Chapter 47 - Suspicious

"Mom," Ara whispers, frowning. "Mom, you've gone all quiet." It takes her mother a few seconds to snap out of her thoughts, and when she does she huffs out a small laugh and wipes away her tears. Ara scoots closer to her and places a hand on her arm.

"Are you okay? We don't have to do this if you don't want to." 

"No, no, it's okay," her mother whispers, smiling. "We should've done this a long time ago, there are so many empty pages here that should have your pictures on them." Ara grabs the photo album and closes it before putting it away so she can hug her mom. 

"Everything that has happened for the past two years has happened, what's important is what happens now that we're back together." Ara smiles and pulls back. "I've always loved you, mom, and I have long since forgiven you for everything you've done. It's forgotten, mom. Nothing to worry about." Ara's mother silently smiles at her, taking in her daughter's familiar facial features. She sighs and ruffles her hair before standing up. 

"It's late, you've got school tomorrow." Ara smiles and lies down on her bed, and her mother pulls up her blanket so it's covering her up to her chin. Just like she used to do when she was younger. Ara chokes back tears. "Good night, honey."

"Night, mom." When the door closes, Ara bites her lip and squeezes her eyes shut. Tears still manage to press past her eyelids, and she sniffles, wiping them away while staring up the ceiling. She's more than happy to have her mother back. 

The last two days with her have been amazing, everything has been like it used to be back in the days, and Ara wouldn't trade it for anything. Not even her dead father.

She has decided not to invest in the awakening ritual, not for herself nor for Krystal if she ever finds her. That's the type of magic that has it's downsides, and Ara doesn't want to bring her father back to life, only for things to go south when the universe wants order to be restored. 

She's slowly but surely drifting off when her window is opened and someone jumps inside the room. She should be scared, or surprised at least, but she isn't. The bed dips under the extra weight and then warm arms are enclosed around her waist. 

"You do realize we have school tomorrow," Ara mumbles, turning around to nestle her face into Kai's neck. He squeezes her waist and kisses her temple. 

"Why do you think I'm wearing my uniform?" Ara opens her eyes and leans back. It's quite dark in the room but the light from the moon outside creates a blue hue that makes it possible for the couple to see each other. Ara giggles. 

"Idiot." Kai arches an eyebrow and leans back to get a better look at Ara's face.

"What did you just call me?"

"Idiot," Ara stubbornly replies, and Kai scoffs. 

"I'm wearing my uniform the night before school so I don't have to go all the way back to the pack house tomorrow morning, and you're calling me an idiot?" Ara pretends to think for a few seconds before nodding. Kai smirks and suddenly flips them so he's hovering over Ara. 

"What're you doing?" Ara breathlessly whispers, her heart beating faster for each millimeter Kai's face nears hers. "My mom's in her room right down the hallway, Kai, don't you dare do anything funny." 

"I'm not gonna do anything funny," Kai murmurs, leaning his forehead on Ara's. "I'm aiming for romantic." He leans in and captures Ara's lips with his before she can protest, and then she's melting into him. The kiss is slow and steady, and Kai