Chapter One

                                Timika

                          10 Years Ago

“Mama, Mama…Look here!” I shout out, in excitement!

I am running toward my mother who is swaying on the big swing in our garden. My dad is only a few steps behind me, chuckling away.

“What is it sweetie?” Mommy beams at me. The way the sunrays are shining through the branches of the big old oak tree, are making her crystal green eyes sparkle.

 She has such a softness to her, making her look like an angel.

“Daddy got me my own guitar!”

I have never been this happy! This has to be the best birthday present ever! I have never wanted anything more in my young 11year old life!

“Thank you, Mama! Thank you, Papa!”

My parents share a look and envelop me in a loving hug. This moment here… my mother’s soft honey blonde hair touching my face, her scent of roses. My dad’s strong arms around us. His dark stubble brushing against my little shoulder. His scent of musk and freshly wet soil.  I feel so loved and safe right here.

“Oh, sweetheart, happy birthday!” Mommy beams at me.

“Happy birthday, my little blossom” Daddy says while giving me a wink and one of his warm smiles.

 “Sweetheart, you have worked so hard this year at school, and we can see that you are giving your all in everything you do. We are so proud of you! You deserve this!”  Mum says in her gentle, soft voice.

“Here…” she hands me another gift.

“What is it, Mama?” I ask, while taking the rectangular present from her.

“Well, go on… open it!” she replies, while smiling at me.

Daddy starts to chuckle at me again, and I join in with my own little giggle.

I start to unwrap the beautiful pink, glittery wrapping paper.

Oooh , I love glittery things!

My eyes grow larger when I see the beautiful wooden box.  The box is light wood, almost white. The letter “T” is engraved onto the lid, as well as three hearts overlapping one another. I have seen this exact design on my new guitar, except the guitar has a dandelion engraved at the bottom as well.

I open the box. Inside there’s a leather journal, and a shimmery pink pen with pink and turquoise fluff at the top. ‘Oh. My. Gloss! I love this pen!’ I think to myself.

I pick up the leather journal and smell the leather. I love that smell!

There is also little square jewellery box inside. I give my parents a glance. They both smile at me and nod their heads, silently telling me to go ahead and open the box. I bite softly on my lower lip, trying to hide my emotions. My heart is pounding so loud, and I feel so happy. I open the little box, and gasp ….

Inside there is a beautiful delicate rose-gold necklace, with a dandelion pendant.  The word ‘Wish’, engraved on one side of a flat piece, and on the other side the word ‘Dream’.

“Mama, Daddy!” I look at my parents, and then I study the delicate necklace again.

“This is so beautiful! Thank you so much for all my beautiful presents…I love them!”

I feel my eyes tearing up and at the same time I feel like my heart wants to burst of happiness. This is a strange feeling; I have never felt happy and sad at the same time. 

“Sweetie, we wanted to give you something that will be personal to you. Something that you can use on your journey into becoming a young lady. One you can look back on all the memories these gifts have brought you. Sweetheart, you have matured so much in this year. We are beyond proud of the amazing little princess you are!  We know how much you love to sing, so we hope that this will bring you so much joy!” Mommy says to me lovingly.

“My little blossom” Daddy adds… 

“I have never been prouder! You are everything we have ever hoped and dreamed about. And I want you to know that I feel proud that you are the future to our family legacy. Princess, we know you are working so hard to be the best you can be, we see it.  But we want you to also just enjoy being a kid for now. There will be a time for you to have that responsibility. But for now, just enjoy the things that make you, you! The things that make you happy.” Daddy says to me while stroking my cheek softly. 

“The journal is for all the amazing songs you are going to write. And the necklace, my little blossom, is a reminder that we never want you to ever stop wishing or dreaming. Always follow your dreams! Also, the three hearts on the book box, they resemble our three hearts. Mine and Mommy’s love for you. You are our sweetest gift ever! We love you so much princess.”

How am I this lucky? I feel so blessed to have them as my parents. To have them love me so much.

My dad, the Alpha of our pack, The Silver Mist Pack. He is well known around the country. Our pack is not the largest, but we are strong and have a reputation created by my dad, our Alpha.  Such a strong man and leader. I’ve heard stories about Daddy being dark and scary. But I always only see this gentle and loving side of him, toward Mommy and me. 

My father is a well-known Alpha, he is known for being fair and just, but also having no mercy on pack members who wrong others or their mates. Dad has even given rouges a chance to prove themselves and join our pack. My parents treat all people equal, even our Omegas are treated the same and are allowed everything the rest of the pack members are allowed.

This is how I am raised. My parents teach me to appreciate every bit of good in life, because not everyone in life is privileged to experience the good.

I have been taught by my parents to always appreciate the simplest of things, that not everyone is lucky to experience love. Some children are abandoned or treated poorly by their parents or gradians. Even some grown-ups never find love or even their mates. This makes me sad; everybody deserves to be happy and to have love. 

 “I love you too” I whisper back to my parents, still in our little group hug.

“Alright then, I think it’s the perfect time for some lunch and pink fairy cupcakes, what do you guys think?” Mommy asks us while standing up.

“Oh, yes!!!” I shout out with excitement!  Daddy has a huge grin on his face, giving Mommy an approving nod.

“I’ll come help you, Love” he adds. 

They both give me a kiss on my forehead, before turning to the packhouse.

“Call you when lunch is ready, Sweetie!” Mommy waves at me.

I watch them walk away, hand in hand.  Daddy pulls Mommy in and lifts her up bridal style.  

Oh, I hope one day my mate will love me the way Daddy loves Mommy! They are the perfect example of ‘Fated Mates’. 

We have been learning about ‘Mates’ at school this year. I was so excited to learn all about the bond and how everything works. We have basic education on “Fated Mates”, starting this year. When we turn 14yearsold, we get the “full blown” education…whatever that means …

What makes me sad, is that some wolves never find their fated mates. Most of the time, one of the fated pair will be killed before they ever meet, so their paths never cross. We believe in The Moon Goddess, Selene, and that when she created our wolves and their fated mates, fate will always lead them to one another.

But sometimes there is evil in the world.  Sometimes mates can hurt each other. When you have such a darkness in you, that love will not change you, the mate bond will mean nothing! Some mates hurt, abuse, or reject their fated mates. This is probably one of the greatest tragedies and can leave the victim to suffer immensely. Our Fated Mates are the other half to our soul. So having that special bond abused, taken, or broken can result into deep depression, pain and sometimes even a slow death.  

But, in some cases Moon Goddess knows our hearts and paths, and she will bless the person suffering with a ‘Second Chance Mate”.  And sometimes we find someone we really have a connection with and love, without being fated mates. Some wolves choose their own mate as a “Chosen Mate”.

But that’s all we have learned this year. I am so excited to learn all there is to know about “Mates” over the next few years!

I start to walk to the old oak tree in our garden. I sit on the grass and prop myself up, leaning my back against the trunk of the tree. My fingers find their position on my guitar, ‘OH MY GLOSS, I can’t believe I have my own guitar!’. 

My fingers start stroking the strings.

Daddy taught me how to play guitar, on his guitar he still has from high school. Apparently, he was in a band before he had to take his Alpha training seriously.  That image has me giggling sometimes.

My eyes are closed and I’m playing some chords and humming along, trying to get into a melody I like.  I love how the soft sounds are making me feel inside. 

It makes me happy and sad at the same time, again emotions that are new to me. Maybe it’s because I’m maturing into a pre-teen? But I like how it makes me feel, and I hope music will always be part of me.

Opening my eyes, I stare up at the soft light of the sun, breaking through the branches of the tree.  Sunbeams are dancing on the leaves and over my face. They are warm.

I smile when I imagine what it would feel like to sing on a stage, with stage lights shining on me.