Chapter Two: Unexpected Visitor
I cocked my head from side to side and stretched my arms. I yawned as I watched men start to train. I prepared myself to start my training too. Today, I was planning to shift in my wolf form and run through the forest. I want to test my strong legs and fix how keen my eyes were. It has been three days since I last saw Casey and Alpha Storm's news about Casey's big brother going in here. I had been paying my attention and expected if there would be anything looking suspicious about the upcoming of Casey's brother. Storm said that he was an Alpha too and he hasn't told me the right description about him and what his features or his look like. I didn't assume anymore if Casey wanted to battle with me or not. Maybe Alpha Storm warned her not to go here to the training gym.
I stepped to my feet and walked towards the forest. I mind-linked Alpha Storm that I would go for a run in the forest and wanted to be alone. As I shifted, I wiggled my fur and enjoyed the air penetrating it. Then I started to run through the forest.
I couldn't help the happiness I am feeling right now. Running into a wolf form made me feel that I am free and alive. I felt I was in a free place that only I could recognize. My four paws dug into the ground to make me run faster and faster. My wolf and I were very happy that we were doing this. It was a carefree feeling.
I didn't feel jaded and it's alright to feel it that way. This was the way I could train my wolf by just running into the forest across the pack borderline. It was neither risky nor dangerous for me to go outside the pack line. I was certain Alpha Storm sensed it and he would be mad at me again that I am doing this. He hates that I was crossing the pack borderline where that was the limit of his territory. But I actually didn't care about it.
I evaded the trees that passed by me. I almost grinned at myself at how good I was at doing this. I also looked at my surroundings, cherishing every moment I was running in the forest. Everything was a blur each time I ran. I dug my nails in the ground to stop myself from running when I noticed I'm too far away from the borderline and needed to go back again.
I haven't felt breathless but I need to rest. So, instead of hurrying up to go back by just running again, I chose to walk towards the path of the border crossline. As my paw stepped on the borderline, my smell senses automatically smelled something. I sniffed the air and it smelled like after rain and mint. I growled lowly because I admitted that it smells so good.
I never smell something strong like that scent ever. I could tell it has a scent of after rain and mint. I sniffed again and it really was so addictive. I started to walk and find where that scent came from. I keep on walking. My legs never felt tired so I came on pacing and smelled the scent coming from somewhere. When I continued walking, I noticed that the scent instantly smelt well. I noticed too that I was walking towards the brook where some of my packs were. Sometimes they take a bath from there.
As I sniffed again, I realized I was too close to the scent of after rain and mint. Why did it smell so alluring and addicting? Promise, I never smelled something like that anymore. As I was continuing the path towards the brook, the scent became so stronger and I kept on sniffing it. I didn't realize that I was now in the brook. If I haven't treaded in the cool water of the brook, I wouldn't really realize that I was really here.
I looked at my wolf form in the crystal clear water. I sided my face and then I came closer from the water to stare at my midnight blue eyes. I love staring at my eyes because of the eye color my wolf and I had. Next, I scanned my fur in the reflection of the water. I smiled mentally. My fur was truthfully colored white but at the end of the strands of my fur has a different color. It was an auburn. Sometimes, I noticed my fur glowed in the dark and it became red and sometimes emissives a speck of golden dust whenever I walked.
I am weird. But that's how I described and saw my wolf.
My wolf is a big, massive, strong wolf. She wasn't an ordinary wolf you could only imagine in your life. I was thinking I am the same size as all the Alpha wolves had. Alpha Storm knew about my wolf form. But I told him to find any ideas why I am so different from other wolves who usually had gray or black color. All Alphas had a black color in their fur whenever they usually transformed into their wolf form.
My ear heard some snap off a twig so it means there was an intruder. I started to growl lowly and turned around slowly to see who was behind. I narrowed my eyes when I saw a wolf larger than mine. I sniffed the air to see if he was in my pack or not. As I sniffed the air, my wolf and I frozen that the scent that came from that wolf is the scent I'd been looking for. It was the scent of after rain and mint. I instantly glared at the wolf who was looking at me.
I sniffed the air again. He wasn't in my pack. I knew it. I growled at him even though I couldn't stop sniffing the scent that came from that wolf. I examined the wolf. He had a red eye color that was intensely looking at me. My brows creased when I scrutinized the wolf. Like I've said, he was more massive than me. He was a male. I'm sure of it. His fur was pure white but at the end of the strands of it was very different from the color of it. The end strands of the wolf's fur were striking blue and I found it so beautiful to stare at it.
I heard a low growl coming from that wolf-like it was saying that I should pay attention to him. Then, he started stepping one step and he stopped. Then he did it again, stepping one step and stopping. I looked at him weirdly. What was that wolf doing?
I saw the wolf sniffing the air as if the wolf sniffed my scent and he scanned me like the way I do. I growled dangerously when he started walking towards me. So, I stepped back. Don't you dare to come with me. I said furiously to myself but more on that stranger wolf. I growled loudly that that wolf is a stranger so he must keep off in our territory. But it seemed that the wolf didn't even care whether I gave him a dangerous growl. He kept on pacing towards me. But despite giving him a warning, I could smell his alluring scent that penetrates my nose.
I started snarling when he stopped right in front of me. But I suddenly stopped when he came closer to me and sniffed me again. I did what he did. I sniffed his scent. Goodness! Graciousness! It was so addictive! The massive wolf was surely strong. I didn't understand my wolf when she started purring like a kitten and she rubbed herself onto the huge body of the wolf. I was shocked. We kept on smelling. Then my wolf whispered something to me that made my heart pound in shock and panic.
'Mate.'
I glared at the elephantine wolf with a beautiful striking fur at the end of the strands of his fur directly to his eyes. We both do the same staring at each other. And then I realized, my wolf kept on howling that he was my mate. I know that he knew that I was his mate too. I saw the intensity in his red eyes. I shook my head, disagreeing with him. I stepped backward.
No! No! This can't be right! He wasn't my mate! No! No! I stepped back again and I heard a low growl come up from him as if he was saying that I mustn't go away. I hesitated to take back and walked towards and nuzzled my snout at him... to smell his alluring scent. But I chose to step back again and stay away from him. I don't want him. I didn't expect to meet my mate here. No, please! Not now. Not this time.
I turned my back to him and with my powerful legs, I ran away from him very fast. I even heard him howl loudly when I was not in his sight. I ran and ran and ran till I reached the packhouse still in my wolf form. I mind-linked Alpha Storm and Casey in a hurried tone that I'm going to enter his office. I was too afraid of what was happening to me. I didn't expect that I would find a strange wolf who seemed to have entered our pack's territory. Why did Alpha Storm not move a muscle or notice that there's a stranger wolf right here?
I felt startled as I felt my mate's presence. Shit! I cursed as I noticed that my mate was following me. I could smell his scent not too far away from where I am. I hurried up again and forcefully slammed open the door using my wolf's head.
I almost ran through the Alpha Storm's office chanting hurriedly that I am going in. When I saw that the door was slightly opened, I went in. I saw them standing up and talking like they were like colleagues and they were shocked as I ran to Alpha Storm and I went back to my human form. "Rachelle!" they said in unison.
"Brother!" I said. I instantly hugged Alpha Storm as I locked my arms in his waist and was afraid to let go of him when I felt my mate's presence at my back. My body shook in fear. Alpha Storm locked his arms with me as if protecting me from any harm. I heard the strange wolf growl lowly and hid behind Storm's back.
"Brother!" I heard Casey squealed from God knows who she was indicating about. I was feeling nervous and at the same time fear. I was afraid to face my unexpected mate that was behind me, a few meters away from me. "Oh! Brother, why are you in your wolf form?"
I was stunned by what Casey said. Brother? Wolf form? Is that... Casey's brother?
I slowly gaped my head to meet the strange wolf whom Casey said was her brother. As I slowly glared, I met a pair of dark hazel eyes that were strangely looking at me. He was in human form and I could see his features. He had a beautiful pair of dark hazel eyes, a chiseled face, and his lips were slightly parted. He was looking at me intently as if I was the most beautiful he ever met. I felt the bond that was connected between us.
I could smell his scent of after rain and mint. It was so really alluring. I am sure of it. He was my mate and I knew he knew it. His eyes twinkled and he smiled at me. I just hid my face at Alpha Storm's back and hugged him tightly causing him to growl again.
Alpha Storm cleared his throat. "So, how’s your stroll in my pack, Claude?" I could feel Alpha Storm's arms locking me tightly like he was really protecting me. He mind-linked at me. 'Are you alright?' he asked me worriedly.
'I don't want to meet him, brother.' I pleaded with him not really wanting him to be my mate. He knew it. I realized I called him 'brother'. 'Sorry, I called you 'brother'.' I bowed my head at him.
I heard him chuckle. "It's alright. You are my little sister after all." He spoke it aloud. My cheeks flared from embarrassment from calling me a little sister. Then I felt his head turning sideways. "Claude, meet Rachelle, my little sister. Rachelle, meet Claude, Casey's brother."
I glared at Claude. He was looking at me again. I looked away and hid again. Claude growled again and I could feel the tension between us. The tension broke as Casey shrieked. She came over to me and hugged me. "My brother mind-linked me that you're his mate," she whispered.
Chapter Three: Feels to Reject I paced back and forth. I ran my hand in my hair, frustrated very much from meeting Casey's brother, Claude, as well as my unexpected mate. I groaned and wanted to mess up the conference room of Alpha Storm but I stopped myself. He was just watching me and he was smiling like an idiot at me. I hit the table and paced back and forth. This couldn't be! This shouldn't be happening! This isn't right! I paced again. Shit! Shit! Shit! I cussed in my mind. What should I do? What should I do? Should I leave? No! This was my pack where I live. Why would I leave? Because Casey's big brother was here? No! That was absurd! "Will you please stop pacing back and forth, Rachelle? I was the one who felt dizzy about what you were doing, not you. Oh, come here. Calm yourself and sit down," said Alpha Storm but I didn't listen. I kept on panicking. I know that some other werewolves dreamed of having their mates unexpectedly or not
"Hi, Rachelle! Glad to see, my beautiful mate."He took my hand. I felt a jolt of electricity when he held my hand and brought it to his lips to planted a soft kiss on my knuckles. It sent shivers down in my spine after he does that. I could feel the heat started to build in me because of him. His scent is still alluring and hypnotizing to smell every second.I slowly heaved in a breath and took off my hand from his. And
I couldn't move nor stir in my position. My eyes were still widening in shock as I felt Claude's face in my neck and his lips were pressing in my weak spot. Then his lips started to move. He was licking it. I automatically closed my eyes in submission."You really smelled so good just what I have thought, mate."I instantly opened my eyes as he whispered. I clenched both of my fists at how annoyed I was because of what h
I ran to the packhouse and met Storm who was holding a letter. I couldn't help the smile drew in my face as I took it from him and opened it. It was news from the palace. I read it carefully and with understanding."What a contagious smile, don't you think, Hance? Maybe that's good news, eh."I rolled my eyes as I found Beta Hance also smiling widely as also Storm. "Why, don't you stick your nose in me. Mind your own bus
Storm had commanded that I should have dinner before I walked out again from his pack. Supposedly, I didn't refuse him and obliged even though Claude is there. I accepted Storm's offer because I knew it would be too long before I'd be back again in his pack. And besides, I want to bid goodbye to everyone that became a part of me."There! You are now a goddess in your new form, Rachelle!" Casey said as she clapped her hands, glaring at me in the mirror.I smiled widely as I couldn't take my eyes off my reflection. She tied my hair into a messy bun. She ordered me to wear one of the dresses that didn't fit her off. I found it hard to believe. She has a nice, curve-shaped body that fits the off-shoulder blue dress that is under the knee I was wearing. I forgot to say that it is a formal dinner made by my brother. I wore this dress for the sake of Casey. She hasn't
"Let's have a toast everyone for my little sister, Rachelle," announced Storm as he raised his wine glass.I smiled, doing the same as they raised their glasses. I was overwhelmed that Storm has to do this effort together with his wife, Casey. Very formal event but we talked informally. I love how we do this thing. Surely, I'm going to miss them once I am in the palace."Thank you everyone for doing these things to me. I'm going to miss you all," I said happily, looking at them one by one. "I'm going to miss Alpha Storm's soldiers I trained so well. Please protect our pack even if I am gone in this pack.
After Claude and I made a moment, we decided to go to the woods with our wolf form. I agreed to make memories with him even though a part of me is yelling at me as to why I'm letting this.We passed the borderlines then I mind-linked Storm I'm going with Claude. I don't know why I let him agreed on me with this. Because the wolf part of me wants to be with Claude before I say a painful goodbye to him. I would think of going far away from him sickens me now. I sighed.Claude nudged me with his nose. I looked at him and found his massive wolf form. His red eyes were looking at me lovingly. At every end of
Excitement shot right through me as I saw the palace from afar to this road I was at. At last, I'll be back to my job and I will surely find myself to know everything. I'm still confused as to where pack I belonged before Storm's parents took care of me.The royal library holds the answers I am going to look for. I haven't been gone to the royal library ever since I was promoted as a battle commander. I always passed by it every time I patrolled around the palace. If I get a chance to have my off, I shall take the opportunity to enter the library."Commander, we have arrived."I snapped back to reality upon the coachman's announcement. A royal carriage servant opened the royal carriage door for me. I smiled at him, thanking him.As I stepped out, a young man approached me and saluted me. I made a salute at him. He was wearing a cutaway coat and glasses on his eyes. "Greetings, Royal Commander Rachell
The palace was in a chaotic situation right now.It was not because of the war. The war has been long gone and turned into history.It was because of the—"Your Majesty, Luna Queen Rachelle, where are you?""Prince Cloud.""Prince Claus.""Prince Clyde."I looked at my three sons as I hushed them not to make a sound as we were hiding at the back of the greenhouse garden. We silently laughed as the knights and palace guards were panicking all over the palace.'Hush,' I said through mind link to Clyde, seven years old, when he was about to speak. I gently pointed to his head. 'Use mind link to communicate with me, alright, darling?'I heard his giggle from the mind link. 'Yes, Mommy.'I turned at Cloudy, eleven years old, who was our lookout. He giggl
Claude nervously stood up as he bowed his head before my mother. "I-I..." He cleared his throat and looked at Her nervously. "M-Moon Goddess Lunaria, I-I am Clau..." He cleared his throat again when his voice cracked causing me to chuckle softly. "I'm... Uh... Claudian Alexander IV. I am..." He gulped. "I am Rachelle's mate," he said as he chuckled nervously. I chuckled and covered my mouth seeing how nervous Claude was right now. After we both shared a kiss earlier, Claude realized that we did it in front of my mother. Judging by the expression of my mother, I could surmise that she was raising her eyebrow, scrutinizing Claude up and down. (I know you, human. Your mother, Beatrice, always told stories about you and your sisters, Claude.) Claude gasped. "D-Do you always talk to my mother?" Mother nodded. "H-How is she? F-Father misses her so much. We also missed her, too." His voice croaked be
<Rachelle, my love...><Please wake up...><You promised me...><Don't leave me alone here please...><I need you...><Rachelle, our son... He needs you, too. Don't leave us, please...>I gasped and opened my eyes as I coughed and held my neck. "Claude...?" I creased my forehead when I was in a familiar... lavender field. Again? My eyes widened upon the realization. I even noticed that I was wearing a white flowy dress. "Mother!" I immediately turned my head when I felt Her presence.In an instant, She was already beside me and I felt suffocated because she embraced me in Her arms.(How have I long to hold you, my dear, Ragriel,) she said in her godly female voice. It was like there was another voice, an alto one, jo
"No, no, no. Claude, don't do this to me," I said as I held his face as he coughed more and looked into my eyes.He smiled faintly before he told me, "Please remove them. Quickly..." he demanded as I nodded to remove them.It was a good thing that Doctor McKenzie spared us a few antidotes in case something like this would have happened. Claude immediately took the vial and was about to bestow me the other one when someone shot it. Gasping, Claude quickly shielded me when we heard footsteps from where we came from."Well, well... I did not know I had a guest tonight."Claude and I growled a warning when my father, Magnius Lothim, appeared with a sinister smile plastering on his lips. His hands were smeared with blood and I was horrified upon seeing that he was holding the... decapitated head of—"Doctor McKenzie..." I mumbled his name as I started to feel disgus
"H-How did you get here?" I asked as soon as I realized what was happening.Before Claude could answer me, he cupped my face and immediately crashed his lips into mine. My eyes widened at that unexpected action from him before he broke our kiss. His expression softened upon seeing my surprised one."I have missed you, Rachelle... I was so worried when you were abducted..." His voice croaked."Your Majesties, we must get to the infirmary now." It was Doctor McKenzie.I turned to him. "But I do have chains. I cannot simply walk properly—" I almost shrieked when I felt being scooped by the familiar touch only to find Claude who was so near to me right now that was raging my heart so wild."I shall bring this," Doctor McKenzie said while he was bringing the metal boulder which wasn't heavy enough for us since we were werewolves. "Be quiet for now, Luna Queen Rachel
That time, I was left dumbfounded and thought it over.Ragriel, the Goddess of Mate Bond... That was me? I have the capability to connect and break a couple's mate bond?Then it hit me.Which reminds me, about Claude and I... I knew we uttered the words of rejection against each other. It was already known that there was no way that a broken mate bond could be able to interlace again.Unless that was the Moon Goddess's works Herself.But that was a rare case.Since I am the Goddess of Mate Bond, then did it mean that I... used my ability? Unconsciously?Was I the reason why Claude and I's mate bond reconnected?I looked up at the ceiling to see that the moon shone my way. It was an open ceiling yet there was moisture that came from the dew which was why I could see the moon and the stars in the sky. I sta
"Now, come, come, Rachellian. Dine with your father," Lothim said with a welcoming tone as he ushered me while my hands were being clasped with tight metal bondage in front of me.Hesitant, I only nodded and didn't dare to say anything. I didn't dare to fight back as I was saving my energy.I decided not to be a hard-headed one and must do what it takes not to annoy my father. He had already done some abusive actions to me as it drained me. This time, his behavior changed and he didn't dare to take drastic actions to hurt me.It was as if he suddenly changed after that night."How's... the situation outside... um... F-Father?" Damn it! It was hard to even call him that. I even had a hard time calling Claude's father like that as well as Storm's father. Now that myrealfather was here, Lothim informed me that I must start addressing him as my father.
I screamed at the top of my lungs as soon as the hot iron rod was pressed to the flesh on my back, creating a searing pain that made me want to pass out immediately."I do not know how to communicate with Her! I only have done it one time with the former Luna Queen Beatrice's painting! That was only one time!" I said through gritted teeth, hissing as I felt the flesh from my back was slowly healing.I heard Lothim's snort behind me before I screamed again when he pressed the rod again to my back. "My apologies, my dear daughter, but I am not going to accept that as an excuse!" he said angrily. "I want to speak with your mother!" he demanded."Halt! Please..."...Father. I wanted to say it but that word couldn't come out because until now, I still couldn't believe that... Magnius Lothim was my... father.When he didn't hear anything from me, I was coerced to return back to t
Claude"Your real name is Isabella Ashdown, right? How come you have a different name as a goddess of healing and hunting?" I asked after Lady Isabel was done healing my injury on my face. Smiling, I sighed in relief after seeing that I looked perfectly fine now.I was impressed as I didn't feel any pain anymore. So, this was the power of a deity... I already imagined meeting one of them but somehow, I was still in denial."Iseldis?" Lady Isabel asked to confirm her deity name and cackled. "Father explained before to me that Iseldis is my deity name and Isabella is my mundane name." She shrugged her shoulders. "I thought that he was jesting when he told me about it. But when I grew up, I think it was starting to make sense," she explained.I kept nodding my head taking interest in her father and how he became associated with the Moon Goddess and had a daughter with Her.