Chapter One

            Was it all a bad dream? Did I really have to lose my parents that way? The nightmares keep happening, the same way, every night for the past two years. I keep reliving the day that Prince Augustus stormed my kingdom, robbing me of my parents and my birth right to rule someday as a Luna Queen.

“Mada, how much further to my Aunt Serena’s realm?”

“Princess Adina, it isn’t much further. I have to feel for her. She keeps her realm cloaked so that she is not discovered. If Augustus got ahold of your aunt, The Witch Queen, he would be unstoppable with her by his side.”

There are some downsides to being a hybrid wolf-witch. People want to use you for your abilities like you aren’t a person. My Aunt Serena was visited by the moon goddess Selene when I was born. Which is totally unheard of since she normally only visits those who are her descendants. I guess since Selene had a special purpose for me, she made an exception in my case. My Aunt Serena bound my powers as a hybrid at birth. My wolf and abilities as a witch have been dormant and will continue to be until my 16^th birthday in just 3 days. My parents knew this would be coming. But I guess they assumed that Augustus would wait until my powers were revealed and not attack before.

“Mada, why can’t you just blink us there? I’m getting tired of walking in what feels like circles.”

“Princess, I’m sorry but my ability to blink depends on us knowing the destination. And since your aunt has hidden her realm that makes it impossible for me to blink us there.” Mada replies.

“Ugh… can’t I just call her and ask where she is or have her come get me?”

“Adina, if it were that easy to speak with Queen Serena, do you not think that your father would have just asked her to come get you instead of charging me with your safety?”

“You’re right.” I relent begrudgingly.

Why does this have to be so hard? I never understood why I had to be special and lose both my parents to some stupid entitled Prince of Lycan’s. I will never allow myself to be a pawn used for evil.

“Adina, wait, I think it’s over here.” Mada beckons me. “Yes, here is the entrance.”

Stepping through the portal and into my aunt’s realm we find ourselves face to face with my aunt’s soldiers. Things felt different in my head and body once I entered my aunt’s realm. I felt this strange force surging thru my veins. Since I have never visited my aunt in her kingdom it does not surprise me that the guards do not recognize me. Thru no fault of their own, the soldiers guarding the realm bound us and take us to cells in the Castle of the Blood Wraith. Trying to talk sense to these soldiers proved futile. They refused to listen to who we were, who I was. Claiming we were Augustus spies as if we would be in league with that jerk. I couldn’t help but roll my eyes.

“Here’s a nice cell for you two pathetic Lycan’s!” One of the soldiers spat out as he tossed us in. It was evident that this solider has never met a Lycan or he would know that we were to small to be Lycans. Lycans were known for their height.

“You will pay for this treatment of the Queen’s niece!” Mada yelled out as we were tossed into our cell.

“Pfft! The Queen has no niece. The Queen knows that her sister’s family is dead. You can quit your little charade Lycan’s.” a different soldier scoffs at us.

“You’re wrong, by witch-law I demand to see the Queen.”

“How does she know witch-law, Cade?” the first soldier asks the one who looks to be the captain of these men.

“Shut up, Luther.” Cade tells him. Turning back to face me he asks, “How do you know about witch-law Lycan, for no witch has ever helped a Lycan.”

“Take me to the Queen and we shall see if I am Lycan or if I’m her niece.” I demand.

“It will have to be arranged, Lycan.” Cade says and spins on his heel, leaving Mada and I trapped in our cell until called before the court.

Looking around our tiny cell we don’t have much a cot, a stool, a small window to look out. Not even big enough to put bars on to keep us in. Presumably it is also enchanted with a spell to prevent the stones around it from being maneuvered out to make the hole bigger. Looking out the hole we can see despite the enchantment on the realm that the sun is just starting to set.

rumble, rumble

Ugh it has been several hours since we stopped our search to eat. And now were trapped until goddess knows when without food.

“Princess, I am sorry I failed you. Even I cannot break the enchantment on these cells to get you food.” Mada says.

“It’s ok Mada I don’t blame you. I know aunt Serena has to use strong enchantments on these cells or else those who to possess magic can simply escape them. Don’t worry, I can hear Cade coming now. It won’t be long before we are before the high court and get this matter resolved.”

Keys clanging in the locks we find Cade opening the door to the other side along with the guard he called Luther.

“The Queen and her court will see you now, Lycan.” Cade informs us. “Don’t try anything funny.”

Following Cade up the winding staircase we enter a grand hallway. Looking at the walls we can see the various former Queens of the Coven lining the walls as we walk down the long hallway.  Just before we get to the door leading to the Queens court there are two tall chimeras’ watching us carefully. Cade knocks on the door and announces us to the court. Luther then pushes us through to the court.

Falling to the ground it is obvious that they believe I am truly Lycan and not the Queen’s niece. No matter, Serena will put them in their place.

“Rise Lycan!” I hear from the throne.

Looking up expecting to see my aunt, I was shocked to see someone else sitting on her thrown instead.

“Where is Serena?!?” I demand. “What have you done with my aunt?”

“I am Serena, who are you Lycan?” the voice from the throne says.

“You are not my aunt, you, imposter! Vacate that position and bring me to the Queen!”

Clapping from behind a pillar is heard. Turning to look I see it is my aunt Serena.

“This is no Lycan.” Serena addresses her court. “This is indeed my niece.”

A gasp is all that can be heard from her royal court.

“Adina, darling, how did you escape that horrible Prince Augustus? We were told all perished from your kingdom of the royal household.”

“Mada helped. I was stubborn though and refused to go willingly. It is my royal blood and strong desire to defend my people. Did that Lycan kill, all my kingdom as well?”

“No dear those who were loyal to your family he locked up in your own cells. The rest were forced to submit to him and recognize him as their Prince.”

“Aunt Serena, will you help lift the binding spell you have placed on me?” I ask.

“I’m sorry Adina, I can not lift the spell. It has to stay in place until you reach your 16^th birthday. No more no less. So, it is to be.”

“I cannot let this monster take over without a fight, I am by birth entitled to my throne. He can’t just take over by forfeiture of my right to defend by being absent from my kingdom.”

“I will make arrangements for you here Adina. You can stay here until you are able to take back what is yours. Come tomorrow night and we can see just how powerful the moon goddess made you. In the meantime, you can keep up with your training with my witches and warrior-hybrids while we plan with those who support our cause. You will not be restored to your throne without a war.”

“Thank you.”

“You will need it. Augustus is a horrible Lycan. I will call a meeting of the alliances to a neutral location within your realm. I can not afford to have Augustus know where my court is. We will use this time to plan and prepare for your return. We will also have to see if Augustus thinks you’re among the living or the dead.”

Just then a blinding white light appears within the Queen’s court. This ethereal beauty floats in with a gem in the shape of the moon along with stars adoring her crown across her forehead. All within the court bow before her, while I stand there entranced by her appearance.

“Good day Adina, Princess of all, daughter of mine.” Selene says to me.

“Moon goddess?”

“Yes, it is I, Selene my child. I have come to speak to all here in attendance since you have been forced from your home. It is important that Serena knows how special you will be, when you shift for the first-time tomorrow night in the full moon, and you receive the gifts from your mother and her line.”

“I get my wolf tomorrow?” Had I lost track of the days trying to locate my aunt’s realm, I thought to myself.

“Yes, that won’t be all you receive tomorrow either. I am also sending your mate to you tomorrow. He won’t know until after you have your first shift that you are his mate. As Serena has bound your powers and wolf it also bound your scent.”

“Selene, my goddess, won’t this be to much for her to receive all at once?” Serena asks.

“Serena, if she was not worthy of this, I would not give it all to her on the day she comes of age. If I were to delay even one part, she would lose her kingdom to the Lycan’s and there would be no hope for those who are left of my descendants. She will immediately know before all of your court and coven whom she is and just what protection your counsel will need to provide.”

“Yes, Selene” Serena says with even a bow to the Goddess.

“I will give you one last gift my child,” Selene says to me. ”I will give you the gift of foresight. Not into your future alone, but those who are around you. Some portions of your future will be hidden from you, so not to mess with free will and the fates. It will take just the slightest touch from you and you will know who to trust and what their future holds. This gift is a blessing and a curse. Do not share all you see with all whose future you look into. Some will change from help to harm in an instant. I will be here to help you if you need me. Just call for me and I will come.”

And as gracefully as Selene appeared she vanished just as quickly.

“Princess Adina, this is wonderful news.” Mada says.

“Now my dear. We must prepare, tomorrow’s full moon brings a lot of changes with it.”