The Attack At Night

Audrey sat on the gold emblazoned stool in her room as her mother dried and oiled her hair as she always did when she was younger. She had ended the discussion about finding her mate and they both sat there in silence, the only sounds in the room were that of the comb running through her hair and the occasional sighs of her mother. Soon, her hair was back to being the beauty that most women envied. Red and full and long with a shine that never completely wore off no matter what. She was grateful for her hair. It had been the sole attraction of many in the past and still at present.. when her mother rose to leave , she felt a pang of pain. She had to enjoyed having her hair taken care of by her mother and it had made her nostalgic.

"I'll send in the maid to come and see you into your dress so that you can come down for dinner",

Her mother said. She nodded as she set the stool aside and sat by the dressing table, to admire her hair in the full length mirror and see how tanned her skin hae become from days of training hard in the sun. She smiled.. she looked even prettier with her skin tanned and all the paleness away and her coiffure was beautiful too. She heard the door close and opened again not long after. Her mother had sent in the maid. She was still sitting by the mirror, smiling for reasons she could not name when the maid appeared behind her.

"My lady, the Luna asked me to come and see that you are dressed up and ready to go down for dinner".

The young lady said. Audrey turned to her.

"I see. But first, what do you think of my coiffure?"

She asked the maid, hardly unable to conceal her pleasure. The maid seemed surprised that she had asked her, an ordinary maid about her looks and she beamed.

"Your coiffure is very beautiful, my lady. It suits you just perfectly!"

She said truthfully.

"My mother made it!"

Audrey exclaimed as she took one last look at the mirror and patted the few tendrils that had been left to cascade down the sides of her face. She will never forget how dexterous her mother was when it came to making beautiful hair styles.

"You should get dressed now, my lady or you will be late for dinner."

The maid who had gotten over her excitement said. She was aware she had come to have her work done and she could not afford to have the Young lady in her care go down late for dinner.

When Audrey stepped into her dress, she looked extreme beautiful that the maid stepped back, examined the dress and burst out laughing in delight. Audrey could not also seem to be able pull herself away from the mirror as she twirled continuously in front of the mirror.

"Why, you look so beautiful tonight my lady. Tell me, is your mate down there waiting for you?"

The maid asked, still beaming. Audrey turned to her sharply without any hint of amusement on her face and that alone caused the maid to flinch.

"I will wear whatever I chose to wear and look good when I want to and not because anyone is waiting for me!"

She snapped. The maid gasped. Surely, something must be wrong with Audrey she thought.. what woman did not like the thoughts of getting dressed up to see a man?

"I am sorry, lady. I did not mean to irritate you. I was only thinking_"

"Quit thinking. And do not ask me again. I have not found my mate yet!"

She said as she gathered her dress in her hand and began to walk to the door. The maid reached the door before her and flung the door open.

Audrey stopped by the door and sighed. A guard was going to escort her down to dinner.

***

Audrey was hardly able to work an appetite. She sat there, nibbling at many different foods that had been placed before her without really taking a sumptuous bite.

"What is wrong, Honey? You do not seem to be enjoying the meal. Tell me what the matter is",

Her father, Alpha Austin said. He had set down his cutlery and was staring at Audrey across the table. When she had first appeared, he had paid her so much compliments that she had thrown her head back and laughed, forgetting the sour mood that the Maid's question had put her in. It was always difficult for her to remain in a foul mood when she was around her father. He encouraged her to do the things she loved, applauded her when she did well and never pressured her unnecessarily. He hardly ever spoke of her finding a mate and he knew when to ask her certain questions in ways that she was never offended. Across the table, Audrey's brother, Johnson was watching her keenly and her mother did not seem to be focusing on anyone or anything but her plate of food.. she was still eating but one could tell that she was very much aware of the ongoings around her and she was paying full attention to the conversation.

"I am fine, dad. I don't know why I do not have appetite for this meal",

Audrey said.. as she set her fork down. Her father looked at her for a long time, trying to figure out what could be wrong with her.

"I do not think anyone who is totally fine will find it difficult to eat food. What is wrong dear, are you anxious or worried over anything at all? Do let me know",

Alpha Austin said. He still had his eyes on her.. she sighed.

"I have been a bit nervous all evening. I do not know why. I cannot really tell why I am" .

Audrey said. True, she was anxious and worried over a myriad of things she could not mention and even though she had laughed and momentarily forgotten her worry, it had come back again, stronger.

" Maybe it is as a result of the work you do out there. You could be suffering extreme exhaustion, dear. "

Audrey heard her mother say. She sighed. Her mother had a way of making all problems center around the things she did not like it want and Audrey knew better than to argue. She picked up her fork and tried to get some food into her mouth again.

"I do not think you have any reason to be nervous, unless you are only being uneasy as regards finding your mate soon. I heard people can get a sign ahead of time before they meet their mates",

Johnson said. He was not looking at Audrey as he spoke. He knew beyond doubt that she was not going to like the topic but he raised It anyways. The Luna nodded to what he had said, an indication that he could be also right but she did not say anything. Audrey was looking at them, jaws clenched. Her eyes looked like they would emit fire soon and she gazed intently at them. She was furious. Her mother and Johnson were not looking at her and that in itself maddened her.

"You should not torture yourself by getting angry when your family talks about you finding a mate, Audrey",

She heard her father's soothing voice, calm and sonorous.

"But why does everyone keep saying it? Why do they only talk about me finding my mate and nothing else?"

She asked, exasperated. She had turned her gaze to her father and she felt her lips tremble as she spoke. Her father set his cutlery down and reclined on his chair.

"Do not vex yourself over it. You will find your mate and no one will have the guts to say mean things to you anymore",

Her father said. Audrey took deep calming breaths and relaxed. It was amazing how his words could calm her down easily. She wondered why her mother who was supposed to be her friend was suddenly proving to be a pain in the neck. She could not fathom it.

" Do not worry over anything, Audrey. You should go to sleep early today and have all the sleep you can, when you wake up tomorrow, you will be refreshed and in a better mood, okay?"

Her father said and she nodded.

***

Audrey went to bed early that night but did not get any sleep until it was past eleven PM. She was still worried for reasons she did not know. She turned and tossed in bed until the slumber took her. No sooner had she slept off than she heard the loud noise and shouts outside her windows. There were feets away running below her window and the unsheathing of swords and stamping of foot was unmistakable. They were under an attack!