spectrum ft. ria choony, take you there.

Amir is at the bottom of the escalators waiting for us, my hands wave hysterically as I move down the incredibly slow escalator. When I reach the bottom I run towards him, more than excited to finally see my friend again.

I throw my hands behind him as he lifts me in a strong embrace. When I'm set down I wear the biggest smile, "My goodness, Amir! I've missed you so much, how are you?"

He laughs lightly, "Hey, Queen-to-be, I'm alright and how are you?"

I shove him lightly, "Don't you dare call me that, I'm great. This is," I turn just as everyone joins us pointing them out as I say their names.

Asanté and Danica would be joining us tomorrow which was even more perfect. Everyone greets Amir as he leads us to the limousine, an entirely different car followed behind holding the luggage.

"Lerato, I know you haven't been here in a minute but why on earth did you pack so much?" Amir says as he looks at the rearview mirror, watching the bags being loaded into the car.

I knew the answer but I hadn't discussed it with anyone so I just shrugged and threw out any excuse, "Listen, it doesn't hurt anyone to have a few extra outfits. You don't know my plans."

To be honest, I had every intention to rule from here. Nothing in me wants to remain in South Africa, the UAE has been a good restart for me and so would this position. Everything has just started afresh for me and I think now more than ever being here is what I need.

I couldn't live in that palace, a place he once lived and breathed. I couldn't rule from his chambers, sit in his office, take walks in his backyard. I wouldn't be able to cope back there, I needed to start my life here. Without looking back.

They could keep everything as is, just remove the gates around the City. Have a gate around the palace, sure but not around the Royal City, there shall no longer be a Royal City. No one has to move from there but it will no longer be a separate space, a wonder to unseen eyes.

Just another werewolf town.

My biggest issue now would be building a home here, that would take a while but it would have to be done. I can't stay with those two brothers forever, I would surely go mad. Their bickering is hilarious but I doubt I would think that on day three hundred of living with them.

I suppose that would be a part time home until ours is completely done.

"Hey, snap out of it. We're not here to think so hard." Raheem whispers in my ear, everyone was chatting away whilst I was locked up in my own thoughts.

I smile at him before placing a light kiss on his neck, laying my head on his shoulder, "Sorry, I did get a little carried away."

A feather light kiss goes on my head, "It's okay, it's been quite the few weeks."

I didn't even bother paying attention to the conversations around me, my eyes just drifted from face to face and I couldn't help the smile on mine. Kuhle and Tshiamo really looked happier, they look quite a bit better and I was happy about that.

"Where are we staying?" I asked Raheem as I took one of his hands in both of mine. Playing with his fingers as we spoke.

"My place, seeing as everyone is in a couple there'll be enough rooms."

I nod lightly, "I see, well, that'll be fun."

Arriving at the home was odd, the last time I was here it didn't end very well but in a way it actually might've. Even though I hadn't known then that he was my mate, that small misunderstanding really did elevate the entire relationship.

Raheem takes ahold of my hand as soon as we step out of the limousine, "Well, welcome to my home guys." He says just as his brother opens the front door.

"Oh my goodness, look who knows how to open the front door."

Khalil lets out a light chuckle, "Goddess, I've missed you. Come here," he says even though he himself was already walking towards me.

We meet in the middle and share a tight embrace, "Phone calls were doing no justice at all." I mutter in his embrace.

He laughs as we pull away, "They weren't, especially with this spy." He nudges his head towards his older brother.

Raheem responds by shoving him, Khalil surprisingly not expecting that stumbles a little before laughing. His laugh silences immediately when he finally looks beyond me, I'm assuming seeing Tshiamo. His face almost looks pained before he gives a small smile.

"Welcome to my Pack," he says to the four behind me as I turn towards them too, silently tucking myself underneath Raheem's arm, "I'm Alpha Khalil." He introduces himself to the two mates that would not know him.

Raheem scoffs, "Not for much longer." My brows furrow immediately but I don't question his words as this isn't the right moment.

Amanda and Kamo introduce themselves before Khalil turns to the siblings, Kuhle is the first one to break the ice as he pulls Khalil in for a bro hug. When he looks over at Tshiamo he's the first to speak, "I'm so sorry for your loss," he also turns towards Kuhle.

Tshiamo welcomes him with a hug, "Thank you, it's been too long."

They share a few more words before we enter the house, Khalil points to the passageway to the left, "There's one bedroom and two bathrooms there but I'm not sure anyone will want to stay there. So, there's rooms upstairs with en-suite bathrooms and I assumed those are the ones you'd all want?"

Everyone nodded and he proceed to tell everyone where their rooms were. There's a double staircase up ahead and passageways with bedrooms at both sides. To the left was for the brothers and myself I suppose and to the right are the spare rooms.

I had never even been upstairs so that's a little nerve wracking, oh my goddess, I have never even shared a bed with the man. At that thought I froze for a moment before a mad woman laugh escaped me.

"Woah ma'am, are you okay?" Amanda chuckles, "Lemme just take this girlie away for a bit." She grabs my arm and I lead her out into the patio.

As soon as we sit on the patio chairs she raises a brow, "What was that honey?"

My eyes immediately jump to the sliding door then the windows double checking that they're all closed, "I've never shared a bed with him and when Khalil was explaining the sleeping arrangements I realised that. He didn't exactly mention me. He told the four of you where's your shared rooms and moved on. Meaning? I'm in Raheem's room, which I mean I figured but I didn't think about it until now."

Amanda throws her head back and laughs, "That's what you're going on about? Seriously? Gosh, girl. I thought you made out with his brother or something."

"Oh my goddess! Why would I do that?" I just about screech.

She shrugs with a chuckle, "I don't know, I'm sorry. You froze so abnormally I thought you remembered some flashback or something. So, I assumed that was it."

"Goddess, no. I never even thought of doing that."

Her brows furrow, "Then who was the other guy?"

A lightbulb went off and I finally remembered the conversation we had over the phone whilst I was sitting poolside, "Oh, that was actually Amir," my body shudders, "Ugh, I can't even believe it looking back now."

My eyes glanced through the sliding door and Raheem was making his way towards us, his eyes caught mine and he flashed me that knee breaking smile.

Yeah, my eyes will never see anyone else now.