Chapter 4

She tried to push the door shut, but a greater force held in back from the other sides, she pushed harder in tears, she was feeling weak. The other party won because they were larger. They slipped in as she stood back in defeat. King Desmond walked closer, but she moved back avoiding his touch. The others stood beside him, giving her a sad glare, she didn't want their pity, she had suffered enough, and she felt she could overcome this one.

"I'm sorry Jupiter"

"Is that even my name?" She mocked with a sneer and the man bowed slightly with a frown.

"I gave you Jupiter because you had none. I had promised the moon goddess to name all my children according to the planet which sat around her and you weren't different, because you were special to me as all of them" he explained

"Does that change anything?" She attacked "you watch me pray and cry. Why didn't you tell me it was a useless prayer that would never be answered"?

"I was scared Jupiter, I didn't want to lose you. I found you and you were my miracle"he said with a weak smile.

"What about my parents?"

"No one came to claim you, you were just there. I didn't know how you got there, how you crossed the boundary. You were lying there alone" he answered.

"How did you find me?" She asked as a million questions ran through her mind.

"Mercury was supposed to be born, but there was difficulty. I had stayed by my wife side, I was scared watching her cry and scream. I moved away in frustration into the forest. Because it was the second day of her labour and Mercury wasn't coming sooner. I was in my wolf form, howling and crying when I heard your magical cry, I had to search for where the sound came from and I saw you covered in a woolen cloth still covered in blood, I found no trace of anyone. Just you and when I got closer to you, you stopped crying and touched my fur. It was the first time I smiled since my wife went into labor. I knew you were human, but I couldn't leave you out there, you were charming with those red hair and green eyes" he blinked as the tears spilled down his face. "I hid you and brought you to the palace and only the midwife knew about you and my wife. And when we arrived into the labor room, Mercury came forth. You were my gift, a miracle"

Everyone was filled with tears when the man ended the story. Jupiter and Mercury were sobbing loudly.

"I don't belong here". She whispered

"This is your home Jupiter" Irine responded.

"Can't you see? I am never welcomed here" she said "we aren't even a family. I have no one, absolutely know one who shares the same blood with me"

"We might not share the same blood, but we are sister" Mercury frowned slightly.

"I am not your sister, we have never been sisters. It was just an assumption we were forced to believe" Jupiter answered bluntly

"We love you as a sister" Venus spoke

"You?" Jupiter laughed " you never loved me, even after confessing at your dying state that you loved me, you could still betray me easily when I asked you to tell them what happened, you said nothing happened".

"Jupiter..." Mars tried to speak but she interrupted

"You want to say something, Alpha king?" She sneered "when last did we speak to each other since you got the Alpha position? You've been busy with your wife and your council, too busy to care and now everyone acts like they ever cared".

"Jupiter!" Irine shouted "don't be rude"

"Oh please" she rolled her eyes "I'll like to be left alone"

"Jupiter you..."

"I said leave!" She interrupted her father, and everyone gasped in surprise before they slowly walk out of the room, she shut the door hardly behind them and slumped on the floor in tears, she leaned on the door, trying to push away the pains she felt, she fell asleep beside the door.

She could hear her name from a distance, she opened her eyes and the place was blurry, she was having a severe headache, she could hear her name echoing, she moved her legs which had been in a position for so long, it was heavy. She struggled up from the hard floor holding the door for support. She moved to the bed and sat on it to regain strength, it had become dark and she hadn't had any meal, her body was weak and tired.

"Jupiter!" She heard her name again, she knew it was from the door, she knew it was Mercury.

"Come in" she answered, and the door opened slowly revealing Mercury's face, she slides into the room.

"Hey" she waved at Jupiter.

"Hey" she answered not looking her way.

"We are having our family dinner now" Mercury said,

"Do you need to start reminding me? It's a daily thing and I remember" she answered rudely, and Mercury nodded.

"You remember our thirteen birthdays, when you told me I was the best sister you'll ever have. Does that still stand?" Mercury asked.

"I pushed you away after that day and we've never been closed. You're a stranger to me now and luckily enough we aren't sisters and that makes us a strangers" she rolled her eyes and Mercury bit her lower lip.

"Dad asked that I should call you, everyone is waiting at the dinning" Mercury turned to leave but Jupiter spoke.

"Tell them to go on without me, I'm fine".

Mercury ignored her and moved out of the room. Jupiter covered her face with her palm, trying not to regret what she had done. Then something came into her mind, she ran into the bathroom, she showered, dressed and hurried out to the dinning.

She strolled into the dinning, she met them all quiet and it was unusual, they hadn't touched their food, they stared at nothing with their different thoughts. They looked up at her as she came closer, she ignored their curious eyes and walked to the empty chair beside Mercury and her father. She opened the food and began eating hungrily, they joined her quietly and ate their food, but it was obvious they were toying with the food except her, they were barely eating but she had finished her meal already, then drank the water beside her before looking back at them. She cleared her throat to gain their attention and they looked up at her

"I was thinking about something" she began "what if my parent were out there, searching for me all this years"

"They would give up now, it's been nineteen years" Mars answered.

"What if they haven't?" She questioned back.

"I don't know" the father replied slowly.

"I thought of leaving, to find my family and be among my kind of people"

They all looked at her, shocked at what she said, and she knew they were going to object, but she was ready to stand by her words, she wasn't going to let them make decisions for her.

"You can't do that!" Irine exclaimed.

"You're going no where Jupiter" king Desmond said authoritatively.

"I'm old enough to make my decisions, I have my choices, right?"

"Yes, you do but..."

"There's no but, this is my decision" she spoke bluntly

They began arguing among themselves, bringing up their own opinions, suggestions and decisions.

"Let her leave!" Mercury shouted finally, and this time Jupiter's eyes widen

"What? Venus asked.

" She wants to go, she isn't comfortable here anymore, there's no point arguing because of her. She said we are strangers, she called me a stranger then she shouldn't eat and dine with strangers. She lived with us for nineteen years and she isn't grateful dad never left her in the forest to die" This time Mercury was crying "I beg you let her go and do whatever she wants, because she's not my family".

Mercury got up and walked away from the table, sniffing and whipping her tears, she left everyone on the table speechless, they stared at each other and Mars got up.

"I think Mercury is right, we wronged Jupiter in ways she barely knows, and I think she's paying us back. We should grant her the freedom she wants" Mars added and turned to Jupiter.

"I've not been the best big brother you wanted because I was busy protecting our land, but I had you in mind always, I cared about you and was always worried. You never know how much I loved you even when you weren't my sister. So now I guess it's a privilege to be a stranger to you dear Jupiter. Have the best life where ever you find yourself, I pray you find your parents" he smiled and walked away.

Venus stared quietly at her as she blinked back the tears threatening to fall out.

"I barely know what to say, I was going to start loving you but now it's not possible, it's never going to work, it's late. You're pushing everyone away. That won't stop me from saying I love you, do what makes you happy little sister". Venus gave a weak smile and moved away.

The three people said nothing. Jupiter bowed slightly ignoring the couple's eyes, she knew they had a lot in mind but got no choice.

"You'll leave any day you want to, even tomorrow. I'll prepare everything you need before tomorrow morning" the man said "I'll order a personal driver, maid and a personal assistant for you. You'll begin school and find your parents. I'll send some men to help find them too. if you need to come back, then you're welcome"

"You'll be fine over there, I pray you cope, the human world is different, It's different from our kingdom. You'll meet a lot of new persons. But I trust you, you'll be fine" Irine added and the couple got up slowly, then walked closer and hugged her individually before moving to their rooms, leaving her speechless.

Yes, she wanted the freedom, but she didn't expect them to agree so easily. Everything they said rang in her mind. She knew she has hurt Mercury and everyone else. She had also pushed them away when all the did was love her. She wasn't grateful that king Desmond had taken her and trained her as his own, instead of tossing her away to her death. He never stopped loving her as his child and never showed that she wasn't his child.

Queen Irine had breastfeed her, nurture and showed her the love she showed to all her children. She knew her words and actions had hurt them, and it got to her mother mostly, she saw the pains in the older woman eye.

Alpha Mars had loved her beyond description, protected her from other problems and fought for her. Mercury had been the best sister, she comforted her, stood by her and loved her immeasurably and Venus was beginning to love her, but she was walking out of their lives like they never existed.

She got up from the chair and headed for her room. As she got closer, her sharp hearing ability made her hear the cries from Mercury's room, she leaned closer by the door, listening to the prayers she whispered.

"I don't want her to go, but If she does, please be with her moon goddess" Mercury cried "If this is the only prayer you would answer from me, please protect her, be with her, lead her to the right part, keep her alive, she's still my twin, even if she doesn't share the same blood as me. You brought her to our family as a miracle, please protect our miracle. This is all I pray for" she whispered as she cries harder.

Jupiter pushed the door open and walked inside, Mercury looked up at her with red and swollen eyes, her cheeks were flushed red and her lips were sore.

"I'm sorry" Jupiter said but Mercury ignored her and turned to the window, looking outside.

"How long have you been eavesdropping?"she asked

"Long enough to know that you still care so much about me even after all I did and said" Jupiter replied

"Do I have a choice?" She gave a weak smile " I had always cared and loved you, this is the thank you I got, but I can't stop you from doing what you have to do"

"Thank you"

"I don't need it Jupiter, it means nothing now. Don't forget we are strangers"

"But you..."

"But nothing" Mercury interrupted "you said that yourself. Go to bed, I'm sure you'll be leaving tomorrow morning, dad is already making call for the arrangements of your arrival at the other side. Go and rest, I guess I need the rest too, so I'll wake up early and bid you farewell" she said not turning to face Jupiter.

She heard the footsteps moved away and the door shut, she slumped into her bed, closed her eyes and waited for sleep to take over.

She groaned and rolled, struggling to breath. She fought to wake up from the nightmare, but she was lost there.

Venus moved inside the room, she saw her on the bed, sweating profusely and dripping. "Jupiter?" she called tapping her, but she wasn't responding, she was fighting an Invisible force that Venus couldn't see. She quickly mind link everyone to appear and sooner their footsteps were heard running closer.

"She's not waking" Venus said immediately the other family arrived, they all moved closer to the bed trying to get the words she whispered.

"I don't know you" Jupiter murmured "And I must go back to my family"

They glanced at each other, confused about what was happening, then looked back at her."they are the only family I know, the Alpha king is my only father and you can't claim to be my father unless you have a proof" she raised her voice this time. "You can't keep me here".

Then the struggling continued, she was fighting furiously, and king Desmond went closer, tapping her gently.

"Jupiter come back, we are here for you" he said and suddenly she stopped moving, her breath went back to its normal pace. And her eyes sprang open. she had heard his voice, the voice of her father, it pierces into her dream world and called her out. she glanced at him then all of them.

"I heard your voice" she whispered "it penetrated into my dream".

"Want to talk about it?" He asked, and she shook her head negatively

"I'm fine. I'm leaving today" she said and got down from the bed "I need some privacy please"

They moved out of the room quietly. She tried to understand the dream, but she couldn't. She saw another man in that dream who claimed to be her father, he had an evil smile, his eyes were red, and she was sure she saw blood drip from his mouth.

She moved into the bathroom, getting herself prepared for her trip and the new land she would arrive before twenty-four hours, she was still trying to figure her new self and the only way to know that was going to her home, the human world.

She stood in front of the palace, a thick black Limousine was in front of her, the maids and guards packed her luggage into the car. The whole family stood outside except Mercury, she looked around trying to get sight of her but couldn't find her, she could see the gloomy face of the other people and the teary face of her mother.

They stared at her quietly, waiting for the maids to leave before they could interact and soon, the maids around dismissed and retired to their previous duty.

She walked closer to them, thinking of what to say to them. The tear streaked face of her mother could make her breakdown in tears.

"I'm sorry again Jupiter" King Desmond started" you could still change your mind or stay longer to think about it"

"There's nothing to think about" she said calmly, looking down and avoiding their glare.

And Queen Irine broke down and sob on her husband's chest. Jupiter bit her lips trying to hold back her tears from falling.

"Jupiter" Prince Mars called his voice with deep emotion "My baby sister, I would never forget you. You'll be fine, Dad trained you well, but that won't stop me from visiting you" he said with smile on his face but was batting with his emotions.

Venus moved forward and hugged her tighter with tear Rolling down her face.

"I want you to stay" she cried "I want to be that good sister"

"I'm sorry" Jupiter apologized and pulled away from Venus, then looked at everyone." I was wrong, very wrong about all I said yesterday and I'm sorry" she turned to Venus.