Pre-Spar

I barely made it out of the school before Reese was calling me screaming on the other end of my cell phone. I was glad that at least the high priestess had allowed me to use some of the money that had been left for me from my parents to at least have a cell phone and on occasion buy my clothes. It felt like it took a lot of special arrangements for shopping trips or to do anything not priestess related but on occasion, she would allow me to do some normal teenager things.

“Oh my Kel, how on earth did this happen? I need every detail!” Reese was squealing.

I walked home slowly so I could fill her in. “I don’t know if it is that big of a deal I mean it’s not a date or anything.”

“Kel are you kidding me? He is taking you out to the woods alone to help you spar! Do you know how intimate that can be?”

“It doesn’t seem that intimate when you’ve shown me moves.” I shrugged to myself.

“Um, that’s because I’m your best friend not the sexiest guy in the whole school! Plus the future alpha! I’m telling you Kel he likes you!” I didn’t think that could be the case. Nobody paid attention to me I didn’t think and even when I had been asked out by the occasional guy they weren’t interested very long when they realized I could barely do anything let alone get away with even being considered an item in school as the high priestess would likely have my head on a stake or at least it’s how it felt. Although she was my primary person in my life, I never really felt a huge connection with her mainly because it took a lot to be the high priestess such as giving up a life of your own so I don’t think she ever understood why I’d want one of my own. She also kept telling me her hope was when I turned 18 the moon goddess would show the sign I was to be the next high priestess something I prayed to the moon goddess about daily to not let happen. “Okay, Kel seriously what are you going to wear tomorrow?”

“I don’t know I hadn’t thought of it. I still have to come up with a lie to get out of coming home right away.”

“Oh, that’s easy just tell Miss High Priestess high and mighty that there is a team project and you have to work on it and won’t be home till it’s finished. That should give you some time.” Reese couldn’t stand the priestess thing at all. She felt like they were too controlling but most future priestesses only had to come to the high priestess home a couple of times a week and go through one or two weekend ceremonies. I on the other hand lived there with the other single priestess so I was stuck living the life they choose because I didn’t have parents to live with and was waiting until I’d found my mate. “So seriously how about some Capri leggings and a cute tank top underneath your t-shirt tomorrow so you can show some skin.” I rolled my eyes.

“Reese I really don’t know if that’s all necessary. He probably just feels sorry for me.” I felt like that had to be the truth because there was no way Rogan could be interested in me like that. I’d seen some of the girls he’d been with in high school and they were always beautiful girls who were able to do a whole lot more than I could.

“Kel please don’t sell yourself short again for the 100th time. Dress in what I say and I will bring some things to freshen you up with.” I finally agreed to get Reese to calm down and headed home. The high priestess house was built into the cliffs and was higher up than the larger alpha house

that sat only about a ½ mile lower. The priestess was meant to be the protectors because of their healing and wisdom and also I think we were perched higher due to safety because we weren’t allowed to fight so at least make it harder for us to get to even though everyone said it was because we needed to be closer to the moon. It was true the Victorian-style home was large with more bedrooms than I could count all occupied by only one high priestess in the top room with a balcony and private bathroom. The balcony was so she could pray to the moon goddess by herself with everyone else to utilize the small garden space for our praying.

I helped the priestess out with dinner but then was also still expected to be the only one to privately eat with the high priestess afterward. She said it was our time so she could stay up on my classes as technically I think in some ways she thought of me as her child. I felt like it was my torture hour because everything was always so proper and I hated having my fellow priestess wait on me during dinner.

I entered the dining room with its proper chairs and furniture that looked like it should be in a doll house rather than used by real people. I stood waiting for the priestess to enter and bowed my head. I was grateful she at least allow me to wear my school clothes now instead of trying to go change and put on a ridiculous dress for dinner. She entered with her practically white hair down practically to her ankles and her crystal blue eyes. All of her body movements were that of dance practice and all the other priestesses ate it up. I did my best not to roll my eyes because after doing this since you were five it well, got tiring. She wore a light blue dress that went down past her feet and flowed as she walked with some small pears around her neck and her pale skin glowing even in the light of the room. I shifted uncomfortably waiting for her to sit so I could in my jeans and pink sweatshirt I’d put on as she tended to frown when she saw my graphic t-shirts underneath. She finally sat down and motioned to the priestess with a wave. “Please Kellina be seated and bring us our meals.” I sat down and did as she ordered waiting for our meal. She looked at me expectedly but I still waited for her to ask that I speak because I’d been down that road way too many times of being snapped out. After all, I spoke before she had spoken to me. The rules were a bit odd if she truly was my mother figure which is why I struggled so much. “Kellina my dear please tell me how was your day?” Seriously who talked like this?

“It was good, thank you, high priestess.” I bowed my head.

“Kellina, please call me by my name.” She always tried to make me call her by her name but it was difficult to remember when I was allowed and when I wasn’t.

“Excuse me High-er Melina school was good I even spoke with the future alpha today.” Wow did I have word vomit today?

“Oh? Please tell me more.”

“It was nothing I just helped him with an injury he received during sparring after school.”

“Well, it wasn’t nothing if you brought it up, Kellina.” I always felt like everything she said was purposeful and she was so annoyed that I could never just be like her.

I tried to think quickly. “It was just a privilege to serve our future alpha is all so I was grateful.” She nodded with approval and I was so happy that the food was brought to us at that moment. We ate

in silence as everything, even her eating was like a dance that I tried to replicate but I could tell by her occasional pause I failed miserably.

“Kellina dear will you be joining us for afternoon prayers tomorrow then since school will be complete earlier than the norm?” Every conversation with her was like this.

“I won’t be able to attend tomorrow.” I tried not to lie.

She stopped and looked up at me quizzically. “Why not?” She snapped at me disappointed.

“There is a project at school that I have to complete as a team and we only have tomorrow that works for everyone so I will be staying if it’s alright until it’s finished.”

“Your lessons come first for now Kellina.” She nodded in approval and I caught myself bowing. “Kellina please remember in just two weeks we will be celebrating your birthday.” I nodded. “Your fellow priestesses are planning the ceremony now and we are all very excited to see if the moon goddess will bless you with certain gifts.” I knew what she meant by gifts. Every high priestess has a tribal tattoo marking that shows up during their 18th birthday in front of the moon. I prayed I would not get that mark. “It is a privilege that I would hope I can pass down to you.” I could only nod and was glad when she bid me good night as she went to pray privately to the moon goddess in the evening.

I went outside to our small garden and looked to the moon praying in my mind please moon goddess do not ask of me to be the high priestess, find another path for me that is a gift to my pack but also allows me to be a wife and have a family someday. I couldn’t even put it in my prayer but secretly I hoped I’d find a mate quickly and be released from my time here and maybe even more secret in the way back of my mind that tomorrow could prove that Rogan would want me to be his.