Notice Me (28 page)

I needed answers, now that the truth is
out on the table. "Where d-did y-you get me from?" I stuttered in
shock. My body was sitting there in Spain, but my mind was spinning
all over the place. Just when you think things in your life are
going great, there's always a monkey wrench thrown in there.
More nerve-wracking sobs were heard before mom managed to calm down
enough to speak. "Your father and I were in Spain on our honeymoon.
I already knew when we got married that I wasn't able to have
children."
Mom's infertile, how did I not know this? I just always figured
they didn't want anymore children, that me being an only child was
a blessing. Only to find out now that I might possibly be the
missing baby of four children who were given birth to the Perez
family?
"We...we were having a picnic in the woods when we heard your
cries." Mom hiccuped for air as she continued with her explanation.
"You were so tiny, so tiny...just a naked newborn baby abandoned
there in the woods!"
"There was no one in sight, you were just left there on a sheet.
Whoever it was disposed of you like you were trash, so we did the
only humane thing we could think of and took you home with us." My
mom's voice sounding a bit on the defensive side. They saved
me...my parents saved me. If they left me in the woods there's no
doubt in my mind I would've been eaten by animals, froze or starved
to death.
"I think we've found my real family." I whispered as I mindlessly
picked at the comforter underneath my fingers.
"Honey, where are you? What makes you think you've found your real
family up at the Evan's cabin? What's going on, do I need to come
there?" My mom prattled off wanting answers.
"I'm not sure yet, but I promise I'll call you back when I get some
answers." I said giving her the best form of an answer that I
could.
There was still one more question I needed to ask of her before I
could come to some form of acceptance. "How'd you come up with my
name, Annalise?" I asked.
"You wouldn't believe me if I told you." She chuckled a little. Try
me, before Tristan I didn't believe in many things existing, but
I've been proven terribly wrong! "A gorgeous woman came to me in my
dream one night and told me to name you Annalise."
A gorgeous woman came to her in her dream? Who could that of been,
my mother, Luna Nina? No wonder why she didn't want to tell us, it
did make her sound crazy.
"You’re not crazy.“ I added before telling her, “ And Mom, I love
you." She let out a sigh of relief in hearing me call her mom. Did
she think I'd hate them for taking me away? I was nothing but
appreciative for their kindness towards me.
"I love you too baby. Please call me back when you know anything at
all." Mom murmured into the line. "Tristan, please make sure you
take care of her."
"I promise I will forever Mrs. Foster." Tristan responded before
hanging up the phone and turning in the bed to face me.
"We need to go speak to my Dad and Alpha Perez." Tristan advised
placing the palm of his hand against my
cheek.

Leaning into his hand, I basked in the
warmth and allowed it to comfort me. So many different things
swirled about in my mind. If I'm a Perez what does this mean for
me? Shouldn't I be a she-wolf since they're all wolves? Could I be
some rare phenomenon that I was born to a family of wolves, yet not
one of them? Did mom have to fake an actual pregnancy in order to
play it off like they were my parents? There's no way they could've
just adopted me.
What were they going to tell the government officials that they
found me in the woods while on honeymoon in Spain? Of course if
that was done then an all out investigation might have been
started. That would mean the news would be broadcast to the
citizens of Spain that an abandoned baby was found. It's not like
the traitors would find out since they were all hunted and killed.
Surely Alpha Perez may have put two and two together that I was his
daughter if that was the case, wouldn't he?
Tristan's POV
Sitting next to Lise I held her hand in my own reassuringly. We
were sitting across from my dad and Alpha Perez in his study. My
heart drumming in my chest at a fleeting pace caused me to look
over at my mate's beautiful face for some form of relaxation. She
stared back at me with worry filled eyes making a slight twinge of
pain develop in my heart. I gave her hand a reassuring squeeze to
let her know everything will be ok.
If she is indeed Alpha Perez's daughter this changes everything
completely. For one thing it'll mean that Lise is a wolf, she has
to be. Alpha Perez, Rico and Alonso are all wolves as well as Luna
Nina and Mia. She-wolves typically shift on their sixteenth
birthday, normally. Seeing how Lise wasn't raised in a pack amongst
other wolves, maybe her wolf didn't know what to do. She was a late
bloomer after all, maybe she's an exception to the case?
"What's the pressing issue you needed to discuss with us, son?" My
Dad's voice interrupted my train of thoughts.
Sitting up straighter in the chair my eyes were drawn to the photo
above the fireplace. "We have reason to believe that Annalise is
Analia."
"Why would you say that?" Dad asked wanting us to elaborate on our
crazy conclusion. He stared at me like I'd lost my mind.
"Go stand underneath that photo, Lise." I directed pulling her to
stand on her feet. Lise walked slowly over to the fireplace and
stood underneath the photo.
Alpha Perez drew in a sharp breath as he jumped up from his place
in the chair. His eyes shifting back and forth from Lise's face to
Nina's photo.
After extensive questioning from my father and Alpha Perez, the
three of us were thoroughly convinced that Annalise Foster is
indeed Analia Nina Perez.
Alpha Perez let out a cry of happiness as he grabbed Lise into an
awkward hug and cried, "Mi nena, estás vivo!" Lise returned Alpha
Perez’s hug and cried at hearing him scream,
‘my baby, you're alive’
. Deep within my soul I
knew the tears she was crying was one of happiness and sadness.
Happy that she now knows the truth, yet sadness for the real Mother
and Sister she's never had the opportunity in knowing.
"Come, we must prepare a celebration." Alpha Perez proclaimed
taking Lise's hand and leading her out of the study.
Within an hour the entire deck area and backyard was filled with
their pack along with us guests. Lise stood beside Alpha Perez,
Rico, and Alonso. We already notified Luke, Anya, Troy, Andre,
Axel, Jett, and my Mom of the news. To say everyone was shocked
would be an understatement.
"I knew it!" Anya cried pointing to Lise in disbelief. "Ever since
that night at the club when we saw the picture. Something ate away
at me!"
"Atención." Alpha Perez announced with his heavy Spanish accent.
"We are celebrating the home coming of su princesa Analia!" An
outburst of cheers erupted from the wolves around us. I just stood
there in astonishment, my mouth slightly ajar.
Princess Analia? They’re royalty which means she’s royalty. Which
only means one thing, they're not going to let her leave the
grounds now that they have her home. Maybe we should've thought
this out before we came out and exposed the truth. What am I going
to do now in regards to taking my mate home with me?

Chapter 42: Princess
Love
Lise's POV
My entire body stiffened and the palms of my hands began sweating
profusely as I finally began processing the announcement just made
by Alpha Perez, my father. I don't think I'll ever be able to call
anyone else Daddy besides the one I've known my entire life. I used
to believe in the notion that everything in life happens for a
reason, but now I'm not so sure.
Well, let me not speak too soon. If my parents didn't come to Spain
for their honeymoon and rescue me then I would have never, been
introduced to the world of werewolves and best of all Tristan.
Princess Analia though, really? In case you haven't realized, I'm
hardly Princess material! I have the poise of a football linebacker
trying to walk around in stilettos. My pupils dilated as my eyes
broadened at the site before me. The entire Manzanares Pack,
including my father and brothers were down on one knee bowing their
heads in my honor.
For some strange reason I was getting a eerie vibe off of Maria.
She seemed to be friendly at first, but ever since the announcement
of me being Analia, the long lost daughter. I don’t know, maybe I'm
just being paranoid. Staring out through the realms of bodies, I
searched for those familiar hazy eyes that managed to bring
tranquility to my soul making every situation better.
This time however when our eyes met I didn't feel a sense of
calmness wash over me. Instead, the feeling of trepidation filled
my heart. The normally calm and collected looking Tristan had an
unrecognizable expression that plagued his face. It was one filled
with worry along with regret? His Mom and Dad stood at his side
both beaming with happy smiles, while Luke, Anya, Axel, Jett, Troy
and Andre watched me in awe. Is he looking at me differently now
that I've been announced as a Princess? Why doesn't he look the
least bit happy for me?
"Show them Analia." Rico muttered as he stood up beside me placing
his hand on my shoulder. "They won't truly believe until they've
seen it." Nodding my head at my eldest brother, I used my hand to
slide my cardigan off my shoulder exposing the only thing that
could confirm I was indeed Princess Analia Perez.
A wave of gasps was heard over the silence of the crowd, when they
all surveyed the mark of royalty on my right shoulder. I always
thought it was just a plain old ugly birthmark, but after seeing
Rico and Alonso's matching marks, it proved to me that what I hoped
to be a hallucination really was indeed a reality. Point proven,
end of discussion right? No, wrong...very wrong. Rico and Alonso
informed me that I now had to meet each and every single wolf in
the pack, oh joy.
You're all probably thinking I took the news of being found
abandoned in the woods rather well. I don't think I've actually had
the chance to absorb any of it just yet. It all went in one ear and
I believe it was either stuck in transition somewhere in my brain
or that it quickly escaped out through my other ear. The thought of
everything that transpired to both my Mother Nina and Sister Mia
made me physically sick. The taste of putrid bile was rising from
my stomach to my throat making me want to vomit.
'Keep it together Lise' The little
voice nagged in my head. 'It won't be very princess-like, let alone
lady-like if you puke all over the place and the members of the
pack!'
Closing my eyes I took a few deep breaths in
through my nose. I just finished meeting the last wolf of the pack.
Ask me if I can recall a single name, go on and ask me. I can
honestly say I don't remember a single soul, zip, zilch,
nada.
Where'd my memory go? I'd like to attribute my sudden case of
amnesia to all the recent stress I've been under. Finding out
you're not who you thought you once were and a Princess all in one
day is a lot to handle! I need to be alone in order to freak out,
but of course that wasn't possible. I'm barely holding on by a
thread here people. After all, I was whisked away to a homecoming
celebration without being given a chance to digest any of it. A few
more minutes...just a few more is all I have to endure and maintain
my composure.
Once this is over I can retreat to the confinements of my room and
bawl my eyes out. Maybe I can talk Anya into having a girl's night?
Think they have rocky road ice cream in Spain? The electrifying
tingles that jolted up my right hand abruptly caused my nerves to
calm down. It sent my heart fluttering about, but in a good way. I
don't have to open my eyes to know that Tristan was standing behind
me holding my hand. Somehow he could sense I was troubled and that
he needed to comfort me. Tristan's right hand was entwined with
mine as he stepped closely behind me. He placed a kiss on the back
of my head before leaning down and whispering in my ear.
"You ok up here Princess?" Tristan's voice was playful but he
didn't sound like his usual self. "Seems like you're a little
nervous to me." Turning around I instantaneously wrapped my arms
around his waist burying my head into his chest. Allowing the
rhythmic beating of his heart to soothe my rapidly out of whack
one.
"Hey..." Tristan uttered leaning back a bit so he could get a good
look at my face. Instead of complying with him I stubbornly closed
the space again. "Lise, look at me baby. After realizing that I
wasn't going to peel my face away from his chest, Tristan gently
grabbed a hold of my face with both his hands.
There was a whirlwind of thoughts going rampant in my mind. First
and foremost, I sure as heck don't know the first thing about being
a Princess, nor do I want to be one. Secondly, what happens to me
now? Do I stay in Spain or can I just get up and return to my comfy
town of Port Clyde where my family and school is?
"Something's wrong." I mumbled under my breath allowing my eyes to
roam across his handsome face. Why do guys do this? They try to
keep things from you so you don't worry, but in turn cause us to
worry twice as much, because we know deep down inside they're
hiding something.
Tristan gave me the smallest of smiles allowing the corners of his
lip to tug up in crookedly. "Nothing's wrong, at least not
yet."
"What're you talking about?" I asked curiously needing to know why
he's speaking in code language? Just spit it out already! That's
when it hit me. Why else would Tristan look so sad when I was
announced as Princess? Oh no, isn't it some cardinal rule that
Princesses have to marry Princes or some crap like that? "What's
going to happen to us now?" My voice filled with panic as my hand
fisted his t-shirt tightly. He had to have some sort of inkling
right? Weren't there werewolf laws they had to live by?
Pulling me close, Tristan slouched down slightly tucking his face
into the crook of my neck. Here I was thinking it was a sweet
gesture, but then he began talking in a hushed whisper. It was like
he didn't want anyone to know what was being discussed. "You're
royalty sweetheart, they won't let you leave here without a
fight."
"They can't force me to stay somewhere I don't want to." I grumbled
trying my best from throwing an all out hissy fit.
"Only other solution is..." Tristan's voice trailed off as he
placed a gentle kiss on his mark causing my knees to buckle from
under me. "Once we're mated they can't separate you from me. You'll
belong to my pack."
Oh gee, no pressure there at all to hurry up and mate before
tomorrow so that I can go home to my normal life. Though something
deep inside me says nothing's going to be normal from here on
out.
Tristan's POV
As I hugged up on my mate and inhaled mouthfuls of her addicting
scent, the sound of a low grumbling gnarl coming from behind Lise
put me on high alert. Standing up straighter than an arrow my eyes
locked with those of Marco. Who the hell does this pup think he's
growling at? Pulling Lise and tucking her away so that she was
standing behind me, I gave Marco my best 'back off' warning glare
as Luke came rushing to my side. It may have been a low warning,
but wolves hear everything. By the sound of that deep rumbling
coming out of Marco's chest, it wasn't from hunger and it sure as
anything wasn't gas.
"You have no right to treat the Princess in that manner." Marco
spat out like I was the dirt on the bottom of his shoe. Didn't we
just get done risking all of our lives to help this guy get his
mate back and this is how he repays me? "You're not royalty, you
have no claims to the Princess." Marco said cockily with a raised
eyebrow almost like he was proposing a challenge.
"I may not be royalty, but this is my mate and I'll be damned if
you tell me I have no claims to her...because this right here says
otherwise." I bellowed angrily pointing to my mark on her
flesh.
"Mia may have been my true mate, but she's gone now." Marco began
staring at Lise hungrily. "Being that I'm Prince an arrangement was
made between my father and Alpha Perez that I'd marry his
daughter...the Princess. Whether it be Mia or Analia, an agreement
was made and I always get what I want."
I swear on everything I know, I'll gouge this prick's eyeballs out
if he keeps looking at her that way. His eyes were wandering where
they shouldn't be, especially not with me here disrespectful
douche. Not able to control my convulsing body for much longer, I
mind linked Luke. 'Get Lise away from here, I'm going to kill this
bastard Prince.'
"You'll get what you want alright dipshit." I snapped feeling my
canines breaking through the gums as my chest heaved up and down.
"Over my dead body!" I snarled allowing my wolf to surface as I
sprung forward tackling him to the ground.
I planned on clamping my jaws down and ripping his throat out for
threatening to take the most important thing in my life away. In my
head I pictured it to be a whole lot easier to kill this fool then
it really was. For being smaller and scrawnier than I am, he sure
has a lot of power.
Upon my attack, Marco instantly shifted causing us to roll around
and go barreling into the closest tree. I could hear Lise's screams
in the background pleading for us to stop. Our muzzles snapped
viciously at one another in attempts to take a chunk out of each
other's flesh, but to no avail. Circling around each other, it was
obvious we were both sizing one another up. Trying to pinpoint the
other's weakness so that we'd know when the best time to
attack.
We're both Alpha's, raised to defend ourselves in the best possible
way. Bred to be excellent fighters and precision killers. It was so
difficult for me to focus when all I heard in the background were
Lise's pleas to my father and Alpha Perez to make us stop. Too late
to stop it baby, Marco opened up the wrong can of worms when he
challenged me by threatening to take you. That's the last thing any
sane wolf would do. Just because he's a Prince he thinks its
acceptable to become a tyrant all of a sudden? What's he got
multiple wolf personalities or something? One-minute he's friendly,
the next he's mourning the loss of his mate, then he completely
loses it and comes after what's mine?