my door and a voice calling out my name. "Adie?" the voice said.

I rubbed my bleary eyes and replied, "Yeah?" while sitting up on my plush bed.

"It's me, Bell. Can I come in?" she asked through the door.

I perked up at the sound of her voice and smiled, "Yeah sure. Come in."

As the door opened, Bell entered with a smile on her face, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Did you sleep well?" she asked cheerfully.

I let out a big yawn and stretched my arms above my head, "Yeah. This bed is really comfortable, and I was really tired."

"Alpha has asked you to come downstairs."

"Is his name, Alpha?" I couldn't help but ask confused to why people keep on calling him that. In return, Bell just smiled nervously "It's Dylan."

I got up from the bed and opened my bag, taking out a black sweatshirt and jeans. I grabbed my bra and panties and went inside the bathroom to freshen up.

After a quick shower and brushing my teeth, I braided my hair to the side and got dressed. As I emerged from the bathroom, I saw Bell holding my family frame.

I asked in a neutral voice, "What are you doing?"

Bell replied with regret, "Uh, I was thinking to unpack your things and I found this frame. I'm sorry. I didn't want to intervene in your personal things."

I reassured her, "Oh no, it's okay." I gestured for her to help me with the rest of my things, and we were done within fifteen minutes, putting everything in its place.

I picked up the frame and put it on the bedside table, next to the lamp. Bell asked me, "Is this your family?"

I replied with a smile and nod, "Yeah," as I looked at the frame.

Bell then asked, "Where are they now?" I whispered with a smile, "Very close to me."

"You are really lucky, you know that?" Bell said. I turned to her, raising an eyebrow, curious as to why she would say that.

I noticed her saddened posture and glistening eyes as she continued, "You have a family. A perfect family. A mother with whom you can share things. A father who will protect you and will be there for you always. A brother and a sister on whom you can shower your love. A perfect family. But me, I only have my brother."

My heart clenched at hearing her say those words. I couldn't help but ask, "Where are your parents?" I regretted asking when tears began to roll down her face.

"Where are your parents?" I had asked, hoping to get to know her better.

"They left me and Cole when we were small in an Orphanage with a letter that they were unable to give us a perfect lifestyle," she explained, her voice breaking with emotion. "They said that they were poor and didn't have enough money to parent us, and they were really sorry for doing that. They even wrote that they were forced to take such a big step only for us. They wanted us to be happy and asked us to forgive them."

My heart went out to her as she broke down in tears. "Oh, I'm so sorry," I said, hugging her tightly as she sobbed on my chest.

"It's okay," she said, eventually calming down. "I'm sure that they really loved you and wanted the best for you," I said truthfully, patting her back. It was difficult to imagine how hard it must have been for her and her brother to grow up without parents.

"Anyways, let's go down. Everyone is waiting," Bell said with a smile before turning towards the door. However, I couldn't help but feel confused by her words and actions.