The Werewolf King’s Runaway Queen
Bonus 4

Reese's POV

I stared at the ceiling of my room.

I've been awake for I don't know how long.

The school year just finished recently and now, one of the days I've been dreading the most has come. River's Graduation Day.

My brother is really graduating now.

It's only been a few months since he turned 18 and now, he's going to graduate high school as well.

I sighed.

I don't worry about a lot of things.

I don't get nervous or anxious often either.

I don't get scared.

But I feel like I'm starting to now.

We still don't know what River's decision will be.

I don't know if he's going to college, if he'll stay here or he'll go into solitary training.

If he goes to college, the nearest college from us is hours away.

If he goes to solitary training, he'll be in the middle of nowhere and I don't he'll be gone for years.

If he chooses to stay, then I can stop over thinking.

But I feel like it's not something that will help River grow as the future leader of the pack.

I sighed.

I should be happy for River but I'm more anxious that he'll leave.

I guess it's because, I'm just not quite ready yet for him to leave.

I closed my eyes and massaged the bridge of my nose.

Then, I heard a knock on the door.

I sat up.

"Reese, baby? It's mom, love"

I got out of bed and opened the door.

Then, I saw mom.

"Hi" I greeted her softly.

"Good morning, love bug" she said and gave me a hug.

I hugged her back.

"Morning" I greeted back.

Mom looked at me and she held my face with a worried expression.

"Is everything okay?" she asked worried.

I bit my lower lip and my mom sighed.

"Why don't we sit down and talk?" she said.

I nodded and my mom went inside my room and closed the door.

She held my hand and we walked over to my bed and sat down.

Mom and I faced each other and I looked at her for a moment. "What's wrong?" she asked me.

I took a deep breath.

"Is it bad that I feel anxious about River graduating? Like, instead of being happy for him, I'm worried and anxious?" I asked. The thing is, I don't open up to people often.

Even to my friends.

It takes time for me to open up to people.

But it's a different case with my mom.

With my mom, I feel like I can tell het anything and everything.

She doesn't show me expressions of disbelief, disappointment or anything like that that will make me feel bad about myself.

I know she listens with an open mind and an understanding heart.

That's why I'm so close to my mom and I feel like I can tell her anything and everything.

She's basically my walking diary.

It's one of the many things I treasure about us.

"Why do you think you feel this way?" mom asked me.

"Well, it's just that River recently turned 18 and now, he's graduating and that only means that he can possibly leave after all this" I said. "Why do you think River will leave so soon?" she asked curiously.

"Because he can?" I said.

"Is that how your brother is?" she asked me.

I immediately shook my head.

"No, not really" I said.

"Exactly" she said.

"But still. We don't know anything because he hasn't told us he's decision and I..." I paused.

Then, I sighed.

"I don't want to seem selfish or even seem like an overbearing sister but I...I'm worried and I'm afraid of River leaving" I told mom.

"I've lived with River all my life and I don't think I'm ready to see him go just yet" I said with a sigh as I looked down.

My mom caressed my bag.

"I understand what you mean, Reese. I understand what you're feeling, sweetie" mom said.

"As a mother, I too feel anxious and worried for this big step in your brother's life" she said.

"And that's okay. We feel this way because we care and because we love your brother. Nothing is wrong with that" she stated.

"You guys grew up together and you stood by each other always" mom continued.

"It's okay that you're afraid that River will leave. But you also need to remember how much you mean to your brother. Do you really think he can leave you just like that? Of course not, Reese" she said. "From the moment we conceived you, your brother already made it his life mission to stand by you, shower you with love and affection and protect you even with his own life" she said.

"That's not going to change so easily, Reese" she told me.

I sighed ans nodded.

Mom hugged me and she kissed the top of my head.

"Your feelings are valid" she whispered.

I smiled a little.

We hugged for a bit then we looked at the time.

"We should probably get ready" I said.

My mom nodded.

"We probably should" she said.

Mom gave me a kiss on the cheek then she left my room.

I went to the bathroom and showered, dried myself on, put on a robe and did my skincare routine.

Then, I stared at myself in the mirror.

I sighed. Always visit FindNovel.net for more novels.

I'm rarely like this.

I don't like overthinking very much.

If anything, I hate it.

I don't like making things complicated.

I don't like having complicated feelings.

I sighed.

Then, I went out of the bathroom and made my way to my walk in closet.

I picked out something to wear a white solid frill trim wide leg jumpsuit paired with white high heeled sandals.

I wore the clothes amd sat down by my vanity mirror.

I curled my hair into waves then I did my makeup and grabbed a purse to put my things in.

As I was fixing my things, there was a knock on my door.

"Who is it?" I asked.

"Ree, it's me"

River.

I stood up to open the door and I saw River.

He was already dressed and ready to go.

"Are we going to leave now?" I asked.

It still seemed pretty early.

"No, not yet. Breakfast isn't ready either" he told me.

I nodded.

"What is it then?" I asked.

River looked at me for a moment.

"Can we talk?" he asked.

I looked at him curiously.

Talk about what?

"Sure. Come in" I said and we came in to my room.

"What do you want to talk about?" I asked curiously.

I sat down on the edge of my bed and River stood in front of me.

Then, he kneeled down in front of me.

"Tell me" he said.

"Tell you what?" I asked confused.

"Tell me what's bothering you" he said.

My brows furrowed a bit.

I wondered if mo told River.

I doubt it.

Mom wouldn't tell anyone what I told her unless I asked her.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

River sighed.

"I was supposed to go here in your room earlier and I...I might have heard you talking with mom" he said.

Oh.

I sighed.

"Come on" he said softly.

I bit my lower lip as I looked at him.

I didn't know how to put it into words.

How I should tell him without sounding selfish.

I also didn't want him to thibk that I was trying to hold him back.

I want my brother to be happy and to choose what's best for him.

I really do.

"It's fine to tell me" he encouraged me.

I took a deep breath then I looked at him for a moment before talking.

"You've been by my side my whole life" I started.

"I know I haven't been the most affectionate little sister to you but I'm sure you know how much I care for you and how much I treasure you as my brother" I said.

River slightly smiled.

"I'm just..." I paused.

"I'm just nervous and anxious of the fact that you might leave and go away for a long time. I'm not used to not having you around all the time" I continued.

"You're 18 now and you're also graduating. You can find your mate, be with them, build a family with the or you can choose to go away for training or whatever you'll decide on that will require you to leave" I said.

"I don't want to seem selfish or make you feel that I'm holding you back. I just feel that everything's suddenly moving so fast and I don't think I'm ready to see my big brother go after all these years together in each other's side" I told him. Then, I looked down.

River held my hand and gently squeezed it.

Then, he held my chin and made me look at him.

"I never said I'd be leaving so soon, didn't I?" he said.

I just looked at him.

River took a deep breath.

"I'm staying" he said.

"Atleast for a good amount of time" he added.

"Maybe until you finish your senior year. I'll train here with everyone else then I might go into solitary training" he told me.

I felt a bit relieved hearing that.

Atleast he wasn't going to leave so soon.

"I also need time, Ree. You know, it's not easy for me to be apart from you either. You're my precious little sister and I'll miss you if I leave" he said.

I smiled a little and hugged him.

I hugged him tighter as his hugged me back.

"I'll always be there for you. No matter what happens in the future, you can still rely on me to be your big brother. Always" he said as he placed a kiss on my temple.

I nodded.

We hugged for a while until a helper knocked on my door and informed us that breakfast was ready and our parents were waiting for us downstairs.

River and I went downstairs together and went to the dining area where our parents were.

We greeted our parents then sat down as breakfast was served to us.

Then, we started casually talking.

We talked about what River planned on doing next and he revealed what he was planning to do.

I was the first to know his plans and my parents were second.

Our dad suggested that River can go to different packs during the weekends and train with their Alphas to learn more from them.

River thought it was a brilliant idea.

After that, the topic was about me since I'll be on my senior year this coming school year.

I figured it'd just be another common year for me.

Nothing special.

After breakfast, we headed out to go to River's graduation since he needed to be there earlier than the calk time.

We got into the car and I stared out the window.

River held my hand and gently squeezed it so I gave him a small smile.

After some time, we arrived in the campus and got off.

We headed inside to check in with everyone else then went to the field where the graduation ceremony will be held.

My parents and I came with River to our designated seats.

I looked around and I saw my other family members coming.

I nudged River and motioned to Astro's direction.

River and I excused ourselves to our parents and we came to greet our aunt and uncle.

"River. Reese" aunt Lia said as she opened her arms and hugged us.

"Auntie" River and I said.

Then, we turned to uncle Eero.

Uncle Eero gave us both a hug.

Then, I turned to Astro.

"Where's my congratulatory hug?" he said.

I chuckled and hugged him.

"I can't believe you're graduating too" I teased.

Astro chuckled.

"I bribed the professors with ny charm to pass me. Barely" he joked and I chuckled.

I also gave a Asi and Eeri a hug since they were also present.

Then, we all went to mom and dad amd they greeted each other.

After some chatting, we got back to our seats since the ceremony was about to start.

After a few minutes, it started and I just paid attention.

Soon enough, my brother's name was called out and he went to the stage and got his diploma and all.

He even received a few awards.

I really was so proud of him.

As the ceremony ended, the fresh graduates threw their graduation caps in the air.

A guard gave me the bouquet of flowers meant for my brother and I walked up to him with it.

River looked at me and I stopped in front of him.

"Congratulations on graduating high school, Riri" I said then I gave him the bouquet.

River smiled and accepted the bouquet.

"Thanks, lil sis" he said and he gave me a tight hug.

We took pictures together, then with our parents and our aunt, uncle and cousins.

I also took pictures with Astro and even gave him a bouquet as well to congratulate him on his graduation.

I stepped to the side as I looked at my family members as they talked.

I took out my phone and quietly captured the moment.

It

was nice.

Earlier, I was quite anxious and worried about this day and how things will change from here on.

Now, I'm not.

I figured I should stop over thinking it amd just treasure the time that I have with my brother and other family members that are here with me.

As I was looking at some of the pictures, I noticed the sky.

It was prettier than ever.

I looked up at the sky then I smiled.

Reeva, are you watching?

I hope you are.