Chapter 1: Turning 18

I wake up to a loud sound outside my window and get up to look, when I see my father in a ferocious battle in the distance.  Scared and not knowing what is going on, I rush to find my mother.  As soon as I open my door, I run face first into her and the shock of it all makes me take a few minutes to realize that she is trying to get me to move.

Shoving me back into my room and forcing me to get in the cage, I feel like my world is spinning out of control.  She locks me in and then leaves, shutting the door behind her.  I have only seen that look on her face once before, when an intruder came this close to stealing me away at the age of 15.  Falling asleep, I don't wake up till the next morning.

"Get up Anastasia, you need to get ready.  We have a big surprise for you for your birthday.  Someone very special is coming today to meet you."  My mom gently hugs me and kisses me on the forehead.  For some reason, I can tell she is exremely excited and is practically bursting at the seems as she hurries from my bedroom.  

Realizing that I'm still in the cage, I stand up and yawn while stretching and working my tired muscles.  I look around the room, trying to adjust my eyes.  Still struggling to wake up, I stub my toe on the corner of the bed while searching for my robe and yell out, "Ouch!" before feeling the soft cloth under my fingertips.  After slipping it on, I go to my mother's side and give her a good morning kiss.  Yawning again, I say, "Excuse me." and find a seat at the table for breakfast.

Father, who is sitting across from me, briefly looks up to acknowledge my existence before continuing to read his book on the first World War and taking another bite of food.  He never talks to me much, I guess it helps that we don't exactly see eye to eye on most things.  When I was younger, if I did anything wrong he would discipline me severely, then he would say, "You have to learn your place Ana, or later on you will pay for it far more dearly than you ever imagined possible."  I still don't know what he meant by that, but I suppose some day I might.  

By the time I finish my breakfast and help clean up the table, it is 9 a.m. and I am running late for my routine.  My mom stops me, taking my hand and siting me down on the couch.  She looks as if she has some important news to tell me, but is scared to.  Staring at her, I can see that even though she is only 38 years old, her beautiful face shows signs of a hard life.  Crows feet, decorate the corners of her eyes and there are a couple scars from when she had to fend off male intruders while I was growing up.

See, I never had a normal life like I read in my novels.  When I was born, I was hid away on this mountain top and I have never talked with anyone else but my parents.  At the age of 13, a beautiful woman came to me in a dream.  She told me that everything would be different from then on and that some day I would be one of the most powerful lunas ever. 

My wolf, as I have come to understand is the beautiful woman and she has been my one and only friend over the years.  Unfortunately, at the same time as my wolf was unlocked, I started to go into heat and my parents had to cage me every full moon for my own protection.  I remember often hearing the howling from the distance and seeing the aftermath when my parents woke up the next morning covered in wounds.

"Anastasia dear.  I need you to listen to me very carefully."  She speaks softly but with concern in her eyes.  Pausing, she glances at something and then continues as if she was searching for just the right words. 

"When you were born, a wise man came to us and promised that if we gave you to him on your 18th birthday, he would always take care of you with the uttermost respect.  You would be rich and powerful, having more than we could ever hope for.  Your father and I agreed to it, even though it meant that we had to keep you hid away on this mountain till today.  I hope you will some day find it in your heart to forgive us for this, but when the Alpha King comes for you, you will be his mate.  It is your destiny."

Shocked and curious at the same time, I wonder why she never told me this before today.  I ask, "Why are you telling me this now after so many years?"

She bows her head and stares at her feet before answering, "Because he will be here soon and you need to be ready."  She stands up and walks over to the end table and pulls out a box with a red silk bow on it.

Handing it to me, she says, "Here, this is for you.  Open it."  Her eyes light up and I see a strange look in her eyes that I have never seen before.

Carefully, I unwrap it and take the top off.  Inside, a piece of white tissue paper covers the gift.  Unfolding it, I discover the most beautiful red silk dress that I have ever seen in my 18 years.  Staring at it, I feel odd and when I turn to hug my mother, I notice that she has tears forming in her eyes. 

She smiles and says, "You need to hurry up and put it on.  The Alpha King will be here any time now and when he sees you in that, he will fall in love with you at first site Ana.  Inside the box there are a pair of fancy panties and matching bra too, make sure you wear them.  Tonight, he will mate with you and your whole world will change."  She hugs me and stands up, rushing me along to my room.

Getting dressed and brushing my hair, I admire my reflection in the full length mirror.  "Now, I am as bad as mom." I mutter to myself as tears form in my eyes.  

Hearing a loud knock at the front door, I prepare myself and when my mother yells for me to come out, I make my grand entrance.  All eyes fixed on me, the only soul I see in the room is the man in the corner.  His tall, lean but still muscular body pulls me in, but when I meet his eyes, I can't look away. 

Gorgeous green eyes that seem to be greener than I thought possible, stare deep into my soul and claim me the minute I walk through my bedroom door.  Nothing is said, but everyone in the room understands as I make my way across the living room to him.  For some reason, there is this unmistakeable bond that I can't deny between us.  

I wouldn't say I am in love with him, but there is something there that I don't understand one bit.  I already feel bonded to him, even though we haven't mated yet, as if I actually were destined to be his.  Is this what my wolf was talking about when she first came to me in the dream?

When I stop in front of him, I can feel the electricity between us and it scares me.  He painstakingly looks me up and down before saying anything and when he does, everyone in the room listens. 

He declares, "You are Anastasia Rochminov my mate.  From now on you will live with me and bear me heirs.  In return, your parents will be richly compensated for the years they have had to keep you hidden away and you will have anything your heart desires, just as long as you stay by my side."

I watch as a wicked grin forms on his face and the hunger in his eyes burns brightly.  Taking my hand, he pulls me to him and leans down to kiss me, devouring my mouth with his.  At that moment, I realize that the deal has been sealed with this very kiss and there is no way of getting out of it. 

As soon as I relax into him, he releases me and I almost fall to the ground.  Catching me, the concern in his eyes throws me off guard as he holds me.  Once I gather up my bearings, he lets go of me and turns to my parents.  He mentions, "By the way, I will have all of her things sent for in the morning.  Make sure they are all packed."  They both nod and bow to him when he stops speaking.  

All eyes fall on me again when he asks, "Are you ready to go?  You will not need anything today.  I have already prepared everything for your arrival."  

Daring to look up into his eyes again, I state, "Yes, my king.  I am ready."

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